New Syrian Cabinet Announced Amidst Amnesty Decree

Syria's Prime Minister announced the new Cabinet, with Bassam Sabbagh as the new Foreign Minister. President Bashar Assad appointed Mohammed Ghazi Jalali as Prime Minister following July's parliamentary election. Key ministries remain unchanged, and Assad issued an amnesty for crimes committed before September 22.

Syria's Prime Minister unveiled a new Cabinet Monday, with Bassam Sabbagh appointed as the new Foreign Minister, according to state media reports.

Former Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad is now the Vice President for Foreign and Information Policies.

President Bashar Assad appointed Mohammed Ghazi Jalali as the head of the new government following July's parliamentary elections.

Notably, key ministries saw no changes, with Maj. Gen. Ali Abbas continuing as Defense Minister and Maj. Gen. Mohammed Khaled Rahmoun as Interior Minister.

Jalali, notably under European Union sanctions since 2014 due to the government's actions during Syria's civil conflict, now leads the Cabinet. The conflict has resulted in nearly half a million deaths since 2011.

In a related development, Assad announced an amnesty for crimes committed before September 22, including non-compliance with compulsory military service, following a pattern of similar decrees issued in past years.

(With inputs from agencies.)