New Yemen Oil Minister Faces Security Challenge

14 Sep 2012 Issue: 55 / 38

Yemen has appointed Ahmad ‘Abd Allah Daris as its new Minister of Oil and Minerals to replace outgoing Hisham Sharaf ‘Abd Allah. One of the most pressing problems he will face in his new post is the worsening security situation which has impacted crude transport.

Until his new appointment Mr Daris was serving as Deputy Minister of Oil and Minerals, and had previously held other key positions in the Yemeni petroleum sector. With his strong background in the hydrocarbon industry, Mr Daris is expected to revamp the petroleum ministry and other related oil companies, according to reports from Sanaa. Mr Sharaf ‘Abd Allah was appointed Minister of Higher Education in the reshuffled cabinet.

The cabinet reshuffle also included the replacement of key security chiefs who were seen to be loyal to ousted president ‘Ali ‘Abd Allah Salih. The head of national security force ‘Ali al-Anisi and the former president’s half-brother ‘Ali Salih al-Ahmar, who was director of the office of the armed forces top commander, were also sacked and were given new posts as ambassadors at the foreign ministry. (CONTINUED - 607 WORDS)