Syria’s new leadership has appointed Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as the country’s foreign minister as part of efforts to establish international relations following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The announcement was made by the Syrian news agency on Saturday.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader since rebels seized control of Damascus on December 8, has been actively engaging with foreign delegations, including representatives from the United Nations and the United States. He emphasized a focus on reconstruction and economic development while avoiding involvement in further conflicts.
The new administration described the appointment of Shibani as a move aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people to bring peace and stability. While details about Shibani remain scarce, his role will likely involve fostering diplomatic ties and managing international cooperation.
Rebel forces led by Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, ended Assad’s 13-year rule after years of devastating civil war. The conflict claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and left the nation’s infrastructure in ruins.
Although Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group is praised for toppling Assad, questions remain about whether it will impose strict Islamic governance or transition toward democracy. Previously affiliated with al-Qaeda, HTS severed ties with the organization in 2016.
Sharaa’s leadership has installed a three-month caretaker government, with Washington recently removing a $10 million bounty on his head as part of shifting diplomatic dynamics. The focus now turns to Syria’s path toward rebuilding and its future role on the global stage.
