Syrian Interim Government

Syrian Opposition
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Syrian Opposition

Politics portal

The "independence flag" of Syria, used in the period of the Syrian Republic before the Ba'athist coup in 1963, has been widely used by protesters as an opposition flag and has been adopted officially by the Syrian National Coalition, the Free Syrian Army and eventually the Syrian Interim Government.

The Syrian Interim Government is an alternative government of Syria, which has been formed by the opposition umbrella group, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. The interim government is indirectly controlling some areas of the country and claiming to be the sole legitimate government on behalf of the Syrian Opposition in defiance of the Council of Ministers of the Ba'athist Syria.

History

At a conference held in Istanbul on 19 March 2013, members of National Coalition elected Ghassan Hitto as prime minister of an interim government for Syria. Hitto has announced that a technical government will be formed which will be led by between 10 and 12 ministers. The minister of defence is to be chosen by the Free Syrian Army.[1] As of 3 April 2013, the organization is "based in exile and lack an organizational base inside Syria."[2] The new ministries will not be placed in a single location but will be distributed in regions which are under the control of the Syrian opposition.[3] The government's main headquarters will be at an undisclosed location close to the Turkish-Syrian border.[4] The health ministry, the interior ministry and the housing ministry have not been filled because the officials chosen did not have 2/3 of the vote to confirm them.[5] A Christian, a Kurd and a woman are part of the appointed cabinet; Ahmad Ramadan, a member of the National Coalition, has stated that the cabinet was appointed on a meritocratic basis.[6] The Assyrian component of the National Coalition has stated that they were not given any attention in the selection of the cabinet.[6] The General Assembly has an administrative function.[7] The interim cabinet was dissolved on 22 July 2014.[8] A new cabinet was formed on 14 October 2014.

In January 2015 the Syrian interim government received $6 million USD from the United States, the first funding of this kind. The funds will be used for reconstruction efforts and the strengthening of local government in opposition held parts of Syria such as northern Aleppo and northwestern Idlib, with the interim government planning to expand into northern Latakia and northern Hama in the following months.[9]

Recognition and funding

The interim government is based in Turkey and has received direct funding from the United States.[9]

List of Presidents

List of Prime Ministers

No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Political party Note(s)
1 Ghassan Hitto 18 March 2013 14 September 2013 Independent
Hitto failed to form a government and resigned on 8 July 2013
2 Ahmad Tu'mah 14 September 2013 22 July 2014[8] Independent
—
(2) Ahmad Tu'mah 14 October 2014[10] Present Independent
Second term

List of Ministers

Incumbent Office Since Until
vacant[11] Vice Prime Minister 22 July 2014[8]
Salim Idriss[12] Defense Minister 23 November 2014[12] present
vacant[11] Economy and Finance Minister 22 July 2014
Mohammed Yasin Najjar Acting Communications, Transportation and Industry Minister 14 October 2014 present
vacant[11] Local Administration and Humanitarian Aid Minister 22 July 2014[8]
Fayez Zahir Acting Justice Minister 14 October 2014 present
Dr. Elias Wardeh Acting Energy Minister 14 October 2014 present
vacant[11] Infrastructure and Agriculture Minister 22 July 2014[8]
vacant[11] Culture and Family Minister 22 July 2014[8]
Awad Ahmad Ali Interior Minister 23 November 2014[12] present
Mohamed Wajih Juma'a Health Minister 23 November 2014[12] present
vacant[11] Housing Minister

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Syrian rebels to choose interim defence minister". World Bulletin. 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  2. ↑ Sayigh, Yezid (3 April 2013). "The Syria’s opposition 's leadership problem". Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  3. ↑ "New ministries will not be in single location- Syrian opposition". World Bulletin. 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  4. ↑ "Interim gvt's HQ to be near Syrian-Turkish border". World Bulletin. 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  5. ↑ "Challenges await new interim government". The Daily Star. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Syrian opposition government begins work as Kurds announce self-rule". Asharq Al-Awsat. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Syrian National Coalition Of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces - General Body". 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "Syrian opposition coalition dissolves interim government". 22 July 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "US gives $6 million to Syria opposition government". Agence France Presse. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Al-Khodr re-elected PM of Syrian interim government". KUNA. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 "First test for Syria rebel government: provide services". AFP. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Syrian opposition PM plays down failure to elect ministers". Asharq Al-Awsat. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.

External links