Exiled Syrians in Germany urge ban of deportationsFebruary 10, 2012 - 16:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of the Syrian opposition living in exile in Germany called Friday, February 10 for a nationwide ban on the deportation of Syrian refugees, Europe Online reported citing DPA. The opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, meeting in Berlin, were critical of the fact that so far only a few states - such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Schleswig-Holstein - had refused to deport Syrian refugees. Germany is home to more than 32,000 Syrian nationals. Last year, as the violence escalated in their homeland, more than 2,600 Syrians requested asylum. Ferhad Ahma, a member of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC), called for the closure of the Syrian embassy in Berlin and the expulsion of the ambassador. Germany expelled four Syrian diplomats on Thursday, two days after the arrest of two men - a Syrian and a Lebanese-German - on suspicion of spying on exiled Syrian dissidents in Germany. The four - three men and a woman - were given three days to leave the country, he added. Prosecutors said the two men arrested on Tuesday were suspected of having been part of a spy ring working for Syrian intelligence. They are alleged to have infiltrated groups opposed to al-Assad and reported back to their handlers at the Syrian embassy over a period of years. Meanwhile, another SNC member, Hozan Ibrahim, said at the meeting in Berlin that the international community should recognize the council as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. Arab League foreign ministers are to discuss the possible recognition of the SNC as Syria’s main opposition group, at a meeting in Cairo on Sunday, reported the Saudi semi-official newspaper Al Sharq citing Arab sources. 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. |