Clinton: Russia's inaction over Syria keeps Assad in powerApril 11, 2012 - 16:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's inaction over the crisis in Syria is keeping President Bashar al-Assad in power, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, according to RIA Novosti. Russia's "refusal to join us in some kind of constructive action is keeping Assad in power, well-armed, able to ignore the demands of his own people, the region and the world," Clinton said at the U.S. Naval Academy on Tuesday, April 11 She said the U.S. would again try to persuade Russia to support UN action that would at least allow humanitarian aid when G8 foreign ministers meet in Washington on Wednesday. Clinton also said the "likelihood of regional conflict and civil war is increasing" in Syria. Russia is the largest supplier of arms to Syria and has a naval base there. Syrian opposition activists say more than 800 people have been killed since Assad accepted UN envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan late last month. Clinton's comments came as Syrian security forces continued military operations despite an agreement to withdraw troops by Tuesday. However, Annan said earlier on Tuesday his efforts to end the unrest were still "very much alive." "There is no more time to lose," Annan said. "We must all push for an end to the bloodshed before Syria plunges into the abyss." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |