A governmental reshuffle in Syria

A well-informed Syrian source told the London- Based al-Zamaan paper that the next meeting for the central committee of the ruling Baath party in Syria will decide upon the question of reshuffling the government of Muhammad Mustafa Miro and not only to amend it.

The source expected the central committee to convene its meeting between the end of march and the beginning of April after the Arab summit conference will conclude its meetings in Amman.

The source indicated that the meeting of the central committee which will discuss the achievement of Miro's government during the year 2000 just one year after its formation will be followed by a change operation and Miro has to submit the resignation of his government and President Bashar al-Assad will give directives to form a new government.

The source said the new parties which will join the national progressive front in the course of expanding it during the coming phase will be represented in the coming government which is expected to be formed following the meetings of the Party's central committee.

The source did not rule out the resignation of certain ministers who are still in their positions from the previous government of Mahmoud al-Zoubi who committed suicide after it was disclosed his involvement in corruption together with two of his government members, they are two teachers at the faculty of the economy at Damascus university: the deputy premier for economic affairs Dr. salim Yassin and the transport minister Mufid Abdul Karim.

The paper stressed that new and young ministers will join the new government while posts will be exchanged among ministers.