Wife of Syrian president promises "prosperity for all"
AFP
Date: 05-22-05
LONDON (AFP) - Asma Al-Assad, wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said that her husband wanted to "ensure there is prosperity for all people" in Syria -- regardless of gender.
She was speaking during a conference on gender equality being held in the Syrian capital of Damascus over the weekend.
"I know the man behind the presidency," Asma Al-Assad told British television news network Sky News, in reference to the man she married in December 2000.
"I know the husband that he is to me and more importantly, I know he is a man who cares and wants to push Syria forward and ensure there is prosperity for all people," she said in her first-ever interview with western television.
She was "absolutely" persuaded by Syria's progress so far on the issue of equality.
"You can seen it on the streets, walking in the souks, going into the restaurants, talking to people, progress is being made.
"What is important is that this progress continue and that we are able to capitalise on the growth that we have had in the past five years to be able to catapult ourselves even further," added 29-year-old Assad.
The Syrian first lady and mother-of-three -- who was educated in London and attended King's College university in the British capital -- said she hoped that more women would reach their "full potential" in the future.
"I hope to see one day a world where women can reach their full potential and have an equal place in the world of work, in the world of business (and) in the world of politics.
"It's only then I think that we will be able to reach a world that is more human," she added.
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