Hafez died in 2000 and Bashar succeeded him as President .
This move was met with criticism within some quarters of the Syrian ruling class , but Assad persisted with his plan and demoted several officials who opposed this succession .
Hafez died in 2000 and Bashar succeeded Assad as President .
This move was met with criticism within some quarters of the Syrian ruling class , but Assad persisted with his plan and demoted several officials who opposed this succession .