China to invite Syrian government, opposition figuresDecember 21, 2015 - 14:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China will invite members of the Syrian government and opposition to visit as Beijing looks for ways to help with the peace process, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, December 21, Reuters reports. The U.N. Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a resolution endorsing an international road map for a Syrian peace process, a rare show of unity among major powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, citing Foreign Minister Wang Yi's comments at the United Nations over the weekend, said China would "soon" invite the Syrian government and opposition figures to China. This is part of China's efforts to play a constructive role in promoting a political resolution to the crisis, Hong added. He gave no details. China has played host to both Syrian government and opposition figures before, though it remains a peripheral diplomatic player in the crisis. While relying on the region for oil supplies, China tends to leave Middle Eastern diplomacy to the other five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, namely the United States, Britain, France and Russia. 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |