Syria's new de-facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has stated that the country is not a threat to the West or its neighbors and called for the lifting of sanctions imposed during the Assad regime. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the rebel alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), also argued that HTS should be de-listed as a terrorist organization. He denied that HTS targeted civilians and emphasized the importance of education for women. Al-Sharaa expressed his desire to bring different religious groups together and not play on sectarian divisions. HTS is working to establish a transition government and provide aid and services to civilians.