Syria's Assad Swears In Government
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad swore in his new government, and underlined that security and reconstruction would be top priorities.
The new government, appointed earlier this week after Assad's June re-election, takes office as the death toll in the country's conflict since March 2011 soars past 191,000.
The crippling violence has decimated the country's economy and displaced approximately half its population, including three million Syrians who have taken refugee abroad.
Assad urged the new government to "provide a new vision," state news agency SANA reported, and to avoid the "negatives of the previous stage."
He said the government's success would depend on "earning the trust of citizens through transparency and credibility."
He acknowledged that security remained the primary concern for the country.
"This issue is being addressed by the defence ministry and the army... At the same time, it is important to continue with national reconciliation."
The new government includes 11 new ministers, with most of the changes involving finance and the economy.
President Assad selected the new cabinet after being elected in the country's first multi-candidate presidential vote earlier this year.