Syria's Assad warns against growing religious radicalism

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday that the Syrian society will not tolerate the radical religious mentality, warning that of the impact of the growing extremism on the region's country, according to the official SANA news agency. Assad said that the Syrian society will never accept the radical mentality, adding that this dangerous mentality does not only threaten Syria but also all of the region's countries. Speaking during a meeting with a visiting delegation of the Anglican Church comprising clergymen from the U.S., Sweden, Switzerland, Lebanon and Syria, Assad said that one of the main problems regarding the western is that most of their leaders are far from comprehending the reality and nature of the region and the interests of its peoples. He stressed that the majority of the western leaders are working to achieve their "narrow interests" which are far from the interests of their peoples and countries, said SANA. For their part, members of the delegation expressed their solidarity with Syria and rejection of any foreign intervention in the Syrian affairs, hoping that peace and security will prevail again in this country, which represents a model for cultural and religious variety, according to SANA. The Syrian government has repeatedly warned of the danger of the growing terrorism not only on itself but on regional and international countries alike. The country's long-standing conflict has attracted thousands of foreign jihadists, including European ones, to fight alongside the rebels in Syria to topple the Assad administration.