Syrian rebel chief: former PM will supervise state bodies until hand over

Rebel fighters gather outside a government building in Homs after Syria's army command notified officers on Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters, following a rapid rebel offensive, in Homs, Syria December 8, 2024. /Mahmoud Hasano

Syrian state institutions will be supervised by former Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali until they are handed over, rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani said on Sunday, signalling efforts to secure an orderly transition after rebels declared an end to Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Signed in his real name - Ahmed al-Sharaa - Golani's statement banned military forces in Damascus from approaching public bodies and prohibited the firing of guns in the air.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Jalali - appointed prime minister by Assad in September - said he had been in contact with Sharaa to discuss managing the current transitional period, and said Syria should hold free elections.

Jalali said he remained in his home and was ready to support continuity of governance.

Syrian telecommunications minister Eyad al-Khatib, in an interview with Al Arabiya, said he had been contacted by a representative of Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham responsible for telecoms services. They agreed that telecoms and internet would continue to function, Khatib said.

(Reporting by Timour Azhari and Menna Alaa; Writing by Adam Makary and Tom Perry; Editing by William Mallard, Kirsten Donovan)