Just International

Syria News on 19th December, 2012

Terrorists Killed in Damascus Countryside, Deir Ezzor and Idleb, Weapons Confiscated in Daraa

Dec 19, 2012

PROVINCES, (SANA)_A unit of the armed forces carried out a qualitative operation on Tuesday, killing a number of terrorists in al-Dhiyabieh in Damascus countryside.

An official source told SANA that the group of the terrorist nicknamed Abu Ayman was eliminated. The terrorists Abdul-Ghani Bkheit, Mohammad Hamada and Fares al-Rahwas were identified among the dead.

Meanwhile, another army unit destroyed a hideout for terrorists from the so-called “Islam Brigade” in Zamalka in the eastern Ghouta.

SANA reporter qouted an official source as saying that the army killed and injured many terrorists, adding that terrorist Wassim Marwan al-Olabi was identified among the dead.

In the same context, a unit of the Armed Forces killed a number of terrorists and destroyed their weapons and ammunition in al-Husseiniyeh.

An official source told SANA reporter that another army unit destroyed a mortar in al-Bahdaliyeh and killed three terrorists.

Meanwhile, a unit of the armed forces eliminated terrorists groups who were perpetrating acts of killing and looting the private and public properties in al-Hajar al-Aswad in Damascus countryside.

A source stated that among the terrorists killed were Yaser Yahya Eid, leader of a so-called group  “Ansar Allah” in al-Hajar al-Aswad along with Mohammad Sultan Hussein, Rizk Abu Aisha, Walid al-Akrami, Mohammad ahmad al-Jolani and Mohammad al-Louis.

The Army continues its National Duty in Aleppo and its countryside

Units of the armed forces today continued their national duty in clearing Aleppo and its countryside from the mercenary terrorists.

In Aleppo countryside, units of the army targeted gatherings of terrorists near al-Nour Association in Andan, around the playground in al-Mansoura, inflicting heavy losses upon them.

A source in the province told SANA that the army units also targeted dens of terrorists at al-Hadi Association in Kfar Dae’l and al-Jisr in Khan Toman, killing a number of terrorists and injuring many others.

Meanwhile, another army unit targeted gatherings of terrorists in the old city and al-Lermon, inflicting heavy losses upon them.

At al-Nakreen, a unit of the army was able to destroy a warehouse of weapons and munitions while another army unit targeted a gathering for terrorists behind Golden city Compound.

The Army Kills Scores of Terrorists in Deir Ezzor

Meanwhile, units of the Armed Forces killed scores of terrorists in al-Mreiy’ieh, al-Rushdiyeh and al-Jbeileh in Deir Ezzor province.

An official source told SANA reporter that an army unit clashed with an armed terrorist group in al-Mreiy’ieh, killing many of its members and injuring others.

The source added that terrorists Mohammad Yasin al-Mheisen and Loai al-Salem were identified among the dead.

In al-Rushdiyeh, a unit of the Armed Forces confronted terrorists who were committing acts of killing and looting in the area.

The clashes resulted in killing and injuring many of them, including terrorist Omar Suleiman al-Hamadi.

In a relevant context, an army unit targeted a gathering for terrorists in al-Hweiqa, killing and injuring many terrorists.

Terrorist Mohammad Ahmad al-Fad’am was identified among the dead.

Armed Forces Inflict Heavy Losses upon Terrorists In Idleb Countryside

Armed Forces unit carried out a series of operations in Idleb countryside, resulting in the destruction of terrorist bases and gatherings in the town of Bansh where a number of terrorists were killed and others were injured.

A number of terrorists were also eliminated in the town of Zardana, in addition to destroying a workshop for manufacturing homemade weapons in the town of Saraqeb and killing several terrorists who were in it.

Engineering units dismantled an explosive device weighing 100kg which terrorists had planted on the highway between Saraqeb and Ariha and rigged it for remote detonation.

Weapons Confiscated in Daraa Countryside

The authorities confiscated weapons from terrorists in the village of al-Masmiye in Daraa countryside, including assault rifles, PKC machineguns, 9 US-made shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, one LAW rocket, RPG launchers, and handguns.

