DAMASCUS, Sept. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Syrian President Bashar Assad asked the speaker of parliament to form a new government after Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa Miro resigned Wednesday, the official Syrian Arab News Agency reported.

　　The Miro cabinet took office in 2001. The resignation of the cabinet came following President Assad's intention to form a reform-minded government, the news agency said.

　　The president has asked the parliament speaker Mohammed Naji al-Otari to select a new Cabinet, the news agency said, adding the new Cabinet is not expected to affect Syria's foreign policy because it is in the hands of the president.

　　No further details are available yet.

　　Last month, Assad said the government should make a priority of reform, including allowing private universities and banks and freeing hundreds of political prisoners.

　　Assad also promised to improve Syrians' lives by introducing accountability in government, modernizing legislation, eliminating bureaucracy and revitalizing the economy.

　　Syria has had a totalitarian style of government with both political life and the economy under strict control. Enditem