27/01/2009 Syrian President Bachar al-Assad praised on Tuesday the Palestinian people's resistance, the cooperation among resistance factions during the aggression against the Gaza strip, and the people of Gaza's support for the resistance, all of which led to achieving victory and foiling the plans and goals of Israel.
 
While receiving leaders of the Palestinian factions in Damascus, Assad called for investing politically in this victory to consolidate the Palestinian rights, including the right of return. Assad discussed with the Palestinian factions the developments in Palestine following the victory of the Palestinian people and the resistance in Gaza Strip in the face of the brutal Israeli aggression. He affirmed the need for continuing work to lift the siege and open all crossing points permanently.
 
In turn, leaders of the Palestinian factions and groups thanked Syria's leadership and people for the support they continue to provide to the Palestinian people and the resistance, affirming that Syria is a partner in this victory. They also affirmed their determination to continue with the resistance until they achieve victory and establish the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
 
The delegation included Head of the Hamas Politburo Khaled Meshaal, Secretary General of the Islamic Jihad Movement Ramadan Abdullah Shallah, Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) Ahmad Jebril, Secretary General of the Popular Liberation War Vanguard Mohammad Khalifa, Secretary of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement Fath-Intifada Abu-Moussa, Secretary General of the Palestinian Public Struggle Front Khaled Abdul-Majid, Secretary General of the Palestinian Revolutionary Communist Party Arabi Awad, Secretary General of the Palestinian Liberation Front Abu-Nidal al-Ashkar, and Assistant Secretary General of the PFLP-GC Dr. Talal Naji.
 
President al-Assad previously met Head of the Hamas Politburo Khaled Meshaal on Saturday and members of the Politburo. During the meeting, President al-Assad congratulated the Palestinian people on the victory of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza Strip.
 
President al-Assad also affirmed that the failure of Israel to achieve its goals in Gaza despite using the deadliest weapons proves that the Palestinian people are committed to their rights and to their land, and that it also shows their deep faith in their inevitable victory over occupation and aggression.