Syria, Egypt celebrate 25th anniversary of the October War

Syria and Egypt on Tuesday continued celebrations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the October 6 war. Both Syria and Egypt took part jointly in launching the fourth Israeli-Arab war to restore the territories occupied by Israel during June war of 1967.

SANA reported that President Hafez al-Assad visited the Martyrs' Cemetery in Najha district, near Damascus where he recited verses from the holy Koran at the cemetery to bless the souls of the martyrs. Al-Assad was accompanied by his defense minister, Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass, Vice Presidents Abdul Halim Khaddam and Muhammad Zuheir Masharqa, Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi, Cabinet ministers and high-ranking state officials.

During celebrations held in various parts of Syria, several army leaders said the Turkish-Israeli alliance is but a means to achieve Israeli expansionist goals at the expense of Arabs and Muslims. They asserted that the Syrian forces will always be ready to carry out the directives of its leadership and pledged to defend the country's "just causes."

Meanwhile, Syrian Vice President Masharqa said in an article issued by the Local Arabic daily "al-Baath" that, "Our people are proud of the heroism of the armed forces during the October liberation war, the war which restored confidence and thereby destroyed the myth of the invincibility of the Israeli Army."

For its part, the central command of the Progressive National Front, the supreme political commission in Syria, stressed on Monday that, "Thanks to its national stances Syria is defending the Arab nation which has been exposed to attempts of hegemony targeting to plunder its resources and the interests of its people."

Meanwhile, MENA said that President Mubarak arrived at a military base close to the big "Tel" in the heart of the desert, 76 km north of Cairo near the Suez canal to observe a military parade.

Also, in a televised interview President Mubarak expressed deep concern over the escalated Israeli military power. He asserted the need for setting up a "balance of power" between his country and Israel.

MENA reported that addressing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Mubarak said: "We are very concerned about the weapons you bring, the long-range missiles and the research you conduct."