The Syrian army's general command has mourned the death of former army chief of staff Hikmat al- Shihabi, who passed away on Tuesday morning, according to the state-TV.

The army's statement spelled no further details other than the obituary line.

Al-Shihabi was born in 1931 in the country's northern province of Aleppo and began his career in aviation.

In 1970, he earned a Soviet degree in intelligence services, and in April 1971, he was named head of intelligence services of the Syrian Army.

On Aug. 12, 1974, al-Shihabi was appointed chief of staff of the Syrian Army, replacing Yusuf Shakkur, and from 1994 to 1995, he was part of a delegation that traveled to the United States to discuss peace negotiations with Israel.

On July 8, 1998, after 24 years as army chief of staff, he resigned his post. Endi

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