Syria: Government reshuffle within two months

Well-informed sources in Damascus said on Friday that the new Baath party regional leadership in Syria will start very soon the implementation of recommendations adopted by the 10th Baath party regional congress which was concluded on Thursday following four day deliberations.

In a press statement, one Baath party new regional leadership member said "the regional congress is expected to be convened every two years or less, noting that President Bashar al-Assad said that the congress might be convened in a less time in order to intensify "monitoring the performance of the Baath party and the state."

The official said that President al-Assad on Thursday made a long speech that lasted for two and one quarter hours in conclusion of the congress in which he concentrated on "institutional and team work." The source, which asked not to be identified, expected a government reshuffle to take place within a period not to exceed two months.

The official added that no date is fixed for convening the Baath party's "national congress" adding " however, it will be held soon."