ASSAD ACHIEVES FULL AUTHORITY IN SYRIA

NICOSIA [MENL] -- President Bashar Assad has consolidated power and nowmakes all major decisions in Syria. A report by the Middle East Intelligence Bulletin asserted that over thelast two years Assad has become the sole authority in Syria and determinespolicy in such fields as the economy, domestic security, military andforeign affairs. The report said Assad no longer faces serious oppositionfrom the so-called old guard loyal to his late father, Hafez Assad.