The weapons were confiscated following a clash between the authorities and terrorists in the village which resulted in the killing of a number of terrorists including Jihad al-Ghazali, Jamal Ahmad Sayel al-Hasan, Anas Mohammad al-Jarad, and Mohammad Marouf Matar.

Meanwhile, the competent authorities today arrested a number of terrorists while storming one of their dens at al-Nazeheen camp in Daraa, seizing different kinds of weapons inside the den.

SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that the seized weapons included 11 rifles and a machinegun.

Christmas Evening for the Syriac Mar Afram Choir Invoking Peace would prevail in Syria

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-A Christmas evening for the Syriac Mar Afram Choir was held on Tuesday at Mar Gregory Cathedral for the Syriac Orthodox in Bab Touma, Damascus, including prayers invoking peace to prevail in Syria.

The choir presented Christmas music pieces, songs and anthems inspired by Damascus, the city of joy, as what has been said in the Holy Book.

The Choir of First Mar Afram Iwas the Syriac was established by Mar Ignatius Zakka Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.

Syria Qualifies for West Asian Football Federation Championship Finals

Dec 18, 2012

KUWAIT, (SANA) – The Syrian National Football team qualified for the finals of the 2012 West Asian Football Federation Championship after beating Bahrain 3-2 in the match held on Tuesday evening in Kuwait.

After a goalless first half, the first goal was scored by Bahrain at the 67 minutes mark, only for Syria to score the equalizer at the 71 minutes mark, ending the second half in a draw.

During the additional times, the two teams didn’t score, going to the penalty kicks when the Syrian team has been able to win the match 3-2 and go to the final match.

General State Budget for 2013 Approved with SYP 1383 Billion

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The People’s Assembly on Tuesday approved the general state budget for 2013 with a total of SYP 1383 billion, recording a 4 % increase over the budget of 2012.

Minister of Finance, Mohammad al-Jleilati, said the budget of 2013 takes into consideration the social dimension as a firm strategy to carrying out the financial policy and boosting trust between the government and citizens through transparency and openness regarding all financial, economic and social issues.

He stressed that the global political, economic and security war waged against Syria and the sanctions imposed on it are aimed at undermining the national economy and causing a structural flaw in the total balance of this economy, in addition to increasing the budget deficit.

Minister al-Jleilati however clarified that the general state budget has started to suffer deficits since 2003 because of relying mainly on the oil resources, and that was when production would reach up to 700 thousand barrels, which has dropped in the current year down to 225 thousand barrels, leading to an increase in the percentage of oil derivatives import. He explained how the current crisis which the country is going through has caused a decrease in the purchasing power of the Syrian Pound and affected that of commodity and consumable material distribution, leading accordingly to a big rise in the price of all materials due to inflation.

The Minister stressed that work is underway to reactivate the work of the halls of consumable materials establishments and consumable distribution cars to reduce the burdens on the citizens, in addition to focusing on commodity pricing according to the official foreign currency prices.

Al-Jleilati added that the government has given businessmen the required foreign currency to enable them pay for their imports with the aim to overcome the economic sanctions, noting that this cooperation has resulted in ensuing sufficient amounts of rice and sugar for a whole year.

He said the priority now is to follow up on carrying out the projects that focus on supporting the national economy and contribute to securing production requirements and the basic materials for the citizens.

Political Solution Only Way out of Syrian Crisis, China Says

Dec 18, 2012

Beijing, (SANA)_The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the only solution to the crisis in Syria is the political solution, calling upon all parties involved to abide by Geneva statement.

Xinhua News Agency quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying as saying at a regular press conference that ”China is open to any political settlement that is acceptable by a broad section of the Syrian people, and respects the choice of the people and adopts a positive and open position regarding any political solution.”

Hua called upon all parties concerned to work together according to Geneva statement and launch talks as soon as possible for negotiations on devising a plan for a political transition process in Syria.

The spokesperson also urged the parties in Syria to halt violence, indicating that China sees that the use of force won’t solve issues.

