New Cabinet For Syria Is Formed - 31/12/1956

New Cabinet For Syria Is Formed

Government Given Leaning to Leftist National Front

Associated Press

 

DAMASCUS, Syria, Dec. 31 - Premier Sabri Assali today formed a new 11-man coalition government which is expected to stick even more tightly to Syria’s so-called “psoitive neutrality” policies

 

An official announcemen said the new cabinet representing the leftist “National Front” includes ministers of Assali’s National Party, Foreign Minister Salah Bitar’s Socialist Resurrection (Baath) Party, the Arab Liberation Movement, the Democratic bloc and three independents.

 

Assali’s 10-man coalition cabinet resigned on Dec. 22 after six months in office in order to give him a chance to put together a more cohesive government.

 

Important Post

 

The important Interior Ministry, which was held by Ahmed Qanbar, will be held by Premier Assali himself. It had been coveted by the Socialists.

 

The announcement said President Shukri Kuwatly had approved the following appointments:

 

Assali, Premier and acting Interior Minister.

Salah Bitar, Foreign Minister

Khalil Kallas, Socialist, national economic

Fakher Kayyali, Nationalist, public works

Asad Haroon, Nationalist, health

Khaled Azm, Independent, State Minister and acting Defence Minister

Asad Mahassen, Independent, education

Hani Sibai, Independent, education

Dr Mamoun KUzbari, Arab Liberation, justice and social affairs

Saleh Ayeel, Democrat, State Minister

Hamed Khouja, Democrat, agriculture

 

Soviets Favoured

 

The new lineup appeared to resolve a two-month struggle for power within the Syrian government somewhat in favor of the Soviet Union.

 

In that tug-of-war, the National and Socialist Parties, which favoured accepting arms and aid from Russia were arrayed against the Populist Party of interior Minister Qanbar, now out of the Government.