07 May 2007

Damascus - The People's Assembly held on Monday the first session of the 9th legislative term, chaired by the eldest member Diab al-Mashi.

After being sworn in, the members elected Mohammad al-Abrash as Speaker of the Parliament.

In a speech following his election, al-Abrash stressed that the council will go ahead on the road of building the state and society, saying "The people's trust in their candidates will enforce the role of institutions and contribute to putting the society's energies into action to achieve prosperity and progress."

Al-Abrash also underlined the necessity of intensifying efforts to fulfill the needs and expectations of society and continue the process of development and modernization followed by Syria under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad. 

By H. Sabbagh, Mazen

© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2007