Syria's transitional government appoints foreign and defense ministers
Photo: Murhaf Abu Qasra appointed by Syria's interim government as defense minister (x.com/TRTWorldNow)
Two weeks after the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, rebels announced the appointment of two more ministers to the transitional interim government. These include the heads of the country’s foreign affairs and defense ministries, according to DW and Anadolu.
According to German media, Esaad Hassan Sheibani will become Syria's foreign minister. He is one of the leaders of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. This group is considered the leading organization in the coalition of anti-Assad forces. The coalition played a key role in the recent offensive that led to the overthrow of the regime.
Meanwhile, Türkiye's state news agency reported the appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra as the new defense minister. He is an engineer specializing in agriculture.
Representatives of the Syrian rebels announced these appointments to the transitional government on December 22.
Who are the new foreign and defense ministers of Syria
Sheibani is a graduate of the English Language and Literature Department at Damascus University. He holds a master's degree in political science and international relations.
After the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Sheibani actively participated in the opposition’s activities.
According to the German news agency dpa, Sheibani had previously been part of the"administration of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which operated in northwestern Syria since 2027. He also served as the head of the political affairs department.
As Anadolu reports, Sheibani was responsible for interacting with representatives of foreign states and international organizations, including United Nations bodies and other humanitarian structures.
Abu Qasra, appointed as Syria's new defense minister, was born in Halfaja, Hama province. According to media reports, he is one of the most prominent leaders of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
Transitional government in Syria
HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and currently, the de facto head of Syria’s government, announced on Sunday that his administration intends to declare the structure of the new defense ministry and army within a few days, Reuters reports.
During a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, al-Sharaa stated that his administration would not allow weapons outside the state's control.
Last week, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir stated that the defense ministry would be reorganized using former rebel groups and officers who had defected from Assad’s army.
It was also reported that on December 11, Syria’s new government assured the protection of all minorities. The government also urged Syrian refugees to return home.
Additionally, it was previously reported that on December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir was appointed Syria’s interim prime minister. He will lead the transitional government until March 1, 2025. According to media reports, he has close ties with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. This rebel military coalition led to the capture of Damascus on December 8, marking the de facto collapse of Assad’s regime.
