Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he will visit Syria soon to celebrate, with the Syrian people and leadership, the peace and stability Syria was able to reach after facing terrorism throughout the past few years.

While awarding the Order of Merit to Syria's Ambassador in Caracas, Khalil Bitar, on the occasion of the end of his duties, Maduro said “Awarding the Order of Merit to Ambassador Bitar reflects the common friendship and mutual admiration between the peoples of Venezuela and Syria...who aspire for peace, common prosperity and economic growth."

Maduro expressed his admiration for the history of Syria and the heroism of its people, lauding the courage of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad who led a historic battle against terrorism, US sanctions, and foreign conspiracies thanks to the help of his allies like Russia, China, Iran, other anti-imperialist peoples, and the support moral and spiritual support of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan President called for respect for Syria's right to reconstruction and prosperity, stressing that it is the cradle of cultures. He also suggested holding an economic and investment exhibition in Damascus for all Venezuelan businessmen and Venezuela's Syrian diaspora to stress his country's readiness to aid in reconstruction, tasking the Foreign Affairs Minister with preparing for it and inviting businessmen.

For his part, ambassador Bitar thanked the Venezuelan government and President Maduro for awarding him the highest honor that can be given to non-Venezuelans.

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