Al ASAD Bashar (Assad, Bashar al-)

Born in Damascus on September 11, 1965. He received medical education, was trained in ophthalmologic centers in the UK. In 1994 was forced to interrupt their studies after his elder brother Basil died in a car. Returning to Syria, Assad became commander of the armored forces and chairman of the Syrian Computer Society. As the last he was able to begin the process of 'connectedness' of Syria. In 1999, Assad was promoted to colonel, he began to play a more active role in government, met with several heads of state, was appointed to head the campaign to eradicate corruption. After the death of his father in June 2000 was declared commander of the armed forces of Syria and was promoted to lieutenant general. The ruling Baath Party had elected him as general secretary and nominated him as sole candidate for president. In July 2000, Assad became president by winning a national referendum. In his inaugural speech, Assad spoke mainly economic problems and the modernization of the country, as well as the problem of the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel during the Arab-Israeli war of 1967.