Annan wants fast deployment of Syria mission April 25, 2012 - 13:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A handful of UN observers resumed their tour of Syrian hot spots on Wednesday, April 25 as envoy Kofi Annan urged the fast deployment of the full, 300-strong mission and voiced alarm about persistent violence, AFP reports. A car bomb went off in central Damascus on Tuesday, as six civilians were reportedly killed across Syria, taking to nearly 300 the number of people who have died since a tenuous ceasefire went into effect on April 12. Annan branded the bloodshed "unacceptable" as he and world powers called for the speedy deployment of 300 observers, but a top UN official said it would take at least a month to get the first 100 in place. Addressing the UN Security Council via teleconference, the UN-Arab League envoy said he was "concerned" about the violence surging after observers visit individual cities. The former UN chief said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has still not fulfilled a promise to end violence and said the situation was "bleak" and "unacceptable". Annan said he was "particularly alarmed" at reports that government forces had entered the city of Hama after a visit by UN monitors and killed "a significant" number of people. "If confirmed this is totally unacceptable and reprehensible," the former UN secretary general told the council.   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 |  Latest news Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
