(AP-CBS News) The defection of Brig.-Gen. Manaf Tlass, a member of the Syrian president's inner circle, has dealt a blow to Bashar Assad. Tlass was a member of Assad's closest group of advisers. The two men had been friends since childhood. He is the highest-ranking military official to abandon Assad since the uprising in Syria began.
2012-07-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive