Middle East/Suriah (syam)
WHERE ARE YOU ASAD?


Syrian President Bashar Al Assad is not seen in public since a bomb killed an influential brother-in-law, and three other senior security chief in Damascus on 18 July.

On Wednesday (01/08/2012), the official SANA news agency quoted the president's message to the "heroes" of the armed forces of Syria. However, the message was not broadcast on state television.

Assad said "the Syrian people's war against the enemy takes many forms'' and'' determine the fate of the people and our nation."

The call to war, which marked the 67th anniversary of the establishment of the Syrian army, described by observers as Assad's first public appearance since the bombing. It also prompted speculation about his whereabouts.

Assad's brother-in-law did not attend the funeral of the victims of the bomb, Assef Shawkat, who is married to his sister, Bushra. However, he appeared on TV while taking oath for a replacement defense minister.

Assad were afraid of her safety, as the armed rebels have been able to attack the heart of the capital, apparently chose to stay on the court and away from public view.

Rumors that Assad had fled to the coastal city of Latakia and that the British-born wife, Asma, had taken refuge in Russia, has not been proven. However, there is pressure on Assad to demonstrate leadership by appearing in public before too long.