Sweida, southern Syria (SANA)-Based on her keenness on supporting education and right of learning for all the citizens, Mrs. Asma al-Assad took part in a celebration held in the Syrian southern governorate of Swieda marking its announcement as a governorate free of illiteracy.

The Tuesday night celebration, held under the motto "Sweida 2008 without Illiteracy…The Strongest Rock in the Syrian Invincible Castle / Basalt, Oak and Culture", put the governorate in the second rank after Quneitra in the field of eliminating illiteracy, as part of efforts to free all other governorates from illiteracy and its negative effects on the individuals and the society.

Mrs. Asma arrived in the Governorate to a warm, heartfelt welcome by the population. She honored the pioneers of those who graduated from illiteracy elimination classes along with directors of government departments who helped eliminate illiteracy from the Governorate.

Marking this occasion, Mrs. Asma unveiled the monument which was built to commemorate this event in the Governorate Main Square. She also toured the handcraft exhibition which displayed art crafts made by those who graduated from illiteracy elimination courses.

One of the participants, Mrs. Wazna Fahd, said the presence of Mrs. Asma al-Assad among them is a great honoring in itself, adding that Honoring Certificates distributed to them by Mrs. Asma would serve as a momentum for more progress in education and learning.

The celebration reflects the highest level of interest given to the issue of eliminating illiteracy as finishing off illiteracy is a main condition for the sound investment of human resources and using individual capacities for a successful national development.

This honoring is part and parcel of Mrs. Asma al-Assad's interest in the citizens' dignity and the prosperity of the nation.

Ahmad Fathi ZAHR