Syria’s new rulers have appointed prominent figures from the insurgency that overthrew Bashar al-Assad as key members of the country’s transitional government. Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, a senior figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, has been tasked with restructuring the country’s army and establishing “international relations that bring peace and stability.”
Abu Qasra led numerous military operations during Syria’s revolution and is known for his nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600. De facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed the form of the military institution in the new Syria during a meeting with armed factions, where Abu Qasra sat next to him.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir has announced plans to restructure the defence ministry using former rebel factions and officers who defected from Assad’s army. Bashir has also stated that he will lead a three-month transitional government, but has not declared plans for what will happen after that.
The new administration has named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister in an effort to establish “international relations that bring peace and stability.” Shibani is a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus University who previously led the political department of the rebels’ Idlib government.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241222-syria-s-new-rulers-name-defence-foreign-ministers-as-interim-cabinet-takes-shape