Syria's President al-Sharaa forms new transitional government
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Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (REUTERS)
Beirut: Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has announced the formation of a "transitional government" in Damascus, marking a significant step in the country’s political transformation following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The announcement, initially set for earlier this month, came on Saturday amid international calls for an inclusive transition after recent sectarian violence. Syria’s new leadership aims to reunite and rebuild the nation and its institutions after Assad’s ouster on December 8, which ended 14 years of civil war.
The new Cabinet retains key figures from the interim leadership, according to Xinhua news agency. Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, formerly the interim Foreign Affairs chief, has been appointed Foreign Minister, while former Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab will serve as Interior Minister. Marhaf Abu Qusra, who managed defence affairs in the interim administration, has been named Defence Minister.
Several structural changes have also been introduced, including the establishment of a Ministry of Emergency and Disasters to handle natural and humanitarian crises, alongside a newly created Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Veteran opposition figure Hind Kabawat, a member of Syria's Christian minority and a longtime critic of Assad, has been appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, making her the first woman in Sharaa’s administration. Additionally, Raed al-Saleh, leader of the White Helmets rescue organisation, has been named Minister of Emergency Situations and Disasters.
The Islamist-led authorities now in control have pledged to safeguard minorities, particularly in light of sectarian violence earlier this month. Clashes between gunmen from Assad’s Alawite community and militias aligned with the Sunni-led rebel forces that overthrew him resulted in civilian massacres, raising concerns about sectarian tensions.
A caretaker government under Mohammad al-Bashir had been in place since December to guide the country until a new Cabinet was formed, with an announcement originally scheduled for March 1.
In January, al-Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—the Islamist group that spearheaded Assad’s overthrow—was appointed interim President. Assad’s government collapsed on December 8, 2024, after a 12-day offensive led by HTS and allied militant factions.
Since taking charge, al-Sharaa has led the interim administration, working to establish a new political framework for Syria. This month, he enacted a constitutional declaration outlining a five-year transitional period. However, some experts and rights groups have raised concerns that the declaration consolidates power in his hands while lacking sufficient protections for minority groups.
With IANS inputs