ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Saturday announced his new cabinet. The interim leader is under international pressure to ensure an inclusive, democratic government.
“At this historic moment, as we mark the beginning of a new phase in our national journey, I assure you that today is the beginning of a new phase in which we draw inspiration from our great past to advance toward the future we deserve with strong will and unwavering resolve,” Sharaa said in a speech in Damascus.
“It is our collective responsibility, government and people, to work together to build this nation. We will not allow corruption to infiltrate our institutions, and we will not relent in fighting injustice. Justice is the foundation of everything, and these values will remain a beacon that guides us in each step in every decision we make,” he said.
The new cabinet includes Anas Khattab - Minister of Interior, Asaad al-Shaibani - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murhaf Abu Qasra - Minister of Defense, Marwan al-Halabi - Minister of Higher Education, Hind Kabawat - Minister of Social Affairs, Mazhar al-Wais - Minister of Justice, and Mohammed al-Bashir - Minister of Energy.
After a rebel coalition led by Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December, they formed a transitional government headed by Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani). He vowed that the rights of all Syria’s components will be protected under the new government, but has received criticism for the transitional constitution that cements authoritarian rule and is accused of excluding minority Kurdish, Druze, Christian, and Alawite communities from decision-making bodies.
Kurds in the northeast and Druze in the south have advocated for the adoption of a decentralized and secular system.
The interim constitution dictates a five-year transitional phase.
