  Syrian opposition calls for “urgent” military intervention March 12, 2012 - 21:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The opposition Syrian National Council called on Monday for an "urgent" foreign military intervention in Syria after reports that 47 women and children were killed in a Homs "massacre," AFP reported. "We request urgent Arab and international military intervention," top SNC leader Georges Sabra told a news conference in Istanbul. Reading from a prepared text, he also called for the creation of a "no-fly zone" over all of Syria and "strikes" against the Syrian armed forces. He urged "the friends of the Syrian people to take a steadfast position" on the bloodshed and said the regime responded to a weekend mission by international peace envoy Kofi Annan "with violence and killings." SNC chief Burhan Ghalioun said the "international community can no longer make hollow promises and the Arab League cannot go on publishing press releases if they want to end the deadly violence. "It is time for the international community to take serious and concrete measures to end the violence," said Ghalioun. The bodies of 47 women and children, some with their throats slit, were found in Homs after a "massacre" that sent families fleeing the flashpoint central city, activists and the opposition said earlier on Monday.   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 |  Latest news Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims  Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide.Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed.Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham).Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |
