Syrian president announces transitional government

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has unveiled a transitional government, appointing 23 ministers in a diverse and expanded cabinet.

The new administration, announced on Saturday, includes Yarub Badr, an Alawite, as transport minister, while Amgad Badr, from the Druze community, will oversee the agriculture ministry. "Today’s government formation represents our collective commitment to building a new state," al-Sharaa declared in his speech.

This transitional government will operate without a prime minister, with al-Sharaa directly leading the executive branch. Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Resul Sardar noted that al-Sharaa aims to demonstrate Syria’s governmental diversity. Critics had previously accused him of appointing only close allies to ministerial roles in the caretaker cabinet.

Western and Arab nations have urged Syria’s leadership to form a more representative government, reflecting the country's ethnic and religious diversity. Pressure intensified after recent violence along Syria’s western coast, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Alawite civilians—the sect of ousted former president Bashar al-Assad.

Among the newly appointed ministers is veteran opposition figure Hind Kabawat, a Christian and longtime opponent of al-Assad, who will lead the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour—the first woman appointed by al-Sharaa. Other key appointments include Mohammed Yosr Bernieh as finance minister, while Murhaf Abu Qasra and Asaad al-Shibani will retain their positions as defence and foreign ministers, respectively.

Al-Sharaa’s caretaker cabinet has governed Syria since December when al-Assad was ousted in a swift rebel offensive. In January, al-Sharaa was named interim president and committed to forming an inclusive transitional government to restore Syria’s institutions and oversee the country until elections, which may take up to five years to organize.

For the first time, al-Sharaa has also established a Ministry for Emergency Situations and Disasters, appointing Raed al-Saleh, leader of the White Helmets rescue organization, to head the department.

Earlier this month, Syria introduced a constitutional declaration, outlining the framework for the interim period under al-Sharaa’s leadership.