Bashar Appointed Leader of Syria's Ruling PartyBashar al-Assad, the son of the late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad, on Sunday was appointed leader of Syria's ruling Baath party which is holding its ninth congress.Bashar is expected to be elected secretary-general of the party at the end of the congress, which is due to end Wednesday, the official SANA news agency reported. Observers said it is almost certain that the 1,021 delegates attending the congress are to give approval to Bashar's appointment. Bashar, 34, is already commander-in-chief of the armed forces and sole candidate from the ruling party for presidency after his father died of a heart attack on June 10. The Syrian parliament is due to meet June 25 to endorse the appointment and a referendum will follow on the appointment. To name Bashar secretary general, to elect new leaders to its ruling council and to steer Syria toward modernization are issue high on the agenda of the ruling party's congress which opened Saturday. The last national congress of Baath party was held 15 years ago. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |