Assad Stresses Role of Arab Powers to Face Extremists, Takfiris

Friday 24 May 2013

Assad Stresses Role of Arab Powers to Face Extremists, Takfiris

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad receiving Tunisian delegation; May 23, 2013

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday stressed the important role which the national and regional powers can play in facing extremist and takfiri thinking and confronting the foreign plots targeting the Arab people, State-run news agency reported.

Receiving a Tunisian delegation on Thursday, Assad highlighted the necessity of adhering to the Arab principles and identity and the values of Arabism to stand up to the changes witnessed in the Arab arena.
The meeting touched upon the latest developments in Syria and Tunisia and the changes witnessed in the Arab region in general.

He briefed the Tunisian delegation on the dimensions of the crisis in Syria and the firm Syrian stance on confronting terrorism and its regional and international supporters and on the possible political solution.

For its part, the delegation expressed the Tunisian people's solidarity with Syria and their appreciation of Syrian army steadfastness and unity in the face of the foreign conspiracy and aggression led by the Zionist entity, some regional countries and the West.

The delegation consisted of representatives of Tunisian political, economic and popular movements, headed by Dr. Shukri Bin Suleiman Harmasi, Secretary General of the Tunisian al-Thawabit (Immutable Principles) Party.

Pointing out that Syria is targeted for adhering to resistance and committing to Arab causes, the Tunisian figures described it as "the last stronghold of Arab nationalism," stressing confidence that it will come out of its crisis victorious under the leadership of President al-Assad.

"This victory will be a victory for all the Arabs because Syria is considered "the last line of defense of Arabism and the highest national interests," they said.

Expressing sorrow and apology for some misled Tunisians’ participation in the Syria violence, the guests noted that Tunisian people have succeeded to a large extent in reducing the flow of extremists towards Syria.

“Many Tunisian young people demand to participate in the popular resistance on the Golan front and stand by their Syrian brothers in the face of the Zionist occupation,” they added.

President al-Assad also talked about the deep brotherly relations binding the Syrian and Tunisian peoples, which were reflected by the Tunisians through the marches which they have staged in support of Syria.