Arab League observers set to arrive in DamascusDecember 22, 2011 - 19:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Monitors from the Arab League are due to arrive in Syria under an initiative aimed at ending the violent crackdown on anti-government protests. An advance party of about 30 Arab League observers, accompanied by members of the media, will arrive in Syria on Thursday, Dec 22 to prepare for the arrival of the full delegation, which will have a one-month mandate that can be extended by another month if both sides agree. Another group of observers is due in Syria on Sunday, and the mission is expected to be 150-strong when complete. They will oversee Syria's compliance with the Arab League initiative, which calls for attacks to stop, troops to withdraw from the streets and detained protesters to be freed. Damascus's decision to admit them was announced on Monday, after weeks of delays. The UN says some 5,000 people have been killed in Syria since protests began in March but right groups say the figure is much higher. Damascus blames the unrest on "armed gangs" seeking to destabilise Syria, according to BBC News. 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. |