Syria: Patriarch Urges Vigorous Participation in Upcoming Elections

TEHRAN (FNA)- Mar Ignatius Aphrem II Karim, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, called for vigorous participation in the upcoming presidential balloting set for June 3.

During his meeting Friday with a solidarity delegation from the Syrian community in Sweden, the Patriarch underscored the significance of such visits of expatriates for “showing solidarity with their fellow citizens during the times of hardship”, Syrian Arab News Agency reported.

He described the visit as a “message of defiance per se” to all who harbor illusions about the situation in Syria.

The patriarch hailed upcoming presidential elections as an important step towards “building the Syria that the honorable Syrians seek.”

“The sorrowful events in Syria won’t discourage the Syrian people from their national commitments and duties,” added the Patriarch, advising the Syrians against migration and urging them to stay in the country.

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