Syria has issued a constitutional declaration that guarantees women's rights and freedom of expression during a five-year transitional period.
It also keeps a central role for Islamic law, according to a summary read on television during the signing ceremony.
The declaration is designed to serve as the foundation for the interim period being led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a Sunni Islamist who spearheaded a lightning offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad from power in December.
Islamic rules will be "the main source" of legislation, according to the summary. This differs from the previous constitution which called it "a main source" of legislation.
"We have kept Islamic jurisprudence as the primary source of legislation among sources of legislation," said the summary, read out by a member of the committee which drafted the declaration.
"This jurisprudence is a true treasure that should not be squandered," it added.
Mr Sharaa appointed the committee to draft the declaration less than two weeks ago.
It guarantees women's "right to education and participation in work, and guaranteed them political rights" and provides "for freedom of opinion, expression, media, publication and the press," according to the summary.
"We hope that this will be a good start for the Syrian people on the path of construction and development," the interim president said during the signing ceremony.
Last month, he said that it would take four to five years to hold a presidential election.
Syria's previous constitution, which became law in 2012, was suspended in January.
Mr Sharaa - who has promised to run Syria in an inclusive way - has been grappling with the biggest test of his leadership in the wake of a wave of sectarian killings in the coastal region, mostly of members of the Alawite minority to which Mr Assad belongs.
The deaths - blamed on fighters aligned with the government - came after pro-Assad gunmen attacked security forces.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that nearly 1,400 civilians were killed by the security forces or allied groups.
On Monday, Syria's authorities announced that the operation against Assad loyalists had ended.
Council to 'enhance national security' announced
Earlier, Syria's new authorities announced the formation of a National Security Council, to be chaired by Mr Sharaa.
The body will be tasked with "coordinating and managing security and political policies," the country's presidency said, according to a decree posted on social media.
Its creation comes as the authorities seek to impose national rule, disband armed groups and rebuild Syria after more than 13 years of civil war.
The decree stated that the council was being formed "in an effort to enhance national security and respond to security and political challenges in the coming stage".
Other members of the body will be the ministers for foreign affairs, defence and the interior, as well as the head of the intelligence agency.
There will also be two "advisory" members and a technical expert appointed by the interim president.
Meetings will take place periodically, or when Mr Sharaa decides, "and decisions related to national security and the challenges facing the state will be implemented in consultation with the members".
