Syrian transitional president visits Latakia in landmark coastal tour
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Syrian Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa arrived in Latakia on Sunday in his first visit to the coastal city since assuming office.
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Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa visits refugee camps in Idlib, northern Syria, February 16, 2025 (SANA)
Syrian Interim Government President Ahmed Al-Sharaa arrived in the coastal city of Latakia on Sunday, marking his first visit to the region since assuming office.
Videos circulating on social media showed Al-Sharaa’s motorcade entering Sheikh Dahir Square in central Latakia, where he was received by crowds of Syrians. His arrival was accompanied by heavy security measures, with roads leading to the square being closed.
🔴 عاجل | سوريا: الصور الأولية لاستقبال الأهالي للرئيس أحمد الشرع في مدينة اللاذقية بساحة الشيخ ضاهر.#سوريا #اللاذقية #احمد_الشرع pic.twitter.com/U1oVWQHxVG
— elaph yassin إيلاف ياسين (@elaph1) February 16, 2025
According to Syrian media reports, al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet with local dignitaries representing various sects to discuss the challenges facing the city and its residents.
رئيس الجمهورية العربية السورية السيد #أحمد_الشرع يجري زيارة تفقدية لمخيمات النازحين في محافظة #إدلب#سانا pic.twitter.com/yEGLuGYrdY
— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا (@SanaAjel) February 15, 2025
This visit follows his Saturday tour of Idlib in northwestern Syria, where he inspected displacement camps and met with internally displaced persons.
جلسة حوارية مفتوحة، جمعت عدداً من وجهاء وأعيان حلب وريفها رجالاً ونساء، مع رئيس الجمهورية العربية السورية السيد #أحمد_الشرع بحضور محافظ حلب المهندس عزام الغريب وعدد من المسؤولين، للحديث عن واقع البلد وبحث سبل النهوض بسوريا وحلب على مختلف المستويات.#سانا pic.twitter.com/SrQmQM7lWu
— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا (@SanaAjel) February 15, 2025
Al-Sharaa also visited Aleppo, where he held an open dialogue session with community leaders and notable figures from the city and its countryside, discussing the country’s situation and exploring ways to revitalize both Syria and Aleppo across multiple sectors.
Additionally, he traveled to Afrin and its surrounding areas, meeting with local leaders, including the head of Afrin’s local council affiliated with the Kurdish National Council.
لقاء رئيس الجمهورية العربية السورية السيد #أحمد_الشرع بوجهاء وأعيان منطقة #عفرين وريفها.#سانا pic.twitter.com/8mKZyjdo8K
— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا (@SanaAjel) February 15, 2025
Al-Sharaa’s tour of Idlib, Aleppo, and Latakia is expected to be part of a broader series of visits to other provinces and cities in the coming days.
Syria to form new government in March
Syria announced on Wednesday that a new government would take office next month, replacing the interim cabinet established following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
The authorities also unveiled a preparatory body tasked with organizing a national dialogue conference.
The incoming government will be responsible for rebuilding Syria’s institutions and revitalizing an economy devastated by nearly 14 years of war.
"The government that will be launched March 1 will represent the Syrian people as much as possible and take its diversity into account," Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said during the World Governments Summit in the United Arab Emirates.
He emphasized that the Syrian people would be "partners in change," adding that the modifications and adjustments made to the political roadmap over the past two months were informed and inspired by consultations with the diaspora and civil society.
Until March 1, a caretaker government led by Mohammad al-Bashir continues to oversee the country’s affairs.
