DAMASCUS, (SANA) - In commemoration of the martyrs on their Day, the most generous and noble of human beings who sacrificed themselves for the sake of preserving the homeland's pride and dignity, President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday visited the Martyr's Memorial at Mount Qassioun and laid a wreath on the martyrs' monument.

President al-Assad was received upon arrival at the memorial by Deputy General Commander of the Army and the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense, Gen. Dawood Rajiha and Chief of Staff, Gen. Fahd al-Freij.

The National Anthem was played, with President al-Assad reviewing the Guards of Honor as the artillery fired twenty-one rounds in tribute of the martyrs.

President al-Assad was presented by a daughter and a son of martyrs with two flower bouquets.

Then he shook hands with his vice-presidents Farouq al-Sharaa and Najah al-Attar, Assistant Regional General of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party Mohammad Saeed Bkheitan, People's Assembly Speaker Dr. Mahmoud al-Abrash, Prime Minister Dr. Adel Safar, Deputy Defense Minister, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff of the Palestinian Liberation Army.

Afterwards, President al-Assad and his companions headed to the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and laid a wreath of flowers on it. He read al-Fatiha for the repose of the soul of the Martyrs as the music of the 'Martyr' and 'Farewell' was playing.

The President later shook hands with a number of the al-Baath Party Regional Leadership members, ministers, governors, heads of a number of popular and vocational organizations and unions and senior officers of the General Command of the Army and the Armed Forces.

H. Said