By bnm Gulf bureau Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivered his first national address on January 30, outlining his vision for the country's political transition following significant changes in December,

He had spent the day with the leaders of Syria’s myriad armed factions, trying to persuade them to disband. Over seven weeks after the fall of Damascus, the fate of these groups is still uncertain. His aides claim that all militias will be dissolved and then absorbed into a new national army.

Former rebels now controlling Syria name an interim president and throw out the constitution adopted under Assad, saying a new one will be drafted soon.

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Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was declared president for a transitional phase on Wednesday, tightening his hold on power less than two months after he led a campaign that toppled Bashar al-Assad.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani became the first head of state to visit Damascus, Syria's capital, and meet with Sharaa. The Qatari royal court said the emir discussed with Sharaa "the urgent need to form a government that represents all segments of the Syrian people.

Syria's new president Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to "pursue the criminals who shed Syrian blood and committed massacres and crimes" in his first address to the nation since the fall of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad.