Fayez Shukur Relays Assad’s Interest in Shaaban’s Death

Baath Party leader Fayez Shukur relayed on Wednesday Syrian President Bashar Assad’s interest in the death of al-Jadeed television cameraman Ali Shaaban.

He said in a statement after holding talks with Assad in Damascus: “Assad also voiced his keenness on uncovering the details of the incident.”

In addition, he relayed the Syrian president’s “appreciation for the positive role professional and unbiased media plays in relaying the truth to the people, especially in light of the unprecedented media attack against Syria and its people.”

Shaaban was killed on Monday while performing his duty, along with two other colleagues, in the border region of Wadi Khaled.

Reporter Hussein Khreis and cameraman Abed Khayyat, who was lightly wounded in his arm, managed to escape after their car came under a volley of gunfire from the Syrian side of the border.

Shukur added that Assad had also expressed his interest over Lebanon’s security and stability, wishing the Lebanese people prosperity.

“A healthy Lebanon will serve Syria and the peoples of the region,” he quoted Assad as saying.

On the developments in Syria, the head of the Baath Party said that the Syrian president was satisfied with the political and security achievements that have been made.

“Efforts in the upcoming days will focus on imposing security and stability throughout Syria, especially in the regions that have witnessed violence by armed terrorist groups,” Shukur reported Assad as saying.

Popular anti-regime protests erupted in Syrian in March 2011.

The regime has retaliated by launching a violent crackdown against the demonstrators, which the United Nations estimates has left over 9,000 dead.