Majority of Syrian Ministers to Retain Posts, Opposition to Join New Gov't

The heads of the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Defense will maintain their posts, a source told Sputnik following a cabinet reshuffle in Syria. Opposition members are likely to join the new government.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The majority of Syrian ministers will retain key positions in the Arab republic’s new cabinet, a source close to the process told Sputnik on Thursday.

"The heads of the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Defense will retain their posts, as well as the Awqaf Minister," the source said, referring to the Muslim practice of religious endowment.

Syrian President Bashar Assad tasked Electricity Minister Imad Mohammad Deeb Khamis with forming the new government on Wednesday.

Members of the national opposition residing on Syrian territory are likely to join the Arab republic’s new government, the source told Sputnik.

"The makeup of the Syrian government will include representatives of the national opposition," he said.