Huge Crowds Stream into Syria’s Main Squares and Streets after President al-Assad’s Speech
PROVINCES, (SANA) – Huge crowds of Syrian citizens went out to the main squares and streets across the Syrian provinces in support of the vision of Syria outlined in the speech given by President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday, stressing national unity and determination to move forward in the reform process taking place in Syria.
The gartering people held banners and chanted slogans that stress national unity and their rallying around their leadership, expressing appreciation for the Syrian army’s sacrifices to defend the homeland.
In Aleppo, the Syrians streamed into Saadallah al-Jaberi Square to voice support to the reform program under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.
The participants condemned sabotage acts and crimes committed by armed terrorist groups, reiterating rejection of foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs.
Citizens Ahmad Awad and Samir Qarbouyz said that President al-Assad speech touched upon important issues regarding the situation in Syria and the reform steps to come out of the crisis and build strong Syria.
For his part, Bakkour Aroob said that President al-Assad’s speech restored confidence in that Syria will be safe and secure again.
Head of Aleppo Chamber of Commerce Hassan Zaido said the President’s speed shed light on the past, current and future stages of what is happening in Syria, in addition to reviewing the reform procedures taken and activating the role of institutions in combating corruption.
In Raqqa, huge masses went out to the streets to express loyalty to the homeland and support to the reform program, rejecting all attempts of foreign interference in Syria’s affairs.
“The citizens gathered in front of TV screens to watch their leader who guaranteed achieving victory on the enemies,” one citizen said.
He added that “We are stronger than their conspiracies and we will build modern Syria with our blood and hard working. Nothing will prevent us despite all pressures.”
Citizen Oubeideh al-Hamad said the speech reflected the Syrian people’s aspirations and their standing against the campaign targeting their country.
The Syrian citizens in Daraa crowded in front of the headquarters of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party in the city to stress that Syria will remain strong thanks to the awareness of its people and their rallying around their leadership in the face of the foreign conspiracy aimed at undermining Syria’s stability and security.
Citizens stressed that President al-Assad’s speech was transparent and clear, reflected the will of the Syrian people and shaping the next phase of the future vision on Syria.
In Sweida, people gathered at Sultan Basha al-Atrash Square after the historic speech given by President AL-Assad which showed his real desire to go on in the reform process.
Sheikh Mohammad al-Nemr stressed that the Syrian people awareness which based on facts rather than exaggerations and lies played decisive role in exposing and foiling foreign schemes.
Engineer Bashar al-Ashqar said that the President was speaking on the behalf of every Syrian as he determined important tools to overcome the conspiracy hatched against Syria and appreciated the stance taken by the Syrian people and the sacrifices of the Syrian army to preserve stability and security.
Citizens stressed that the speech convey the message that Syria is steadfast and that it won’t bow under any pressures.
12 Army and Security Forces Martyrs Laid to Rest
DAMASCUS, HOMS,(SANA) – Twelve army and security forces martyrs killed in the line of duty by armed terrorist groups in Damascus Countryside, Homs and Idleb were escorted on Tuesday from Tishreen and Homs Military Hospitals to their final resting places.
Solemn funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs as they were carried on their colleague’s shoulders covered with the Syrian flag and flower wreaths while the Military Band played the “Martyr” and the “Farewell” music.
The martyrs are:
– Chief Warrant Officer Samir Yousef al-Hassan, from Tartous.
– Chief Warrant Officer Jihad Ali Shehada, from Lattakia.
– Chief Warrant Officer Nabil Marsal al-Saleh, from Damascus Countryside.
– Sergeant Major Ali Ibrahim Suleiman, from Hama.
– Sergeant Major Wisam Kaser Shadoud, from Homs.
– Sergeant Quteiba Yousef Alloush, from Daraa.
– Sergeant Bashar Faraj al-Rueis, from Deir-Ezzour.
– Sergeant Somar Haitham Mansour, from Lattakia.
– Conscript Aziz Theab al-Askar, from Raqqa.
– Conscript Mohammad Hassan al-Nasaan, from Aleppo.
– Conscript Abdul Moen Dadoush, from Damascus.
– Conscript Mohammad al-Obeid, from Aleppo.
Relatives of the martyrs expressed confidence in the blood of the martyrs will help Syria overcome the crisis, stressing that the crimes of armed terrorist groups will not dull the Syrians’ determination to confront the conspiracy targeting their country.
They also voiced pride in their sons’ martyrdom and sacrifices for the sake of Syria, saying that the treacherous and criminal hands which killed their sons are working to destroy Syria, calling for dealing sternly with those who try to tamper with Syria’s security and stability.
An Officer, 2 Military Members Were Martyred in Damascus Countryside, A Citizen Martyred in Hama
PROVINCES, (SANA) – Col. Jihad Qaddour and soldiers Burhan Hammoush and Mheilan al-Saeed martyred on Tuesday by the gunfire of an armed terrorist gang while they were on their way to a military unit in Damascus Countryside.
An official source told SANA correspondent that the three other army members got injured in the attack and were transferred to the Military Hospital in Mazzeh.
Citizen Martyred, Another Injured by Gunfire of Armed Terrorist Groups in Hama
Citizen Ahmad Mahmoud Hindawi was martyred on Tuesday when an armed terrorist group shot him in front of his home in Aleppo Road neighborhood in Hama city.
An official source told SANA’s correspondent that Hindawi who owns a bakery was attacked by terrorists who opened fire from military firearms in front of his home, killing him immediately.
The source added that citizen Abbad Janoudi was shot by another armed terrorist group while he was in his shop in al-Andalus neighborhood in Hama, injuring him. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
On a relevant note, the authorities managed to liberate the abducted teacher Alissar Hassoun in cooperation with the dignitaries of al-Salamiya area after a few hours from her abduction at the hands of an armed terrorist group near al-Hanouta turnpike east of al-Ukairiyat village.
