Russian General says Syrian air-defense “effective, non-nonsense” December 22, 2012 - 15:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian armed forces have effective air-defense systems that can fend off massive airstrikes against the country, a senior Russian military official said on Saturday, December 22, according to RIA Novosti. “Syria’s air-defense system is a no-nonsense force. As a result, no one has ever used serious air combat power against it,” Ground Forces Air Defense commander Maj. Gen. Alexander Leonov said in an interview with radio Ekho Moskvy. Syria’s air defense systems are a primary target for the insurgents, he added. Syria’s opposition coalition on Thursday reiterated its condemnation of the Russian government’s policy and position on political and military support for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime but denied it has declared “open season” on Russian nationals. Russia has staunchly opposed all international efforts to crack down on Assad, including in the UN Security Council, saying they are biased in favor of the Syrian opposition. The UN has estimated that nearly 40,000 have died since the violence began in March 2011. Partner news  Top stories Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament. Bağış said Istanbul’s unique status as a “peaceful coexistence of all cultures and religions” makes it a vital player in the EU. The agent shot in self-defense in the incident, which occurred at Todashev's house, the law enforcement source said.   Partner news |  Latest news Armenian-French decentralized cooperation conference due in fall  Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan met with French ambassador Henri Reynaud.Google reportedly mulls buying map-software provider Waze Google has a widely used mapping tool and could adopt Waze’s technology to add social features to the software.Armenian Deputy PM meets UN Resident Coordinator Vice Prime Minister congratulated Mr. Busetto on the appointment, noting UNDP programs in line with RA government priorities.Armenian President meets OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs The current stage of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and the future steps were in the focus of the meeting. |
