Syrian President Bashar Assad has announced General Daoud Rajha,
former head of the General Staff, as the new DefenseMinister, RIA
Novosti reports.
The Incumbent Defense Minister Ali Habib is on the list of officials
under EU sanctions. The EU introduced sanctions against Syrian
authorities, including the president.
The EU passed new sanctions against Syrian officials in July. They
include 4 companies related to law-enforcers. They are accused of
violence against citizens.
Syria has had mass protests since mid-March. The protests started in
Deraa with demands of reforms. Over 1,600 people have died and about
3,000 are missing.
