Shara, guarantees individual freedoms but gives Mr. al-Shara abundant power and keeps Islamic law as its legal foundation.

Syria's interim President Ahmad Al Shara on Thursday signed the country's constitutional declaration, which will be enforced throughout a five-year transitional period. Mr Al Shara said he hoped the constitutional declaration would mark the start of "a new history for Syria,

The document, regarded as an "interim constitution," specifies that the president's religion is Islam and that Islamic law is the main source of his legislation. It also addresses key issues such as the separation of powers, judicial independence, and guarantees for women's rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press.