https://arab.news/cpzjv
The Lebanese politician said he was at a loss every time he thought about Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. He has an intriguing and complex past that merits deep study to understand the major transformation he has gone through.
He admitted that he was alarmed when he saw the 40-something man take over Damascus after the downfall of Bashar Assad’s regime. He was quick to clarify however: “I was never sorry to see the collapse of the Assad regime. In the end, those who deserve to fall will fall. He mismanaged the legacy he inherited and did not amend the several deep flaws inside the ruling system.
“He believed that running the palace means being able to run Damascus, and that running Damascus means running the whole of Syria. He never acknowledged the massive suffering or the terrible figures and statistics. Oppression, poverty and despair. He couldn’t build trust with the everyday Syrian. He never dared to open a window and, when he did, he was quick to close it. He banked on fear in making the people submit,” added the politician.
Moreover, Assad “lost the image of the strong leader after the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s assassination. After the eruption of the Syrian revolt, one thing was clear: Qassem Soleimani was in control of Syria, more so than Hafez Assad’s son. The same could be said of Hassan Nasrallah. Assad was the weakest player in that triangle.”
