Syria appeals to international community to help find an "honourable exit"December 10, 2011 - 15:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria has appealed to the international community to help it find an "honourable exit" to the crisis it is facing, notably by stopping the flow of weapons into the country. "We are appealing to the outside world and our brothers in the Arab world to help Syria (prevent the) channelling (of) weapons" into the country, foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdisi told a news conference in Damascus, speaking in English. "We want the others, all the others, to support the Syrian evolution, not the armed confrontation in Syria," he said. "If we all work together we can find an honourable exit to the crisis." Makdisi convened the news conference to denounce US news network ABC, which this week broadcast an interview with President Bashar al-Assad. "The network distorted what the president said," Makdisi said. "It deliberately deformed the president's words... by airing videos (of violence) to incite" action against Syria, the spokesman said. Makdisi stressed that Assad is "appalled and saddened" by the deadly violence that has shaken Syria for nearly nine months. "The president has promised accountability," he added. Makdisi also stressed that Assad's regime gave "no clear instructions to use live ammunition" against pro-democracy protesters who have held almost daily protests since mid-March. Assad denied in the interview with ABC that he ordered the killing of protesters in Syria and said "only a crazy person" would target his own people, AFP reported. 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 | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |