Syria / Sheikh Zayed Village / Foundation Stone Laying. Damascus, May 25 /WAM/ The foundation stone was laid today in Syria for the 'Sheikh Zayed Model Village' project, in the presence of His Excellency Mohammad Nehad Mashantat, Syrian Minister of Housing and Reconstruction, and Mr. Hamad Mohammed Hamid Al Junaibi, Chargé d'Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Damascus.

On this occasion, the Syrian Minister of Housing and Reconstruction expressed his great pleasure at naming the project after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as a tribute to the great late leader and out of love, appreciation, and respect from the Syrian people for him.

For his part, Hamad Al Junaibi affirmed in a statement to the Emirates News Agency that this day represents a day of tribute by the Syrian people to the late Sheikh Zayed, whose benevolent hands extended beyond his country to reach all parts of the world.

Al Junaibi praised the level of relations between the two countries, calling on UAE investors to enter the Syrian market, which he described as poised for major steps in the investment sector, especially real estate.

The village project is divided into two independent sections: the first consists of about 300 villas with public facilities, a services complex, and a public park; the second consists of about 150 villas with public facilities.

For his part, Mohamed Subhi Al Awa, head of the cooperative housing association to which the project belongs, said, 'This model village will be adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Street, which was constructed in Damascus at the personal expense of the late leader...'

Stressing that naming the project after Sheikh Zayed is a result of the Syrians' love and appreciation for the great late leader and for the brotherly Emirati people.

It is worth noting that the subscription period for the project has been closed after all the villa plots were fully booked.

وام / دق / مص/ ع او 24 20