Syrian coup leader returns home

A former Syrian army commander has returned to Damascus more than 40 years after he led a failed coup.

Jassem Alwan, who had been living in exile in the United Arab Emirates, held meetings with intellectuals and human rights activists on his return.

He also met representative of President Bashar al-Assad who recently granted an amnesty to dissidents living abroad.

In 1963, Mr Alwan led a coup attempt by a group of officers loyal to then Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser.

He was sentenced to death after his escape from Syria.