(Reuters) Samia Nakhoul - President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has assumed personal command of his armed forces, still convinced he can prevail militarily. A Facebook picture of Assad dressed in military uniform sums up his transformation since a bomb attack in July killed his inner circle security leadership, including his brother-in-law and defense minister. "He is no longer a president who depends on his team and directs through his aides. This is a fundamental change in Assad's thinking," said a pro-Syrian Lebanese politician with close ties to Assad. "Now he is involved in directing the battle."
2012-10-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive