Assad accuses Israel of destabilizing SyriaFebruary 3, 2013 - 16:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad has accused Israel of trying to "destabilize" his country, according to BBC News. It was his first remarks on the reported Israeli air strike in Syria earlier this week. In a meeting with an Iranian official in the capital Damascus, he said Syria was able to confront "current threats... and aggression". Syrian TV has shown images of the raid Damascus says Israeli jets carried out on a scientific research centre. Israel has made no official comment on the attack, but remarks by Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday hinted that Israel was behind it. He told a meeting of top international diplomats and defense officials that the strike was "proof that when we say something we mean it". Syria says Israeli fighter jets bombed a scientific research centre in Jamraya, north-east of Damascus, killing two and wounding five. U.S. officials say lorries carrying weapons bound for Lebanon were the target. 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 warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |