DAMASCUS, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered the replacement of three Syrian ministers on Wednesday, including the ministries of justice, commerce, and administrative development, reported state TV.

The presidential decree named Hisham Sha'ar, as the new justice minister replacing Najm Hamad al-Ahmad.

It also appointed Samer Khalil as the minister of commerce and trade, replacing Adib Mayaleh.

According to the new decree, Salam Safaf is named as the new minister of administrative development.

It was unclear what caused the minor government shake-up, as the current government assumed its duty as of July last year.

The current government is also the sixth to be formed under the presidency of al-Assad, who succeeded his father in ruling the country in 2000.