Former Defense Minister, General Ali Habib denied reports of some misleading and provocative media institutions about the reasons of ending his mission as Defense Minister, describing those reports as baseless and untrue. "My health condition prevented me from continuing my work; I was admitted to a hospital for several days to receive treatment, General Habib said in a statement broadcast by Syrian TV on Tuesday. He thanked President Bashar al-Assad for the confidence he offered him during his military service, appreciating the important role of the Syrian Army's soldiers and officers in defending the homeland.