Former Syrian vice-president Mohammad Zuhair Masharqa died of a heart attack at the age of 69, the official Syrian news agency reported today. Masharqa, who died last night, held the post of vice president from 1984-2006 when he was replaced by Farouk al-Sharaa, the then foreign minister. He was also deputy head of the National Progressive Front, Syria's main coalition of ten political parties, including the ruling party. With a degree in education from Damascus University in 1961, and a degree in law from the Aleppo University in 1968, Masharqa held many political posts in Syria. He was appointed governor of Hama province in northern Syria in 1973. He joined the regional leadership of al- Baath party in 1975, and appointed in 1978 as a minister of Education. -- SPA
