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On Instagram, business as usual for Syrian first lady

(Left) Congratulations to Mohamad Ghamaa from Damascus for scoring the highest mark in the Scientific National Baccalaureate 2013. (Right) Congratulations to Walaa Azi from Hassakeh for scoring the highest mark in the Business National Baccalaureate 2013.
(Left) Congratulations to Mohamad Ghamaa from Damascus for scoring the highest mark in the Scientific National Baccalaureate 2013. (Right) Congratulations to Walaa Azi from Hassakeh for scoring the highest mark in the Business National Baccalaureate 2013.syrianpresidency via Instagram

By Robert Hood, Photo Editor, NBC News

Even as U.S. lawmakers debate the potential use of force against her country's military,  Asma al-Assad continues her ceremonial duties as Syria’s first lady. On Wednesday, the @syrianpresidency Instagram feed resumed posts of her for the first time since the apparent chemical attacks of Aug. 21.

NBC News first reported on Assad’s Instagram activities back in July. The U.S. State Department characterized the feed as “nothing more than a despicable PR stunt.” That appears to have fallen on deaf ears. The Syrian government continues to utilize the visual social networking site to show the lighter side of the regime’s activities.

Editor's note: Captions written as they appeared on Instagram.