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  • Syria's most notorious tycoon has called on his cousin President Bashar al-Assad to help his telecoms company survive a hefty payment demanded by the state, amid rumours of tensions between the relatives. Rami Makhlouf, who heads Syria's largest mobile provider, Syriatel, made the plea in a 15-minute video message published on his Facebook page on Thursday -- his first public appearance since conflict broke out in the country in 2011. Makhlouf, who has been sanctioned by the US and the European Union for supporting Assad's regime, did not say why the state was demanding his company pay between 125 and 130 billion Syrian pounds (nearly $186 million at the official rate). But his appeal came a day after the telecoms ministry gave mobile providers until May 5 to pay 233.8 billion Syrian pounds ($334 million) worth of "arrears owed to the public treasury". "We are not running away from taxes," said Makhlouf, whose assets, along with those of other businessmen, were frozen in December by Syrian authorities over suspected tax evasion and illegal enrichment. "We pay our taxes and a share of the profit" to the state, he added. Makhlouf urged Assad to order a "rescheduling" of the payment, arguing that the demands of the state were "unjust" and would lead to a "collapse" of his business. "I will abide by your orders... and it is my duty to see them through," he said in his plea to the president, expressing frustration over being cast as a "culprit" by members of government. Syria expert Hassan Hassan called Makhlouf's video "something unheard of", saying it demonstrated a growing rift between the billionaire tycoon and those in power. "With no access, he pleads (for) Assad to hear him out," Hassan said on Twitter. Makhlouf has long been seen as a pillar of the Syrian regime since Assad rose to power in 2000, succeeding his father Hafez. But rumours have swirled in recent months of souring ties between Makhlouf and Assad, who is spearheading an anti-graft campaign. In an interview with Syrian state TV in October, Assad said that he has "called on everyone in the private sector who has squandered state funds to return the money". He said the objective was to shore up state finances, not to put people on trial. bur-lar/tgg/ho/sw
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  • Controversial Syria tycoon urges Assad to save his company
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