Assad Names New Prime Minister To Form Syrian Government

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivers a speech to Syria's parliament in Damascus on June 3.

Syrian state-run television says President Bashar al-Assad has named former agriculture minister Riyad Hijab to be the new prime minister following last month's parliamentary elections in the conflict-hit country.

Hijab, whose appointment was announced on June 6, is to form new cabinet.

He replaces Adel Safar, who was appointed in April last year, shortly after the popular uprising against Assad's regime erupted in the south and later spread across Syria.

Rights groups estimate that more than 10,000 people have been killed in the insurrection and crackdown since Arab Spring-style protests broke out early last year.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP