Syrians continue to pledge allegiance to al-Assad's nomination for new constitutional term

The Syrian Greek Orthodox Patriarch for Antioch and the whole east, Ingantus IV Hazim, described on Wednesday in Damascus President Hafez al-Assad as a "unique statesman who enjoys great ability to deal wisely with thorny issues.

In a statement to SANA's correspondent on President al-Assad's nomination for a new constitutional term, Patriarch Hazim said President al-Assad "is an honest and just leader who seeks the establishment of just and comprehensive peace based on restoring all the occupied Arab lands."

Meanwhile, Syrian businessmen expressed pride in President al-Assad's leadership and firm stances. In a statement released by the Syrian chambers of commerce union, the Syrian businessmen highly appreciated the system of "economic pluralism and the achievements realized in Syria during the past 28 years, due to the atmosphere of stability and security, under al-Assad's leadership."

In statements the Syrian chairman of the national union of Syrian students, Haitham Dweihi, the Dentists Union and artists' unions affirmed that al-Assad's brave and wise leadership proved his great skill in dealing with Arab and international political developments and in overcoming all the anti-Arab efforts.

Moreover, the head of the Industrial Chamber in Damascus, Yehya al-Hindi, said on Wednesday: "The big 'yes' the country's industrialists will say to the president's reelection in February 8th means 'yes' to the continuation of building, development and modernization conducive to increased production."