Leader of group that overthrew al-Assad is named Syria's transitional president

 

 

The face of the Syrian revolution and leader of the Islamist organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was appointed president for the transitional period following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.

"We announce the assumption of leadership by Ahmed al-Sharaa as the country's president in the transitional phase, and he exercises the functions of the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic and represents it in international forums," the television channel 'SyriaTV' announced, quoting Commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, spokesman for the armed coalition that came to power.

According to the announcement, Al-Sharaa will also have the power to establish a temporary legislative council that will be in charge of governing during the transitional period, until the State has the capacity to draft a new Constitution. The televised reports agree with what was broadcast by the state news agency 'SANA'.

The military spokesman, quoted by local media, also confirmed the dissolution of all military factions in the country, which in turn will be absorbed by state institutions to regularize their functions.

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With AP, EFE and Reuters