NNA - Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, addressed Saturday a letter of gratitude to Pope Francis I, conveyed by Syrian State Minister Joseph Sweid during a meeting with Vatican Prime Minister, Mnsgr. Pietro Barawlin.

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) disclosed that the letter relayed the Syrian leadership and people's appreciation towards the positions of His Holiness regarding the ongoing incidents and aggression against Syria, clearly evident in his call for prayer and fasting for "beloved Syria."

The letter also emphasized the need for resolving the Syrian crisis through national dialogue between the Syrian people and authority, without any external intervention. "The Syrian people are the sole owners of the constitutional right to decide their country's future and choose their leaders by expressing their choices via ballot boxes," the letter stressed.

"Furthermore, and in light of said conviction, the Syrian government has confirmed its readiness to participate in the international conference on Syria, Geneva II, while stressing that it's pursued battle against terrorism is crucial for the success of any peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria," the letter stated, according to SANA.

It also stressed that cessation of terrorism requires that all involved countries halt their military support to armed terrorist groups.


President Assad declared his State's keen concern and constitutional duty to ensure the safety and protection of its citizens, of all ethnic and religious affiliations, from terrorist bombings and random mortar shells targeting their neighborhoods, SANA disclosed.

The Syrian News Agency indicated that PM Barawlin, in turn, relayed the Pope's concern and continuous follow-up of the situation in Syria, stressing on the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue between the Syrians themselves, without any outside interference.



================ R.Sh.