Assad Issues Decree Forming New Syria Government
Syrian President Bashar Assad issued a decree on Saturday forming a new government, state television said, less than two months after controversial parliamentary elections boycotted by the opposition.
"President Bashar Assad has issued Decree 210 forming a new government under prime minister Dr Riad Hijab," the television said.
Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem will remain in his post, as will the defense and interior ministers, it said.
The decree also created a number of new ministries, including internal trade and consumer protection, foreign economy and trade and housing and construction0 development.
Hijab, the former agriculture minister, assumes the role of premier amid ongoing violence in the country.
At least 15 people were killed by troops across Syria on Saturday, while 116 people, including 69 civilians were killed on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
International envoy to Syria Kofi Annan earlier urged the world to raise the level of pressure on both the Syrian opposition and the regime to try to end the violence that monitors say has claimed 15,000 lives since March 2011.
almost 12 years
This is a real joke, watch those new ministries he has created:
Internal Trade: between who and who?
Consumer Protection: that's a good one!
Foreign Economy and Trade: economy level is below zero, trade is only left with Russia sending weapons.
Construction and Development: this will be a very challenging one, but not now, when it will be all over...
Yalla, good luck and all the best.
almost 12 years
President Jefferson Davis did about the same in early 1865 just before the Confederate States of America collapsed in April 1865.
The Confederate STates of America was a fraud as is the Assad Regime, regardless of how Assad arranges the chairs on the decks of the Titanic.
almost 12 years
At least he's making more progress than Egypt. Assad seems like a class act compared to the other leaders in the region. Meanwhile Saudi is sending in weapons to the rebels. Good, let the battle escalate and let Saudi spend some all that oil money.
what difference does it make new or old government when most of the major ministers retaining their post? another joke that the opposition won't buy. and what the new govrnment is going to do to tackle the issue? start using migs on them? what a joker