Beirut: Minister of National Defense, General Michel Menassa, on Tuesday sent two condolence cables, one to His Beatitude John X Yazigi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and the other to Syrian Minister of Defense Dr. Merhaf Abu Qusra, strongly condemning the 'cowardly terrorist bombing' that targeted the Prophet Elijah Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, resulting in numerous civilian casualties among worshippers.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Menassa described the attack as a 'heinous crime against Syria and its unity,' emphasizing that it does not reflect the deep-rooted values of the Syrian people, which are founded on coexistence and love.
The Defense Minister expressed full solidarity with the families of the victims, offered prayers for the souls of the martyrs and for the recovery of the wounded, and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable and for all efforts to be made to prevent strife and chaos.