Damascus “positive” over UN envoy’s mission amid violenceMarch 15, 2012 - 19:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Damascus is interested in the success of UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's mission intended to restore peace in Syria, the country’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said as the bloody uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad entered its second year on Thursday. “The success of Kofi Annan's mission is in the interest of Syria; we are positive about it, although this process is not only in the hands of the Syrian government,” Makdissi said in an interview with the Egyptian MENA news agency published on Thursday, March 15. Former UN Secretary General Annan travelled to Syria over the weekend to try to persuade Assad to stop his crackdown on protesters, allow humanitarian aide to be supplied to violence-hit areas in Syria and launch a dialogue with opposition forces. He left Damascus on Sunday without a deal, but said he had offered Assad “concrete proposals” and felt optimistic about his mission, RIA Novosti reported. According to UN estimates, more than 7,500 people have lost their lives since anti-government protests broke out in Syria last March, instigated by popular uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa. On Wednesday, Syrian government forces began shelling the southern city of Deraa, the birthplace of the protest movement, media reports said. Also on Wednesday, Syrian troops overrun the rebel-held north-western city of Idlib after days of clashes with opposition fighters. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. 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. |