Patriarch commend Syria as fortress of the Arab states

Patriarch of Antioch and All Orient of the Greek Orthodox church praised Syria's stances under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad and her defence of the Arab Nation.

In a final statement issued at the conclusion of its regular 36th Session which began at the Damascus-based Patriarchate and headed by Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim, he condemned Israel's aggression on Syria and the U.S. vote on the so-called Syria Accountability Act.

The Statement stressed that Syria would persist her path towards freedom, and would continue to be the fortress for the all Arabs in facing existing dangers and challenges.

He also voiced sorrow over the difficult situations of the Iraqi people under the occupation and over "crimes and massacres inflicted by Israeli occupation troops on the Palestinians."