Mehmanparast: West Who Supports Terrorism in Syria Wants to Decide Its Destiny on behalf of Syrians

Dec 18, 2012

TEHRAN, (SANA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast reiterated on Tuesday his country’s stance which calls for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria through dialogue among the Syrians themselves, pointing out that the West and the US want to decide the destiny and future of Syria on behalf of the Syrian people.

At a press conference, Mehmanparast called on the western countries which assume democracy and protecting human rights to leave the Syrian people decide their future far from any interferences.

He warned of the continuation of supporting terrorists in Syria by the western countries and some regional and Arab countries through sending weapons and money.

Mehmanparast called on all sides which have influence on the armed groups to put pressure on them to realize security and peace in Syria and pave the ground for national dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

On deploying patriot missiles along the Turkish-Syrian borders, Mehmanparast said that all countries have to seek realizing security and peace in the region, calling on the Turkish officials to cooperate with the neighboring countries to maintain security and peace in the region.

Iranian Defense Minister: Presence of Foreign Forces in the Region Is  Not in Its Interest

Meanwhile, Iranian Defense Minister, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Wahidi, reiterated his country’s rejection of the deployment of Patriot missile system in Turkey, considering that the presence of foreign forces in the region is not in the interest of its peoples.

Maj. Gen, Wahidi said in a statement that the West has proved that it does not care about the peoples’ interests and cares only about those of its own.

On the developments in Syria, the Iranian Defense Minister said the Zionist entity is the one to benefit most from the violence in Syria which stands at the first line of confrontation against it.

Wahidi added that the biggest loser as a result of this violence is the Syrian people who have fallen victim to the terrorists targeting them.

Russia, Iran: Syria’s Fate Should be Determined by Syrian People

Dec 18, 2012

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, Ilyas Umakhanov, said that Russia is committed to its stance that Syria’s fate should be determined by the Syrians.

RT website quoted Umakhanov as saying, during his meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, that ”The Russian parliament, foreign ministry, government and President are committed to a unified stance and approach on the situation in Syria.”

”The fate of Syria is to be determined by the Syrian people, and any foreign attempt at imposing solutions will regrettably aggravate the situation.”

He added that there are a lot of Russian nationals in Syria, ”so for us, the situation has a humanitarian dimension too.”

For his part, Abdollahian said that Iran sees Russia a strategic partner and backs close bilateral cooperation in several fields.

”I’d like to point out that we have a strategic approach for cooperation with Russia…We cooperate in myriad fields and maintain good relations. Based on the high expectations in the two countries, this level of cooperation is not satisfactory for the leadership in Iran and Russia.”

Abdollahian: Halting Support for Armed Terrorist Groups Guarantees Restoring Calm to Syria

In an exclusive interview with Russia Today, Abdollahian stressed that stopping the support offered by some foreign parties to the armed terrorist groups in Syria will guarantee restoring calm to the country.

He said that if some foreign parties halted supporting the terrorists and the irresponsible armed militias in Syria, we will immediately sense the return of calm to it, indicating that “only then an appropriate foundation will be laid to go ahead with reforms, form a government of national accord and enhance dialogue.”

He reiterated his country’s support to the plan of the UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi.

Abdollahian also told SANA’s correspondent in Moscow that Russia and Iran have mutual viewpoints regarding supporting Syria, pointing out that Iran is communicating with the Syrian opposition which held meetings in Tehran recently.

On the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Syria, Abdollahian said that this issue concerns the Syrian side, calling for monitoring Syrian borders and international cooperation to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Syria.

In a press conference, Abdollahian addressed the deployment of Patriot missiles in Turkey, saying that this won’t bolster its security nor regional security.

He also criticized US State Secretary Hillary Clinton for her support of sending weapons to terrorists in Syria.

As for the cancellation of the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Turkey, Abdollahian said that there are disagreements between the two countries regarding Syria.

Patrushev: Russia Interested in Halting Violence in Syria, Holding Dialogue between Government and Opposition Necessary

Meanwhile, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev  said on Tuesday that his country is interested in halting violence in Syria and restoring issues back to normal, stressing the necessity of holding dialogue between the Syrian Government and the opposition.

