Damascus [Syria], March 31: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced on Saturday a new transitional government and reaffirmed his commitment to rebuilding a strong, stable state for all Syrians.
"The formation of a new government today is a declaration of our shared will to build a new state. This government will strive to rebuild state institutions based on accountability and transparency," al-Sharaa said.
The Cabinet, comprised of 22 ministers, was announced during an official ceremony at the Syrian presidential palace.
The country was ruled from December until now, by an interim government headed by Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir who was appointed for a three-month period following the ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Sharaa - previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Joulani - spearheaded the surprise rebel advance that toppled al-Assad's regime in December 2024, prompting the former president to flee to Moscow after more than two decades in power.
Two ministers from the interim government, Murhaf Abu Qasra and Asaad al-Shaibani, retained their positions as defence and foreign ministers, respectively.
"We have a historic opportunity to rebuild our economy on more solid foundations," said the newly appointed economic minister Nidal al-Shaar.
Mohammed Yosr Bernieh was given the finance ministry.
Hind Kabawat, a Christian woman, was the first woman to be appointed by the Islamist al-Sharaa to the ministry of social affairs and labour.
"Our collective goal must be a just and sustainable social system that ensures the fair distribution of resources," Kabawat said.
Raed Saleh, who previously led the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue organization that operated in opposition-controlled areas of Syria, has been appointed as the minister of emergency and disaster management in the newly formed Cabinet.
"The creation of the ministry comes in response to an urgent need after years of war that were fraught with challenges and dangers," Saleh.
He added that "the road ahead is not easy and the challenges are great, but nothing is impossible when the national interest is paramount."According to Syrian sources, the government will not have a prime minister, but al-Sharaa is expected to oversee the work of the Cabinet himself.
Source: Qatar Tribune