Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa named Syria's interim president
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Ahmed al-Sharaa has been Syria’s de facto leader since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December.
Damascus: Syria’s Military Operations Administration has appointed Ahmed al-Sharaa as the interim president during the transitional period, granting him the authority to establish a temporary legislative council until a permanent constitution is ratified.
Spokesman Hassan Abdel Ghani confirmed that al-Sharaa would represent Syria internationally and serve as interim president. The administration also announced the immediate dissolution of all military factions and revolutionary political bodies, which will now integrate into state institutions.
The announcement was made during a "Victory Conference" held in Damascus, where al-Sharaa addressed the nation, stating, "We have freed our people from humiliation — now we must devote ourselves to reconstructing and advancing this nation." He referred to the sweeping offensive by militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) late last year, which contributed to the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government.
In his speech, al-Sharaa emphasized key goals, including closing governance gaps, merging all armed groups under state control, and restoring Syria’s position with regional and global partners. He also outlined efforts to strengthen the nation’s international relations.
Al-Sharaa, 43, has led HTS since 2017 and played a significant role in the 2024 opposition offensives that led to the downfall of the Assad regime and the creation of Syria’s transitional government. Since the ousting of Assad, he has effectively become the country’s de facto leader.
Interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani expressed the government’s commitment to an outward-looking foreign policy, aiming to promote Arab collaboration and reduce regional tensions. He highlighted the importance of removing sanctions quickly to aid in Syria’s recovery, stating, “We want Syria to be part of a collective Arab endeavor that promotes economic diversity.”
The transitional administration aims to unite Syria under a new political structure while focusing on regional cooperation and international support for the country’s reconstruction.
With IANS inputs