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SV PAN INTERIOR: New Syrian cabinet
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SV: President Hafez Al-Assad behind desk swearing in new cabinet members (3 shots)
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GV INTERIOR: cabinet
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SV: Assad PAN other ministers seated at desk
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SV PAN: ministers seated at desk TO Assad
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GV: Assad seated
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Initials RH/MF/DK/2355



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Background: Syria's new government led by Major-General Abdel-Rahman Khleifawi--and including the country's first woman cabinet minister -- took the oath of office in Damascus on Sunday (8 August).

SYNOPSIS: The government is expected to institute extensive domestic reforms, but will continue Syria's foreign policy without change.

The new cabinet ministers were sworn in by President Hafez Al-Assad. Prime Minister Khleifawi succeeds Mahmoud Al Ayoubi, who resigned on the 1st of August. General Khleifawi, who was Prime Minister in 1971-72, is expected to crack down hard on corruption and economic mismanagement in Syria. After the cabinet was sworn in it held its first session under the chairmanship of President Assad.

The first woman minister is Dr. Najjah Attar, who holds the portfolio of Culture and National Guidance. The cabinet is a coalition of Beathists, Socialists, Communists and independents. Among cabinet members from the last government are Foreign Minister Abdel-Halim Khaddam and Defence Minister Major General Mustaf Tlas.