It probably sensed as well what many others did at the time -- namely that the assassination , blamed by the late prime minister 's allies on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria , could be used to end Syria 's presence in Lebanon and curb the influence of Syria 's close ally , Hezbollah itself .
Bashar al-Assad /people/person/nationality Syria
Bashar al-Assad /people/person/nationality Syria
Bashar al-Assad /people/person/nationality Syria
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Bashar al-Assad
PERSON
Syria
LOCATION
/people/person/nationality
Bashar al-Assad
PERSON
Syria
LOCATION
/people/person/nationality
Bashar al-Assad
PERSON
Syria
LOCATION
/people/person/nationality