Veteran Syrian foreign minister Walid Moalem dies at 79

Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York City AMMAN (Reuters) – ‮Syria’s‬ top diplomat and long-time foreign minister Walid al-Moalem, a staunch defender of Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s bloody crackdown on peaceful protesters that sparked a decade old conflict, died on Monday, the government said. There were no details on the cause of death, but the 79-year old had been in poor health for years with heart problems. A source close to the Syrian government said it was expected his deputy, veteran diplomat Faisal Mekdad, would replace him as...