Syrian lawmakers take constitutional oath collectively

Members of Syria's parliament took the constitutional oath collectively moments ago during the legislature's opening session in Damascus, marking its first meeting after a one-week postponement.

The collective oath-taking came contrary to the procedure outlined in the Constitutional Declaration. Earlier, ANHA agency reported that the mechanism for administering the constitutional oath was among the main reasons behind the postponement of the first session, originally scheduled for July 6, along with discussions over organizational arrangements for the opening meeting and the election of the parliamentary bureau.

The agency also reported that discussions had addressed the issue of administering the oath in the languages of Syria's various communities before a final decision was made to adopt a unified formula and conduct the oath collectively inside the parliamentary chamber.

Speaking as he called on lawmakers to take the oath, Chairman of the Higher Committee for Elections Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad said: "We decided that the oath would be taken collectively because it is faster and to ensure the security of the session."

Following the oath-taking, parliament is expected to elect its Speaker, two deputies, secretary-general, and members of the parliamentary bureau, who will oversee parliamentary sessions during the transitional period. The legislature will then move toward forming permanent parliamentary committees, establishing its work program, and exercising its powers in accordance with the Constitutional Declaration and the temporary electoral system issued by the Interim Government in Syria.

ANHA