Syrian foreign ministry spokesman defects – reportDecember 3, 2012 - 21:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi has defected from President Bashar al-Assad's government and has left the country, Reuters reported citing a regional diplomatic source. "He defected. All I can say is that he is out of Syria," the source, who did not want to be named, told Reuters. Makdissi, who belongs to Syria's Christian minority, staunchly defended Assad's crackdown on the 20-month revolt. A former diplomat, Makdissi reportedly had little influence in the system underpinned by the security apparatus in which the foreign ministry has no say. Lebanon's al-Manar Television said earlier that Makdissi had been sacked for making statements which did not reflect official positions. 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |