News In Brief

Syrian President's brother returns home; portfolio due

Vice-President Rifaat Assad - once said to be exiled by his brother, Syrian President Hafez Assad - returned here from Paris Monday, informed Syrian sources said. A government decree on Oct. 3 confirmed that the President's brother would be in charge of security affairs.

His return came in advance of a visit by French President Francois Mitterrand , who was welcomed with a 21-gun salute at the airport yesterday. In an interview Sunday with Syrian television, Mr. Mitterrand said Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko was likely to visit France next year.