Millions of Syrians wake up early today and started their day with casting their votes in the ballot boxes distributed all over the country, except some parts occupied by terrorists and uninvited occupiers.

Today's voting is considered by the Syrians as their duty to elect and choose their best representatives to the local councils in their villages, towns and cities.

Personally, I have had the opportunity as a journalist to witness and report about local administrations and councils elections in Europe. In fact, the Syrians crowded participations since the early hours surpassed by all accounts all other forms of democracy voting.

Voting polls for Local Administration elections were opened all over Syria at 7 o'clock Sunday morning.

More than 40 thousand candidates compete for 18478 seats.

6551 election centers are distributed in Syria's 14 governorates which have 88 elections centers, according to the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment.

Elections are to be closed at 7 pm today and can be extended for 5 hours if needed and according to the Higher Committee of Elections.

Damascus has been glittering; it is the opening of its 60th fair. Darkness and backwardness of terrorism and all al-Qaeda affiliates and supporters were defeated, cleansed and liquidated. Thanks to the great sacrifices of the martyrs, wounded of ou hero Army, our brothers' and allies heroism.

For the entire world's sake, our great heroes withstood and defended all humanity against inhumanity, all life against slaughter and death, and all freedom against submission and new colonial greed. Damascus glittering and light is but the smile of every light and humanity for the rising dawn of a better today and the best of the best times of sovereignty, dignity, peace and honour.

The independent, sovereign and integrated Syrian Arab Republic is celebrating its fair of cooperation, fraternity and prosperity. It is Syria's call for rebuilding, construction, trade, commerce, finance exchanges in the interest of all in the global village of today.

It is Adha Eid; so what! The Syrians are still prohibited from performing pilgrimage by the most dark and oppressive  once-by-British imposed Wahabbi monarchy. It is Adha and most of us are only honoured to make pilgrimage to the tombs and shrines of our beloved hero martyrs.

We, apart from the human and economic difficult conditions caused not only by terrorists but by unjust inhuman sanctions, are indeed blessed by the sacred pilgrimage to the sanctities our martyrs whose staunch and brave fight against the foreign-backed terrorism, which has been created, financed, armed by the old and new colonialists, occupiers, and Wahabbi satellite sheikhdom of fratricide, genocide, ignorance and shame.

The brothers-in arms- from Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and from every place where the fight is only legitimate and defensive against terrorism, oppression and aggression are indeed present here with us along with their beloved and are celebrating Adha joyfully! Thanks to their sacred sacrifices, to the sacred blood and heroism of our heroes, the defeat of the internationally backed terrorism is indeed the Eid!

President Bashar Al-Assad, the Commander in Chief of the Army and Armed Force has stressed that Syria is facing a terrorist takfiri enemy, which is matchless in treachery and hatred  and which is backed by regional and international parties that have been for years aiming to dominate the entire region.

In a statement marking the Syrian Arab Army's 72nd Foundation Anniversary, President Al-Assad said that "thanks to the army's heroic deeds, the blood of our martyrs and the cohesion of our people we managed to keep steadfast and achieve many gains."

 President Al-Assad saluted the army on their day and expressed pride in their heroic acts and sacrifices in defense of the homeland's sovereignty and independence. He also saluted the families of the army personnel and the wounded soldiers and asked God to bless the souls of the martyrs.

"We are still facing a terrorist takfiri enemy which is matchless in treachery and hatred and which is supported by several regional and international parties that have been for years aiming to dominate the entire region," President Al-Assad said.

Every national occasion has its own niche in the peoples memory and the more sublime it is, the more glory and power it has over the passage of time. On the occasion of the 73^rd  Anniversary of Syrian Arab Army Day, August 1, 2018, the Syria Times On-line has the pleasure to publish some of  the Words delivered by the Late President Hafez AL-Assad on this occasion:

 Dear brothers and sons, 

Officers, NCO`s 

Every national occasion has its own niche in the peoples memory and the more sublime it is, the more glory and power it has over the passage of time. 

The occasion we yearly celebrate on August the first, namely the foundation of the Syrian Arab Army is one of the national occasions we take pride in owing to its prominence and relevance to the national struggle of our people. The formation of our army was the bedrock of our victory achieved by independence and the evacuation of colonialism from our homeland. with such formidable army, I would say that our people should rest assured that we have a national power capable of guarding the border and preserving independence.