Syria’s al-Assad names EU-sanctioned ex-minister to form cabinet

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree naming former Minister of Communications Mohamad Ghazi al-Jalali to form a new cabinet, Syria’s state-run news agency SANA said on Saturday.

Al-Jalali served as Minister of Communications from 2014 to 2016. He has been subject to EU sanctions since 2014 for his “responsibility for the regime’s violent repression of the civilian population,” Reuters reported.

The current Syrian Cabinet is considered a caretaker government, effectively resigned, following the elections for the People’s Assembly members held in mid-July.

By Taysir Muhammad