Asaad Hardan assumes SSNP's reins

BEIRUT: The Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party (SSNP) formally announced Thursday the appointment of Asaad Hardan as the party's new president, who is replacing Ali Qanso. The announcement took place at a news conference held at SSNP's Martyr Khalid Alwan Hall in Hamra. The conference began with a moment of silence for the martyrs of the party, followed by opening comments from Qanso, who congratulated Hardan on his appointment and expressed his confidence in the new president. Qanso also expressed dismay toward certain critics who, he said "read Asaad Hardan's assuming the presidency as a declaration of war." "Don't they understand that the Syrian National Socialist Party is a party of peace?" he asked, adding: "The party's continuing war is against the Zionist enemy [Israel], and we have no other enemies." Hardan emphasized... [read full story]