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Syria’s Assad Pays Visit to Recaptured Christian Town on Easter
posted on April 21, 2014Patrick J. McDonnell and Nabih Bulos of The Los Angeles Times report, “President Bashar Assad made a symbolic Easter visit Sunday to the heavily damaged town of Maaloula, a Christian landmark enclave recaptured from Islamist rebels last week by government forces.” Opponents called the Syrian president’s visit an insincere attempt to portray himself as a defender of minorities as he prepares for the upcoming elections. “No one, no matter the extent of their terrorism, is able to erase our human and cultural history,” Assad said. “Maaloula will remain steadfast.”