Asaad Hassan al-Shibani appointed as Syria’s new foreign minister
Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (X Photo)
Syria‘s interim administration has appointed Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as the country’s new Foreign Minister, according to an announcement by the General Command on Saturday.
The appointment comes two weeks after Bashar al-Assad was removed from power, as the new leadership seeks to establish international diplomatic ties and foster stability.
A source within the new administration told Reuters that this decision “aligns with the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability.”
al-Shibani’s background, political experience
Born in 1987 in Hasakah, Shibani graduated from Damascus University in 2009 with a degree in English Language and Literature.
Shibani previously served as the Head of Political Affairs in the civil administration of Idlib, where he was responsible for:
- Managing relations with foreign governments and institutions.
- Overseeing coordination with U.N. agencies.
- Facilitating operations with international humanitarian aid organizations.
Shibani also actively participated in the 2011 Syrian uprising, joining calls for reform and change in the country’s governance.
Syria’s new FM completes master’s studies in Türkiye
Meanwhile, al-Shibani completed his master’s and doctoral studies in Türkiye, according to reports.
He earned a master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, graduating in 2022. His thesis was titled, “The Impact of the Arab Uprisings on Turkish Foreign Policy towards Syria between 2010 and 2020.”
The statement from the university also mentioned that al-Shibani is currently pursuing his doctoral studies at the same institution.
A diplomatic shift under Ahmed al-Sharaa
Ahmed al-Sharaa has prioritized diplomatic engagement since assuming power. He has held meetings with international delegations, including representatives from the United Nations and senior U.S. diplomats.
Al-Sharaa has emphasized that his administration’s focus is on:
- Reconstruction efforts across Syria.
- Economic development to stabilize the nation.
- Avoiding involvement in new conflicts.
