Syria’s President Assad Declares ‘Victory’—With a Trade Fair
- Iran, Russia among 23 nations to directly participate
- Event is a show of confidence and business as usual by Assad
Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis.
Photographer: Sergey Mamontov/Sputnik via APThis article is for subscribers only.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies are using the nation’s first international trade fair in five years to claim victory over countries that have sought to topple him since civil war erupted in 2011.
The flags of 23 nations participating directly, and 20 others represented by companies, lined the entrance to the exhibition in the capital Damascus ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Imad Khamis later on Thursday. Iran and Russia -- which have stood by Assad throughout the conflict -- as well as China top the list of attendees. State-run news agency SANA said firms from France, Germany and the U.K. would be represented through agents.