Berri to Assad: Syria will overcome crisis, return stronger

BEIRUT: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri voiced confidence Thursday in Syria’s ability to overcome what he described as the most difficult test in its history and congratulated both Damascus and Cairo on the anniversary of the 1973 October War. “Today as your country faces the hardest test in its history, we are certain that your experience in resistance and reform will enable you to overcome the crisis and achieve your people’s aspirations to make your country a model for democracy and freedom,” he said in a letter to President Bashar Assad. Berri also said he was certain Syria would return stronger following the crisis and reclaim its role in building the future of its security and support for the Palestinian people’s struggle. The October War, also known as the Arab-Israeli war of 1973, pitted the Jewish state against a coordinated assault by Syria and Egypt. “On this anniversary of the October War, I am pleased to offer you, the heroic people of Syria and the Syrian Arab Army, my congratulations and reminisce the eternal moments when the Syrian forces crossed over and destroyed the enemy's sites and liberated Quneitra and raised the Syrian flag on top of the Arab-Syrian Golan heights and recall your country's sacrifices for the Arab community, particularly for the Palestinian cause,” Berri said. Lebanon’s speaker also sent a separate letter to President Mohammad Mursi, in which Berri recalled “Egypt’s sacrifices for the Arab nation, particularly for the Palestinian cause.” “As your country restored its stability, we look forward to your Arab role in building stability in the Arab order on the basis of democracy and wise leadership,” Berri said. He also said that cooperation should be maintained among Arab countries to establish the joint Arab market and support the Palestinians in their aspiration for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. From DailyStar