Syria’s new government was sworn in on Saturday, marking a major step in the country’s transition following the removal of Bashar al-Assad in December.
The 23-member cabinet includes a mix of religious and ethnic backgrounds and is expected to lead Syria through its five-year transitional period.
Unlike previous governments, this one does not have a prime minister. Instead, a secretary general will oversee its functions, as outlined in the temporary constitution signed by interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa earlier this month.
While most ministers are new faces, the foreign and defence ministers retained their positions. One notable absence in the government is representation from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or the autonomous administration in northeast Syria. However, al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi recently signed a ceasefire agreement and a deal to merge the US-backed force into the Syrian army.
Stability remains the new government’s biggest challenge. Earlier this month, revenge killings in the coastal Alawite region left over 1,000 people dead. The Assad family, which ruled for decades, belongs to the Alawite minority, while most of the new leaders are from the Sunni majority.
Economic troubles are also a priority. Sanctions imposed on Assad’s government over a decade ago remain in place, and the UN reports that 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line. The new government hopes that its diverse composition will help persuade Western nations to ease sanctions.
Security remains a concern as well. Just hours before the government was announced, the US State Department warned of potential terrorist attacks targeting embassies and public buildings during the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The warning cited the possibility of individual attackers, armed gunmen, or explosives.