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Presidential Decree Ousts Youssef Qablawi and Appoints Omar al-Halabi to Three Positions
Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued two decrees appointing Maher al-Hassan as chief executive of the Syrian Petroleum Company, replacing Youssef Qablawi, and Omar al-Halabi as chairman of the board of the Sovereign Fund, replacing Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani.
The change in the leadership of the Syrian Petroleum Company followed criticism of Qablawi over the adulterated gasoline crisis, which caused vehicle breakdowns in several provinces, as well as recurring fuel shortages during his tenure. Reports of his dismissal had circulated over the past two days.
Although Riyad al-Jubasi had been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Qablawi, the decree appointed Maher al-Hassan to head the company.
### Who is Maher al-Hassan?
Born in Hama in 1986, al-Hassan earned a degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Homs in 2010. He began his career at Hayan Oil Company, where he worked until 2013, overseeing oil fields in the eastern countryside of Homs. He later took charge of public services in the southern region, a role he held until late 2016.
In 2018, he was appointed deputy minister of economy and resources in the Syrian Salvation Government. He subsequently served as minister of internal trade and consumer protection in the caretaker government formed after the fall of the regime and headed by Mohammed al-Bashir.
When the new government was formed in April 2025, al-Hassan was appointed deputy minister of economy and industry for internal trade and consumer protection, before being tasked with leading the Syrian Petroleum Company.
Omar al-Halabi to chair the Sovereign Fund’s board
Omar al-Halabi holds a degree in telecommunications engineering from the Misr University for Science and Technology in Cairo, as well as an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid.
He previously served as a partner and head of economic consulting and public policy for the Middle East at KPMG. He also worked with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and held senior strategy and business development roles at Johnson Controls for around ten years. In addition, he represented KPMG Middle East on the global steering committee for international development advisory services and was a member of the Future Leaders Council under the KPMG IMPACT initiative.
Under the decree, al-Halabi was appointed economic affairs adviser to the Presidency, a member of the Supreme Council for Economic Development, and chairman of the Sovereign Fund’s board, replacing Mazen al-Salhani.
Could the changes affect “Abu Maryam the Australian”?
Reports say Ibrahim Sukaria, known as “Abu Maryam the Australian,” has been managing the Sovereign Fund, although his name does not appear on the fund’s official website. Al-Halabi’s appointment has raised questions about whether the changes could also affect Sukaria’s position, particularly after Australia recently renewed its economic sanctions against him, accusing him of financing terrorism.
