Assad reshuffles Syria's Cabinet amid harsh economic crisis

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad replaced several Cabinet ministers Wednesday amid a sharp increase in prices and worsening economic conditions during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, state media reported.The state news agency said Assad replaced the ministers of oil, internal trade, industry and social affairs and labor. SANA did not give a reason for the government reshuffle, but it comes amid harsh public criticism over rising prices and food shortages during Ramadan, when observant Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]