President Assad of Syria died of a heart attack on 10 June. For three decades the so-called Sphinx of Damascus was a major player in Middle Eastern politics and at the time of his death the region’s longest serving leader. An astute but intransigent politician in the international arena, his power within Syria was absolute. Assad was frequently referred to as a dictator and a tyrant but at a time when Syria needs an experienced navigator to steer it through this period of political and economic turbulence, he will be difficult to replace, writes Pat Lancaster.

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