Hadi al-Bahra, leader of the Syrian opposition and president of the Syrian National Coalition, emphasized the need for an 18-month transitional period to create a safe and neutral environment for elections in Syria. In a statement to Reuters, he outlined plans for a new constitution that will guide the electoral process, calling for public servants to continue their roles during the transition. Al-Bahra expressed mixed feelings regarding Bashar al-Assad’s potential departure from the country, highlighting the need for accountability for past crimes.