Syria appoints Sharaa as interim President

The new Syrian authorities announced yesterday the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa as interim President, granting him a mandate to establish a legislative body, according to state media.

The rebel coalition, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under Sharaa’s leadership, ousted Bashar al-Assad on December 8, effectively ending his family’s five-decade-long iron-fisted rule.

Previously, a transitional government was formed to govern the country until March 1. According to local media reports from SANA, Sharaa has now been appointed as interim President during this transitional phase.

SANA, citing military official Hassan Abdel Ghani, reported that he declined to specify the duration of the transition. Sharaa will also represent the country in international forums. He has been tasked with forming a “temporary legislative council… until a permanent national constitution is decided,” SANA added, noting that Assad-era Parliament has been dissolved and the 2012 Constitution suspended.

The announcement was made at a conference on the victory of the Syrian revolution, attended by Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and leaders of armed groups.

Abdel Ghani also announced the dissolution of all armed groups involved in Assad’s ousting, including the former government’s military and security agencies.

“All paramilitary groups, political bodies, and civil revolutionary organizations have been dissolved and integrated into state institutions,” SANA reported, citing Abdel Ghani.