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
Syria
/people/person/nationality
Hafez al-Assad
Syria
/people/person/nationality
PERSON
Hafez al-Assad
LOCATION
Syria
LOCATION
Syria