Syria's Assad appoints new ministers

DAMASCUS - Agence France-Presse

REUTERS Photo

Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad issued a surprise decree today appointing three new ministers, state television said, in a reshuffle following the defection of his former premier.
 
It said Saad Assalam al-Nayef was appointed health minister, replacing Wael al-Halqi, who became prime minister a week ago after his predecessor defected to join the rebellion.
 
Adnan Abdu as-Sahni was named to the industry ministry and Najem Hamad al-Ahmad to the justice ministry. State television did not elaborate on why their predecessors were removed.