Middle East
Profile: Syria's Bashar al-Assad
Many believe it is only a matter of time before President Assad is overthrown
President
Bashar al-Assad of Syria is facing the most serious challenge to his
rule since he came to power in 2000 following the death of his father,
Hafez.
After taking office, Mr Assad sought to present himself as a reformer. The country initially underwent a degree of political liberalisation, with hundreds of political prisoners being released, dissidents allowed to speak openly, and a few tentative steps towards easing media restrictions.
But the pace of change soon slowed - if not reversed - and subsequent years saw the creation of "liberalised authoritarianism" rather than democratic rule.
And when protests against the government began in March 2011, inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, orders were given to crush the dissent.
The brutal crackdown by Syria's security forces has not, however, stopped the uprising and many believe it is only a matter of time before President Assad is overthrown.
Ophthalmologist For Syria's security services and military, the ruling Baath Party, the massive state bureaucracies, and the dominant Alawite sect, Mr Assad represented stability and continuity when his father died after more than a quarter of a century in power.
However, Bashar al-Assad was not always destined for the highest office.
Bashar al-Assad came to power after the death of his father in 2000
He graduated from the University of Damascus with a degree in ophthalmology, intending to pursue
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