MANAMA: Two new Bahraini ministers were appointed in a Cabinet reshuffle announced last night. Dr Faisal Al Hamer was appointed Health Minister and Jihad Bu Kamal as Information Minister in a decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad.

Born in 1944, Dr Al Hamer, who was dean of Bahrain's College of Health Sciences for 15 years before taking early retirement in 2002, said he was honoured by the appointment.

He replaces Dr Nada Haffadh, who become the country's first female minister when she was appointed in April 2004.

Mr Bu Kamal was a former member of parliament from 2002 until last year, when he was appointed to the Shura Council. The 48-year-old replaces Dr Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar, who was appointed to the post in November 2005.

Mr Bu Kamal, a leading businessman, has held key committee positions in parliament, with the Bahrain Monetary Agency (now Central Bank of Bahrain) and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The new appointments are with immediate effect and as based on proposals by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, said the official announcement. It said the decree also stipulated that it be implemented by the Premier and published in the Official Gazette.