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January 31, 2025

Rebel Commander Ahmed al-Sharaa Named Interim President of Syria
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In Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa has been named as interim president to lead
the transition. Sharaa is head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which
led the rebel coalition that toppled Bashar al-Assad. On Thursday,
Sharaa vowed to unite Syrians.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa: "We will work on forming an inclusive
transitional government that reflects Syria's men, women and youth, and
take charge to rebuild new Syria institutions."

Sharaa says he will establish a temporary legislative council to govern
Syria until a new constitution is adopted and elections can be held - a
process he said could take four years. The European Union announced this
week it will begin easing sanctions against Syria as the country
rebuilds after nearly 14 years of war.


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