Israel concerned over possible use of chemical weapons in SyriaDecember 18, 2012 - 09:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel is increasingly concerned that Damascus’s stockpile of chemical weapons could “become a part of the Syrian crisis,” a government official said Monday, Dec 17, explaining comments on the matter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made prior to meeting visiting Republican senator-elect Ted Cruz from Texas. According to The Jerusalem Post, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement following the meeting, underlining the chemical weapons issue. According to the statement, Netanyahu told Cruz – on his first visit to Israel – that Washington and Jerusalem share not only common values, but also common dangers. “One of these dangers is the unfolding events in Syria,” he said. “We’re monitoring very closely the possibility of the use of chemical weapons in Syria. [U.S.] President [Barack] Obama has spoken forcefully about this. Israel and the United States have close consultations about this issue and it highlights the dangers of these regimes receiving such weapons, and that these weapons can even go from there to terrorist organizations. This is a threat to Israel, a threat to America, a threat to others in this region. We treat it accordingly.” Meanwhile, Damascus said it is “genuinely worried” that some countries might equip extremist groups with chemical weapons and then claim they were used by the Syrian government, the country’s UN envoy said in a letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council. 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 | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |