Bashar Assad Names New Syrian Cabinet

Syrian President Bashar Assad has announced a new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, replacing Hossein Arnus. Al-Jalali, who has been under EU sanctions since 2014 for his role in the government's violent repression, will lead a cabinet that largely retains key ministers, including Maj. Gen. Ali Abbas as Defense Minister. The former Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad has been appointed as Vice President for Foreign and Information Policies, while Bassam Sabbagh takes over as the new Foreign Minister. This cabinet reshuffle follows parliamentary elections held in July and is seen as a significant shift in Syria's political structure. Additionally, Assad issued an amnesty for crimes committed before September 22, reminiscent of similar decrees in previous years, as the civil conflict continues to impact the country with a death toll exceeding 350,000 since 2011.