Somalia's PM Barre appoints new defence minister in reshuffle
Barre did not give a reason for the reshuffle, which was read out by the government spokesperson in a video posted on the government's Facebook account.
Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, who previously served as foreign minister and national security chief, was appointed defence minister, replacing Jibril Abdirashid.
Barre also appointed a new second deputy prime minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, and a new foreign minister, Abdisaalan Abdi Ali Daay.
The appointment of a new defence minister comes as the government struggles to halt recent gains by al Shabaab in an offensive by the al Qaeda-allied group.
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