Jolie calls for diplomatic efforts to end Syria crisisJune 20, 2013 - 21:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Angelina Jolie said Thursday, June 20, the Syrian civil war is the world’s most acute humanitarian crisis and called on world leaders to make diplomatic efforts to end it succeed, The Associated Press reported. Jolie spoke at Jordan’s largest camp for Syrian refugees, which she toured as special envoy for the United Nations refugee agency. “I appeal to the world leaders — please, set aside your differences, unite to end the violence, and make diplomacy succeed,” she told reporters, drawing attention to the UN’s World Refugee Day. Jolie is returning to her humanitarian work after announcing last month that she had her breasts removed after discovering she has an inherited genetic mutation that puts her at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Her visit to Zaatari camp was her first visit public appearance with the United Nations refugee agency since the double mastectomy. The actress said that by the end of this year, “half of Syria’s population — 10 million people — will be in desperate need of food, shelter and assistance.” “The lives of millions of people are in your hands,” said Jolie. “You must find common ground.” In her news conference under a tent in Zaatari camp, she said that refugees are “often forgotten and frequently misunderstood.” “They are regarded as a burden, as helpless individuals, or as people who wish to move to someone else’s country,” she said. “That is not who they are,” she added somberly. Rather, refugees are people to invest in, “who will one day rebuild their countries, and a more peaceful world for us all.” Jordan hosts more than half a million displaced Syrians, including 185,000 in Zaatari, which has become Jordan’s fourth largest populated city. Inaugurated last July, Zaatari is the world’s second largest refugee camp, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The largest according to the UNHCR is Dadaab camp in Kenya, which houses 463,000 Somali refugees. Jolie visited Zaatari along with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide. 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 | 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. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |