Syrian opposition urges rebels to unite for major battleMay 22, 2013 - 13:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria's main opposition group is urging rebels to come from around the country to reinforce Qusair, a western town under attack by Syrian troops and members of Lebanon's Hezbollah group, according to The Associated Press. George Sabra, the acting chief of the Syrian National Coalition, says in a statement that "forces from outside Syria" aim to destroy Qusair and that rebels should "rescue" it. Government troops were trying for a fourth day Wednesday to wrest control of Qusair from rebels. The town lies near the Lebanese border on land corridor linking the capital Damascus with the Mediterranean coast. Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the government and Hezbollah bombarded Qusair with rocket launchers. Hezbollah has held funerals for fighters whom officials close to the group say died at Qusair. 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 | Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. For the first time, Armenia votes in favor of Georgia resolution in UN Armenia on Tuesday, June 4 voted for the first time in favor a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Moscow warns Armenia against leaving Russian-led defense bloc Armenia could ruin its military ties with Russia if it continues drifting towards the West, according to a senior official in Moscow. Moscow says ready to support Yerevan-Baku reconciliation Moscow has confirmed its readiness to support the reconciliation of Yerevan and Baku. |