Damascus: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Saturday emphasized the church's critical role in fostering citizenship and unity, as well as preserving civil peace. The statement was made during a meeting with John X Yazigi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox Church, at the People's Palace in Damascus. According to Anadolu Agency, the presidency shared on the social media platform X that both parties highlighted the church's importance in consolidating and enhancing the bonds of citizenship and national unity. They also discussed the church's contribution to maintaining civil peace and laying down strong foundations of understanding and fraternity among citizens of the same nation. This meeting took place shortly after the Syrian Interior Ministry announced it had thwarted a 'terrorist' plot by groups associated with the former regime of Bashar al-Assad, which targeted St. Elias Church in the province of Tartus. Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, m arking an end to the Baath Party's rule since 1963. Following his departure, a new transitional administration under Sharaa's leadership was established in January.