French FM vows tough response if Syria uses chemical weaponsSeptember 3, 2012 - 12:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France's Foreign Minister says Western powers are preparing a tough response in case Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime deploys chemical or biological weapons in its civil war. The Associated Press reports that speaking on RMC radio Monday, Sept. 3, Laurent Fabius said "we are discussing this notably with our American and English partners" and "our response ... would be massive and blistering." Fabius says Russia and China are "of the same position," but acknowledged frustration at their continuing support for Assad. Syria's leadership has said it could use chemical or biological weapons if it were attacked from outside. Syria is believed to have nerve agents as well as mustard gas and Scud missiles capable of delivering these lethal chemicals. 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 | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |