Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a constitutional declaration stating that the transitional period to a new government will take five years.



This came on Thursday, about three months after the collapse of the government of former President Bashar al-Assad.



The declaration states that the religion of the President of Syria is Islam and that "Islamic jurisprudence is the principal source of legislation."



It says, "The state guarantees freedom of opinion, expression, information, publication, and the press."



It also says, "The state shall preserve the social status of women" and "safeguard their dignity."



Syria is home to many minority groups, including Kurds and Christians.



A Kurdish group issued a statement protesting the declaration, saying the measure contradicts the reality of Syria and its diversity.



Sharaa said after receiving the draft constitutional declaration on Thursday that he hopes this is the start of "a new history for Syria."



Observers say it is still difficult to tell whether the country can achieve stability while including its Christians and other minorities.



More than 1,000 civilians have died in Syria this month in clashes between interim government forces and those supporting ousted former President al-Assad.