UN: death toll in Syria reached 5000December 13, 2011 - 11:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United Nations high commissioner for human rights on Monday, December 12, raised the death toll from the Damascus government's crackdown on anti-regime activists to close to 5,000 people, CNN reports. "This situation is intolerable," Navi Pillay said in a briefing for the UN Security Council. The same day that Pillay spoke, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a resident of Homs - an opposition hotbed and frequent site of violence in recent months - reported that a gas pipeline exploded near the city, followed by gunfire and circulating military airplanes. Pillay said more than 200 people have died in the last 10 days, and "the Syrian population continues to live in fear of further violent repression." 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |