Five years after the overthrow of ruler Assad, free elections are to be held in Syria – according to a declaration made in mid-March. Until then, a new government under head of state Ahmed al-Sharaa is to manage the transition. The cabinet consists of 22 members: 21 ministers and one female minister. The Christian Hind Kabawat will head the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
Former rebels keep their posts
The formation of the new government is the “declaration of our common will to build a new state”. This was said by Scharaa when the new members of the government were announced in Damascus, according to media reports. The new government is to take care of the reconstruction of the country, among other things. Former rebels in the previous transitional government are keeping their posts – for example Asaad al-Scheibani (foreign minister), Marhaf Abu Kasra (defense minister), Anas Chattab (interior minister) and Mohammad al-Baschir (energy minister), former head of government of the rebel stronghold Idlib.
The Druze and Alawites are also represented
Raed al-Saleh, the well-known former head of the private rescue organization White Helmets, is the minister for emergency and disaster management. The Alawite Jarub Badr heads the Ministry of Transport. The Druze Amgad Badr is responsible for the agriculture portfolio.
Women’s rights and freedom of expression
The appointment of Hind Kabawat, who was active in the opposition to Assad, is interpreted by international observers as a message to Western countries. Along with other states, Germany had demanded that women and minorities be taken into account. In a declaration for the transition period, Islamic law was given a central role. However, women’s rights and freedom of expression were also guaranteed in it. Prime Minister Scharaa’s goal is to have the international economic sanctions against Syria lifted.
Support for reconstruction
Stefan Schneck welcomed the announcement of the new government in Syria, according to a report by the Syrian news agency SANA. The diplomat and Germany’s special envoy for Syria in Damascus also said that Germany was ready to support the Syrian people in the reconstruction.
See SANA https://sana.sy/en/?p=350830
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