Al Arabiya’s Syrian Anchor Resigns For Support Syrian President

Al Arabiya’s Syrian anchor has resigned from the Saudi-owned satellite television channel in a show of support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Zina Yazji, the anchor of the weekly political program Tahta Al-Daw (Under the Light) on Al Arabiya, resigned Last Sunday after stressing her nationalistic stances and expressing solidarity with the Syrian people.

During one of Al Arabiya’s news programs, Yazji defended the March 29 rally in Damascus and said the historical demonstration had been held in support of al-Assad.

Confirming the news about her resignation which was announced by Al Arabiya, Yazji described Syria’s current situation as a “passing dark cloud” and said, “I am also present in the field of national battle.”

“The world saw that there is a consensus of opinion among Syrian people on one leader… there is no danger of tribalism in Syria.”

On March 29, hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets across the country to show support for Assad and stress the importance of preserving national unity and stability after the occurrence of scattered protest rallies and armed disturbances against the government.

Syrian authorities say they have arrested foreign elements believed to be behind the recent unrest in the country.

Assad has been the president of Syria for the past 11 years. He took office in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had led the country for three decades.