The rebel coalition that seized control of Syria last month appointed its leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, as president of the country to preside over a transitional period, Syrian state media reported Wednesday.

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

Sharaa was already de facto head of Syria's government ever since a coalition of rebel fighters swept through most of Syria and ousted Assad's regime.