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A Political and Administrative Perspective for Syria After the Change (2 – 3)
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Structuring Authority During the Transitional Phase and Its Tasks

Given that the specific circumstances of the political transition in any country determine how authority is structured and its tasks, the question arises: Will this transition facilitate a Syrian consensus on the content of the impending change towards a new system in Syria? Or will it lead to a struggle over the substance of this change?
In the event of agreement on the first option, which requires the establishment of a "historical bloc" of active political forces, the initial step would be to prohibit the use of weapons and facilitate the return of Syrian refugees from exile unconditionally. Subsequently, the focus would shift to rebuilding the state so it can effectively perform its essential functions across security, economic, social, and political domains, based on the legitimacy of a temporary constitutional declaration for the transitional phase and public satisfaction.
The constitutional declaration for the transitional phase delineates the pathways for political transition based on the following criteria (1): the form of the political system (presidential, parliamentary, mixed), and the shape of the electoral system (proportional representation, majority system, individual, small districts), along with a fair determination of electoral districts to ensure that results reflect the will of all voters, guaranteeing the freedom and integrity of elections. The sustainability of the political process would depend on institutionalizing the relationship between civilian and military entities and disarming militias.
The crucial aspect of the process of restructuring and institutional reform is ensuring the operation of state institutions according to the principles of good governance, enabling them to involve all Syrians in the reconstruction of their country. "Participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus-building, equity, inclusiveness, effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability are the key indicators of good governance" (2).
The founding assembly responsible for legislative authority during the transitional phase could be formed through a political consensus, given the challenges of conducting elections at the start of the transitional process. It must be empowered to carry out the following tasks (3): take on legislative authority, draft the constitutional declaration, issue flexible laws for the establishment of political parties and civil society organizations, prepare for writing a permanent constitution in collaboration with the Supreme Judicial Council, regulate and monitor economic activity, and prepare for national elections in light of the permanent constitution.
An important aspect of institutional reform is the "guiding principles for election management" (registration of candidates, establishment of polling stations, ballot distribution, voter registration, issuance of credentials, distribution of credits, management of credits, voting, counting, auditing, recounting). Therefore, the founding assembly should "establish an independent Syrian body to manage the process" (4).
To restore the confidence of Syrian citizens in the state during the transitional phase, it is essential to "reform the institutions of the judicial and security sectors in ways that enhance the rule of law and prioritize human rights." The goal of security sector reform is to "achieve democratic governance that respects human rights while restoring the state’s monopoly on the legitimate use of force, assuring these rights." The most prominent challenge in this sector is "to ensure that its services are applicable and accountable to provide security for individuals and all social components" (5).
To achieve this, the transitional government must: reduce the number of security agencies and regulate their operations through law, transform the military institution into a professional national army that does not interfere in politics, meaning preventing its officers from joining any political party. Additionally, reforming these agencies aims to "achieve democratic sector governance that respects human rights, holding them accountable to independent oversight bodies and civil society, while simultaneously restoring state sovereignty" (6).
Judicial reform should be among the first institutions to be restructured at the beginning of the transitional phase, ensuring that "every Syrian citizen feels they do not need to fight for their violated rights or protect their rights independently, but instead there is a judiciary that guarantees these rights for everyone, as all are equal before the law and the judiciary."
Another angle to consider in the transitional equation is the Syrian society and its will, highlighting what it can do to influence the future of Syria. The most successful option for averting potential conflicts is the presence of civil society organizations to encourage a spirit of understanding and cooperation among various factions, reinforcing trust in the state and its institutions, positioning them as the best guarantor of Syria’s unity and progress. Additionally, these organizations can engage in monitoring and supervising governmental institutions, as well as contributing to setting standards and objectives for reforming governance institutions. This requires: abolishing all constraints, laws, and decisions that restrict the activities of civil society organizations, affirming their right to fulfill their oversight role, and granting their institutions the right to pursue legal action, especially filing appeals before the Supreme Constitutional Court regarding their field of activity.
In reality, there is a correlation between the modern national state and civil society, meaning between political and civil communities, but with relative autonomy for the latter, based on the idea that "civil society is the space of freedom, while the political society is the domain of law
Abdullah Al-Turkmani
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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