Top Syrian official from Assad’s inner circle flees to Turkey July 6, 2012 - 16:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A member of Syrian president Bashar Assad's inner circle has defected, a western official has revealed. Sources said Brigadier General Manaf Tlass, a member of the elite Republican Guards and the son of a former defense minister, has abandoned the regime, Belfast Telegraph said. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other opposition websites claim Brig Gen Tlaas fled to Turkey. The defection is a fresh blow to Mr Assad just as the US and its European partners threaten new sanctions, while the opposition urges military intervention. Brig Gen Tlass's departure comes as around diplomats meet in Paris at a so-called Friends of Syria conference, aimed at bolstering the Syrian resistance and pressing Syria's allies to discuss transition strategies after 16 months of brutal crackdowns and civil war. The US and its European partners are threatening new sanctions on Mr Assad's regime if he does not act on a new peace plan, but the fractured Syrian opposition is seeking quick military actions instead.   Top stories Azerbaijani authorities report that they have already resettled 3,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Stepanakert. On June 10, Azerbaijani President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will leave for Turkey on a working visit. 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.   Partner news |  Latest news Viva sees growing demand for cloud services  In recent years, medical institutions are starting to make use of Viva’s cloud servicesArmenian, German presidents meet in Berlin Armenian and German Presidents Vahagn Khachaturyan and Frank-Walter Steinmeier met in Berlin.Armenia assumes presidency of Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities The Commission on Television and Radio of Armenia said it expects productive cooperation in various formats.Balance of attached cards in the Idram&IDBank app From now on, users will be able to view the online balances of cards issued by ArCa system banks and attached to the app. |
