It's probably a welcomed change but it's perhaps not quite the person everyone had in mind. Meanwhile, Assad's troops are on the move again.
Rami Makhlouf, a cousin of President Bashar al-Assad and focus of anti-corruption protests, is quitting business and moving to charity works, state media says.
The announcement by the Syrian business tycoon was seen as a concession to anti-government protesters, who were expected to take to the streets again on Friday.
In a statement, Makhlouf said he took the decision to quit because he no longer wants "to be a burden on Syria, its people and its president".
Makhlouf will channel his wealth into charity and development projects, according to Syrian television.
"As for his businesses, they will be directed so that they ... create jobs and support the national economy. He will not enter into any new project that [brings] him personal gain," the report said on Thursday.
