Qatar’s Emir on Wednesday ordered a cabinet reshuffle in which he named a new Foreign Minister, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah (photo) was replaced with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

Attiyah was named State Minister for Defense Affairs. The Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, also holds the post of Defense Minister.

The Finance and Energy portfolios were kept unchanged in the cabinet reshuffle.

The decree also merged several Ministries, including Communication and Transport and Culture, Youth and Sports. The Public Health Minister was also replaced.

The new Ministers appointed by the Emiri Order No. 1 of 2016 took the oath before Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan on Wednesday.

The oath taking ceremony was attended by Qatar’s Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani.

It was also attended by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Following this reshuffle, Qatar’s Emir left Doha on Wednesday morning for the Italian capital of Rome, starting an official visit to the Republic of Italy.

The Emir is accompanied by an official delegation.