Who is Bashar Al-Assad?
Aired June 11, 2000 – 8:01 p.m. ET THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. ANDRIA HALL, CNN ANCHOR: Observers say the way is now set for a smooth transition of power in Syria after the death of President Hafez Al-Assad. A 40-day period of national mourning continues over Hafez Al-Assad, as his son Bashar was named commander of the armed forces Sunday. Also, the ruling Baath Party nominated the younger Assad, the sole candidate for the presidency. CNN’s Rula Amin takes a look now at the man poised to become Syria’s new leader. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): “Bashar, Bashar, go ahead, millions are with you,” the demonstrators chanted, support from thousands of Syrians to the 34-year-old for him to succeed his father. In 1994, Bashar was studying in Britain to become an ophthalmologist, but destiny took him away from medicine and into politics at the age of 28. Following the death of his eldest brother, who was be
