Jdeidet Yabous,(SANA)- The Syrian – Lebanese border point of Jedeidet Yabous before noon today was the scene of a massive official and popular welcoming the return of 114 bodies of Syrian and Arab martyrs in the framework of the swap which was made between the Lebanese resistance and Israel last week.

The bodies were received by Minister of State for Red Crescent Affairs, Bashar alShaar, and Director General of Red Crescent Organization, Marwan Abdullah from representatives of the Lebanese Civil Defense and Hizbullah.

The return of the bodies came in the framework of Radwan Operation for prisoners swap between Hizbullah and Israel last Wednesday and Thursday, and included the return of five Lebanese captives including Samir Kintar who was jailed for 30 years in the Israeli prisons.

The bodies included the remains of 37 Syrians, 64 Palestinians , 8 Tunisians, 3 Libyans and one Iraqi in addition to a Nigerian.

Member of the Regional Leadership of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party Dr. Yasser Hourieh said in a speech during the ceremony that the great victory achieved by the national resistance in Palestine and Lebanon had shaken the very essence of the enemy which was forced to succumb to the demands of the resistance and released the bodies of the pure martyrs.

Dr. Hourieh added that the issue of liberating the Israeli-occupied Arab territories in Syria, Palestine and Lebanon is an Arab responsibility.

He stressed that Syria under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad has always stood side by side with the national resistance and supported it, and therefore Syria is a partner in this victory.

Dr. Hourieh said that the latest positive developments in the region are the fruits of victory achieved by Syria and the national resistance in Lebanon and Palestine, a fact that makes us confident that the option of resistance is the way for establishing the just and comprehensive peace in the region and the return of all Arab rights.

For his part, Head of the Political Council of Hezbullah Ibrahim Amin al-Sayyed stressed the role of Syria's leadership and people in supporting and strengthening the resistance.

He added that "Palestine martyrs are flags of victory for Syria's steadfastness which we came to with our blood as this blood knows no restrictions or borders."

Talal Naji, Assistant Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- General Command said the victory of the Lebanese resistance in Lebanon in July 2006 is not only a victory against Israel but also a victory against all those who support it, foremost of which is the USA.

He added that Syria under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad insisted on receiving the martyrs on her soil and in the hearts of her masses in all the Syrian governorates.

Thousand of Syrians and family members and relatives of the martyrs converged on Jdeidet Yabous to receive the bodies.

Also at Omayyad Square Syrian masses gathered to take part in the reception of the martyrs as the band played the hymn of martyrs before the procession proceed to the headquarters of the Syrian Red Crescent in Harasta, near Damascus.

The Arab bodied will be flown to their countries tomorrow.

A.N.Idelbi /  Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA