The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East held a reception on Tuesday for heads and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Damascus on the occasion of the New Year at St. George’s Patriarchal Cathedral of the Syriac Orthodox in Damascus
In a speech at the reception, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of Universal Syriac Orthodox Church affirmed that the illegal and unjust siege and the unilateral coercive economic measures imposed by some Western governments affect the daily living of the Syrian people and exacerbate their suffering
The Patriarch tackled the suffering of the people in the areas which are occupied by the American and Turkish occupation forces, their militias and terrorist groups affiliated with them, and their terrorist and criminal practices against citizens, such as cutting off water and depriving them of basic services, in addition to terrorist operations in order to force them to flee from their places of residence
Patriarch Aphrem II expressed hope that the diplomats would convey the reality of the difficult living situation and the suffering of the Syrian people as a result of these measures to their countries and peoples, to contribute to lifting these coercive measures on Syria as soon as possible
His Holiness thanked the heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions for standing by Syria and its people and their countries’ support for the steadfastness of the Syrians.
He noted that the victories over terrorism were achieved thanks to the unity of the Syrian people, the valor of their army and their steadfastness and cooperation with friendly peoples and countries
Patriarch Aphrem II concluded by emphasizing that the Syrian people want peace and security for the whole world, and that no one should suffer as the Syrians suffered from terrorism, even though some Western governments have sponsored and supported terrorism and contributed to causing harm and damage to the Syrians and their homeland
