Syria's Assad fires prime minister

Syrian President Bashar al Assad issued a decree on Thursday, dismissing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday sacked his prime minister of four years, Imad Khamis, as the country grappled with a stinging economic crisis and renewed protests.

"President Assad issues decree number 143 for the year 2020 which relieves the prime minister Imad Muhammad Dib Khamis of his position," the presidency said in a statement.

Khamis, 58, had been Syria's prime minister since 2016.

Water Resources Minister Hussein Arnous replaced him for an interim period leading to legislative polls scheduled to be held on July 19.

"Assad assigns... Hussein Arnous the duties of the prime minister as well as his (other) duties," the presidency said.

"The government is continuing with its work until a new parliament is elected."