Syrian opposition leader urges U.S. to supply weapons quicklyJuly 26, 2013 - 09:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The leader of Syria’s Western-backed opposition group told U.S. Secretary John Kerry on Thursday, July 25, that the United States must quickly supply rebels with promised weapons to prevent a military victory by President Bashar Assad, The Associated Press reported. Ahmad Al-Jarba, in a statement sent out while he was still meeting with Kerry at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, called the situation in Syria “desperate” and said the opposition urgently needs American action “to push the international community to demand a political transition.” Kerry met with Al-Jarba in an effort to promote international efforts to convene a conference in Geneva to try to move forward with a transitional government based on a plan adopted in that city a year ago. Kerry stressed earlier Thursday that “there is no military solution” to the 2 ½-year-old civil war. “There is only a political solution, and that will require leadership in order to bring people to the table,” he said. He stood beside UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who minutes earlier announced that the Syrian conflict has killed more than 100,000 people since 2011, up from the previous estimate of 93,000. Kerry told reporters as he left the meeting with Al-Jarba that it was “very, very constructive.” He said the opposition agreed to work over the next few weeks to pinpoint the conditions under which a new Geneva conference can work. They believe Geneva “is very important, and we are going to work it out,” Kerry said. Al-Jarba said he told Kerry “that the coalition fully understands American concerns about extremism and the possible diversion of military assistance.” “We absolutely condemn all terrorism and all attempts to turn Syria into what it is not, a monotheistic or totalitarian state,” he said. “But we need American direct support to save democracy in Syria and to lead the world to force Assad at last to stand down.” The coalition delegation is expected to meet informally Friday with the UN Security Council. 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. |