Special sources from Syria rebuffed to Al-Manar Website the claims that said President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law Assef Shawkat who is also Syria’s deputy defense minister was killed

Special sources from Syria rebuffed to Al-Manar Website the claims that said President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law Assef Shawkat who is also Syria's deputy defense minister was killed.

The sources assured that Shawkat is in good health and pursuing his work in Syria.

Speculation was rife on Wednesday among Syrian anti-regime activists over the alleged "killing" of Shawkat. Shawkat, former head of military intelligence, was poisoned, according to anti-regime activists.

The so-called activists claimed that Shawkat was being buried on Wednesday in his hometown, which they identified as Madhale, near the Mediterranean coastal city of Tartous.

Several activists quoted by Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television said black flags were flying in Madhale in mourning.