Assad appoints new ministers in government reshuffle – state media

Syrian President Bashar Assad has appointed new ministers for defense, industry and information, state television reported on Monday. By presidential decree, General Ali Abdullah Ayoub has become the new defense minister, replacing Fahd Jassem al-Freij, who has held the post since 2012, while Mohammed Mazen Ali Yousef has become the industry minister and Imad Abullah Sarah the new information minister.