Syria Establishes New Government Amidst Transition

Syria has officially formed a new government aimed at facilitating the reconstruction of the nation following the ousting of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad. On Saturday evening, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the composition of a cabinet consisting of 22 ministers. This follows the establishment of a transitional government after Assad's removal in December.

According to Sharaa, the new administration is committed to rebuilding state institutions with a focus on responsibility and transparency. Key figures from the previous transitional government will retain their positions, including Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra. Anas Khattab, who is a close associate of the interim president, has been appointed as the new Minister of Interior.

The transitional government, which was led by Mohammad al-Bashir, the former governor of the rebel stronghold Idlib, has seen significant changes, including the appointment of the first female minister in this new cabinet. Hind Kabawat, a Christian, has been designated as the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor. Notably, a Prime Minister has not yet been appointed, and it is anticipated that Sharaa will oversee the cabinet's operations.

The shift in power occurred when a rebel coalition, predominantly led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), took control of the Syrian capital, Damascus, on December 8. Following his departure, Assad sought refuge in Russia. The new authorities promptly dissolved the former parliament and the ruling Baath party, effectively annulling the constitution that was established in 2012. Subsequently, in late January, Sharaa was designated as the interim president, and in mid-March, he signed a constitutional declaration outlining a five-year transition period following Assad's removal.