Lt. Gen. Bashar to adopt openness measures

Well-informed political sources in Beirut have expected Lt. Gen. Bashar al-Assad to start his rule by systematic openness measures within a period of time not to exceed three months after he assumed power.

The Lebanese daily al- Lewaí quoted these sources as saying that "rearranging the house from the inside will be on the top of the list of the priorities of the coming President." The paper expected an increase in the wages of employees and a ministerial reshuffle to be limited to several old ministers from the government of Mahmoud al-Zoubi.

The sources added that new leadership will concentrate on developing the National Progressive Front ( NPF) so as to cope with regional and international political changes and will give wider margin for the freedom of the press and will permit the release of private publications.

It is also expected that Lt. Gen. Bashar will release a general pardoning for certain political prisoners after he assumes power, according to the well-informed sources.