Syria s Assad replaces three ministers

Damascus March 29 (IANS) Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday ordered replacement of three ministers.

The replacements affect the ministries of justice commerce and administrative development Xinhua news agency reported.

The presidential decree named Hisham Sha ar as the new Justice Minister replacing Najm Hamad al-Ahmad.

It also appointed Samer Khalil as the Minister of Commerce and Trade replacing Adib Mayaleh.

Salam Safaf is named as the new Minister of Administrative Development.

It was unclear what caused the minor government shake-up as the current government assumed its duty as of July last year.

The current government is also the sixth to be formed under the presidency of Bashar al-Assad who succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000.

--IANS
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