Bashar Al-Assad Posts Letter of Support from Virginia State Senator

A letter from Virginia state Sen. Richard Black praising Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was posted to the Syrian president’s Facebook page.

Black (R-Loudoun County) confirmed sending the letter in a phone call with The Post’s Laura Vozzella, The Washington Post reported.

“I write to thank the Syrian Arab Army for its heroic rescue of Christians in the Qalamoun Mountain Range,” the letter begins.

Black praises the Syrian army’s efforts against the forces that have been challenging Assad’s power for several years, which the letter claims are “dominated by our arch-enemy Al Qaeda.”
“By protecting Christians in the country, Assad has followed the practice of (his) father by treating with respect all Christians and the small community of Jews in Damascus.” Black provided The Post with a copy of the letter he sent.
“If we were to topple President Assad, then Syria would be taken over by al-Qaeda’s allies,” Black said.
“I don’t need to debate anyone over whether he’s a great man or not, but to me, the decision is a very clear decision between al-Qaeda and President Assad.”
“Whatever a person’s view is of President Assad, he certainly has never exhibited the savagery of these jihadist groups fighting against him.”
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. Damascus says the West and its regional allies have been fuelling the unrest by providing militants with money and weapons.