(CLO) Syria's interim Prime Minister, who took power after the overthrow of the President, has set the main goal of returning millions of Syrian refugees to their homeland, protecting all citizens and providing basic services. However, he also admitted that the task would be very difficult because the country's finances are in a bad state and there is a serious shortage of foreign currency.
"The national treasury currently has only Syrian pounds, which are worth almost nothing. One US dollar can buy up to 35,000 Syrian coins. We have no foreign currency, and for loans or bonds, we are still collecting data. Therefore, our financial situation is very difficult," said Syrian interim Prime Minister Mohamed al-Bashir in an interview.
In a speech on state television, Bashir stressed the interim government’s determination to rebuild Syria, even though the country faces a mammoth task: rebuilding devastated cities, reviving the economy and dealing with the displacement of millions of refugees.
Syrian interim Prime Minister Mohamed al-Bashir attends a meeting with the transitional cabinet in Damascus, December 10. Photo: AL ARABIYA TV
Mr. Bashir, who runs the rebel-led Salvation Government in a small enclave in northwest Syria, has said he will assume the government until March 1. U.S. officials, in interactions with the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have urged the groups not to rush into leadership, but instead to have an inclusive process to form a transitional government.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also stressed that the new government must respect the rights of minorities, provide humanitarian aid to those in need and prevent Syria from becoming a base for terrorist groups. HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, has recently toned down the jihadist elements in its statements.
After a long civil war, Syria has suffered a heavy toll with hundreds of thousands of people killed, cities completely destroyed and the economy severely damaged. Many European countries have temporarily stopped accepting asylum applications from Syrians, while some refugees from Türkiye and other countries have begun returning to Syria.
In the capital Damascus, banks and shops have reopened and traffic has resumed. However, the security situation remains fragile and the occupied areas still face major problems.
The US has expressed concern about rebel groups in Syria, with US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer saying Washington is still seeking to engage with them to ensure there is no military escalation. Meanwhile, the US military still maintains about 900 troops in northeastern Syria for counter-terrorism missions.
Israel's military moves have also left the Syrian government facing a host of security issues amid a major political crisis in the country. Israel insists its intervention is temporary and not aimed at advancing on Damascus.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-lam-thoi-syria-cam-ket-tai-thiet-dat-nuoc-va-don-nguoi-ti-nan-tro-ve-post325146.html
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