On Saturday, Syria inaugurated its new transitional government following interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s appointment of 23 ministers from various religious and ethnic backgrounds for this inclusive cabinet.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria’s acting president, has administered the oath of office to a newly formed transitional government, replacing the provisional administration that had been in charge since the departure of long-time leader Bashar Assad in December 2024.

The 23-member cabinet, heavily influenced by close associates of Al-Sharaa who occupy crucial roles, comprises one female member and represents a mix of religions and ethnicities.

“The creation of a new government today signifies our collective commitment to establishing a new nation,” Al-Sharaa stated during a speech at the presidential palace, where the ministers took their oaths.

The designation of a provisional government is viewed as a crucial step as Syria’s newly emerged leadership aims to reconstruct the nation following the ousting of Assad, which concluded 14 years of civil conflict.

The Islamist-dominated administration in Syria has faced global scrutiny to establish a government that better represents the nation’s varied ethnic and religious groups.

The pressure increased after the
the slaughter of numerous Alawite civilians
— the minority group to which ousted leader Bashar Assad belongs — experienced violence along Syria’s western coast earlier in March.

Who comprises Syria’s new interim administration?

Close associates of Al-Sharaa maintained key roles, with Foreign Minister Assaad Al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra keeping their respective positions in the Cabinet.

Anas Khattab, who leads the general intelligence agency and is also an associate of Al-Sharaa, has been named as the new interior minister.

The cabinet also features Yarub Badr, an Alawite appointed as the transportation minister.

Amgad Badr, a member of Syria’s Druze minority, will head the Agriculture Ministry.

Longtime opposition activist Hind Kabawat, an
Christian
A female long-time adversary of Assad has been named as the Minister for Social Affairs and Labor. This appointment makes her the first woman chosen by Al-Sharaa for such a role.

Raed Al-Saleh, the head of the White Helmets, the Syrian rescue organization operating in rebel-controlled regions, has been named as the new emergency minister.

A Syrian Kurd from Damascus, Mohammed Terko, was appointed as the new minister of education, whereas Al-Sharaa’s sibling was relieved of his duties as the minister of health.

The declaration of the combined governance intends to strive for persuasion.
Western nations plan to remove debilitating economic sanctions.
those placed upon Assad over a decade ago.

The United Nations reports that 90% of Syrians are living under the poverty line, with millions experiencing reductions in food assistance due to the conflict.

What is the timeline for Syria to conduct elections?

In December, Al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel faction that initiated the swift attack against Assad, was appointed as the interim president in January.

Earlier in March, he ratified a provisional constitution that established a transition phase lasting five years. According to him, it will require between four to five years to develop the essential infrastructure needed for conducting elections.

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru

Author: Kate Hairsine (along with AP, Reuters, dpa)