Assad is not an Islamist. He protects the Christians in Syria as his father did as well. This is ancient Christianity.
Must have come as a blow:
The Syrian government has said little about the attack in which he lost his life. An official told us only 22 were killed when rebels tunneled under the military vehicle maintenance centre at Harasta last Sunday. But rebel video posted online shows such a huge blast it seems impossible that so few should have died.