Rebel-backed figure takes charge as Syria's interim prime minister

Women wave flags of the Syrian opposition from a vehicle as they celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria's northern city of Aleppo on December 10, 2024. Islamist-led rebels took the Syrian capital Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in the country. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP)

DAMASCUS (Reuters): Syria's new interim leader announced on Tuesday (Dec 10) he was taking charge of the country as caretaker prime minister with the backing of the former rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad three days ago.

In a brief address on state television, Mohammed al-Bashir, a figure little known across most of Syria who previously ran an administration in a pocket of the northwest controlled by rebels, said he would lead the interim authority until March 1.