Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Received Catholicos Aram I Keshishian in Damascus

BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:25 P.M.) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received Catholicos Aram I Keshishian, head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in Damascus on Tuesday.

The Syrian President affirmed that Syria was and always will be the home to all of its people, regardless of religion or ethnicity, lauding the patriotic role of Syrian-Armenians who embody the values and meanings of citizenship, belonging, and national unity.

For his part, Catholicos Aram I said that Syria has been a safe haven and sanctuary for those who fled the horrors of the Ottoman massacres, and that the Syrian people have set a magnificent example of confronting the dark mentality and terrorist and exclusionist projects by adhering to their national identity and to Syria’s message of love, peace, and moderation.

The Catholicos asserted that the steadfastness of Syria’s people, the sacrifices of its army, and the wisdom of its leadership will doubtlessly result in victory and eliminating terrorism.