Recalled French envoy returns to SyriaFebruary 24, 2012 - 13:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French ambassador to Syria Eric Chevallier has returned to Damascus more than two weeks after being recalled in response to the Syrian government's crackdown on dissent, the embassy said on Friday, February 24, AFP reported. The spokesman, however declined to comment if the return was related to efforts to evacuate wounded French reporter Edith Bouvier, and the body of dead French photojournalist Remi Ochlik, from the besieged Homs area of Baba Amr. Ochlik and veteran U.S. war reporter Marie Colvin were killed Wednesday when a rocket hit a makeshift media center in the rebel-held district. Bouvier and British photographer Paul Conroy were wounded in the incident and asked to be evacuated. On February 7, the French foreign ministry said it was recalling Chevallier for consultations, "faced with the worsening repression being carried out by the Damascus regime against its own population." It was the second time France recalled its envoy. Spokesman Bernard Valero said then that Paris was in discussions with partners in the European Union to "reinforce sanctions," referring to the EU's economic measures against the regime of President Bashar Assad and major supporters. Paris' decision to pull its envoy came after Italy, Britain and the United States also withdrew theirs. 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 | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |