SYRIA: Syrians demonstrate in Damascus to show solidarity with Gazans

Record ID: 278570

  • Title: SYRIA: Syrians demonstrate in Damascus to show solidarity with Gazans
  • Date: 1st January 2009
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (DECEMBER 30, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SYRIANS LIGHTING CANDLES THE CANDLE SYRIAN ACTRESS SUZAN NAJM AL-DIN HOLDING A CANDLE SYRIAN LIGHTING CANDLES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) QAIS SHEIK NAJIB, SYRIAN ACTOR, SAYING: "At least to make our voice heard. Sure we do not hope to reach the United Nations because the United Nations are Israel and America, but we hope
  • Embargoed: 16th January 2009 12:00
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  • Reuters ID: LVA3RDDUTEO463AWQ79NHFJ4UI1O
  • Story Text: Demonstrators in Damascus call on Egypt to open Rafah crossing.
    Syrian actors and actresses joined hundreds of Syrians to light candles in front of the Omayyades Mosque in the old city of Damascus for Gaza's citizens on Tuesday (December 30).
    The campaign was organised by Syrian students, Syrian Red Crescent volunteers, artists and journalists who sent e-mails inviting people to join them to show their solidarity with Gazans.
    Syrian actor, Qais Sheikh Najib, told Reuters, "At least to make our voice heard. Sure we do not hope to reach the United Nations because the United Nations are Israel and America, but we hope to reach people feelings."

    "I hope to see a very quick practical procedure... there is no time. I hope there will be a new day where there is a ceasefire," Syrian actor Abed Fahed said.
    Meanwhile another group of Syrians held a demonstration in front of the Egyptian embassy in Damascus. They carried Hezbollah and Palestinian flags and called on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing.
    They tried to attack the embassy, but Syrian security policemen prevented them.
    The demonstrators presented a document to the Egyptian ambassador asking him to deliver it to the Egyptian president calling for an end to the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and an opening of the Rafah crossing in order to help Arabic aid reach the strip's citizens.
    They also called on Arab leaders to hold a summit as soon as possible in order to find a way to end the aggression and stop the killing of civilians.
    Medical officials put Palestinian casualties since Saturday (December 27) at 348 dead with more than 800 wounded.
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