Kerry in Qatar to press for coordinated aid to Syria rebelsJune 22, 2013 - 14:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Qatar to meet officials from nearly a dozen nations to firm up and coordinate military and humanitarian aid going to the Syrian opposition trying to oust President Bashar Assad, The Associated Press reports. Kerry flew to Doha, the capital of Qatar, Saturday, June 22. It's the first stop on his seven-nation trip through the Mideast and Asia. U.S. officials hope the meeting will re-energize a newly expanded Syrian opposition group, which is to elect new leadership in coming days. Kerry is a strong proponent of international intervention to stop the civil war in Syria, which has claimed 93,000 lives. President Barack Obama recently announced the U.S. will send weapons to the rebels, despite concern the arms could end up in the hands of Islamic extremists. 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 | Politico: Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022 Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Armenia’s enemy even though both countries were supposedly allies in a defense pact. Armenia Security Council chief to attend Ukraine peace summit Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. |