Syrian Ambassador to Algeria expresses gratitude for Algeria’s unfailing, principled stances, spirit of solidarity

By: Hana Saada

ALGIERS- Members from the Algerian Popular League to support the resilience of Syria paid a visit to the headquarters of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Algiers to offer condolences to His Excellency, the Syrian Ambassador to Algeria, Namir Al-Ghanem following the devastating earthquake that struck the sisterly country, causing countless victims and wreaking terrible infrastructural damage.

The official spokesperson and responsible for the legal affairs of the League, Pr. Djamel Traka, signed, on behalf of the league’s members, the register of condolences, reiterating Algeria’s unfailing and principled support for the brotherly Syrian people.

On the other hand, the Syrian Ambassador to Algeria, Namir Al-Ghanem, expressed in his own name and on behalf of the Syrian government and people, his deep gratitude to the President of the Republic, Mr.  Abdelmadjid Tebboune and to the Algerian people, for their unwavering support and solidarity with Syria after the devastating earthquake.

Underlining that the Syrian people were very impressed by Algeria’s assistance as well as the spirit of solidarity shown by the Algerian people, the Ambassador affirmed that “Syria would never forget the fraternal attitude that Algeria showed during this painful ordeal”.

“It is not strange for Algeria to be proactive in providing aid to Syria. We are confident that Algeria will be at Syria’s side in times of joy and sorrow,” he said, adding, “We look forward to the distinguished relations between the Syrian and Algerian peoples”.

The Ambassador also wished to express his sincere thanks and congratulations to the Civil Protection personnel and the teams of the Algerian Red Crescent who took part in the rescue and relief operations in the areas affected by the earthquake. He praised the great professionalism they have shown and their valuable contribution to saving many lives.

“Syria will not forget that the first aid plane that landed in Damascus was an Algerian one, breaking the unilateral siege imposed on my country,” he reiterated.

Mr. Al-Ghanem added that “Algeria has always been present in the hearts of the Syrians, and that the relations between the two sisterly countries have been distinguished due to the popular cohesion and the solid historical relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples”.

He noted that “Damascus is still celebrating unforgettable memories about the role played by the great Algerian Leader Abd al-Qadir al-Jazaeri in Syria”.

“I reiterate the high position of Abd al-Qadir al-Jazaeri and and the Algerian community in Syria. The brotherly relations between the two sisterly countries were reflected by Syria’s support for the Algerian liberation revolution against French colonialism”.

In this vein, the Syrian Envoy dubbed the Algerian glorious liberation revolution as legendary, as “it sets an example for all peoples suffering from occupation and aspiring for freedom, because women, men, children and everyone stood in the face of a brutal occupation that lasted for one hundred and thirty years”.

On another level, the Syrian envoy expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Algerian Government and brotherly Algerian people for their unwavering and principled support for Syria, adding that “with such support, we are confident that the enemies of Syria are trying in vain to reach their goals through the suffocating siege after they failed to achieve them through terrorism”, stressing that all these attempts, whether economic or military, are doomed to failure thanks to the steadfastness of the Syrian Arab people and their leadership, and the heroism and sacrifices of their valiant army.

He praised Algeria’s prominent role towards the issues of the Arab nation, including Syria, and its recent effort to restore unity among the Palestinian people. Therefore, Syria was among the countries that declared its support for this step.

Mr. Namir Al-Ghanem affirmed that “Algeria’s stances towards Syria during the ongoing terrorist have been honorable, and that its recent position to try to unite the Palestinian factions indicates Algeria’s deep and real concern for the Arab nation, and all statements voiced by President Tebboune and Minister Lamamra indicate that Syria is the beating heart of Arabism”.

Earlier, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad hailed from the disaster-stricken locality of Bustan Al Qasr in Aleppo, the tireless efforts deployed by Algerian teams of the Civil Protection and the Algerian Red Crescent (ARC). In a statement to the Algerian television crew in Syria, during a visit to this locality to assess the damage caused by the earthquake, the Syrian President said “I belong to a generation that learned at a very young age at school that Algeria is the country of the million and a half martyrs, and to whom it was explained how Syrian women had sold their valuables in order to buy aid to be sent to the Algerians” during the liberation war.

The relationship between Algeria and Syria is based on “Syria’s support for Algeria” during the Glorious War of National Liberation, as well as on “Algeria’s support for decades for the Arab and Syrian causes”, he said, adding that “it is not surprising to see this relationship demonstrated in this glorious way through this impressive show of solidarity”.

“We feel that the Algerians have come from deep inside Syria to help the Syrians,” said the Syrian President. “This is the sincere feeling we have always had towards the Algerians,” he added.

Noting that humanitarian aid, consisting of up to 200 tons of infant formula diapers, medicines, mattresses, clothes, tents as well as widely-consumed foodstuffs, have been sent on board Algerian Air Force transport planes by the Algerian Red Crescent (ARC) to Syria following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked the country. Besides, and in implementation of the instructions of President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the government decided to provide financial assistance of 15 million dollars to the Syrian Arab Republic.