Pope Shenouda III: Syria is the cradle of civilization

Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark in Egypt, Shenouda III, said Thursday that Syria is the cradle of civilization, noting that "from here light of divine religions spread to the whole world."

"Syria who is living a national unity under the leadership of president Bashar al-Assad is considered as an example that should be followed by the world," Pope Shenouda III said during a lecture he had delivered in Marafram monastery in city of Seidnaya near Damascus.