Rifaat al-Assad to return back to Syria following 20 years exile
Syria, Politics, 5/20/2005

News reports quoted the spokesman for Rifaat al-Assad, brother of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, that Rifaat decided to return back to Syria to continue his national and political role following 20 years he had spent in exile.

In a statement in Nicosia, al-Harith al-Khayer said that Rifaat, who lives in Europe, decided to return back to his country to establish justice, freedom and peace, noting that the date for his return back will be announced shortly.

Al-Khayer stressed that Rifaat will not introduce himself as a substitute for the current Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but he sees the situation in Syria as grave and needs to achieve national unity.

In earlier press statements, Rifaat called for general elections in Syria, for the amendment of the constitution to withstand challenges and risks threatening to convert Syria into what he called a new place for invasion and aggression.

The late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad exiled his younger brother Rifaat who was the Vice President in 1985. He also ordered the desolve of Saraya al-Difa' (special defense units) which he had led and played a role in oppressing moves of the Muslim Brothers in Syria in 1982.

Previous Stories:
  Syrian official source denies arresting sheikh Khaznawi   (5/19/2005)
  Rifaat al-Assad calls for elections, amending the Syrian constitution   (4/2/2005)
  Parliament agrees on nominating Bashar as Syria's president   (6/26/2000)
  Rifaat al-Assad claims right to rule Syria   (6/13/2000)
  Rifaat al-Assad claims right to rule Syria   (6/13/2000)
  Parliamentarians speak on their unanimous vote for al-Assad's nomination for Presidency   (1/15/1999)

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