DAMASCUS: The Syrian factions that toppled President Bashar Assad last month named an Islamist former rebel leader as the country's interim president on Wednesday in a push to project a united front as they face the monumental task of rebuilding Syria after nearly 14 years of civil war.

The new leadership of the country said the rebel coalition leader, Ahmed al-Shara, would serve as president during a transitional period.

Jolani, the commander of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group, was reportedly named the country’s new “president” for a “transitional period.”