Bashar Al-Assad

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In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency, SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, meets with Iran's Chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/SANA)

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Lakhdar Brahimi (left), an envoy of the United Nations and Arab League, visits Monday with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus in an effort to find a way out of the civil war that activists say has killed more than 40,000 people. (Associated Press)

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Syrian protesters carry a large revolution flag and chant slogans during a demonstration in Aleppo, Syria, where young people and children sang songs against President Bashar Assad and his regime on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Hoang)

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**FILE** A rebel fighter prepares to throw a homemade grenade toward Syrian troops loyal to President Bashar Assad who are hiding in a nearby building as they attempt to gain ground against rebel lines during heavy clashes in the Jedida district of Aleppo, Syria, on Nov. 4, 2012. (Associated Press)

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In this Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 photo, a Syrian rebel recites verses of the Quran after clashes with troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad in Aleppo, Syria. As fears grow in the West that Assad will unleash chemical weapons as an act of desperation, NATO moved forward Thursday with its plan to place Patriot missiles and troops along Syria's border with Turkey to protect against potential attacks. (AP Photo/Narciso Contreras)

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In this photo released by the official Syrian news agency, SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad (right) meets with the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani (left), in Damascus, Syria, on Friday Nov. 23, 2012. Mr. Larijani was in Damascus to hold talks with Mr. Assad and other officials before flying on to neighboring Lebanon. (AP Photo/SANA)

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In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syria President Bashar Assad, right, meets with the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani (left) in Damascus, Syria, on Nov. 23, 2012. Larijani was in Damascus where he held talks with Assad and other officials before flying on to neighboring Lebanon. (Associated Press/SANA)

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In this Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 photo, Syrian rebel fighters keep an eye through a hole in the wall that overlooks a position held by troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad during skirmishes in Aleppo, the Syria. (AP Photo/Narciso Contreras)