Syrian Leader Makes Rare Visit to Damascus Church Near Front Line

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended Christmas choir preparations in an ancient church close to a front-line area in the capital Damascus where his army is engaged in heavy fighting with rebels, state media said on Saturday. State television showed footage of Assad and his wife, Asma, making the visit overnight to the Notre Dame de Damas Church, where he was shown chatting to the choir. He took a seat near the altar and listened to a recital of Christmas poems in the main cathedral...

© La Voix de l'Amérique - samedi 19 décembre 2015