**Syria's New Era: Interim President Calls for Unity and Reconciliation at Historic Conference**

**In a landmark conference, Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasizes the importance of unity and dialogue in shaping the country’s future. As representatives outline a transitional government, concerns about exclusions from the process loom large.**

Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has heralded a "historic" national dialogue conference aimed at steering the nation towards recovery and rebuilding after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Speaking at the event in Damascus, Sharaa called for integration of armed groups into state forces, reinforcing the idea that "Syria's strength lies in its unity." The conference gathered around 600 delegates tasked with providing recommendations on pivotal issues like transitional justice, economic reform, and drafting a new constitution for the impending transitional government.

Despite the optimistic rhetoric, critics argue that the dialogue process is being rushed and express concern over the exclusion of the Kurdish-led militia alliance and the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria, who were not invited to participate. This exclusion has raised questions about the representativeness of the dialogue, especially given the region's significant control under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their refusal to integrate with the new Syrian military.

Sharaa emphasized the resilience of the Syrian people and the necessity of seizing this unique opportunity for progress. "What we are living today is an exceptional, historic and rare opportunity. We must take advantage of every moment to serve the interests of our people and our country," he stated. The organizing committee plans to form six working groups addressing diverse issues, including civil society's role and the future economic model. While the outcomes will only be recommendations for the transitioning government set to be inaugurated soon, they mark a crucial step in Syria's reconciliation efforts.

However, the SDF has been vocal in its absence from the conference, with spokesman Farhad Shami characterizing the dialogue as an effort to placate international interests, rather than a genuine step towards a better future for all Syrians. Moutasem Sioufi, affiliated with an independent civil group, underscored the importance of inclusive discussions to address the various factions in Syrian society effectively.

The international community is keenly observing the developments, especially amidst U.S., U.K., and EU sanctions placed on the Syrian government, which were implemented following the actions of the Assad administration during the civil war. While some sanctions have been lifted to allow humanitarian assistance, further actions depend upon Syria's new leadership upholding commitments to minority rights and democratic progress.

In a reflection of these sentiments, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani expressed gratitude towards the EU for suspending some sanctions, yet criticized ongoing restrictive measures as illegitimate and damaging to the Syrian populace. The outcomes of the conference could have significant implications for Syria's path forward, navigating the delicate balance between unity, representation, and reconciliation amidst historical challenges.