Bashar Assad thanks everyone for birthday tweets and Facebook messages

DAMASCUS: Syrian president Bashar al-Assad took time out from his busy schedule last night to thank everyone who had wished him a happy birthday on social media channels. “Thanks so much to my incredible online buddies for all their kind messages on Facebook and Twitter,” he wrote on his Facebook wall. “Humbling to know I have such amazing and thoughtful friends and family across the world. Feelin really blessed.” He later added that he was planning to celebrate with a quiet meal at home with his family. “At my old age, I can’t really have a late one anymore, especially not on a school night!”