In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a man displays a new bank note of 2,000 Syrian Lira, ($3.9) featuring the face of President Bashar Assad, during a press conference for Central Bank Governor Duraid Durgham in Damascus, Syria, July 2, 2017. (SANA via AP)
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — A new 2,000 Syrian lira ($3.90) banknote with the face of President Bashar Assad will go into circulation Sunday, the Syrian Central Bank announced.
The notes are the first time Syria will depict Assad on its currency since he took office 17 years ago.
Assad’s face appears on the new banknotes at a time when his government is boasting military successes against the armed rebellion across the country. The currency previously only carried images of historic icons or pictures of his father, Hafez Assad.
Central Bank Governor Duraid Durgham said the new banknotes will go into circulation starting Sunday “due to the wear and tear” affecting currency currently in circulation.
Syria’s currency has crashed as the country’s seven-year-long war rages on. Trading at 47 liras to the dollar in 2011, it’s currently going for 517 liras to the dollar.
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Inflation has also soared, reaching an all-time high in 2013, at over 120 percent. Estimates in 2016 put the inflation rate at 50 percent.
The face of President Bashar Assad appears on Syrian currency for the first time since he took office 17 years ago, Damascus, Syria, July 2, 2017. (SANA via AP)
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