Syrian President Bashar Assad appointed on Wednesday a new prime minister, and tasked him with forming a government.

Syrian President Bashar Assad appointed on Wednesday a new prime minister, and tasked him with forming a government.

"President Assad issued a decree asking Riad Hijab to form a new government," State television reported.

SANA news agency also said that Assad “issued the decree No. 194 for 2012 on charging Dr. Riyad Farid Hijab with the formation of the new government.”

For its part, Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi confirmed the report on Twitter, saying, "Dr Riad Hijab is the new prime minister of Syria and will form the new government."

Hijab, 46, replaces former premier Adel Safar, who had formed his government in April 2011.
The appointment comes after a new parliament was voted in on May 7.