Is Assad Dead? Forgive me if I'm a bit more cautious this time

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There is a lot of chatter on Twitter that Bashar al-Assad may finally have a chance to talk old times with Qaddafi.

Speculation has been growing since March 24th when the rumors emerged that he had been shot by one of his body guards.

Report: Assad Shot By Bodyguard – Hospitalized in DamascusPosted by Jim Hoft on Sunday, March 24, 2013, 12:22 PM
Translated from JSS News:

According to Arab media www.eltira.org , Bashar al-Assad would have been seriously wounded by gunfire last night Saturday, March 23 by his bodyguard but Iran is not dead. He is currently hospitalized, between life and death, Shami Hospital in Damascus which the streets were closed

Last year one of Assad’s bodyguards blew himself up in a suicide blast in Damascus.

Then this video, in which claimed credit for the deed was posted to YouTube.

Opposition fighters say they have succeeded in killing the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad youtube.com/watch?v=7oipjy… #Syria #Assad

— Anonymous (@CIApressoffice) March 30, 2013

Now today, with power mysteriously out in Damascus all day and a promised speech and appearance of Assad schedule for today not happening, the rumor mill is in over drive.

Something seems to be going on in #Damascus - Rebel group claims #Assad killed - No electricity all day - #Assad missed #Syria STV address?

— Alexblx (@Alexblx) March 30, 2013

URGENT | #Syrian State TV reported that #Assad was to address the nation today, but there was no sign of him...... fb.me/1l4q2m98U

—﷽ (@IbnOmar2005) March 30, 2013

French "Le Point" Magazine:Possibilities of #Assad's death has become BIG! kataeb.org/en/live-news/d… #RealSyria #Alawites @fsacrimes @tawa3na

— Michael 7546 (@mog7546) March 30, 2013

Is Assad dead?

I certainly hope so. Having been through this movie before, please forgive me if I'm a bit more cautious this time.
Remember:
July 18, 2012 Damascus explosion kills Defense Minister, other key figures
July 18, 2012 Is Syria's Bashar al-Assad dead or dying?
July 19, 2012 I know where Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is!
July 21, 2012 Bashar al-Assad: New images released as slaughter continues in Syria
July 31, 2012 Syria: Bashar al-Assad not heard from on Armed Forces Day!
August 6, 2012 Syria releases new images of Bashar al- Assad | Are they fakes?

For a solid month after the Damascus explosion, Assad didn't show his face in public, while the rumors swelled, then he performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Hamad Mosque.
August 18, 2012 Bashar al-Assad is alive as deaths in Syria reach 25,000
When he gave his first TV interview after the Damascus explosion on August 28 [Assad: "Syria doesn't need a green light!"] , and the interviewer suggested to Assad:

The president should appear everyday on TV so we don't hear rumors, where are you now Mr. president? [00:53]

I felt like he was giving those of us who had our hopes up then a hard time.

So remembering what a sneaky bastard Bashar is, I'm not ready to get my hopes up quite yet.

But I am quite sure that we will have satisfaction sooner or later.

More, later...

UPDATE:From YaLibnan

Franjieh, confirmed that Assad is still alive and wellMarch 31, 2013 ⋅ 4:36 am
Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, called Syrian president Bashar al Assad on Saturday and found out he is ok. His call came after a Friday report by one of the Free Syrian Army brigades ( Martyrs brigade) claiming that the Syrian president was assassinated .

Franjieh,, a staunch ally of Assad confirmed that the Syrian president is alive and well and what was reported was strictly a rumor. More...

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