Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the world called on heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited in Damascus to convey an image to the international community about the suffering of the Syrian people due to the unilateral coercive sanctions imposed by the West on Syria.
That came during a reception held by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East on the occasion of the New Year for heads and representatives for the accredited diplomatic missions to Damascus at the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in Damascus.
Aphrem II stressed that the international media is turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Syrian people as a result of these sanctions, which contributes to its exacerbation.
Patriarch Aphrem II thanked the heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions for standing by Syria and its people and the support of their countries for the steadfastness of the Syrians during the difficult period they have gone through.
“I hope that heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions would contribute to lifting the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria and the financial aid provided to the displaced Syrians will be transferred to contribute to the reconstruction and restoration of the areas that have been destroyed and vandalized,” Aphrem II said.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Syria, Cardinal Mario Zenari, affirmed that the meeting today is a good opportunity to exchange views on contributing to alleviating the great suffering of the Syrian people, who have always sought reconciliation, peace and prosperity.
The Swedish Chargé d’affaires in Damascus, Ann Dismorr, hoped that security and peace would soon prevail in Syria.
Chargé d’affaires of the Hungarian Embassy in Damascus underlined the importance of concerted efforts of religious institutions, the local community and governments in creating opportunities to rebuild societies on sound foundations, especially those suffering from crises.
The Brazilian Ambassador in Damascus, Andre Santos, wished that the new year would be a year during which peace and stability would return to Syria and the world.
For his part, Iranian ambassador to Damascus, Mahdi Sobhani, reaffirmed his country’s support for Syria and its support in every way, calling for focusing on lifting sanctions on the Syrian people instead of providing aid, because those who imposed the aggressive and terrorist war on Syria returned to impose an unfair siege on it.
Manar Salameh/ Ruaa al-Jazaeri