In an interview with Komsemolskaya Pravda Newspaper, Patrushev said that the so-called “Syrian Opposition” is scattered, adding that the US declared that it would support the Doha Coalition which is working abroad.

He stressed that there will never be peace in Syria without the participation of the current leadership.

Russia’s Ambassador to Lebanon: Solution to Crisis in Syria Should Be Based on Geneva Statement

For his part, Russia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, reiterated his country’s firm stance towards the crisis in Syria, stressing that the solution to the crisis should be based on Geneva statement.

In a statement following his meeting with the Lebanese Defense Minister, Fayez Ghosn, Zasypkin said that dialogue among the Syrians should be the basis to reach a solution.

Indian Ambassador in Damascus: Syria is Facing Extremist Movements That Hold no Value to Human Life

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – India’s Ambassador in Damascus V. P. Haran on Tuesday affirmed that Syria is facing extremist, violent movements that hold no value to human life, voicing confidence that Syrians are capable of moving towards peace and achieving development and national reconciliation.

In a speech delivered at the reception organized by the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry on occasion of the end of his mission as ambassador to Syria, Haran said that India is very interested in what is happening in Syria and that he relayed the truth about what is happening, as his country’s foreign ministry has been getting its information from the Indian Embassy in Damascus directly, not from mass media.

Haran reviewed the joint projects and the advanced relations between Syria and India, noting that his country continued to develop cooperation relations even during the current events, particularly in the fields of education and scholarships.

For his part, Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister Ahmad Arnous underlined the strong and historic relations between the two countries and the need to continue developing them.

Arnous said that the two countries share the belief that Syria will be safe and strong as it was before, thanking India for all its efforts in the UN, Security Council and international and regional circles and its support for international principles of non-interference in countries’ internal affairs.

Arnous presented a commemorative gift to Haran as a gesture of appreciation of his efforts to strengthen cooperation between India and Syria.

Minister of Health: Urgent Medical Shipment Arrives at Aleppo International Airport

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Health, Sa’ad al-Nayef, said that an urgent shipment of medicine worth over SYP 90 million arrived at Aleppo International Airport, including chronic disease medications.

In a statement to SANA, Minister al-Nayef noted that the shipment came within the framework of the efforts exerted to meet the health and medical needs of various patients in Aleppo.

He indicated that the Ministry is working on preparing additional medial shipments to be sent to Aleppo within the next week, including artificial respirators, medical and surgical equipment and other medicines for healthcare and emergency services.

Al-Nayef stressed that other medical shipments are under preparation to be sent to the provinces of Hasaka, Hama, Idleb, Sweida, Quneitra and Raqqa, referring to the Ministry’s coordination with the authorities concerned to deliver the shipments to the health directorates in these provinces.

He stressed the Ministry’s efforts to meet the patients’ needs and preserve the strategic reserve of medicine and medical supplies in the health institutions in these provinces.

Grand Mufti: Syria Will Remain Strong and Impregnable Thanks to Its People

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Grand Mufti of the Republic Dr. Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun affirmed that Syria will remain strong and impregnable in the face of its enemies thanks to the solidarity of its people and will continue to defend the Arab and Islamic nations.

In a lecture delivered on Tuesday at Al-Assad National Library, Hassoun said that the campaign against Syria employs all forms of methods and weapons and seeks to destroy and divide Syria, pointing out to the large number of martyrs who fell victim to the aggression against Syria, the destruction that affected cities, and the displacement of families.

He noted that throughout history, Syria faced many campaigns of aggression and destruction, yet it remained giving and hospitable.

Hassoun said that called on those who consider themselves to be opposition to engage in dialogue and return to Syria, making the people their compass instead of asking help from countries that are well-known for their hostility towards the region, affirming that these countries aren’t actually supporting the opposition; rather their actions seek to guarantee Israel’s security.

Aleppo a Top Priority for Government with Large Financial Allocations

Dec 18, 2012

ALEPPO, (SANA)- In the framework of the government’s efforts to secure the delivery of the basic needs as soon as possible to the terrorism-stricken city of Aleppo, Prime Minister, Wael al-Halqi, announced that convoys with badly needed gas, gas oil and gasoline are ready to set off towards Aleppo once the problem of blocked roads leading to the city due to the terrorists’ attacks is resolved.

