AFP
June 23, 2012

Syrian President Bashar al-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 al-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, Daoud Rajha and Mohammad al-Shaar.

[...] Meanwhile, a national reconciliation portfolio was created for the first time by the regime, which has been suppressing a popular uprising for the past 15 months amd labels protesters and armed rebels alike as “terrorists”.

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