STORY: Syrian antiquities chief gratified to see museum safe from political turmoil
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 8, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 9, 2025
LENGTH: 0:01:33
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of National Museum
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of Syria's General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums
3. various of cultural relics in the National Museum

STORYLINE:

Mohammed Nazeer Awad, head of Syria's General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums, highlighted during an interview with Xinhua in Damascus on Wednesday the survival of key collections in Damascus during a period of uncertainty that followed the downfall of the previous leadership in December.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of Syria's General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums
"There has been talk of starting a new phase to restore the splendor of Syrian archaeological heritage and to return Syria to the international stage befitting this country, so rich in archaeological and cultural heritage and a unifying identity for all Syrians."

Awad said the museum remained safe during the period of political turmoil despite its doors getting hit by gunfire from gangs who took advantage of the chaos to carry out acts of sabotage and arson.

However, no one managed to enter the museum, he said.

The antiquities authorities were able to coordinate with the new authorities, which, he said, sent a group of young people to protect the museum.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)