 

With the armed terrorist and mercenary groups having targeted all economic, development and living components and service institutions in Aleppo province as well as in other areas in a number of provinces, including water, electricity, communications and development institutions, Premier al-Halqi declared that the government has allocated SYP 200 million to buy aid and relief materials for Aleppo.

In the same context, al-Halqi added that SYP 100 million were allocated to buy basic needs and services and SYP 140 million to contribute to the independent budget of Aleppo province within 15 days, in addition to SYP 400 million to buy relief and aid materials in the first half of the coming year and SYP 6 billion to provide aid supplies already available inside the storehouses of the Ministry of Industry in the form of canned food stuff and basis materials.

Al-Halqi, leading a large delegation to Aleppo city, affirmed that the government is working to secure as much as possible of the relief assistance via planes at an average of a shipment in a week.

As far as food provision materials, particularly rice and wheat, are concerned, the Premier asserted that the government has a surplus of these materials and that it constantly imports to cover its further needs, noting that the main problem in Aleppo has to do with having these materials grinded as the armed terrorist groups have sabotaged a number of mills in Aleppo countryside.

Speaking in the presence of a large number of Aleppo social and economic figures, al-Halqi said the problem has got complicated as it is also related to securing oil derivatives to feed the electricity stations as well as to the railways that transport these derivatives and the provision stuff, which have been vandalized as a result of the terrorists’ sabotage acts.

He explained how this all resulted in shortage of flour in Aleppo, stressing however that the government is exerting serious efforts to deliver large amounts of bread via airplanes.

On the issue of the electrical power outages in Aleppo city, the Prime Minister stressed that electricity will be back in the coming 48 hours as the maintenance workshops are making great efforts to repair the damages caused to the electricity generating stations by the terrorist groups.

Commenting on the situation of the SYP exchange rate, al-Halqi affirmed that the stability of the exchange rate despite the current circumstances facing the country, indicating the existence of a considerable reserve of foreign currency.

In the framework of discussing the efforts to rehabilitate the damaged infrastructure and facilities, Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs and Minister of Local Administration, Omar Ghalawanji, said sub-committees were formed in all of the provinces to receive the citizens’ damage claims.

He noted that so far 50 percent of the value of compensations have already been given to the affected people, adding that other SYP 300 billion are agreed to be spent in this regard.

Ghalawanji pointed out that a sum of SYP 30 billion has been allocated in the budget for 2013 in the same regard.

The government has also given a great attention to the industrialist and businessmen in Aleppo through facilitating their work in terms of being able to get import licenses from all the other provinces.

This goes along with the emergency measures taken by the Ministry of Industry in terms of agreeing on transferring industrial establishments inside and outside the province of Aleppo without any fees, in addition to forming a committee to assess the damage caused to some of the industrial establishments.

In the framework of the meeting, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saeed Mu’zi Hneidi, stressed that the government is to secure 75 percent of Syria’s needs of oil derivatives soon, noting that the priority will be for Aleppo province.

For his part, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Jassem Mohammad Zakaray, reviewed the Ministry’s efforts exerted in cooperation with the Higher Commission for Relief and Aleppo Governorate to ensure the delivery of the main requirements and humanitarian aid for the citizens in Aleppo.

He said that financial support has been provided to 40 charity associations, including 9 in Aleppo, noting that SYP 250 million were allocated by the government for charity associations working in the relief field.

The measures taken by the government in Aleppo also included providing all logistic and daily life requirements to the shelter centers in cooperation with the Ministry of State for Red Crescent Affairs and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent organization.

The health situation in the province received a great attention with the Health Minister, Saad al-Nayef saying that large amounts of medications were transported to Aleppo, including those for various chronic diseases, in addition to the efforts exerted to supporting the rescue system and providing hospital equipment.

Syrian Film “Nukhaa” Participates in CAM International Film Festival in Egypt

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian short film “Nukhaa” (Marrow), participates in the CAM International Film Festival of Documentary and Short Films due to be held in Egypt between December 22nd – 27th.

