What to know about Syria’s new caretaker government
Al Jazeera
The challenges ahead are myriad as the government seeks to keep Syria running while preparing for transition.
After toppling the regime of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader and commander-in-chief of the new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has appointed Mohammed al-Bashir to lead a caretaker government until March 1.
The move aims to stabilise the country by providing basic services to civilians and preventing a power struggle between armed groups over state resources and ministries, experts told Al Jazeera.
“[A caretaker government is needed] to ensure the state keeps functioning and that people have electricity, water sewage and the internet,” said Thomas Pierret, an expert on Syria for the Institute for Research and Study of the Arab and Muslim World.
However, the caretaker government – and HTS – could lose credibility if it refuses to share power after three months, experts have warned.
Here’s what we know about the caretaker government and its head:
