Although the conference was called to chart the country’s future, the Kurdish-led militia that controls much of Syria’s northeast was not invited.

Syria has a "historic opportunity" to build itself anew, its interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Tuesday, addressing a national dialogue summit billed by Syria's Islamist rulers as a key milestone after decades of Assad-family rule.

Nearly three months after Assad fled, much of Syria is suspended between relief at the dictatorship’s demise and anxiety over what comes next.

A long-awaited national dialogue conference intended to help chart Syria’s political future after the fall of former President Bashar Assad is set to begin.

Syria's interim president said on Tuesday (February 25) his country had a "historic opportunity" to rebuild, addressing a national dialog summit billed by Syria's Islamist rulers as a key milestone after decades of Assad-family rule.

The talks are another optimistic indicator that Syria's new leaders are striving to move the country toward democracy.

Syria’s National Dialogue Conference was an encouraging step in the country’s political transition. It also underscored some early warning signs.

Syria's interim president said on Tuesday his country had a "historic opportunity" to rebuild, addressing a national dialogue summit billed by Syria's Islamist rulers as a key milestone after decades of Assad-family rule.

Syria’s interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa held a two-day conference to chart a path forward after the fall of the Assad-led regime. But, the US backed Kurdish forces were not invited for the dialogue.

Sharaa, right, leaves the podium after speaking during Syria's national dialogue conference at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Feb 25 2025.