New Year’s celebrations are a heady time – a powerful mix of collective hope and excitement at new beginnings. For the Syrians who packed the streets of Old Damascus and other cities as the clocks struck midnight yesterday, these new beginnings are not just about their own individual futures but those of the country as a whole.
This new national future is rapidly taking shape. This week, Mohammad Khaled, a political affairs representative of Syria’s interim government, told The National that a national dialogue conference will be held in Damascus this weekend. It will include “more than 1,000 people participating from every Syrian province” across “the spectrum of Syrian society and its sects”, he said.
Mr Khaled’s remarks chime with similar statements from the country’s interim leader, Ahmad Al Shara. Since the fall of the Bashar Al Assad government last month, Mr Al Shara has insisted that the new Syria will be just, pluralist and will not allow a return of the abuses of the past. These are important positions to take if the new authority is to retain the confidence of regional neighbours, the international community and – most importantly – the Syrian people.
But when it comes to the actions taken thus far by the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham-led authorities the picture is more mixed. On Tuesday, the interim government appointed Maysaa Sabrine as the first woman to lead the country's central bank. However, this historic decision was preceded by reports that Syria's newly appointed head of women's affairs told a Turkish broadcaster that women should "not to go beyond the priorities of their God-given nature".
Even more concerning is the appointment of Islamist militants to official security roles. The nearly 50 senior military appointments at the weekend included several foreign fighters, such as Abdulsalam Yasin Ahmad, deputy head of the Turkistan Islamic Party, a faction that called for global violence after the Assad government fell on December 8. Another appointment is that of Abdul Jashari, an Albanian who leads Xhemati Alban, a small group of militants from the Balkans.
The appointment of Islamist militants to official security roles is concerning
There may be sound, pragmatic reasons for integrating such figures and their militias into government structures. Law and order in Syria is precarious, and alienating armed rebel factions would create a serious security and political challenge for the new authority in Damascus. However, having militants in the ranks of the armed forces may do little to foster the kind of confidence Hayat Tahrir Al Sham requires if it is to meet the many challenges that lie ahead.
What everyone wants to see is a better Syria. To help this process, the interim government must do as much as it can to engender trust at home and abroad. So far, it has done a good job in committing itself to building a rights-based system and restoring the rule of law. It has also been careful to manage expectations and has avoided rash or unrealistic promises of sudden improvements. The coming national dialogue is a chance to build on the progress made so far, but this must not be undermined by decisions that could dash the hopes of the many excited Syrians who rang in the new year this week and seek new beginnings.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE
Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
