Australia expels 2 Syrian diplomats following Houla massacreMay 29, 2012 - 15:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Australia Tuesday, May 29 expelled two Syrian diplomats in response to the massacre at Houla of more than 100 people with Foreign Minister Bob Carr saying he expected other countries to follow suit, AFP reported. Syrian charge d'affaires Jawdat Ali was notified of Carr's decision to expel him and one other diplomat within 72 hours, a day after he was called in to meet with officials over the killings which sparked global condemnation. "The Syrian government can expect no further official engagement with Australia until it abides by the UN ceasefire and takes active steps to implement the peace plan agreed with Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan," Carr said. "This massacre of more than 100 men, women and children in Houla was a hideous and brutal crime." Carr said Ali had been advised to convey a clear message to Damascus that "Australians are appalled by this massacre and we will pursue a unified international response to hold those responsible to account." He said Australia took the action "with other nations around the world" and he expected similar announcements to be made in other capitals soon. 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 | 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. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |