He was long known as a loyalist of Hafez Assad .
He was long held a strong position within the Syrian government until he resigned his positions and fled the country in 2005 in protest against certain policies of Hafez 's son and successor , Bashar Assad .
He was long known as a loyalist of Hafez Assad , and held a strong position within the Syrian government until he resigned his positions and fled the country in 2005 in protest against certain policies of Hafez 's son and successor , Bashar Assad .