Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Managua, SANA- On behalf of President Bashar al-Assad and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh, Permanent Representative to the UN and non-resident Ambassador to Nicaragua, congratulated Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega on his re-election for a new presidential term.
That came during the inauguration ceremony of President Ortega and the constitutional oath, which was held on Monday at the National Assembly Square (Parliament) in the capital, Managua with a popular local and international participation.
The ceremony was also attended by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, the Iranian Vice President, the Special Envoy of the Chinese President and representatives of presidents and governments of other countries.
Ambassador Sabbagh conveyed to President Ortega President al-Assad’s greetings and best wishes for success, and his full solidarity with the friendly people of Nicaragua to achieve more progress and prosperity.
For his part, President Ortega conveyed to Ambassador Sabbagh his greetings and thanks to President al-Assad, hailing the steadfastness of the Syrian people, who defended their country’s sovereignty and independence. 
In his speech after taking the constitutional oath, President Ortega affirmed that his government will work on improving the living conditions of the Nicaraguan people and would work on boosting relations with other countries.
He affirmed that the sanctions imposed by the US will not change the approach and policy of his country.
On the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Sabbagh met with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, Denis Moncada as the two sides discussed the bilateral relations between both countries and means to develop and strengthen them in various domains, including the ways of benefiting from the expertise of both countries in overcoming all challenges facing them.
Minister Moncada, for his part, appreciated Syria’s solidarity with Nicaragua and its participation in this important event, and he affirmed his pride in the friendly relations between the two countries and their peoples, and his aspiration to enhance prospects of cooperation between them in a way that would serve their common interests.
He stressed that as Syria has achieved victory in the military field and in combating terrorism, it will face the unilateral coercive economic measures imposed by the US and the European Union (EU).
Rafah al-Allouni/ Ruaa al-Jazaeri
