Ex-minister to form new Syrian government

Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, appoints agricultural minister in last cabinet to form new government. Last Modified: 03 Apr 2011 11:21

Assad fired his cabinet last week in an attempt to appease protesters demanding reforms [AFP] Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, has appointed a former minister to form a new government, state-run television said. President Assad issued a decree on Sunday appointing Adel Safar, agricultural minister in the previous administration, to form a new cabinet. Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, has appointed a former minister to form a new government, state-run television said. President Assad issued a decree on Sunday appointing Adel Safar, agricultural minister in the previous administration, to form a new cabinet. Safar is expected to announce his new cabinet within two days, a government official told Reuters news agency. Al Jazeera's correspondent, Cal Perry, reporting from Damascus, confirmed the news and said the new prime minister is seen as a moderate. Our correspondent also says president office sources have told him that two committees have also been formed. The first committee will investigate the violence in Daraa in which a number of people were killed, while the second committee would look into what it would take to lift emergency law in place since a coup which brought the Baath Party to power in 1963, Perry said. The second committee is supposed to submit its report to the president by April 25. "However, the key is the backroom jockeying for ministries like interior, information and foreign affairs." Assad fired his cabinet last week in an attempt to appease protesters demanding reforms. In an address to the nation on Wednesday, the Syrian president blamed "conspirators" for two weeks of anti-government protests that have rocked the nation. An extraordinary wave of protests has proved the most serious challenge yet to Assad's 11-year rule.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies