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Interim Syrian leader vows to rebuild but faces cash crunch

11 December 2024 14:17 (UTC +04:00)

Syria's new interim prime minister said he aimed to bring back millions of Syrian refugees, protect all citizens and provide basic services but acknowledged it would be difficult because the country lacked foreign currency, APA reports citing Reuters.

"In the coffers there are only Syrian pounds worth little or nothing. One U.S. dollar buys 35,000 of our coins," he told Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera.

"We have no foreign currency and as for loans and bonds we are still collecting data. So yes, financially we are very bad."

U.S. officials, engaging with rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), urged them not to assume automatic leadership of the country but instead run an inclusive process to form a transitional government.

The new government must "uphold clear commitments to fully respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance to all in need, prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbours," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

In a brief address on state television on Tuesday, Bashir said he would lead the interim authority until March 1.