Damascus, Syria – Renowned Syrian actor Jamal Suleiman has expressed his intention to run for the presidency of Syria following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. In an interview with Al Arabiya TV on Tuesday, Suleiman confirmed that he would consider running for the highest office in the country if he believes he is the best candidate for the job.
Suleiman emphasized that he would not hesitate to put himself forward if no one more suitable emerged, stating, “If I don’t find someone more fit than me for this position, I will nominate myself if the Syrian people wish it.”
Breaking the Taboo
The actor also spoke about the impact of the previous regime on the Syrian people’s aspirations, describing how the Assad government had instilled a “taboo” against Syrians aspiring to hold high governmental positions. Suleiman remarked, “The regime instilled in us the belief that it was forbidden to say ‘I want to be a minister or president.’ You could only become these positions if they allowed you to. But this is our right as Syrians.”
A New Alternative
Suleiman expressed a desire to break away from the notion that the downfall of the Assad regime would inevitably lead to the rise of extremist or exclusionary forces. He added, “There was a prevailing belief that when the regime falls, the alternative would be terrorist or exclusionary groups. But I want to say that this is not a necessity. The alternative could be someone who has spent his life in academic, artistic, and cultural work, someone moderate who believes in democracy.”
Suleiman’s statements reflect a broader desire among many Syrians to move towards a more inclusive and democratic future following years of conflict and authoritarian rule.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
