Davutoglu disallowed to visit Gaza stripSeptember 10, 2009 - 14:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish foreign minister has cancelled a visit to Israel, the Israeli foreign ministry said on Wednesday, over a refusal to let him visit the Gaza Strip, The Jerusalem.Post reported.Ahmet Davutoglu "has let us know that he will not come in October to participate in an annual conference organized by President Shimon Peres," an Israeli ministry official said. The Israeli media said the visit was cancelled because Israel had refused to allow Davutoglu to enter the Gaza Strip from its territory unless he promised not to meet the democratically elected Hamas. Gaza emergency medical services say 1,382 mainly-civilian Palestinians were killed in the offensive, 447 of them under the age of 18. Israel, which wants to crush any Palestinian liberation movement, responded to Hamas's win in the elections with sanctions, and almost completely blockaded the impoverished coastal strip after Hamas seized power in 2007, although a 'lighter' siege had already existed before. Gaza is still considered under Israeli occupation as Israel controls air, sea and land access to the Strip. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |