Death and state funeral of Hafez al-Assad

Hafez al-Assad, the 18th president of Syria, died from a heart attack on 10 June 2000 at the age of 69.[1][2] His funeral was held three days later in Damascus, and he was buried in a mausoleum in his hometown Qardaha in Latakia Governorate, beside his eldest son Bassel al-Assad who died in 1994.[3][4]

Death and state funeral of Hafez al-Assad
Official portrait of Hafez al-Assad
Date13 June 2000; 24 years ago (2000-06-13)
LocationDamascus, Syria
ParticipantsSyrian officials and dignitaries from foreign countries
External videos
video icon Announcement on Syrian television relayed by Israeli television part 1
video icon Announcement on Syrian television relayed by Israeli television part 2

He was succeeded by vice president Abdul Halim Khaddam in a caretaker capacity until presidential elections were held. Several national leaders paid tribute as the leader's body lay in state in the People's Palace.[5][6]

Following Assad's death, 40 days of mourning was declared in Syria and 7 days in Lebanon.[7] Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Libya, Iran, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Kuwait and Qatar announced three days of national mourning.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] His funeral was held three days later.[20]

Illness and death

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President Al-Assad's health began to deteriorate in late 1983 due to his diabetes and varicose veins.[21] He was taken to Al-Shami Hospital in Damascus and placed under intensive care.[21] Then he transferred his powers during his absence to a committee consisting of five members from his close circle.[22]

Funeral

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Dignitaries

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States
Organizations

Burial

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Mausoleum of Hafez al-Assad in Qardaha, Syria

He was buried in a mausoleum in his hometown Qardaha in Latakia Governorate, beside his eldest son Bassel al-Assad who died in 1994.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Syria's President Assad dies". The Guardian.
  2. ^ MacFarquhar, Neil (11 June 2000). "Hafez al-Assad, Who Turned Syria Into a Power in the Middle East, Dies at 69". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Syria's Assad laid to rest". UPI.
  4. ^ "BBC Arabic News | News | الرئيس الأسد يصل لمثواه الأخير". news.bbc.co.uk.
  5. ^ agencies, Staff and (13 June 2000). "World pays tribute to Syrian dictator". the Guardian.
  6. ^ "فيما تولى الحرس الجمهوري مسؤولية الأمن في دمشق". www.al-jazirah.com.
  7. ^ "Bashar Al_Assad - THE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT HAFEZ ASSAD". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Kuna :: Egypt Mourns the Death of Al-Assad 10/06/2000".
  9. ^ Sachs, Susan (11 June 2000). "TRANSITION IN SYRIA; Apprehension and Hope for Stability in Mideast". The New York Times.
  10. ^ "CNN Transcript - Special Event: The Death of Hafez Al-Assad - June 10, 2000".
  11. ^ "KUNA : OMAN DECLARES THREE DAYS MOURNING FOR SYRIA - Politics - 10/06/2000".
  12. ^ "BBC NEWS | Middle East | Assad: Mourned by friends and foes".
  13. ^ "Libya Declares Three-Day National Mourning For Assad". AllAfrica.
  14. ^ "KUNA : IRAN ANNOUNCES 3 DAYS OF MOURNING FOR ASSAD - General - 11/06/2000".
  15. ^ "KUNA : MOROCCO DECLARES THREE DAYS MOURNING ON AL-ASSAD'S DEATH - Politics - 11/06/2000".
  16. ^ "KUNA : UAE MOURNS AL-ASSAD DEATH - Politics - 10/06/2000".
  17. ^ "KUNA : YEMEN MOURNS THE DEATH OF AL-ASSAD - Politics - 10/06/2000".
  18. ^ "Kuna :: Kuwati Declares Three Days of Mourning on Assad's Death 10/06/2000".
  19. ^ "KUNA : QATAR MOURNS DEATH OF AL-ASSAD - Politics - 10/06/2000".
  20. ^ Freedman 2002, p. 105.
  21. ^ a b "تاريخ أحزان الاسد ، بقلم: عادل حمودة". www.albayan.ae. 23 June 2000.
  22. ^ Martin Schram; Maralee Schwartz (6 December 1983). "Major Illness Said To Incapacitate Syrian President". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  23. ^ "江泽民主席电唁叙利亚总统阿萨德逝世" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Britain's Cook pays last respects to Assad". UPI.

Works cited

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