Masked gunman kills Dutch priest in Syria’s HomsApril 7, 2014 - 16:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A masked gunman opened fire on a well-known, elderly Dutch priest in the central Syrian city of Homs on Monday, April 7, killing him instantly, a fellow priest and an activist group said, according to the Associated Press. The slaying of 72-year-old Father Francis Van Der Lugt underscores fears by many in Syria's Christian and Muslim minorities for the fate of their community should Syrian President Bashar Assad be overthrown by rebels in the country's civil war. Van Der Lugt was gunned down inside a monastery in the city's Bustan al-Diwan neighborhood, a rebel-held area that has been blockaded by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad for the past year. His death was reported by Homs-based priest Assad Nayyef, and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The motives for the attack were not known and no one immediately claimed responsibility for the killing. During the three-year civil war, Van Der Lugt repeatedly refused to leave Bustan al-Diwan, despite a series of UN evacuations this year that helped hundreds to leave blockaded Homs areas and despite dozens of rebels handing themselves over to the Syrian security forces. But the elderly priest, who had been living in Syria since 1964, raised widespread attention to the suffering of civilians in blockaded Homs. 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. |