ISTANBUL

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Monday vowed that his country is entering a new phase of reconstruction “worthy of its present and its past,” marking the first anniversary of the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

In a speech after performing the dawn prayer at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Sharaa, wearing a military uniform, told Syrians: “No one, no matter how great, will stand in our way. No obstacle will stop us, and together we will face every challenge, God willing.”

“From its north to its south, and from its east to its west, God willing, we will restore Syria strong again with a rebuilding worthy of its present and its past – a rebuilding worthy of Syria’s ancient heritage,” he added.

The next phase will be grounded in “supporting the vulnerable, and ensuring justice among people,” the president went on to say.

According to SANA, Sharaa placed a piece of Kaaba’s cloth, presented to him by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, inside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia last December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. Sharaa’s new transitional administration was formed in January.