Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was named president for a transitional period, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) reported on Wednesday, citing commander Hassan Abdel Ghani. Sharaa was also authorised to form a temporary legislative council for the transitional phase which will carry out its task until a new constitution is adopted,

Al-Sharaa was also authorised to form a temporary legislative council for the transitional phase, state media reports.

The rebel chief who led the overthrow of the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad has been declared the head of government for a transitional period.

Sharaa, on Wednesday abolished the country’s constitution and declared himself president during a meeting of armed factions in Damascus. The former rebel leader will “assume the duties of the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic and represent it in international forums,

Sharaa, who took the helm after Bashar al-Assad's ouster last month, has been appointed interim president and tasked with forming a transitional legislature, state media reported. A rebel alliance led by

The commander appointed Mr Sharaa interim president, dissolved Mr Assad’s Baath Party, and announced the formation of a legislative council that will govern Syria until a new constitution can be agreed.