Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa approved a cabinet reshuffle that saw the departure of three ministers from the royal Al Khalifa family.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa approved a cabinet reshuffle that saw the departure of three ministers from the royal Al Khalifa family.

According to the decree released by state BNA news agency on Saturday evening, the new cabinet line-up saw the introduction of four new faces while seven members were dropped, including information minister and government spokesman Samira bin Rajab.

The ministers of foreign affairs, interior and finance, however, kept their portfolios in the 17-member cabinet.

The ministries of municipalities and works were merged into one ministry, a measure that was also applied on the ministries of telecommunications and transport, while the culture ministry was canceled.

Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa kept his post he holds since 1970.