SANAA, 7 April 2007 — Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh yesterday sacked the newly appointed Industry and Trade Minister Sayf Al-Asali after the minister rejected the post in protest over his removal from the Finance Ministry in a Cabinet reshuffle.
The official Saba news agency said Saleh issued a presidential decree appointing Yahya Al-Mutawakil, who previously was deputy minister of planning, as industry minister to replace Al-Asali, who was dismissed.
On Thursday, Saleh moved Al-Asali from the Finance Ministry in a Cabinet shake-up that saw the introduction of a new prime minister, former Electricity Minister Ali Mujawar, and 10 new ministers. No reason was given by the agency for the dismissal of the former finance minister, but official sources told Arab News the move was in reaction to the minister’s refusal to take charge of the new portfolio. Saleh tried to persuade Al-Asali to assume charge of the Trade and Industry Ministry, but to no avail, said the sources.
The new prime minister replaces Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal, who has been criticized by donor countries for doing little to combat corruption.
