Damascus, Aug.2 (SANA)PresidentAhmad al-Sharaaaffirmed that Syria’s diversity and centuries-old civilization remain the foundation of its national identity, saying that removing the ousted regime was necessary not only for Syria, but for the region as a whole.

The President added that Syria is the pivotal country in the region as it has been built over 7,000 years through its diversity.

President al-Sharaa, in an exclusive interview onal- Jazeera’sThe Interviewprogram,offered a wide-ranging account of his political journey, Syria’s recent transformation and his vision for the country’s future.

“Removing the former regime was necessary for the region as a whole”

As for the victory of the Syria people over the ousted regime, the President said that removing the former regime was necessary not only for Syria, but for the region as a whole as “we have focused on the military aspect of confronting it while also preparing for the reconstruction phase.”

“I was influenced by Arab nationalist discourse that focused on issues facing Arab people”

“The environment in which I grew up rejected the former regime because of its policies, practices against citizens, and restrictions imposed on them,” President al-Sharaa said, affirming that his sense of belonging to the Golan stemmed from the daily discourse that was deeply rooted within his family and society.

About his early life, the President said that he was influenced by Arab nationalist discourse that focused on issues facing Arab people, and there are elements it shares with Islamic discourse.

“We distinguish between Islam and Islamic experiences, which incorporate different ideas and interpretations,” President al-Sharaa affirmed.

“Syria is the pivotal country in the region”

President al-Sharaa went on to say that Syria is the pivotal country in the region, and “I expected that one day it would undergo a period of change.”

“I benefited from every experience and began organizing efforts to bring down the regime from within Damascus, defeats and setbacks taught us many lessons, especially with our limited resources. We received no external support and succeeded in building a balanced economy in Idlib,” the President commented on his experience while fighting the deposed regime,” the President added.

“We were certain of success and that the regime would fall”

The Presdient affirmed that he was certain of success and that the regime would fall because it had committed countless crimes against the Syrian people as its removal was necessary not only for the people of Syria, but for the entire world.

“We surpassed the regime even in living standards in Idlib. We trained ourselves in reconstruction and institutional management, established a Shura Council, universities and media institutions, and built a large industrial city, residential neighborhoods, shopping malls, roads and other infrastructure,” President al-Sharaa stressed.

“We have given equal priority to the demands of war and to reconstruction”

Concerning his struggle in the Syrian north-western city of Idlib, the President said that he has given equal priority to the demands of war and to reconstruction and economic development, despite operating in an area under siege and facing immense pressure.

“We sought to convey our true image through the media and visitors by showcasing what we had achieved in Idlib and the liberated areas across various sectors, President al-Sharaa added.

“There are fundamental principles that must be upheld; serving the people and defending them”

As for his beliefs, the President affirmed that there are fundamental principles that must be upheld; serving the people, defending them, and standing against injustice.

Regarding Syria, President al-Sharaa said that it has been built over 7,000 years through its diversity.

“I believe humanity began here, and when we stand before Damascus, we stand before the cradle of human civilization,” the President concluded.