Syria’s interim president on Thursday signed a temporary constitution that leaves the country under Islamist rule for five years during a transitional phase.

The document enshrines separation of powers and guarantees women's rights, freedom of expression and media freedom.

Syria kept a central role for Islamic law in a constitutional declaration issued on Thursday which guarantees women's rights and freedom of expression during a five-year transitional period, according to a summary read on TV.

Religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the US and Europe, are wary about freedom of expression protections