But according to his official Web site , Mr. Lahham had a powerful friend who protected him : Hafez al-Assad , then Syria 's defense minister , who went on to rule Syria with an iron fist .
Hafez al-Assad /people/person/nationality Syria
Hafez al-Assad /people/person/nationality Syria
CC VBG TO PRP$ JJ NN NN , NNP NNP VBD DT JJ NN WP VBD PRP : NNP NNP , RB NNP POS NN NN , WP VBD IN TO VB NNP IN DT NN NN .
Hafez al-Assad
PERSON
Syria
LOCATION
/people/person/nationality
Hafez al-Assad
PERSON
Syria
LOCATION
/people/person/nationality