Germany assumes UN Security Council chairmanshipSeptember 1, 2012 - 11:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France handed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council to Germany on Saturday, Sept 1, a day after Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle promised to push the council to further isolate the Syrian regime, according to Deutsche Welle. During a visit to Hong Kong on Friday, Westerwelle condemned the council's failure to take firm action against President Bashar Assad's brutal suppression of a 17-month uprising. He described China and Russia's veto of three Security Council resolutions on the conflict as nothing less than a "blockade." But he noted that it was clear the international community was edging closer to the "continued isolation of the Assad regime," during this week's summit of non-aligned countries in Iran. He was referring in part to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's offer of support for the Syrian opposition movement as the summit opened on Thursday. "Above all, I welcome the fact that President Mohammed Morsi addressed the Assad regime with such clear words in Tehran" he said. Morsi said his country had a "moral obligation" and "political necessity" to show "solidarity with the Syrian people against a regime that lost its legitimacy," prompting a walkout from the Syrian delegation. Germany is due to end its two-year tenure as one of 10-non permanent members of the UN Security Council at the end of this year. It will not be eligible for immediate re-election. Permanent council seats are held by Russia, China, the US, France and Britain. 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 | Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Armenian PM sends condolences to Iran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message of condolence to the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. |