Friends of Syria mull ultimatum to AssadFebruary 23, 2012 - 17:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States, Europe and Arab nations are preparing to challenge Syrian President Bashar Assad to agree to a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid within days into areas hardest hit by his regime's brutal crackdown on opponents, according to AP. U.S., European and Arab officials were meeting in London on Thursday, February 23 to craft details of an ultimatum to Assad that will be presented at a major international conference on Syria set for Friday in Tunisia. Diplomats said one idea is to demand that Assad comply within 72 hours or face as-yet-unspecified actions likely to include toughened sanctions. In addition, the Tunis conference will explore further isolating Assad and his inner circle as well as boosting engagement with the Syrian opposition to help them prepare for an eventual democratic transition. 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 | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |