Syria war damage estimated at $100 billion: Deputy PMOctober 15, 2013 - 18:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria’s financial losses from the ongoing armed conflict in the country stand at around $100 billion, a senior official with the Middle Eastern nation's government said Tuesday, October 15, according to RIA Novosti. “According to preliminary estimates, I believe it is $100 billion. Plus or minus 10 percent because this is not a final figure,” Syrian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Qadri Jamil said in an interview with Rossia-24 television network. “GDP has fallen at least 30 percent, maybe more,” he said, adding that Syria’s oil industry has been hit with production currently at a standstill. On Oct. 2, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader Al-Halqi was cited by news agencies as estimating the damage incurred by the public and private sectors of the economy at $16.5 billion. The United Nations estimates that the Syrian conflict has claimed over 100,000 lives. Related links: 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |