The head of the largest rebel group has been de-facto in charge of the country since dictator Bashar al-Assad fled Syria in early December.
Former rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has been appointed Syria’s interim president, almost two months after his group helped topple the dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Sharaa, whose Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) organisation was once affiliated with al-Qaeda, has been in charge of the country since opposition forces swept into Damascus early on 8 December following a surprise offensive that lasted less than two weeks.
His appointment as caretaker president was announced after a meeting with other rebel factions and now-partners in the Syrian capital on Wednesday.
Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, a military spokesperson for the transitional government, said al-Sharaa would form a temporary legislative council.
The constitution that was in place under al-Assad has been cancelled, and the country’s parliament has been dissolved, he added.
It is unclear how long it will take Syria to draft a new constitution and prepare itself for elections.
However, Al-Sharaa, who previously went by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has hinted that it could be four years before the country holds a national vote.
Speaking in military uniform on Wednesday, the Syrian leader said he and his colleagues faced a “heavy task and a great responsibility” as they sought to rebuild a country blighted by more than 13 years of civil war.
“If the victor is arrogant after his victory and forgets the favour of God upon him, it will lead him to tyranny,” he said.
The priorities of the interim administration are “filling the power vacuum legitimately and legally” and “maintaining civil peace by seeking transitional justice and preventing revenge attacks,” he declared.
Qatar was the first country to react to al-Sharaa’s appointment, saying it was a step toward a “peaceful transfer of power through a comprehensive political process.”
Al-Sharaa has sought to distance himself from his hardline roots, presenting himself as a leader who will represent all Syrians. HTS is still designated a terrorist organisation by countries including the UK and the US.
