Syrian President orders formation of new government

Damascus: Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday ordered Minister of Electricity Emad Khamis to form a new government, the media reported.

Assad appointed Khamis as prime minister of the new government, replacing former Prime Minister Waerl al-Halqi, Xinhua news agency reported. 

The formation of the new government came weeks after the Syrian parliament was elected.

According to the law, a new government should be formed within 40 days following the parliament elections.

The government will be the sixth to be formed under the presidency of al-Assad.

The last government was formed in August 2014, following the re-election of al-Assad, and was headed by al-Halqi.

The names of the new ministers are expected to be announced within the next two days.