The film is written by Ali Wajeeh and directed by Waseem al-Sayed.

In an exclusive interview with SANA, al-Sayed underlined the importance of Syria’s participation in the International CAM Festival in Egypt and the International Short Film Festival in Tiznit (Morocco) in March, 2013, under the current circumstances.

Scenarist Ali Wajeeh said that the participation is “an attempt to present something despite all sorrows.”

The Syrian film “Nukhaa” won the Award of Excellence in the Best Shorts Competition held in the USA in 2012.

The actors are Mazen Abbas and Nisreen Fandi. The film is produced by the General Establishment for Television and Radio Production.

Terrorists Attack Tens of Archaeological Sites in Daraa

Dec 18, 2012

DARAA, (SANA) – Tens of archaeological sites in Daraa province have been attacked by armed terrorist groups, according to Daraa Archaeological Directorate.

Director of Daraa Archaeological Directorate, Dr. Mohammad Nasrallah, told SANA that the archaeological sites have been exposed to secret excavations and attacks, causing sabotage to large parts of them, pointing out that the Directorate in cooperation with the authorities documented the damage and sabotage acts.

Nasrallah added that some archaeological sites in al-Mzirib, Inkhel, Maraba, al-Hirak, Sheikh Miskin, Sahm al-Golan, Heet, al-Shajara, Tafas and Dael towns were exposed to sabotage and destruction.

He stressed that the directorate has registered over 100 violations and it has informed the  authorities concerned in these towns.

Restaurants in Old City of Damascus Still Home for Damascus Lovers

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – As Damascus has always been the land of civilizations and history, its veins are still beating with life in spite of pain thanks to the determination of  its people who adored its streets and alleys and the smell of jasmine and the Damascene rose.

In spite of the current circumstances going on in Syria and the cold weather, the old city of Damascus is living normal life as its restaurants are witnessing turnout from people who come to enjoy the charming atmosphere of the city accompanied by their families and friends.

In the neighborhood of Bab Touma in the old city of Damascus, restaurants receive large groups of youths who come for entertainment and to exchange viewpoints. Darin, a girl in her thirties, says that she comes every Friday to meet her friends in one of Bab Touma restaurants.

“In spite of the current painful events in Syria, the love for life and determination to go on push me to come here”, she added.

With his laptop on the table surfing the internet to follow up the latest news, Samir said that he always come to Antique Restaurant in spite of the current situation, adding that he believes that Syria will remain strong thanks to its people’s determination to continue their work and practice their daily habits.

Michael, young man from Damascus, said these restaurants preserve the ancient oriental aspects which give a feeling of comfort and amity.

Yehya, a worker at Antique Restaurant, said that people are still coming to the restaurant as normal in spite of the current circumstances, adding that he has good relations with the customers.

International Arabic Language Day Marked

Dec 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – World celebrates the International Arabic Language Day every year on December 18th as Arabic is one of the 6 languages adopted by the United Nations.

The purpose of celebrating the UN-adopted languages is encouraging dialogue and communications and increasing awareness among the member states on the role of these languages in history as a method to communicate among peoples.

Dr. Mahmoud al-Sayyed, Head of the Committee for Empowering Arabic, told SANA that the celebration highlights the great position of Arabic among the world’s languages.

Al-Sayyed added that the committee was established by a Presidential decree in 2007 and is tasked with setting a national work plan to empower Arabic in all levels and follow up the implementation of this plan through Arabic committees in several ministries.

He said that these committees work on empowering Arabic through training courses and printing books.

He noted that Arabic language is celebrated three times per year, on February 21st, as designated by UNESCO, International Mother Language Day, and on March 1st as a day to celebrate Arabic adopted by the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

In turn, Dr. Ghassan Ghunaim of the Arab Writers Union, said that “Recent expeditions in Mary Tal al-Hareer city said that the 300-year-old written symbols were very similar to Arabic, which indicates that Arabic is one of the most ancient living languages.”

He stressed that Arabic is capable of keeping up with all scientific, knowledge-related and cultural trends because of its flexibility and richness.