Syria's new President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Saturday formally announced the formation of a new government, pledging to rebuild state institutions based on transparency and accountability in a post-Assad era. Speaking at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, Sharaa said, "We are witnessing the birth of a new phase in our national journey, and the formation of a new government today is a declaration of our shared will to build a new state." "This government will seek to open new horizons in education and health care, and we will not allow corruption to infiltrate our institutions," he added. The newly appointed Cabinet consists of 22 ministers, including one woman, and comes amid sweeping political changes in Syria following the ouster of longtime leader Bashar Assad. Sharaa, who assumed the presidency in January following the fall of the Baath regime, described the new administration as a cornerstone of Syria's transition. Key appointments include Murhaf Abu Qasra as minister of defense, Anas Khattab as minister of interior, and Asaad al-Shaibani as minister of foreign affairs. The justice portfolio will be held by Mazhar Al-Wais, while Hind Kabawat was appointed minister of social affairs and labor, and Mohammad Abu al-Khair Shukri will head the ministry of religious endowments (Awqaf). Other notable ministers include Marwan al-Halabi (higher education), Hamzah Mustafa (information), Yarob Badr (transportation), and Mohammad Eskaf (administrative development). The tourism sector will be overseen by Mazen al-Salhani, and youth and sports by Mohammad Sameh Hamad. The new cabinet also includes Mohammad Saleh (culture), Mustafa Abdul Razzaq (public works and housing), Mohammad Abdul Rahman Turko (education), Amjad Badr (agriculture), Abdul Salam Haykal (communications and IT), and Raed al-Saleh (emergency and disaster management). Mohammad Anjarrani was named minister of local administration, Musab Nazzal al-Ali will serve as health minister, and Nidal Al-Shaar will lead the economy ministry. Mohammad Yusr Barnieh was appointed finance minister and Mohammad al-Bashir will head the energy portfolio. The ministers took the oath of office before President Sharaa after delivering brief remarks outlining their goals for reform and rebuilding. This government replaces an interim cabinet that had been in place since December, when anti-regime forces led by Sharaa seized control of the capital and ended the decades-long rule of the Assad family. Bashar Assad fled to Russia following the collapse of his regime. — Agencies
