Syria special envoy meets Assad for crisis talksDecember 24, 2012 - 15:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Monday, December 24 to discuss a solution to a 21-month-old conflict, which has seen violence rise across the country and around its capital, Reuters said. The UN and Arab League envoy drove to the capital through Lebanon because of fighting around Damascus international airport made it impossible to fly - a sign of how the conflict is paralyzing much of Syria. Brahimi told reporters his meeting with Assad dealt with the general conditions in Syria, and the two discussed potential solutions to a crisis that has killed more than 44,000 people, according to activists. "I told him what I was seeing abroad and about the meetings I had with different officials in the region and abroad," he said. "The situation in Syria still is a reason for worry. We hope that all the sides work toward the solution, as the Syrian people want." The meeting on Monday was Brahimi's third with Assad and violence has greatly escalated in that time. Rebel successes in capturing several military sites around the country, including close to the capital have caused government forces to hit back heavily with air and artillery strikes. The fighting is now on the doorstep of Assad's seat of power in Damascus, with fighting in the southern districts of the city and all along the suburbs on its eastern outskirts. 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 | 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. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |