EU foreign policy chief in Beirut to meet Lebanese leadersOctober 23, 2012 - 22:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is meeting Lebanese leaders in Beirut amid heightened tension over the conflict in neighboring Syria. According to Euronews, she has held talks with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and is due to see President Suleiman. EU ambassadors have warned about a possible power vacuum in Lebanon following the assassination of intelligence chief General Wissam al-Hassan in a car bomb attack last week. In the northern city of Tripoli sectarian clashes continued overnight. It is reported that soldiers were deployed as at least two people were killed, making a total of eight dead in the recent troubles. Calm returned to Beirut in the morning with the army maintaining a heavy presence after days of tension. The Syrian conflict has exposed Lebanon’s long-standing political and religious divisions. Protesters have called for the government, which has a strong pro-Syrian Hezbollah influence, to resign. The assassinated intelligence chief was a critic of the Syrian regime. 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. |