Power shift in Syria: Interim President puts allies in command with new government
The caretaker government under Mohammad al-Bashir was appointed to lead the nation until a new cabinet was established.
Syria's acting President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Saturday declared a new transitional government headed by close associates and containing one woman to replace caretaker administrations in office since the toppling of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad.
Strategic Move in Syria
The announcement, which was rescheduled from a few weeks earlier, comes after global demands for an open-ended Syrian transition since recent sectarian massacres, where the new Syria's leaders wish to reunify and rebuild Syria and its institutions after Assad's December 8 overthrow ended a 14-year civil war. Close allies of Sharaa maintained crucial portfolios, with Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani and Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra keeping their cabinet positions, while Anas Khattab, director of general intelligence, was made interior minister.
Interim President Forms New Cabinet
Veteran opposition figure Hind Kabawat, a Christian minority member and veteran Assad adversary, was appointed social affairs and labor minister, the first woman ever so appointed by Sharaa. The head of the White Helmets, Syrian rescue team workers operating in rebel-held zones, Raed al-Saleh, was appointed minister of emergency situations and disasters. The Islamists now in power in Syria have vowed to protect minorities, especially following mid-January battles between Assad's Alawite gunmen and militia loyal to Sunni rebel groups that overthrew him that led to massacres of civilians.
Allies Step into Strategic Roles
In December, Mohammad al-Bashir was appointed to lead the country until a new cabinet, whose details would be announced on March 1, was formed. In late January, Sharaa, leader of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led Assad's ousting, was appointed as interim president. This month, Sharaa inaugurated into force a constitutional declaration governing the transitional period of the country, spanning five years. A few analysts and advocacy groups have warned that it makes power more centered in Sharaa's position and does not incorporate sufficient safeguarding of minorities.
