Syrian opposition offers Assad truce for RamadanJuly 8, 2013 - 10:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The new president of the opposition Syrian National Coalition Ahmad Jarba has offered Assad's forces a truce for the duration of the holy month of Ramadan, RTE News reported. This is to stop fighting in the besieged city of Homs, where rebels face a ground and air onslaught by Hezbollah-backed troops and militia loyal to Syrian president Assad. Jarba was speaking in Istanbul where he had been elected president of the Syrian National Coalition at a meeting this weekend. Jarba, who has close links to Saudi Arabia, told Reuters in the first interview since he was elected president of the coalition yesterday said that he expected advanced weapons supplied by Saudi Arabia to reach rebel fighters soon. He said that this would change their military situation, which he described as weak. He said that the opposition will not go to a proposed U.S. and Russian sponsored peace conference in Geneva unless its military position becomes strong. 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. |