Assad Calls Iranian Attack on Israel "Strong" and a "Lesson"
October 5, 2024, 3:21 pm

بشار الأسد

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday that the Iranian attack on Israel was "strong" and taught it a "lesson," referring to Tehran's firing of nearly 200 missiles at the state of Israel in response to the assassination of the head of Hamas' political bureau Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.

During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Damascus, Assad stated that "the Iranian response to what the Israeli entity has done in terms of repeated violations and attacks on the peoples of the region and the sovereignty of their countries was a strong response, giving a lesson that the axis of resistance is capable of deterring the enemy" and that it "will remain strong and steadfast."

Araghchi met with Assad and his Syrian counterpart Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus on Saturday. He arrived in the Syrian capital on the heels of a visit to Beirut.

Upon arriving in Syria, he emphasized the importance of reaching a simultaneous ceasefire in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Araghchi told reporters, "The most important issue today is a ceasefire, particularly in Lebanon and Gaza," adding, "There are initiatives in this regard, and there have been consultations that we hope will be successful."

This is Araghchi’s first visit to Damascus since taking office and comes amid a significant escalation between Iran and the groups it supports on one side and Israel on the other.

He stated, "Our bilateral cooperation is a subject of very wide-ranging discussion. We have good relations with Syria in various economic, political, and cultural fields, so it is natural to review them."

He continued, "We are trying to remove existing obstacles and find new areas of cooperation and continue relations in a way that is better than in the past."

In recent months, Syrian analysts hosted by local media have spoken about "differences in viewpoints" between Iran and Syria on several issues, particularly the limited support from Tehran to Damascus in the economic and energy sectors amid the country's chronic economic crisis.

According to analysts, the divergence in viewpoints also extends to Iran's military presence following reports of its reduction of forces under the pressure of Israeli airstrikes that targeted its positions and Iranian leaders since the start of the war on Gaza.

Syrian Regime Ends Conscription for Certain Officers and Personnel Russian Leadership Informs Syrian Government of Its Intention Not to Intervene in Any New Conflict

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.