JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Syria's political leaders are gathering to try to chart the future of the country following the death of longtime President Hafez al-Assad. CNN's Brent Sadler has the story.</s>BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Weeks of official mourning lie ahead, during which Bashar al-Assad, the dead president's eldest son, is expected to rise to power. His father built the nation, ruled by the dominant Baath Party, which he lead. And it's here in the Conference Palace in Damascus that Syria's destiny will soon by debated at the highest level. A crucial Baath Party Congress is scheduled to start Saturday. In a rare news conference, Syria's information minister explains why that meeting is of such great importance to Syria's future.</s>ADNAN OMRAN, SYRIAN INFORMATION MINISTER: To discuss an agenda consistent of items related to all the aspects of the country, everything. The work of the government during the period</s>SADLER: In the last months of his life, President Assad handed more and more responsibility to his son Bashar, hoping for a smooth transition of power. The Baath Party gathering was planned even before he died. (on camera): President Assad hadn't called a ruling party congress in 15 years, a measure of the determination to ensure his son inherits both his political legacy and his plans for reform. Brent Sadler, CNN, Damascus.
Syrian Leaders Meeting to Plan Country's Future