Vatican embassy in Damascus hit by mortar fireNovember 5, 2013 - 15:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Vatican embassy in Damascus was hit by mortar fire on Tuesday, Nov 5, but there were no casualties, a Vatican spokesman said, according to Reuters. It was not clear if the embassy was deliberately targeted. It is located in the wealthy Maliki area of the Syrian capital, where there are several embassies as well as the residences of government and security officials. "There was damage but no one was injured. The mortar hit a wing of the embassy that is currently not being used," Father Ciro Benedettini said from the Vatican City. An official at the embassy said the mortar had damaged part of the roof and left broken glass inside the building. "It was very strong and noisy. We stayed inside and we were very afraid," Monsignor Giorgio Chazza told Reuters in Beirut. The embassy, which is still operating in the embattled city, had been hit by eight to ten times by mortar bombs since July, he said. Rebels fighting to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad regularly launch mortar fire at government-held areas inside Damascus. Related links: 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |