Bashar Al-Assad Arab Parties Conference Speech November 11 2009

''Syria was able to encounter many hatched schemes, because of the real oneness and rallying between the united people and leadership behind the Arabism, the sacred subject for all of the Syrian colours, and intellectual trends, not to mention what Syria possesses of the many rich points of strength, of which the most important are the rights, principles, basics, vision, and the confidence in the ability to achieve positive results,'' said His Excellency President Bashar Al-Assad in a speech, inaugurating the three-day 5th General Conference of the Arab Parties, (the Independent Arab Resolution Session), with the participation of about 107 Parties, November 11, 2009.

''Mideast Peace Process, and after 18 years since its start, shows that the illusive power of Israel is in the real weakness of Arabs. Once the Arabs would have the real power, they would be able to see the points of weakness of Israel. The more of power we, as Arabs, are to have, the more of the Peace we want is to be attained,'' added His Excellency President Al-Assad, asserting that the time factor is but in the interest of Arabs, and that the essence of the peace is not only negotiations, but the resistance too; ''It is a mistake to believe that the peace comes through the negotiations; the peace comes through the Resistance. Therefore, we have to support the Resistance; henceforth we are supporting the process of peace. The Resistance and negotiations are but one; both of them aim to restore the legitimate rights, which we are never to surrender.''

''The resistance has been the essence of our politics, today, in the past and in the future. The Resistance with its cultural, military, or any other form, is but the essence of our presence. The New Middle East, we have started to construct, is the Middle East of which the essence is the Resistance,'' underlined H.E. President Al-Assad.

''The Independent Arab Resolution, the title of the ongoing Conference, is very important and inclusive. As to have the Independent Arab Resolution, we have to start first from Arabism and the belief in the Arab Identity. We have to protect the Arab Identity, and to convince the people of the importance of this very Identity, as the denominator and the real fortress for the Arab Citizen and Arab Countries,'' added H.E. President Al-Assad, pointing out that ''the good relations with neighbouring countries supporting the Arab Causes, particularly turkey and Iran would further be a factor of strength helping the Arab Countries as to reach to the Independent Arab Resolution, restore the Arab Rights, and realize stability in the region.''

''The Arab Solidarity is the must, so that the Arab Resolution is to be independent. The Arab Solidarity is to stand by our interests as Arabs, and has to be based on the Arab Popular consensus,'' said H. E. President Al-Assad voicing the hope as to build on Arabs' status quo, thought not perfect in terms of solidarity, as to have a better future, asserting the importance of the revival of the badly needed for National Arab Thought, in the face of extremism.

''The Palestinian Cause remains the core Cause for all Arab Countries. However, no breakthrough to this effect could be achieved without the Palestinian Reconciliation, the basic and the real concern for Arabs,'' underlined H.E. President Al-Assad reiterating the Syrian determined work to the best of her capabilities for the said Reconciliation, reiterating the call not for the halting of the Israeli settlements, but to the dismantling of the settlements, ending the Israeli occupation of the occupied Arab territories.

Edited & Translated by

Mohamad Abdo Al-Ibrahim

Rome, Italy, November 11, 2009.