New Syria govt to suspend constitution and parliament for three months after Assad's ouster

Syria's constitution and parliament will be suspended for three months during a transition period following President Bashar al-Assad's ouster, according to an AFP report citing the new government spokesman.

Obaida Arnaout, the new government spokesman, said that a committee will review and amend the constitution. “A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and introduce amendments,” Arnaout told AFP. The current constitution, adopted in 2012, does not designate Islam as the state religion.

A meeting between former government ministers and the new "Salvation Government" ministers is scheduled for Tuesday to facilitate the transfer of power.

“This transitional period will last three months. Our priority is to preserve and protect institutions,” Arnaout said.

Rebels took control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing Assad to flee the country. They appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as interim prime minister until March 1. Bashir previously led the rebels' "Salvation Government" in Idlib.

Speaking from the captured state television headquarters, Arnaout promised “the rule of law” and stressed that “all those who committed crimes against the Syrian people will be judged in accordance with the law.”

Arnaout also assured that existing religious and cultural freedoms will be upheld. “We respect religious and cultural diversity in Syria,” he added.