Washington expelling top Syrian diplomat over Houla massacreMay 29, 2012 - 21:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Obama administration is expelling the top Syrian diplomat in Washington in response to Friday’s reported massacre of 108 people, including 49 children, in the village of Houla, The Washington Times reported. U.S. officials told Syrian Charge d’Affaires Zuheir Jabbour on Tuesday morning that he has 72 hours to leave the country. The decision to kick out the Syrian envoy was part of an international protest. Seven other Western countries — Canada, Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany — also said they would expel Syrian diplomatic officials. Over the weekend, U.N. observers confirmed the deaths in Houla after an assault involving tanks and artillery. There are also reports that many families were summarily executed in their homes. President Obama is backing a plan by peace envoy Kofi Annan, the former UN. secretary-general, to end the 14-month-old uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad, but it’s been six weeks since Mr. Assad and the rebels signed the agreement, and the bloodshed has not slowed. 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 | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |