The first baby born for President Bashar al-Assad

Diplomatic sources in Damascus said that President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday had a son, his first child after getting married of Mrs. Asmaa al-Akhras. The child was born in London where Asmaa's family lives.

The sources said the child will be named " Hafez" after his grandfather the late Syrian President " Hafez al-Assad."

Al-Sharq al-Awsat on January 3, 2001 published the news of al-Assad's marriage to Mrs. Al-Akhras, the daughter of the Syrian cardiologist who lives in Britain Dr. Fawaz al-Akhras.

Mrs. Asmaa is a Syrian who was born in London in 1975. She has completed all stages of her study in Britain and got her BA in computer sciences from " Kings College " of London university.

Besides Arabic and English, she has full command on French and Spanish. After she graduated from university she worked in economic and financial analysis in investment banks which carry out studies in world market changes.