Assad underscores importance of knowing truth in Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad underscored Monday the importance of a "direct access" to what is really happening in Syria in light of the ongoing "media distortion," according to the official SANA news agency. Al-Assad made his remarks during a meeting held Monday with Jacob Kellenberger, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who is on a two-day visit to Syria for talks on issues including caring for the sick and wounded in the alleged government's crackdown on protesters. Al-Assad welcomed the assessment mission of the ICRC "as long as it is independent and works objectively away from politicization." For his side, Kellenberger commended the "huge facilitation" introduced to the ICRC delegation by Syrian government, which has allowed the delegation to have access to several areas and cities in Syria, including detention centers. Kellenberger, who arrived in the capital of Damascus on Saturday, met also with Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Sunday, during which Moallem briefed him on the current situation in Syria and "the armed groups' practices of destruction, sabotage, killing and intimidation of the citizens," according to SANA. He expressed relief over the measures taken by the Syrian leadership to shoulder its responsibilities in defending the lives of citizens. Kellenberger also voiced his appreciation of the humanitarian activities of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Organization which has played an effective role in providing the humanitarian needs for the citizens during the crisis, stressing the importance of the volunteers in making the organization's work successful. Syria has been in unrest since mid-March when anti-government protests broke out in the southern province of Daraa and spread to other cities. The Syrian authorities have been blaming the unrest on "armed groups and foreign conspiracy," and stressed that it would track down gunmen who have intimidated the people and damaged public and private properties.