Speaking in the Damascus suburb of Darayya, where Syrian government forces recently regained control, President Bashar Al-Assad said: "We are happy, first and foremost, because Darayya is back in the arms of the homeland, but also because you [the West] are sad and vanquished." He continued: "When you conspire against Syria every hour of every day, and then you reach the point of defeat, this means that things are on the right track." Footage from his visit to Darayya was posted on the Syrian Presidency's YouTube channel on September 12.

Bashar Al-Assad: "The Syrian state is adamant on regaining each and every area from the terrorists, on restoring security, on repairing the infrastructure, and on rebuilding everything that has been destroyed, in the full human and material sense. We have come here today to substitute the false freedom - which they tried to peddle at the beginning of the crisis, including here in Darayya - with true freedom, which begins with the restoration of security and safety, will continue with reconstruction, and will culminate with independent national decision-making.

"This is not the kind of freedom that begins [at the rebel] side, and ends with a fistful of dollars, which are given to them at the beginning of every month and every terror season, or freedom that includes some promises for positions in the new Syria in the Western sense - an enslaved and obedient Syria."

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"Some people were upset that Darayya is back in the arms of the homeland, and they issued official statements. I'm referring to Western officials. We say to them: You are sad and vanquished, but we are happy. We are happy, first and foremost, because Darayya is back in the arms of the homeland, but also because you are sad and vanquished. It's not that we are hateful or are gloating. We are not that kind of people, but when you conspire against Syria every hour of every day, and then you reach the point of defeat, this means that things are on the right track."