DAMASCUS - Syria's interim defense ministry on Friday launched meetings with military leaders to begin the process of incorporating various rebel factions into its command, local media reported.
The move comes after the country's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, reached an agreement last month with rebel chiefs to dissolve all armed groups and consolidate them under a unified ministry.
This development comes ahead of the planned Syrian National Conference that is expected to take place in the early days of January.
Turkish broadcaster A Haber recently reported that the conference is expected to announce the dissolution of all armed factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by al-Sharaa, who played a key role in toppling the Assad government on Dec 8.
This will be the first pan-national conference since the dramatic power change in the Arab country.
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Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a major offensive from northern Syria on Nov 27, capturing Damascus and overthrowing the government within 12 days.
On Friday, French and German foreign ministers urged Syria's new interim government to embrace diversity and inclusivity during a visit to Damascus, marking the first such European diplomatic mission since President Bashar al-Assad's fall from power in December.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with al-Sharaa.
"France and Germany stand with the Syrian people in all their diversity," Barrot said on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling for a "peaceful transition" to ensure regional stability.
After meeting civil society representatives, Barrot stressed the importance of Kurdish participation in the emerging political process.
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Baerbock ruled out European Union funding for "new Islamist entities" while emphasizing minority rights and women's participation in the political process.
"A better future for Syria requires inclusive peaceful transfer of power," Baerbock told a news conference. "All ethnic and religious groups must participate in the constitutional process."
She cited security coordination between Kurdish forces and other factions as "an important first step" toward establishing a national defense framework.
