Syrian activists report lull in fighting where UN troops heldMarch 9, 2013 - 12:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of an activist group in Syria says there has been a lull in fighting in an area where 21 UN peacekeepers are being held by rebels, paving the way for their possible release, The Associated Press reports. UN officials say arrangements are in place for the release of the UN peacekeepers, but that a rescue mission on Friday, March 8 was aborted because of regime shelling in the area. The peacekeepers, all Filipinos, were taken Wednesday and are being held in the village of Jamlah, near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Rami Abdul-Rahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says a contact in the Jamlah area told him Saturday that there was no shelling. He says the rebels are no longer linking the peacekeepers' release to a regime withdrawal from the area. 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. |