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Syria's appointment of a new Minister of Foreign Affairs is a key part in the major power transition under Ahmed al-Sharaa, reflecting efforts to strengthen international relations following the establishment of a three-month caretaker government.  

Asaad al- Shibani's nomination as foreign minister, alongside new defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, are the latest announcements after fighters led by al-Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) overthrew president Bashar al-Assad nearly two weeks prior. 

The official Syrian news agency (SANA) announced al- Shibani's role in a statement on Telegram over the weekend, stating that "he joined the Syrian revolution in 2011... and took part in founding the Salvation Government."

Who is Assad al- Shibani? 

Al-Shibani, born in 1987 in Hasakeh province in northeastern Syria, graduated from Damascus University with a degree in English literature.  

He later earned a master’s degree in political science and international relations. 

Al-Shibani previously held the position of Head of Political Affairs for a rebel government in Idlib, a northwestern province of Syria, following its takeover by HTS in 2015. 

He was also an active participant in the 2011 Syrian uprising. 

According to Istanbul-based Syria TV, Shibani was previously known as Zaid al-Attar, responsible for managing foreign relations and overseeing the transition of al-Qaeda's Syria branch Nusra Front into HTS. 

Arabic-language reports suggest that Shibani, who lived in Turkey until 2024, is one of the founding members of the Nusra Front alongside al-Sharaa, with whom he is said to share a close alliance. 

What would Shibani’s role signify? 

Shibani met with delegations from France and Germany this week in Damascus as the new authorities opened contacts with international representatives.  

On Friday, following a meeting between al-Sharaa and a US delegation, the new administration expressed its commitment to fostering "regional peace" and building "privileged strategic partnerships with countries in the region." 

In a statement, the authorities emphasised that "the Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region" and rejected any form of polarisation. 

Since assuming power, Syria's de facto leader, al-Sharaa, has engaged actively with foreign delegations, including the UN’s Syria envoy and senior US diplomats.  

He has signalled a focus on reconstruction and economic development, distancing himself from any new conflicts. 

Media reports indicate that all 14 ministers appointed so far, including al-Shibani and newly named Defence Minister Abu Qasra, are closely aligned with al-Sharaa.  

Syria’s opposition forces seized Damascus on 8 December, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee, ending his family’s decades-long rule after more than 13 years of war. 

Washington, which designated al-Sharaa a "terrorist" in 2013 and offered a $10 million bounty for his capture, announced on Friday that the bounty would be removed.  

The war in Syria has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, one of the largest modern refugee crises, widespread destruction of cities, and an economy devastated by global sanctions.