Syrian president orders cabinet reshuffle

DAMASCUS - The Syrian president ordered a cabinet shake-up Saturday, keeping three major portfolios unchanged, namely, the ministers of defense, foreign affairs and interior, while assigning an opponent as the minister of domestic trade.

The cabinet reshuffle came in light of the new constitution and after the election of a new parliament.

According to a presidential decree broadcast by the Syrian Television, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Minister of Interior Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar and Minister of Defense Dawood Rajaha, will remain at their posts.