2 hours ago David Gritten BBC News The prime minister of Syria’s new transitional government has said it is time for people to “enjoy stability and calm” after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.
Before this week, Mohammed al-Bashir was little known outside the areas dominated by HTS in the north-western provinces of Idlib and Aleppo.
In January, Bashir was appointed prime minister of the Salvation Government (SG), which HTS established to run the territory under its control.
He said the most important test would be how the transitional arrangements in Damascus were organised and implemented.
“And then I do believe that the international community will look at the [terrorist] listing of HTS again,” he added.
Two hours earlier.
Gritten David.
BBC News.
Following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, the prime minister of Syria’s new transitional government has declared that individuals can now “enjoy stability and calm.”.
Former leader of the rebel government in the northwest, Mohammed al-Bashir, was speaking to Al Jazeera after the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies appointed him to lead the region until March 2025.
To discuss the transfer of portfolios and institutions, Bashir presided over a meeting in Damascus on Tuesday that included members of both his new government and Assad’s former cabinet.
The statement came as the United Nations representative for Syria stated that the rebels need to put their “good messages” into action on the ground.
In the meantime, the US secretary of state declared that Washington would acknowledge and fully back a future Syrian government—as long as it came about through a legitimate, inclusive process that respected minorities.
A peaceful pro-democracy uprising was brutally put down by Assad in 2011, which led to a devastating civil war that has killed over half a million people and forced 12 million more to flee their homes.
Prior to this week, Mohammed al-Bashir was not well-known outside of the HTS-dominated regions in the northwest provinces of Aleppo and Idlib.
Prior to the 2011 civil war, he worked at gas plants and received training as an electrical engineer, according to his resume.
The Salvation Government (SG), which HTS formed to govern the region under its authority, named Bashir as its prime minister in January.
With its ministries, local departments, judicial system, and security forces, the SG operated similarly to a state while upholding an Islamic law-based religious council.
Under its control, about four million people lived, many of them displaced from other parts of the nation.
Following the capture of Aleppo by HTS and its allies earlier this month at the beginning of their lightning offensive, the SG intervened to restore public services after institutions in the city ceased to operate.
Security forces reportedly patrolled streets, doctors volunteered at hospitals, volunteers from charities distributed bread, and technicians assisted in repairing local telecommunications and electricity networks.
Assad’s former prime minister Mohammed al-Jalali was shown on a video of a meeting in Damascus on Monday hearing HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani say, “It is true that Idlib is a small region lacking resources, but they [SG officials] have a very high-level of experience after starting with nothing.”.
“Your experiences will be helpful to us. “We won’t overlook you,” he continued.
Bashir was photographed on Tuesday presiding over a gathering of former SG ministers and Jalali-affiliated ministers. He sat in front of the HTS and Syrian opposition flags.
Bashir subsequently told Al Jazeera, “[We] invited members from the old government and some directors from the administration in Idlib and its surrounding areas in order to facilitate all the necessary works for the next two months until we have a constitutional system to be able to serve the Syrian people.”.
He continued by saying, “We had other meetings to restart the institutions to be able to serve our people in Syria.”.
Rebel commander Hasan Abdul Ghani declared his forces had captured the city of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria on Tuesday as well. On Friday, Syrian Kurdish troops had already taken it.
After two days of near-shutdown, life in the capital city of Damascus seemed to be gradually getting back to normal.
The streets were crowded with cars and pedestrians, and a few stores and eateries were open.
In the vicinity of the central Umayyad sq\., where crowds were celebrating the end of Assad’s 24-year rule, many rebel fighters fired into the air, and people were sweeping away spent bullet cases that littered the ground.
Syrians are looking to the future and want a united and peaceful nation, a Muslim cleric there told the BBC.
According to Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Kouky, “We want to establish a nation built on principles of nationalism, justice, and the rule of law, a technocratic state where institutions are respected and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all.”.
Reporters in Geneva were informed by UN special envoy Geir Pedersen that the transition was necessary to guarantee “the representation of the broadest possible spectrum of the Syrian society and the Syrian parties.”.
He cautioned, “We risk new conflict if this is not happening.”.
HTS’s designation as a terrorist organization by the US, UK, UN, and other nations will be a “complicating factor” in attempts to find a solution, according to Pedersen.
In 2013, al-Nusra Front, the forerunner of HTS, swore loyalty to al-Qaeda. But three years later, it formally severed its connection with the extremist organization.
The truth is that the Syrian people have been receiving positive messages from HTS and other armed groups thus far. “of inclusivity, of unity,” Pedersen said.
“We also provided a view.”. He also mentioned “reassuring things on the ground” in Hama, another significant city that was taken last week, and Aleppo.
He stated that the way the transitional arrangements were planned and carried out in Damascus would be the most crucial test.
Should they truly be inclusive of all Syria’s various communities and groups. Afterward, a fresh start could be possible. “,”.
He went on to say, “And then I do believe that the international community will look at the [terrorist] listing of HTS again.”.
In effect, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken later outlined a number of requirements that, if met, would grant Syria full recognition from Washington.
“It’s critical that all parties involved safeguard civilians; uphold human rights, particularly those of marginalized groups; maintain the state’s institutions and services to support Syrians’ needs; and work toward inclusive governance,” he stated.
“Rebel leaders’ declarations to these ends are greatly appreciated, but it goes without saying that actions speak louder than words when it comes to their commitment. “.
