SYRIA: PRESIDENT ASSAD MOURNED (2)

(11 Jun 2000) Natural Sound XFA There was a public outpouring of grief in Syria on the weekend, over the death of the man who led the nation for thirty years. 69-year old Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, who had been suffering from heart problems, died on Saturday. Syrians took to the streets to mourn his loss. These tears are shed for the loss of a much-loved President, who led the country for thirty years. Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, who had been suffering heart problems, died on Saturday. His body lies in state in the presidential palace until Tuesday. In Damascus, people took to the streets to show their respect for the man and sorrow over his loss. Some Syrians were prostrated by their emotion. Others marched, carrying flags and photos of their old leader - still others blew trumpets and beat drums. Syria's red-black-and-white flags were flying at half-mast. Shopkeepers hung black-bordered portraits of Hafez al-Assad on shuttered store fronts. Verses from the Islamic holy book, the Koran, were being played at low volume through loudspeakers in government offices and hotels. Secondary school exams, scheduled this weekend, were postponed until next week. Funeral plans for the President were not immediately announced, but he was expected to be buried in his home village of Qardaha, 350 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Damascus. Syria now waits for word on who will succeed President Hafez al-Assad. He died before he could consolidate the position of his son and heir apparent. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...