Assad’s UK-born wife ‘defends’ husband, Syria crackdown for first time since uprising

Damascus -  The British-born wife of Syrian President Bashar al Assad has spoken for the first time since the country’s uprising began last March, and has offered full support to her husband as his forces continue their crackdown on pro-democracy protestors.

Asma Assad, 36, is also believed to have said in a letter that she was encouraging dialogue over the crisis gripping Syria, and that she was comforting the bereaved.

In an email sent to The Times, Asma, wrote that her husband “is the President of Syria, not a faction of Syrians, and the First Lady supports him in that role,” The Telegraph reports.

“The First Lady's very busy agenda is still focused on supporting the various charities she has long been involved with and rural development as well as supporting the President as needed,” the email is said to have continued.

“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,” it added.

The email is believed to Asma’s first communication with the international media in 11 months.

Last month she appeared with two of her children to support her husband as he spoke at a pro-regime rally, but did not speak herself.

In January, reports emerged that Asma and her children were stopped by rebel forces trying to flee the country with the help of the nation’s security forces.

Rebel forces claimed that Asma, a graduate of King’s College, London, and her children were in a convoy which was also carrying Assad’s mother and cousin.