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Syria arrests more than 1,000 in ruling family power struggle

LONDON [MENL] -- More than 1,000 Syrians have been arrested in an attempt by President Hafez Assad to quell a challenge by his younger brother, Arab sources said on Monday.

The power struggle comes as the president has also launched a crackdown against corruption.

Arab sources and newspapers said more than 1,000 supporters of Rifaat Assad were arrested by forces loyal to the president. They said the sweep was supervised by the president son and heir-designate, Bashar.

The sources said those arrested included the son of Rifaat, Samir, who challenged Bashar as the heir-designate. A Syrian general was also arrested as well as other senior officers.

The challenge by the president's younger brother is based on claims that Bashar is being given authorities beyond his experience. The sources said the president has been ill for the last few weeks and has made few appearances in public.

On Monday, Lebanese sources reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk A-Shaara was hospitalized in a Beirut hospital after he was felled by illness. The report was not confirmed by either Lebanon or Syria.

On Monday, the Lebanese daily An Nahar reported that a Syrian military court sentenced the former head of Syrian intelligence, Bashir Najar, to 12 years in jail for embezzling $24 million. Najar was accused of using his post to sell favors

In an unrelated issue, the London-based Al Hayat daily reported that Syrian-French relations have improved after both sides have apparently resolved a dispute over repayment of a $250 million sale of six Airbus passenger jets to Syria.