Saudi cleric on IS assassination list shot in PhilippinesMarch 2, 2016 - 13:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A renowned Saudi Arabian cleric on the Islamic State's assassination list was shot and wounded in southern Philippines after delivering a speech to Muslim preachers, police said, according to International Business Times. Ayed al Qarni was shot by a man who had attended his lecture in Zamboanga City Tuesday, March 1 evening, police spokeswoman Helen Galvez told International Business Times. He sustained three gunshot wounds to his chest, arm and body. Turki Assaegh, a member of al Qarni's entourage who works at the Saudi embassy in Manila, was also wounded in the attack. Police said both men were treated at a local hospital before they were flown back to Manila, where they were said to be out of danger. While Al Qarni is not employed by the state, he enjoys the backing of the government, which sent a plane to evacuate him to Manila, police said. The gunman was immediately killed by al Qarni's security escorts. Two men, described to be in their 30s, were later arrested in a follow up operation. "Security remains tight, and we are investigating the motive of the shooting," Galvez told IBT. Photo. Reuters 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 | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |