Assad assures Aram I of peace establishment in Kesab soon

After an attack was launched early Friday on the Armenian-populated town of Kesab in northwestern Syria, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia Aram I contacted spiritual, political and community leaders of Aleppo, Latakia, Damascus, and Lebanon, holding consultations with them, according to a statement on the Facebook page of Perio news.

The Syrian ambassador to Lebanon visited Aram I, informing him that Syrian President Bashar Assad instructed him to immediately visit Catholicos Aram I and assure him that the Syrian state and the army will do their best to establish peace in the region.

The ambassador said at the meeting that they received reliable information that Turkey not only supported the militants’ incursion into Kesab, but it also gave them military heavy equipment and facilitated their advance.

Despite losses, the Syrian army managed to repel considerably the militants, the ambassador said.
In his words, the Syrian president and the state have deep respect for the Armenian people and consider Armenian Syrians loyal citizens whose protection is the state’s duty.

The ambassador also said that Kesab is of strategic importance to the Syrian army, adding that the army temporarily evacuated local Armenians to Latakia to ensure their security.

Speaking about Kesab, Aram I said the town has symbolic significance for the whole Armenian people. Later he sent a group of religious representatives to Latakia.

On Sunday afternoon the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon asked MP Hakob Bagratuni to inform Aram I that President Assad reaffirmed his promise to establish peace and security in Kesab soon, declaring that he is ready to meet with Catholicos Aram I at any time.