Sons also rising in Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Yemen

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Bashar Assad isn't the only one who has been groomed to succeed his father as president.

The Syrian president-designate, however, is the first to succeed his father in an Arab republic. Several sons of Arab presidents are being groomed for the role of successor.

"This is certainly a time of generational change in the leadership in the Arab world," former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Edward Djerejian said.

Thirteen of 21 Arab states are republics. In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak has been grooming his son, Gamal, in politics. He is a member of the secretariat of his ruling National Democratic Part and appears ready to run for parliament in the fall. Mubarak has never appointed a vice president.

In Iraq, President Saddam Hussein has been grooming both sons for succession. Both Uday and Qusay have top jobs in the country although the younger Qusay, who was reportedly assassinated last month, was seen as the favorite.

Saddam, 63, is reported to have serious health problems, including cancer.

Libyan leader Moammar Khaddafy has two sons and one of them, Seif Islam, is being groomed for succession. Seif is a prominent businessman.

In Sanaa, Yemeni President Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh has been grooming his son, Ahmed. Ahmed is an army colonel and a parliamentarian since 1997.

On Tuesday, dozens of world leaders attended the funeral of Assad in Damascus. The only Western leader in attendance was French President Jacques Chirac.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright represented the United States and met Bashar. It was their first meeting.

"I am very encouraged by his desire to follow in his father's footsteps," Ms. Albright said after the meeting. "His father had taken a strategic decision for peace and doctor Bashar said he would continue on the same road. Bashar, it seems is very poised and somebody who is ready to pursue his duties. They have a process here that seems to be operating in a peaceful and orderly way."