''From God we come and unto him we shall return.''

• The brother of His Excellency President Bashar Hafez Al-Assad, Mr. Majd Hafez Al-Assad passed away today December 12th, 2009.

• The late deceased, suffering from a chronic disease, was born in Lattakia in 1966. He graduated from Damascus University, Faculty of Economy in 1989.

• To the righteous soul will be said: "Thou soul in complete rest and satisfaction. Come back thou to thy lord, well pleased thyself, and well-pleasing unto him.''

• The late was laid to rest in Qirdaha, Lattakia, Syrian Coast, the birthplace of Al-Assad Family, Sunday December 13th, 2009. Tens of thousands of saddened mourners poured into the city since dawn, and offered heart-felt condolences to His Excellency President Bashar Al-Assad, the eldest brother of the deceased, and to the members of His Family.