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A British Syrian Society board member says Fawaz Akhras, Asma al-Assad's father sincerely wanted to open Syria up
Fawaz Akhras, the London-based father- in-law of Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, is famous for his exquisite manners as well as a discreet talent for promoting his country's interests in Britain.
An internationally-renowned cardiologist, Akhras was catapulted into the public eye a decade ago when his daughter, Asma, married the Syrian leader shortly after the latter became president.
Informally, Akhras plays a role as gatekeeper for Assad, vetting British journalists who wish to interview the president. He is close to the Syrian ambassador to Britain, the economist Sami Khiyami, who serves with him on the advisory board of the Centre for Syrian Studies at St Andrews University.
Akhras, 65, was born to a Sunni Muslim family in the Syrian city of Homs. He emigrated to London in 1973, and practised medicine in Harley Street as well as lecturing in cardiology at London teaching hospitals.
Asma, his only daughter, was born in 1975 and raised and educated in Acton, west London, where she was known as Emma.
According to his website, Akhras founded the British Syrian Society in 1984. In 1991, according to the president's biographer, Eyal Zisser, he received a request from Bashar al-Assad asking for help in studying ophthalmology in the UK, which he did at the Western Eye Hospital, a unit attached to St Mary's hospital, Paddington.
Akhras is a familiar figure on the Arab diplomatic circuit in London, where he is known for his affability and a discretion attributed to his personal links with Assad.
A journalist who met him at a dinner discussion about Iraq recalled: "Akhras pulled out some written notes and began by saying he was only a humble doctor and not an expert on Middle East politics, and here was his personal opinion … what followed was a pure Ba'athist line straight from Damascus."
Others have been charmed. "Fawaz Akhras is a pretty decent man," said Chris Doyle, of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, in London. "He's in a very difficult situation as the father-in-law of the president so everything he does is pored over. He's totally aware of that. He is very careful, as he has to be."
Muna Nashashibi, who served on the board of the British Syrian Society, said Akhras had "worked hard to build bridges between Britain and Syria". She said he initiated lots of changes, opening up the business sector for foreigners. "He seemed very sincere in wanting to open up Syria. I'm sure anyone in his position would be careful, but he seemed very relaxed."
Patrick Seale, the writer and Syria expert, said: "Akhras is a thoroughly decent and respectable figure. The fact that his daughter suddenly married the president, it's a bit like what has happened to Kate Middleton's parents."
Acquaintances say that Akhras has turned on the charm to raise funds for the British Syrian Society but that he has never abused his position, and they dismissed unsubstantiated rumours of shady deals.
One friend said: "In private, I think he may, like many, have enjoyed some of the limelight, but he would in all likelihood be appalled and worried, like any normal person, at recent events in Syria – and scared for his daughter."