After decades in Damascus, American says he’ll never leave

DAMASCUS, Syria — Thomas Webber stoops to check his car for bombs every morning before heading out, but the 71-year-old American has no plans to leave Damascus, a city he has called home for more than four decades.

“Foreigners were being kidnapped at the time,” Webber says of the chaotic period four years ago.

At 6 feet 4 inches, he is a lot taller than most, and his silver hair and bespoke suits — complete with pocket squares — also make him stand out.

[...] the police officers at nearby checkpoints wave him on with a smile, and he stands by his decision to stay.

“The Syrian people are just the most beautiful people in the world,” he says.

Today he has three grown children, 11 grandchildren and a great grandchild living in various countries.