 UN observers leave Aleppo amid deteriorating security August 7, 2012 - 11:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - United Nations observers have been moved out of the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo because of worsening security, a UN spokesman said on Monday, August 6, AFP reported. The approximately 20 unarmed observers were moved back to the mission's Damascus headquarters at the weekend. "It is a temporary relocation because of the deteriorating security," Ms Josephine Guerrero, a UN peacekeeping spokeswoman said. President Bashar al-Assad's forces have stepped up shelling of rebel-held districts of Aleppo in recent days. Aleppo was one of four regional bases where the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) had retained teams, even though their main activities have been suspended since June. There are also UN offices in Deir Ezzor, Homs and Rif Damascus, which is in the capital's suburbs. The UN has halved the number of observers in Syria to about 150 since last month. The UNSMIS mandate ends on August 20 and the UN Security Council has yet to agree on the future UN presence in the country. UNSMIS's interim chief Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye said Monday that the civil war is worsening and expressed particular concern over Aleppo.   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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".   Partner news |  Latest news Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia  Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for childrenMoscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said.Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19.Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |
