Armenia Defense Minister visits UN Interim Force in LebanonNovember 2, 2018 - 18:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An eight-member Armenian delegation led by Defence Minister Davit Tonoyan visited the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) Headquarters in Naqoura and the Mission’s area of operation in south Lebanon on Friday, November 2, the Mission said on its website. While in Naqoura, Tonoyan held a meeting with UNIFIL’s Acting Head of Mission, Imran Riza, and Acting Force Commander, Major General Shivaram Kharel. The discussions focused on the situation in the UNIFIL area of operation and the important contribution made by Armenia in implementing the Mission’s mandate. Later in the afternoon, the Minister and the rest of the delegation, including Armenia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Samvel Mkrtchyan, toured the Blue Line and visited Armenian peacekeepers in Shamaa. As one of UNIFIL’s 42 troop contributors, Armenia currently has 33 military personnel serving with UNIFIL. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |