The British-born wife of Syria's president has spoken for the first time since the country’s uprising began last March.
In a carefully worded email, Asma Assad appears to offer full support to her husband Bashar as his security forces try to crush the opposition.
'The President is the President of Syria, not a faction of Syrians, and the First Lady supports him in that role,' she told The Times.
'These days she is equally involved in bridging gaps and encouraging dialogue. She listens to and comforts the families of the victims of the violence.'
Mrs Assad, 36, approved the text following a critical article in the newspaper last week.
It had asked what an educated woman, raised in liberal Britain and with a long record of good works, must think of the slaughter, torture and imprisonment of thousands.
But her statement that she was comforting the bereaved was greeted with anger by Syrian experts and opposition activists.
They said she had an 'ostrich attitude' and was delusional.
She's listening to the victims of violence whilst her husband celebrates the birthday of Muhammed and orders the bombing of Homs and kills hundreds of his own people.
Well done Emma! Keep up the good work!
