  Gulf Arab ministers, Russian FM to meet for Syria talks March 1, 2012 - 12:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Foreign ministers from Gulf Arab countries will meet their Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Riyadh next week to discuss the Syrian conflict, Kuwaiti officials said on Thursday, March 1, according to Reuters. "The foreign minister said at the parliamentary meeting that we will have an urgent meeting in Riyadh with the Russian foreign minister next Wednesday to investigate all the issues in Syria," parliamentarian Muhammed al-Khalifa said. Regional news channel Al Arabiya also reported that Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah had said the meeting would take place next Wednesday. A GCC official, however, said Gulf foreign ministers were due in Riyadh on Sunday for a scheduled meeting, but that he was not aware of plans for Lavrov to take part in that or any other meeting. Russia and China have twice used their vetoes to block U.N. Security Council resolutions on Syria, where repression of initially peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad has spawned an armed insurrection. The Gulf Cooperation Council - Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - said a month ago that its members would recall their ambassadors from Syria and expel the Syrian envoys in their capitals.   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 |  Latest 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. |
