Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met a delegation of Lebanese parties.

Among other issues, the President dwelled on Syria’s national minorities, hailing the loyalty of local Armenians who are not leaving the country amid current crisis.

“Armenian community succeeded in establishing firm ties with the society of which it has become an integral part,” Assad noted.

“Back in the Lebanon civil war years, Armenians didn’t leave the country, like they’re not leaving Syria at present,” he said, according to As-Safire.