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Last update - 02:09 20/01/2008 Assad: Damascus is the capital of culture and resistance By The Associated Press Tags: UNESCO, Damascus  Syrian President Bashar Assad marked UNESCO's choice of Damascus as the 2008 Capital of Arab Culture by describing the city as a center of culture as well as resistance. In a celebration attended by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani and Arab League Chief Amr Moussa, Assad h Advertisement ailed the ancient city's historical role as a cultural center while asserting its steadfastness against all enemies. "Damascus is the capital of resistance culture by symbolizing Arab culture - the culture of freedom and defending freedom," Assad said. UNESCO's Cultural Capitals Program, which in the Arab world began in 1998, aims to promote the cultural aspects of development and increased international cooperation, according to the organization. "Damascus is proud of its Damascene flowers and the way it sprinkles its visitors with jasmine perfume and quenches their thirst with its fresh springs, but Damascus also wields an eponymous sword against the avaricious ones who would harm it," he said. The Syrian president also said the tradition of Damascus was to strive for peace, but with dignity and pride. Moussa, for his part, said in his speech that Damascus will lead a dialogue among civilizations at time Arab and Islamic culture faces unprecedented challenges. The year-long festival has provided impetus to freshen up Damascus, one of oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and the city has turned into a big workshop as its medieval buildings are renovated and streets repaired. Activities to mark the occasion will include conferences, symposiums, concerts, plays, dance performances, and movies to be held across the country. Festivities began last week with a public carnival in Damascus' old city's central square featuring acrobats and a light show, as well as a fireworks from the mountain overlooking the city Bookmark to del.icio.us   Dear Mr. Olmert An American yeshiva student asks Olmert to heed secular Israelis on J'lem's fate. Work stoppage Olmert totally freezes new building in all West Bank settlements.   1.   Don`t Let This Award Get To Your Head Assad ... 03:23  |  Lavi 20/01/08   2.   LOL Sure: Just ask the Syrians killed in Homa circa 1982 03:27  |  Craig 20/01/08   3.   That would make..... 04:04  |  M.O. 20/01/08   4.   the culture of freedom and defending freedom, 05:33  |  Ariel 20/01/08   5.   Capital of Fasism and Oppression. Period. 07:13  |  Stash 20/01/08   6.   MO 08:01  |  Brad 20/01/08   7.   UNESCO 08:01  |  John 20/01/08   8.   The Crap Detector Was Off The Scale!!!! 09:48  |  B`Galil 20/01/08   9.   BRAD 10:09  |  M.O. 20/01/08   10.   Mo #6 11:07  |  gunther 20/01/08   11.   # 9 Right-wing proponents 11:21  |  Kris 20/01/08   12.   culture and resistance: the terrible twins 11:34  |  Iz Ray Leigh 20/01/08   13.   20 or 30t yrs ago there were no russians 00:54  |  bozhidar balkas 21/01/08   14.   Culture and freedom in Syria 01:25  |  Joe 25/01/08

Today Online High Court of Justice to hold urgent hearing on Gaza blockade Responses: 376 Gaza source: Hamas planned border wall blast for months Responses: 173 Canada to skip UN racism meet due to 'anti-Semitism' Responses: 193 PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements Responses: 75 Rami Livni: Bi-national state would only perpetuate suffering Responses: 51 Rosner's Domain Ambassador vs. Ambassador: Is Obama good for Israel? McCain's letter on Gaza: Israel has the right to defend itself (WTR) Poll: How important is Israel in the 2008 election? Domain's Guest: "all Jews are responsible for one another" Factor: Clinton and McCain, head to head More Headlines 01:25 Policeman killed, 4 hurt in two W. Bank terror attacks 23:20 Israel boosts security on Egypt border, issues Sinai travel warning 22:45 Olmert, Abbas set to meet in Jerusalem, discuss Gaza crisis Sunday 23:59 Israeli mission in N.Y. displays 4,200 balloons for each Qassam 20:32 Livni: Sanctions can bring an end to Iranian nuclear program 19:35 Yad Vashem launches Arabic Web site to combat Holocaust denial 00:06 Ambassador vs. Ambassador: Is Obama good for Israel? 23:22 Israeli, Palestinian leaders mull peace prospects at Davos 18:51 PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements 20:50 Olmert: I didn't tell Vice Premier Ramon to praise my decisions 16:46 Arab League chief: Israeli policy is destroying peace process 15:41 Egypt rejects idea of Israel waiving responsibility for Gaza 18:28 Gaza overlooked by U.S. voters; economy dominates race Previous Editions Select Day 24 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan

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