Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad marked Syria's Martyrs Day, May 6, by visiting the Martyrs Monument at Qassiyoun Mount.
Assad was received there by Syrian Defense Minister Hasan Turkmani and Chief of Staff Lt. General Ali Habib. He reviewed the Honor Guard as a 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the martyrs, and later laid a wreath on the Unknown Soldier Monument, and recited some Koran verses. He also held a luncheon in honor of the children of martyrs.
During the ceremony, a student from the School of Martyrs Daughters gave a speech highlighting the sublime values of martyrs and martyrdom, and pledged to continue rallying behind the president's wise and brave leadership and embodying the manners of martyrs in the great sacrifices they had offered in defense of the home. A group of martyrs' sons and daughters also performed an artistic show highlighting the occasion.
Assad later met with sons and daughters of martyrs, and asked them to be outstanding in their study to contribute to the building of their homeland and society.
Source: Syria Times, Syria, May 7, 2008
