Syria's interim President Ahmed Shara has signed a constitutional declaration setting out a five-year transition period

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Shara has signed a "constitutional declaration", setting a five-year transition period.

According to AFP, Shara signed the constitutional declarations on Thursday, indicating that they will be implemented during a five-year transition period.

He said he hoped the constitutional declaration would mark "the beginning of a new history in Syria, where we will replace oppression with justice."

According to a constitutional declaration drafted by experts, Syria will retain Islamic sharia as the main basis of law and uphold freedom of opinion and expression.

Abdul Hamid Awack, a member of the committee that drafted the declaration, said it stipulated that "women have the right to participate in work and education and guarantee all their social, political and economic rights."

Avak said the declaration also provides for an "absolute separation of powers" but gives the president the only special power to declare a state of emergency.

Avak also said that the People's Assembly will be responsible for drafting all legislation, one-third of which will be appointed by the president.

A Supreme electoral commission will be set up to oversee the election of members of the legislature.

According to the declaration, the legislature cannot impeach the president, nor can the president dismiss any member of parliament.

Executive power will also be limited to the president during the transition period, Avak said, noting the need for "swift action to deal with any difficulties."

He also said the declaration affirms the independence of the judiciary and prohibits "the establishment of special courts," which many Syrians have suffered for decades.

The Declaration will come into force as soon as it is officially published.

In late January, Shara promised to issue a "constitutional declaration" that would serve as a "legal reference" for the transition period. In early March, he announced the formation of a committee to draft the declaration, including two women.

Shahra was appointed interim president in late January after the Liberation Al-Sham group, which he leads, toppled Assad last year.