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Asma al-Assad's Mother's Day speech hints at amnesty for Syrian rebels Asma al-Assad praises Syria's mothers in TV appearance
(40 minutes later)
Asma al-Assad stayed well clear of politics and chose a simple grey tunic, trousers and polo-neck sweater for her Mother's Day appearance with families of the martyrs of Syria's year of violence.Asma al-Assad stayed well clear of politics and chose a simple grey tunic, trousers and polo-neck sweater for her Mother's Day appearance with families of the martyrs of Syria's year of violence.
The clip, broadcast by Syrian state TV, shows the first lady speaking on Wednesday to a small group of people, many of them mothers with small children, in an official building in Damascus. It identified them as "victims of terrorism". The clip, broadcast by Syrian state TV, shows the first lady speaking on Wednesday to a small group of people, many of them mothers with children, in an official building in Damascus. It identified them as "victims of terrorism".
Referring only to the "difficult conditions" the country is passing through, Assad maintained a philosophical tone around the theme of the role of the mother in the Syrian family and society. "If the father goes the foundation of the home is lost, but if the mother goes the heart of the home is lost with her," she said.Referring only to the "difficult conditions" the country is passing through, Assad maintained a philosophical tone around the theme of the role of the mother in the Syrian family and society. "If the father goes the foundation of the home is lost, but if the mother goes the heart of the home is lost with her," she said.
Assad made no mention of her husband but in a hint at a possible future amnesty for rebels by the state, she said: "The mother loves her children and does not distinguish between them, and even if they have made mistakes, she still loves all of them." Assad made no mention of her husband but hinting at a possible future amnesty for rebels by the state, she said: "The mother loves her children and does not distinguish between them, and even if they have made mistakes, she still loves all of them."
The film shows women gazing emotionally at the president's wife as she speaks and then circulates, talking to the guests while children draw pictures and paint their faces with the colours of the Syrian flag. "When a mother is lost the meaning of life goes and we feel that our souls will break. Nothing can compensate us. We will look for anything to fill the vacuum." The film shows women gazing emotionally at the president's wife as she speaks and then circulates, talking to guests while children draw pictures and paint their faces with the colours of the Syrian flag. "When a mother is lost the meaning of life goes and we feel that our souls will break. Nothing can compensate us,"
Speaking in informal Syrian dialect, Assad urged the audience to "preserve the love which our mothers put inside us and spread it all over the country".Speaking in informal Syrian dialect, Assad urged the audience to "preserve the love which our mothers put inside us and spread it all over the country".
The carefully edited clip ends with a song by the popular Lebanese performer Fairouz and Assad's fervent wish: "May god protect Syria and all its people."The carefully edited clip ends with a song by the popular Lebanese performer Fairouz and Assad's fervent wish: "May god protect Syria and all its people."
Syrian opposition sources said the film gave a rare glimpse of the president's wife performing her official duties and appeared designed to bolster her image after embarrassing revelations in leaked emails published by the Guardian last week. "They want her to look strong and passionate and emotional," one activist said. "It's classic propaganda."Syrian opposition sources said the film gave a rare glimpse of the president's wife performing her official duties and appeared designed to bolster her image after embarrassing revelations in leaked emails published by the Guardian last week. "They want her to look strong and passionate and emotional," one activist said. "It's classic propaganda."