KUN0055 4 GEN 0081 KUWAIT /KUNA-QXE9 REL-SYRIA-MUFTI Ahmad Hassoun appointed new Syrian Mufti DAMASCUS, July 16 (KUNA) -- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad issued a decree on Saturday naming Sheikh Ahmad Badr-Eldeen Hassoun as new Mufti for the country. Hassoun's predecessor Sheikh Ahmad Keftaro died last September of a heart attack. Hassoun, 53, is known for being a moderate Islamic scholar. He was Mufti of the city of Aleppo and member of the Higher Iftaa Council, previously headed by Keftaro. (end) em.ad KUNA 161626 Jul 05NNNN