His Majesty King Hamad of Bahrain yesterday issued a Royal Decree forming a new Cabinet chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The Cabinet will feature four deputy premiers. Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Jawad bin Salem Al Arrayed have kept their positions as deputy premiers. Former Premier's Court Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa has been promoted to Deputy Premier.

Premier's Adviser for Cultural Affairs Mohammed Al Mutawa has been named minister of state for follow-up affairs.

Former Works Minister in charge of Electricity and Water Authority Fahmi Al Jowder has been named minister for electricity and water affairs, leaving the portfolio of the works ministry to Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf.

Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa has kept his position as Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister. He will also be in charge of endowment (Awaqaf).

Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry has been renamed Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning, with Dr Juma Al Ka'abi keeping his position.

The other ministers have kept their positions in the new-look government. These are: Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Minister for Shura Council and Parliament Affairs Abdulaziz Al Fadhel, Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro.

The list also includes Housing Minister Shaikh Ibrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi, Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi and Oil and Gas Affairs Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza.

Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi, Cabinet Affairs Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna, Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer have also kept their positions.

The decree will become effective on the date of publication in the Official Gazette.  - TradeArabia News Service