Assad aide dies of illness

DAMASCUS: Mohammed Nasif Khayrbik, a senior Syrian government security official close to President Bashar Assad, died on Sunday morning after a long illness, state media said.
Khayrbik was a key confidante of the Assad family and the target of EU and US sanctions for his alleged role in putting down anti-government demonstrations and interfering in neighboring Lebanon.
“The presidency announces the death of retired general Mohammed Nasif Khayrbik, deputy vice president of the republic, after a long illness,” Syrian state television said.