Syria Installs New Transitional Government Following Assad’s Ouster

Syria’s new transitional government was sworn in four months after Assad’s removal, comprising a 23-member Cabinet aimed at restoring stability. The government, lacking a prime minister, emphasizes diversity, including representation from minority communities. The Cabinet’s goals involve ending ongoing violence and attracting international support, amid ongoing sanctions that stress the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Syria’s transitional government was officially sworn in on Saturday, approximately four months following the displacement of Bashar Assad. The newly formed 23-member Cabinet marks the inception of a five-year transitional period aimed at reinstating stability within a nation ravaged by conflict. This Cabinet is diverse in terms of religion and ethnicity, replacing the interim government established shortly after Assad’s removal in December.

In accordance with the provisional constitution signed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa earlier this month, the Cabinet will operate without a prime minister, instead appointing a secretary general. Coinciding with the upcoming Eid el-Fitr celebrations, the Cabinet also retains key figures from the interim government, notably the ministers of foreign affairs and defense. Anas Khattab, recently the head of the intelligence department, will preside as Syria’s new Interior Minister.

In his inaugural address, al-Sharaa emphasized, “The formation of a new government today is a declaration of our joint will to build a new state.” Additionally, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra pledged to cultivate a professional army that serves the people. Notably, the government does not incorporate members from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Among the newly appointed ministers are Hind Kabawat, a Christian activist, who will oversee the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, and Raed Saleh, the former head of the White Helmets, who has been assigned to handle emergency disasters. Mohammed al-Bashir, previously leading the interim government, has taken on the role of Minister of Energy, tasked with reviving the electricity and oil sectors.

The government’s primary objective is to reconcile differences and end persistent violence, which has recently escalated, leading to significant loss of life among members of the Alawite minority. Although Syria’s prevalent insurgent factions are largely Sunni, the inclusion of minority representatives, including women, is a strategic move by al-Sharaa to signal to the international community the importance of diversity in Syria’s political landscape. It is hoped that this religiously diverse Cabinet might persuade Western nations to reconsider the economic sanctions against Syria, as ongoing crises leave 90% of the population beneath the poverty threshold.

Just prior to the announcement, the U.S. State Department issued a warning regarding the heightened risk of attacks targeting embassies and public institutions in Syria during the Eid el-Fitr holiday, reflecting heightened security concerns in the region.

The establishment of Syria’s new transitional government represents a critical step towards re-establishing governance following decades of conflict. The diverse composition of the Cabinet, alongside pledges to build stability and revitalize national infrastructure, signals an effort to attract international support and address the dire humanitarian conditions faced by the populace. However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding security and the need for national reconciliation amidst ongoing violence and socio-economic turmoil. Key leaders have emphasized the importance of inclusivity, appealing for a political process that integrates various sects and communities in Syria. The future of the country will depend largely on the government’s ability to enact comprehensive reforms and restore peace and order.

Original Source: www.local10.com