Virginia lawmaker backs embattled Assad. Expresses thanks to Syrian leader for protecting Christians

 

As Syrians line up here at their embassy on a second day to vote for the next Syrian president, a Virginia state lawmaker is praising Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for “rescuing” Christians in his country and fighting jihadists affiliated with al-Qaida.

“I write to thank the Syrian Arab Army for its heroic rescue of Christians in the Qalamoun Mountain Range,” Virginia state Sen. Richard Black, R-Loudon, wrote in a letter to Assad. “I am especially grateful for the spectacular victory in Yabroud.”

Black’s two-page letter was posted on Assad’s official Facebook page.

Black is a former military lawyer with a background in Middle East matter.