Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Syria’s new cabinet takes oath before Bashar al-Assad



 Riyad Hijab is sworn in as new Prime Minister by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) in Damascus in this handout photo distributed by Syrian News Agency (SANA) June 26, 2012.
Members of Syria’s new government under the newly appointed Prime Minister Riad Farid Hijab, have taken constitutional oath before President Bashar al-Assad, the state television reports.

The president issued Decree 210 on Saturday, ordering formation of a new cabinet under Prime Minister Riad Hijab, as part of his reform efforts.
The new government with 20 new ministers and six new ministries include two opposition figures from the People's Will Party and the newly created ministry of national reconciliation.

Three key portfolios remained unchanged as Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem as well as Defense Minister Dawoud Rajiha and Interior Minister Mohammad al-Sha'ar have remained in their posts from the last cabinet.
On June 6, President Assad appointed former Agriculture Minister Riad Farid Hijab as the Syrian premier.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011.

The anti-Damascus Western governments have been calling for the overthrow of President Assad over the past few months.
The armed groups in Syria have been supported by the United States and its regional allies including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Analysts say that these countries are using every possible way to accomplish their objective of regime change in Syria.

No comments:

Post a Comment