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Al-Assad Dismisses Syrian PM as Economic Crisis Grows, Designates Another Instead

Al-Assad Dismisses Syrian PM as Economic Crisis Grows, Designates Another Instead
folder_openMiddle East... access_time3 years ago
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By Staff, Agencies

In the midst of one of the worst economic crises in the last decade Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued on Thursday decree No. 143 that relieves Prime Minister Imad Khamis of his post and designates Engineer Hussein Arnous for the mission of Prime Minister in addition to his post.

Khamis was dismissed after four years at the head of government. The surprise move came just a month ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.

In a statement, the Syrian presidency said the government would continue to work toward the parliamentary elections, which have been twice postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak and are now slated to take place on 19 July.

The Syrian pound had dropped sharply, according to non-government sources, while inflation has soared to 50 percent, aggravated by the economic crisis in neighboring Lebanon, a refuge for many Syrians and Syrian businesses during the conflict.

According to the latest figures from the central bank in Damascus, one dollar can buy 705 Syrian pounds, but unofficial exchange rates are selling 3,000 Syrian pounds to the dollar.

The now-fired Khamis acknowledged on 7 June that the Syrian pound had been “affected” by the toughening up of foreign sanctions and the situation in neighboring countries.

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