DAMASCUS, Syria: Syria’s central bank said Monday that depositors’ funds in the country’s lenders were “safe” after a rapid offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of the capital city Damascus and ousted Bashar al-Assad’s government.
“We assure our fellow citizens dealing with all operating banks that their deposits and funds at these banks are safe and have not been and will not be exposed to any harm,” said a statement on the central bank’s official Facebook page.
On Sunday, the armed groups led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) issued a statement saying “We emphasize the need to safeguard public and private property in the capital Damascus and the need to protect it.”
Violators risk “heavy penalties that could include imprisonment or a fine,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the international community has called for unity in Syria.
Mohammed al-Bashir, a key official in the administration overseen by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was appointed as Syria’s new prime minister, The New Arab media outlet reported on Monday.
Several reports indicated that he had met HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Golani and Mohammed al-Jalali, who served as prime minister under the Assad regime.
