Assad stresses the economy as fourth term as Syrian president begins

CGTN

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was sworn in on Saturday for a fourth seven-year term, emphasizing the importance of production, investment, and anti-corruption given the tough economic situation in the country.

Speaking during his inauguration ceremony, Assad said the focus of the next phase will be on increasing production, which is the key to improving livelihood amid the tough economic hardship in Syria.

Saturday's ceremony was held at the presidential palace and attended by clergymen, members of parliament, political figures and army officers.

The 55-year-old Syrian leader garnered 95.1 percent of votes in the recent presidential election. About 14 million of an estimated 18 million eligible voters inside and outside Syria cast their votes, with a turnout rate of over 78 percent.

Currently, 3,000 production factories are being built in Syria, according to the Syrian president.

The sanctions and siege could not entirely close the doors of investment, especially in the field of "profitable" renewable energy, Assad noted.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad swears the presidential oath for a fourth term, in Damascus, Syria, in this handout released by SANA on July 17, 2021. /Reuters

The reason for investing in renewable energy is to resolve the electricity problem, "which is a priority for all because of its vitality not just to our daily life but to different investments," he explained.

The Syrian leader also vowed to expand the fighting against corruption using new means to expose the corrupted.

The United Nations estimates that more than 80 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line. The Syrian currency is in a free fall and basic services and resources have become scarce or are offered at exorbitant parallel market prices.

On July 17, 2000, Assad succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad as the Syrian president. Under the current Syrian constitution adopted in 2012, the president of Syria has the right to run for office twice, which means this would be Assad's last term in office.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the Syrian crisis. Over the past decade, Syria has suffered from external intervention, imposition of terrorism, blockades and sanctions. The country's development has come to a near standstill, millions of people have been displaced, and a large number of farmland and houses destroyed.