The Day of Joyful Loyalty
On May 27th , 2007, millions of the Syrian Citizens over 18 years old flocked into hundreds of polling stations in Syria and abroad as to cast their vote for our beloved President. Bashar Assad , for another constitutional 7-year-term mandate. The elections have witnessed floods of the citizens, which compelled the election authorities to extend for 3 hours the time for the elections.
President Bashar al-Assad and his wife participated in the popular referendum on the post of Syrian Arab Republic president for a new constitutional term. The President and his wife voted in the referendum station of the Faculty of Medicine at Damascus University amid the cheers of the citizens who expressed pride of al-Assad's leadership of the modernization and development process. President al-Assad exchanged cordial speeches with participants who expressed feelings of amity and sincerity to him. Later, the President and his wife left the station amid the cheers of the citizens who showed support to his leadership in order to continue the process of building and development as well as fortifying national dignity.
Senior Syrian officials, state and private employees and people went to the referendum stations amounting 13904 in different Syrian cities to practice their constitutional right in referendum on a new constitutional term for President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian people underlined that referendum means a continuation of the comprehensive modernization and development process to deepen national unity and overcome pressures. Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch and All the East for Roman Orthodox said the referendum is an embodiment of the national unity, tolerance and coexistence among Syrian people, and it is an assertion to continue the process of modernization and development in the country. For his part, Assistant Secretary General of al-Baath Arab Socialist party Abdullah al-Ahmar said, while voting, that the Syrian people knew President al-Assad as the resistant, wise and courageous leader who defends the Arab nation's rights, and they support his leadership through a national consolidated unity. Speaker of the People's Assembly Mahmoud al-Abrash also added that the referendum is an expression of the people's amity and support to President al-Assad's wise policy and continuation to build modern Syria. Minister of Culture Riyad Na'asan Agha underlined that the Syrian people are practicing today their constitutional right and stressing their national option in President al-Assad as well as their commitment to continue the process of reform and modernization.
Syrian Interior Minster, Bassam Abdul Maguid commented the more 3 hour extension of the elections as a reply for " The demands of chairmen of central committees in the Syrian cities due to the intensive turnout of people on referendum stations, " Minister of Interior Bassam Abdul-Majeed said in a statement to SANA. "The extension comes upon demands of chairmen of central committees in the Syrian cities due to the intensive turnout of people on referendum stations, " Stating that the referendum process is going along smoothly, with no recorded incidents thanks to the Syrian people's awareness and their support of President Bashar al-Assad asserting that the massive turnout expresses the Syrian people's amity and loyalty to President al-Assad and their pride in the achievements seen in Syria in the past seven years.
Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri affirmed that Syrian citizens expressed on Sunday their amity and loyalty to President Bashar al-Assad. Otri told journalists after voting "Referendum stands for security, stability, development and modernization in all aspects, as well as standing in the face of challenges besieging Syria and the Arab nation."
Otri added that the wide scale participation of Syrian citizens declares their support to President al-Assad and the process of development and modernization that meets hopes and ambitions of citizens. For his part, Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun pointed out during voting to the national unity in Syria, stating that the referendum on a new term for President al-Assad is a referendum on the process of construction, development and adherence to national stances. Hassoun also pointed out to the various achievements in Syria during the past seven years, saying that Syria today elects itself by electing President al-Assad. Archbishop Hilarion Capucci also stated after voting that the Syrian people expressed their support to President al-Assad through referendum, adding that Syria achieved a lot under President al-Assad's leadership thanks to his wise and courageous stances.
Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem participated in the referendum on a new constitutional term for President Bashar al-Assad. Bilal told journalists after voting in the Ministry of Information that the area has never seen masses like the ones that gathered spontaneously to affirm their commitment to sovereignty, security and stability and show their adherence to defeating occupation. Bilal added that these masses send a message to the whole world that President al-Assad represents sovereignty, steadfastness, national spirit and courage, and that he also embodies the struggle to restore the occupied lands including the Golan and the struggle to establish a free, independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
For his part, Foreign Minister stated that Syria's foreign policy under the leadership of President al-Assad is linked to the citizens' rights and interests, and that the firm principles of that policy are related to liberating the occupied lands, supporting the resistance and the independence of decision-making. Al-Moallem also said that Syrian policy during the second term of President al-Assad will give fruit of the Syrian people's struggle in the face of pressures, adding that the failure of these pressures forced those who attempted to isolate Syria to re-evaluate their stances.
Vice Presidents Farouk al-Shara and Najah al-Attar participated in the referendum on a new constitutional term for President Bashar al-Assad. Al-Shara, after voting in the referendum center at the Ministry of information, told journalists that the leadership of President al-Assad is a national guarantee and that his wisdom, vision and courage enabled him to direct Syria to become an example for the national unity. Al-Shara stated that the upcoming stage requires solidarity and unity in working with President al-Assad to realize his national program on all fronts, adding that President al-Assad is closer to people's aspirations and demands than anyone else and that he is determined to realize them.
For her part, al-Attar told SANA's correspondent after voting in the referendum center at the Ministry of Culture that the referendum has many meanings in the current circumstances that require men like President al-Assad with his strong leadership, firm principles and resolve to continue the struggle until all our goals are achieved.
Al-Attar added that President al-Assad believes in the necessity of achieving the aspirations of the Arab nation. Assistant Regional Secretary of the Baath Arab Socialist Party Mohamed Said Bkheitan said that referendum on a new constitutional term for President Bashar al-Assad is a message to the whole world to assert that our people chose methods and stances of President al-Assad that embody the people's aspirations.
" In this day sons of the HOMEland expressed sincere allegiance and support to President Bashar al-Assad's brave and wise stances since he represents the people's interests and aspirations." He added.
For his part, Deputy chairman of the National Progressive Front Suleiman Qaddah stressed that the masses today affirm commitment to the method of dignity and the national decision to the future, the national and pan-Arab firm principles.
The Referendum results are expected tomorrow morning amid high expectations by the Syrian Citizens for a landslide victory for the beloved Syrian President of Just and Comprehensive peace, in light of what has been achieved in the country of accomplishments and reforms on the March of Correction . initiated in 1971 by late President Hafez Assad, the builder of Modern Syria, notwithstanding the many pressures and hardships facing Syria.