Bashar al-Assad
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Bashar al-Assad (born 11 September 1965) is the president of Syria and the head of the Ba'ath Party in Syria. He has had those jobs since the death of his father Hafez al-Assad (1930-2000), who had ruled Syria since 1971.[1] Bashar al-Assad was elected in 2000, and re-elected in 2007. He was unopposed each time.[2][3]
Assad studied medicine at the University of Damascus and graduated in 1988.[4] He then studied ophthalmology at a military hospital, and in 1992 studied at the Western Eye Hospital in London.[4] His father wanted Assad's brother Bassel to succeed him as leader of Syria.[4] Bassel died in a car accident in 1994, and Assad returned home to Syria. He went to a military academy at Homs, and became a colonel after only five years. He worked as an advisor to his father, and took action against corruption. When his father died, the government changed the constitution. Under Syrian law the president had to be at least 40 years old. With law changed, Assad was able to be elected President of Syria in June 2000.[4] He was also made commander in chief of the armed forces, and leader of the Ba'ath Party which has ruled Syria since 1961.[4]
Since March 2011, civil war took place in Syria, he has responded the protest and violence with the use of his forces, by January 3, 2013, 60,000 people have been killed from all sides.[5]
References [change]
- ↑ "Bashar al-Assad (president of Syria) --". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. 2012. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/711020/Bashar-al-Assad?anchor=ref838844. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ↑ "Syrians Vote For Assad in Uncontested Referendum". The Washington Post. 28 May 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/27/AR2007052701117.html.
- ↑ "Syria's Assad wins another term". BBC News. 29 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6700021.stm.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Bashar al-Assad Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story". biography.com. 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/bashar-al-assad-20878575. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ↑ http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/02/world/meast/syria-civil-war
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