Assad's son tightens grip on power

Outpourings of grief on the streets of Damascus

The Syrian authorities have moved swiftly to bolster the position of Bashar al-Assad as successor to his father, the late President Assad, who died on Saturday.

He has been promoted to lieutenant-general and named commander-in-chief of the Syrian armed forces.

Syrian TV quoted Bashar Al-Assad as saying that his new regime would adhere to the policies of his late father.

President Clinton has now spoken with him by phone, passing on condolences to his family.

But US officials refused to say whether the two men even discussed the resumption of talks between Syria and Israel over the return of the Golan Heights.

Syria mourns

Throughout the day there has been a mass outpouring of grief, as thousands of mourners paid their respects to the late president whose body lies in a Damascus hospital awaiting burial.

All eyes are now on Bashar al-Assad

Earlier, the ruling Ba'ath party formally nominated Bashar al-Assad for the post of president.

Under Syria's constitution, parliament has to approve the move and then issue a decree for the holding of a referendum in which Syrians would be asked to accept or reject the nomination.

On Saturday, within hours of the official announcement of the death, the constitution was amended to remove an age restriction that would have prevented Bashar coming to power.

Officials in Damascus say parliament will meet in special session on 25 June to issue the referendum decree.

Tight security

The streets of the Syrian capital were generally quiet on Sunday, although the sound of Muslim criers reciting verses from the Koran could be heard from every minaret in the city.

A young mourner is overcome with grief

There was tight security at strategic intersections, but traffic was scarce as the country began an official 40-day period of mourning.

Shops and businesses have closed to mark the passing of the president who ruled the country with an iron fist for 30 years.

Early on Sunday, a crowd of mourners walked slowly towards parliament, holding aloft pictures of Hafez al-Assad.

Throughout the day, the stream of mourners in the streets grew.

Women and men dressed in black cried openly and shouted chants of praise for the late president and support for his son.

Funeral

One of the pivotal figures in Middle East politics, Mr Assad died at the age of 69 following a long period of poor health.

Assad: Veteran leader

Born in 1930

Came from Syrian Alawite minority

1963: Took part in government overthrow, became defence minister

1970: Became president in another coup

Shrewd political tactician and enemy of Israelis

His funeral is expected to take place on Tuesday in his home village of Qerdaha, 300km (190 miles) north of the capital.

Under Mr Assad's rule, Syria became a major regional power that dominated Lebanese policy and refused to sign a peace treaty with Israel.

Talks with Israel stalled earlier this year over Israel's insistence on retaining part of the occupied Golan Heights to ensure control of the Sea of Galilee.

But only last week Syria repeated its hopes for the resumption of negotiations.

It is an atmosphere of shock and disbelief

Government worker

Mr Assad's death comes at a crucial time, with Israel having pulled out of Lebanon, and Israeli and Palestinian negotiators due in Washington for talks on Monday aimed at finding a framework agreement for a final status for the Palestinian Territories.

However, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Damascus says the issue of Mr Assad's successor is likely to distract attention from the peace process - at least in the short term.

Bashar al-Assad has a reputation as a forward thinker and moderniser, but his first priority will be to consolidate his power base.