With Assad gone, Syrian prime minister agrees to handover power to rebel forces

The Syrian rebel group led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) met PM Jalali and discussed the transfer of power. The meeting included HTS’ leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, and the HTS-linked Salvation Government’s Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.

Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus, Syria. (AP Photo)

According to a CNN report, the rebels in a statement said that “the meeting was to coordinate the transfer of power in a manner that ensures the provision of services to our people in Syria.”

On Monday, the scene in Damascus portrayed a settling picture as people were seen venturing out and traffic returning on road after a night curfew but majority of the shops remained closed.

Though Syria is not a major oil producing nation, the prices of oil stirred up by 1% owing to the concern of instability in the region due to uncertainty in Syria.

“We had a purpose and a goal and now we are done with it. We want the state and security forces to be in charge,” said Firdous Omar, who works as farmer in Idlib and has battled the Assad government since 2011, reported Reuters.

Assad’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Jalali, told Al Arabiya TV that the transfer of power could take days to finalise. HTS leader Jolani also met Vice President Faisal Mekdad to discuss a transitional government as he has vowed to rebuild the country.

The lightning advance of the rebel forces led by HTS, which was a former al-Qaeda affiliate, made Assad flee the country and his regime to surrender in 11 days. According to reports, Assad along with his family, has been given asylum in Moscow by the Kremlin.