Al Shara appoints Assad-era spokesman as adviser on US affairs | The National

Jihad Al Makdissi was a spokesperson for the foreign minister during the Assad regime. He has been appointed as an adviser on US affairs by Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara. ReutersJihad Al Makdissi was a spokesperson for the foreign minister during the Assad regime. He has been appointed as an adviser on US affairs by Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara. ReutersJihad Al Makdissi left Syria in 2012 after defending the Al Houla massacre

Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara has appointed a former Assad regime spokesman as an adviser on US affairs.

Jihad Al Makdissi previously denied the 2012 Al Houla massacre, in which the UN determined most of over 100 victims were executed.

Mr Makdissi later defected, became an opposition member and headed the secular Cairo Platform before relocating to the US.

Mr Al Shara has ruled out Syrian intervention in Lebanon to fight Hezbollah, following comments by US President Donald Trump.