Rifaat al-Assad claims right to rule Syria

Rifaat al-Assad, brother of the late President Hafez al-Assad, on Monday accused the Syrian leadership of violating Syria's constitution and threatened to carry out " a new correctionist movement in Syria."

News reports quoted a statement broadcast on Monday on ANN owned by Rafaat's son Soumer al-Assad in which Rafaat addresses his late brother saying that "if officials in Syria were able to prevent him now from entering Syria to take part in the funeral of his brother al-Assad, it will not be evident they will be able to do so in the future."

Rifaat continued addressing his late brother: " You have left a catastrophic and sudden vacuum, as others think they can fill this vacuum. They take measures which violated the constitution and legitimacy."

Rifaat added " I will keep on the oath and there will be a new 'correctionist movement' with a new trend covering all political, social and political levels. Freedom will prevail in Syria as well as Democracy. The average citizen will take his due role in building the homeland and in choosing his representatives in Syria."

Earlier, Rifaat contacted one of the Syrian official to ask about the possibility if he can return to Syria to take part in the funeral of al-Assad but he was informed that he will be arrested upon his arrival to Syria because there is a warrant against him at judicial accusations.

Rifaat's other son Mudar neglected his father's stances in which he said he is the legitimate successor for the late President. Mudar al-Assad said in a statement broadcast on Monday by the Qatar's TV al-Jazira " we are all with Bashar. He is the legitimate successor for the late President. There is no time for us for sorrow. What is of concern to us is continuity and stability under the leadership of Dr. Bashar who was chosen by President al-Assad and all the Syrian people. Mudar continued Our father is Hafez al-Assad and there no father but him in the whole world."