Syrian govt. promises to allow food into rebel town: activistsDecember 26, 2013 - 16:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian activists said that government officials have promised to allow food into a rebel-held town that's been under blockade for months, if residents raise the Syrian national flag and if rebels hand over heavy weapons, the Associated Press reports. Rami Abdurrahman of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and an activist in the town known by the nickname Qusai Zakarya said residents of Moadamiyeh, west of Damascus, had raised the national flag, symbolic of President Bashar Assad's government. Syrians opposed to Assad's rule use a different flag. Zakarya said residents were waiting for Syrian military officials to take the rebels' weapons. He spoke on condition he be identified by his activism nickname for fear of retaliation. He estimated there are some 8,000 civilians in Moadamiyeh, where activists say malnutrition is rife, according to the AP. 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 | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |