Syrian outgoing chief of staff honored

At the directives of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad the protocols of exchanging the post of army chief of staff were carried out Sunday between first Lt. Gen. Hekmat Shehabi and Lt. Gen. Ali Aslan.

On the occasion, Syrian Defense Minister Lt Gen. Mustafa Tlass held a ceremony marking the end of Shehabi's term of office as chief of staff and to congratulate Aslan on his new post.

Shehabi said that it was a great honor for him to remain in his post for 24 years under President Assad's leadership.

Aslan also expressed pride over his new assignment and thanked President Assad for the confidence he entrusted in him.

Last week President al-Assad released a decree removing Shehabi from his post.