Ex-foreign ministry spokesman says Syria 'out of control'February 13, 2013 - 19:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria's former foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday, Feb 13, he left the country last year because there was no middle ground left in Syria's brutal conflict, but he denied reports that he fled to the United States or Europe, Reuters reported. Jihad Makdissi, who for many months was the international face of President Bashar al-Assad's government, left Syria in late November. Diplomats in the Middle East said he had defected but did not say where he had gone. "I wish I could stay on Syrian soil but there is no place for moderation or compromise amid this chaos," Makdissi said in a statement carried by Sky News Arabia, which he later confirmed on his Twitter account. He described his departure from Syria as a temporary absence. "Things are out of control," he added, calling on Syrians to work together to save their nation. "I left a battleground, not a normal country". Makdissi said he had not set foot in either the United States or Europe since his departure, but was staying with "honorable brothers who are helping the Syrian people get through their humanitarian crisis". He gave no details. Apparently trying to play down any value his departure might have for Assad's foes, Makdissi said he was not privy to any state secrets. "What I know as a media spokesman is no more than what ordinary Syrians know," he said. 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. |