Syria's New Transitional Government Unveiled by Interim President

On Saturday, Syria inaugurated its new transitional administration following interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s appointment of 23 ministers from various religious and ethnic backgrounds for this diversified cabinet.

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has sworn in a new transitional Cabinet that replaced the caretaker authorities in place since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December 2024.

The 23-member Cabinet, dominated by close al-Sharaa allies who hold key positions, includes one woman and is religiously and ethnically mixed.

"The creation of a new government today signifies our collective resolve to construct a new nation," Al-Sharaa stated during a speech at the presidential palace, coinciding with the swearing-in ceremony for the ministers.

The designation of a provisional government is viewed as a crucial step as Syria’s newly emerged leadership aims to reconstruct the nation following the ousting of Assad, which concluded 14 years of civil conflict.

The Islamist-controlled leadership in Syria has faced global scrutiny to establish a governing body that better represents the nation's varied ethnic and religious groups.

The pressure intensified after the slaughter of numerous Alawite citizens —the minority group to which former leader Bashar Assad belongs—experienced violence along Syria's western coast earlier in March.

Who comprises Syria's new transitional administration?

Close associates of Al-Sharaa maintained key roles, with Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra keeping their seats in the Cabinet.

Anas Khattab, who leads the general intelligence division and is also an associate of Al-Sharaa, has been named as the new interior minister.

The Cabinet also includes Yarub Badr, an Alawite who was named transportation minister.

Amgad Badr, who belongs to Syria's Druze minority, will lead the Agriculture Ministry.

Longtime opposition activist Hind Kabawat, a Christian A female long-time adversary of Assad has been named as the Minister for Social Affairs and Labor. This appointment marks her as the first woman chosen by Al-Sharaa for such a role.

Raed Al-Saleh, the head of the White Helmets, the Syrian rescue organization operating in opposition-controlled regions, has been named as the new emergency minister.

A Kurdish individual from Damascus named Mohammed Terko was appointed as the minister of education, whereas the brother of Al-Sharaa was relieved of his position as the minister of health.

The declaration of the combined governance is intended to attempt persuading Western nations plan to remove devastating economic sanctions. those placed upon Assad over a decade ago.

The United Nations reports that 90% of Syrians are living under the poverty line, with millions experiencing reductions in food assistance due to the ongoing conflict.

What is the timeline for Syria to conduct elections?

In December, Al-Sharaa led an Islamist rebel faction in a swift assault against Assad. He was subsequently appointed as the interim president in January.

Earlier in March, he ratified a provisional constitution that outlined a five-year transition phase. According to him, it will require four to five years to develop the essential framework needed for conducting elections.

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru

Author: Kate Hairsine (along with AP, Reuters, dpa)