Assad confidant dies of illness – state media

Mohammed Nasif Khayrbik, a senior Syrian government security official close to President Bashar Assad, died on Sunday morning after a long illness, state media says.

Khayrbik was a key confidant 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 this morning of retired general Mohammed Nasif Khayrbik, deputy vice president of the republic, after a long illness,” Syrian state television says.

Khayrbik’s ties to Syria’s ruling family go back to the days of Hafez Assad, Bashar’s father and predecessor as president.

AFP

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