Egypt Daily News – Syria has formed a new transitional government. Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara announced the formation of a transitional government, marking a significant development in the transition process after decades of rule by the Assad family and efforts to improve Syria’s relations with the West.
Al-Shara appointed 23 ministers to a broadened government. The new Syrian authorities, led by Islamists, came under pressure from both the West and Arab countries to form a more inclusive government that represents various ethnic and religious sects in the country.
The pressure increased following the killing of hundreds of civilians this month from the Alawite sect—the minority group from which former President Bashar al-Assad hails—during violent incidents on Syria’s coastal region.
The new government included the appointment of Yaarab Badr, an Alawite, as Minister of Transport, while Amjad Badr, a member of the Druze sect, was appointed Minister of Agriculture.
The new government also appointed Hind Qubwat, a Christian who opposed Assad and worked for interfaith tolerance and women’s empowerment, as Minister of Social Affairs and Labor.
Mohammad Yasser Barnieh was appointed Minister of Finance in the new government.
Both Marahf Abu Qasra and Asaad al-Shibani retained their positions as Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs, respectively, in the new government. A caretaker government had been formed following the ousting of Assad in December during a swift attack by opposition fighters.
For the first time, Al-Shara created a Ministry of Sports and a Ministry of Emergency Situations, appointing Raed al-Saleh, the head of the Syrian Civil Defense Organization known as the White Helmets, as Minister of Emergency Situations.
In January, Al-Shara was announced as the interim president of the country and pledged to form an inclusive transitional government responsible for rebuilding Syria’s collapsed public institutions and managing the country until elections, which he said could be held within five years.
The new government will not have a prime minister, and Al-Shara is expected to lead the executive authority.
Syria issued a constitutional declaration this month, designed to serve as the foundation for the transitional period led by Al-Shara. The declaration maintained the central role of Islamic law, while guaranteeing women’s rights and freedom of expression.
