Syrian President Assad deceased mother

damascus - The mother of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Anisa Makhlouf, is at the age of 86 deceased in Damascus, Syrian state media reported Saturday.

The former first lady 'was the widow of the late President Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000.

They married in 1957 and had five children: Bushra, Basil, Bashar, Majed and Maher.

A cause of death was not given, but according to sources close to Anisa she was ill for many years and often traveled to Germany for medical treatment.