Mr. Khaddam 's statement appeared to suggest a serious crack in the tight ruling circles in Damascus , particularly among the so-called Old Guard that had surrounded Mr. Assad 's father , Hafez al-Assad , who died in 2000 .
Hafez al-Assad /people/deceased_person/place_of_death Damascus
NNP NNP POS NN VBD TO VB DT JJ NN IN DT JJ NN NNS IN NNP , RB IN DT JJ NNP NNP WDT VBD VBN NNP NNP POS NN , NNP NNP , WP VBD IN CD .
Hafez al-Assad
PERSON
Damascus
LOCATION
/people/deceased_person/place_of_death