Assad Appoints Wael al-Halqi as New Syrian Premier
President Bashar Assad has appointed Wael al-Halqi as Syria's new premier, state television reported on Thursday.
"The president has signed Decree 298, appointing Wael al-Halqi as the new prime minister," the broadcaster reported.
Health Minister Halqi was appointed to replace Riad Hijab, whose defection to the opposition was announced on Monday.
Hijab's was the highest-level defection from Assad's regime since the outbreak of a revolt almost 17 months ago. The defected premier arrived on Wednesday morning in Jordan with his family, according to Jordanian Information Minister Samih Maayatah.
"Hijab and members of his family entered Jordan during the early hours of Wednesday," Maayatah told Agence France Presse without elaborating.
Source: Agence France Presse
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