Illegal Port Shut Down

Syrian authorities closed down an illegal port built by President Hafez al-Assad's disgraced brother Rifaat in the Mediterranean port city of Latakia, official sources said. They said that all installations connected with the port built on land owned by the government were also removed. "Syrian law prevents individuals from building their own ports. All ports here are owned, operated and run by the government," one official said. The officials gave no further details and did not say whether there was any resistance to the move against the facility, which forms part of Rifaat Assad's residence in the port city. Rifaat has lived in exile in France since 1986, when his "defense brigades" militia was disbanded after an apparent challenge to Assad's rule. He was stripped of the title of vice-president last year. In London, Syrian sources said they were contacted by relatives in Latakia, who reported heavy firing around Rifaat al-Assad's heavily-guarded compound. They said dozens of people, including civilians, were believed to have been killed or wounded in the assault.