Syria’s new de facto leader Ahmed al-Sara (Mohammed al-Golani) announced on Sunday night that the organization he leads, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – formerly known as the Nusra Front – will dissolve in the context of a national dialogue conference.

Asked during an interview he gave to Al Arabiya, about the dissolution of his organization, the leader of the jihadists, who until recently used the pseudonym al-Golani he had as a fighter, answered “naturally. A country cannot be governed with the mentality of organizations and militias.”

The organization formerly had ties to the Islamic State and Al Qaeda, but al-Sara insists that he cut them off and tries to appear moderate. He has repeatedly pledged to protect minorities, who fear he will try to impose Islamist rule.

According to Sarah, the upcoming national dialogue conference will include the broad participation of Syrian society and issues such as the dissolution of the parliament and the drafting of a new Constitution will be discussed and voted on. The announcement of the dissolution of the jihadist organization will be made at the conference.

On the situation in northeastern Syria, Sara said discussions are underway with all sides to resolve remaining conflicts, including the one with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), of which a key component is Kurdish militia supported by the US.

“We reject to make Syria a platform from which the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) will launch attacks against Turkey”Sara interpreted anyway.

In addition, he announced that the Syrian Ministry of Defense will include in its ranks the Kurdish forces.

“We are negotiating with the SDF to resolve the crisis in northeastern Syria. The Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian population. The Syrian Ministry of Defense will integrate Kurdish forces into its ranks. There will be no federalism» pointed out the new leader of Syria.

“Elections in 4 years – Until then I rule”

“The holding of elections in Syria can last up to four years” the de facto leader of Syria also clarified.

He claimed that the current period – under his leadership – is a “preliminary” for a longer interim government to come next.

“To share power at this time would be disastrous at this stage” he said characteristically.

As al-Sara pointed out, it will take at least a year for Syrian citizens to see dramatic changes in the country.

Also, it will take at least 3 years for post-war Syria to have a new Constitution.

On relations with Russia

Al-Sara emphasized that Syria has “strategic interests” with Russia (which has military bases in Syria and was an ally of Bashar al-Assad) and would not want Moscow to leave the country in a way that is not in the best interest of the two countries’ relations.

The new leader has also recently stated that Syria’s relations with Russia should serve common interests.

Finally, he expressed the hope that the new Trump administration in the US will lift the sanctions imposed on Damascus.

Top US diplomats who visited Damascus this month said Ahmed al-Sara appeared as a pragmatist and that Washington has decided to lift the declaration against the new Syrian leader.