The source that that the teacher was heading to work at al-Hanouta School when she was abducted by terrorists using two cars, a white Chevrolet and a pickup truck.
Citizen in Homs injured by terrorists’ bullets
A citizen was injured by bullets of an armed terrorist group who tried to abduct him at al-Joura neighborhood in Homs.
SANA reporter in Homs said that a number of terrorists tried to abduct Alaa Mahmoud Mustafa who works in Tishreen Consumer Compound while going to his work, but when he escaped, they shot fire at him.
He was later admitted to the National Hospital and received the needed treatment.
Al-Moallem Affirms to al-Dabi Syria’s Readiness to Continue Cooperation with Arab Observer Mission
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem met on Tuesday afternoon with head of the Arab League observer mission Mohammad Ahmad Mustafa al-Dabi.
The official spokesman of the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry stated that al-Dabi briefed Minister al-Moallem on the work carried out by the observers in Syria and the results they reached which were presented to the Arab Ministerial Committee meeting in Cairo on Sunday.
For his part, al-Moallem expressed Syria’s commitment to carrying out the protocol signed between it and the Arab League on December 19 2011 and its readiness to continue full cooperation with the Arba observer mission to guarantee that it will carry out its tasks in an optimal manner.
He stressed the need for the observers to carry out their work with objectivity and neutrality, affirming that Syria will continue to shoulder its responsibilities fo protecting the observers and preventing anyone from obstructing their work.
Al-Moallem denounced and rejected any act against the observer mission which might hinder their work based on Syria’s conviction that the success of the observer mission is in the best interests of Syria and the Arab League.
He also pointed out to the attempts by some regional and international sides to question the performance of the observer mission in an attempt to undermine the Arab League’s role and transfer the issue to the Security Council under Arab cover.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign end Expatriates Minister and head of the National Committee for Cooperation and coordination Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, Assistant Foreign end Expatriates Minister Ahmad Arnous, the director of the Information Directorate and the delegation accompanying al-Dabi.
Al-Moallem: Syria committed to Joint Arab Action, Resists foreign plots
Minister al-Moallem on Tuesday briefed members of the Jordanian Popular Committee for Supporting Syria on the reality of the situation in Syria, clarifying that the foreign plot targeting Syria is also aimed at eradicating the Resistance and fragmenting the region to serve the interests of Israel.
Al-Moallem pointed out that Syria is committed to the joint Arab action, and it resists foreign plots, thanks to the awareness of the Syrian people who believe in their leadership and national unity.
He explained the practices of the armed terrorist groups such as weapon smuggling into Syria through the borders and the terrorist acts against the civilians, law-enforcement forces and state establishments.
Al-Moallem added that Syria is targeted by a fierce provocative media campaign, stressing Syria’s rejection of foreign interference attempts in its internal affairs.
For their part, members of the committee expressed solidarity with Syria against the suspicious schemes aiming to undermine Syria’s security and stability because of its national and patriotic stances.
Lavrov Calls on Arab Monitors to Turn Their Attention to Destructive Acts of Armed Groups
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on the Arab monitors in Syria to turn their attention to the destructive acts of the armed terrorist groups, not only focusing on how the Syrian authorities carry out their commitments.
“The opposition should abandon those groups in favor of conducting a national broad dialogue in accordance with the Arab League initiative,” Lavrov said during a phone call with Nabil al-Arabi, the Arab League Secretary General.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that Lavrov and al-Arabi discussed the situation in Syria in order to guarantee stability in the country.
It added that the Russian side underlined its support to the efforts of the Arab monitors, adding that Lavrov stressed the necessity of an immediate halt to any violence in Syria whatsoever its source was.
The statement mentioned that the talks also dealt with the latest developments in the Middle East.
Spanish, Japanese and Italian Media Delegation Stress Normal Life in Daraa
DARAA, (SANA) – Journalists, correspondents from the Spanish TV (tva), Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore and the Japanese TV (NHK) inspected sabotage and arson acts committed by armed terrorist groups in Daraa governorate.
The media delegation was briefed on the latest developments in the city and reasons behind sabotaging public and private buildings after which the delegation members toured the TV and Radio Station, the Justice Palace and other facilities damaged by armed terrorist groups and interviewed citizens about their views on the situation in the city.
Regional Director of Japanese TV in Cairo stressed normal life in Daraa and that citizens navigated their daily lives.
He added that what news broadcast by some media regarding the events in Syria contradict the reality on the ground, stressing that he will convey his own observations from his experience in the city honestly and transparently.
The delegation also met the Governor of Daraa Mohammad Khaled al-Hanous who explained to its members about armed terrorist groups vandalizing properties, creating chaos, setting up barriers on roads, opening fire on protestors and security forces in the city, in addition to killing and mutilating bodies of law-enforcement members.
The Governor indicated to the negative role of some satellite channels in complicating the situation in Syria as a part of the conspiracy aimed at fragmenting the Syrian people and undermining Syria’s national stances.
Rowhani: Syria is in the front line of resistance
TEHRAN, (SANA) – Director of Iran’s Expediency Council’s Center for Strategic Research Hassan Rohani that Syria is in the front line of resistance against the Zionist entity, and no one should weaken it or interfere in its domestic affairs.
Iranian News Agency quoted Rohani as saying during a meeting with the Turkish Ambassador in Tehran today that Syria occupies a special position in the region, adding “Syria has formed the line of resistance against the Zionist entity for 60 years.”
He underlined that Iran and Turkey have to cooperate to realize stability and security in the region.
Source: The Embassy of Syrian Arab Republican in Kuala Lumpur.