Yemeni president appoints new trade minister

Yemeni president appoints new trade minister

2011-01-23 16:37:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday assigned a new trade and industry minister amidst social turmoil, the state-run Saba news agency reported on Sunday.

Hisham Sharaf, who was Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, replaced Yehia al-Mutawakkel as the Minister of Trade and Industry. Mutahar al-Abassi will take Sharaf's former position.

No reasons were given for the changes in the cabinet.

Last week, Saleh suspended his oil minister and executive director of the national petroleum company over a fuel shortage crisis.

Yemen has suffered several internal conflicts in recent times, including a growing threat from al-Qaeda. In addition to the conflicted northern region, southern Yemen is also volatile due to violent demonstrations and frequent attacks against security forces.

The country has been witnessing protests against inadequate economic conditions since Tunisian ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali escaped to Saudi Arabia.

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