Bashar al-Assad is the current President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Syrian-led branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000.

Born on 11 September 1965, Al-Assad graduated from the medical school of the University of Damascus in 1988, and started to work as a doctor in the army.

Four years later, he attended postgraduate studies at the Western Eye Hospital, in London, specializing in ophthalmology.

was born on 11 September 1965. He is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000.

In 1994, Al-Assad entered the military academy and in 1998, he took charge of the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. Al-Assad was elected as President of Syria in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.

In his domestic policy, he has been criticised for a disregard for human rights, economic lapses, and corruption. In his foreign policy, Al-Assad is an outspoken critic of the United States and Israel.

During the Syrian uprising, activists and protesters have called for al-Assad's resignation.