Assad in search of a home?

Haaretz reports (£) that Bashar Assad may be 'looking into the possibility of claiming political asylum for himself, his family and his associates in Latin America, in case he is forced to flee Damascus'. Brian Whitaker doubts that Assad will in fact flee; he thinks it more likely he will 'sink with his ship'. Whether or not there's anything in the rumour, it won't surprise you to learn that the country most prominent in it as a potential refuge for Assad is the one currently presided over by the hero of Camden. Haaretz again: 'Since the crisis in Syria began in March last year, Chavez has not hidden his support for the Assad regime.'