Damascus - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree on Tuesday approving a new cabinet headed by Hussein Arnous, following a May election that secured Assad’s grip on power in the war-torn country.
The new 29-minister government, announced less than two weeks since Assad tasked Arnous with forming it, is little changed from its predecessor.
Those at the head of the key defence, foreign affairs, interior and finance ministries remained unchanged. 
But new names were appointed to lead the ministries of information, social affairs and domestic trade and consumer protection.