Syria fighting rages after rebels claim govt. jet shootdownAugust 14, 2012 - 15:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Fighting intensified in Syria's two main cities on Tuesday, August 14 after rebels claimed they downed a government fighter jet and captured its pilot in what would be a major coup for the opposition, AFP reported With Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime facing mounting diplomatic pressure, a top presidential aide was to hold talks in China, which has called for an immediate ceasefire and political dialogue to end the brutal 17-month conflict. China and Russia are deeply at odds with the West over how to end the bloodshed, after both traditional Syria allies vetoed three UN Security Council resolutions, leaving the international community deadlocked on the crisis. Bouthaina Shaaban, a "special advisor" to Assad, is to hold talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials, the foreign ministry said, adding that Beijing was also considering inviting members of the Syrian opposition to visit soon. UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos is meanwhile due in Syria on Tuesday "to draw attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation" and discuss ways of scaling-up relief efforts, her office said. Many areas engulfed in the relentless fighting in Syria are also facing a desperate plight, suffering from food shortages, power outages and lack of medical supplies. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |