Syrian troops kill 2 in RastanMay 29, 2011 - 17:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian forces killed two people and wounded scores more on Sunday May 29 in the town of Rastan in central Syria, which has seen large demonstrations against the rule of President Bashar Assad. Troops backed by tanks encircled Rastan on Sunday morning and began firing heavy machineguns in the streets of the town of 80,000 people, 25 k.m. north of the restive city of Homs, a resident of Rastan who witnessed the operation, told Reuters. Rastan, a relatively prosperous town in an agricultural region, is on the main northern highway leading from Damascus to Syria's second city Aleppo. Internet, water, electricity, land lines and most mobile telephone links had been cut, a step commonly used by the military before they storm urban centers. Protests in Syria have continued despite the increasing force used to crush demonstrations that began with demanding political freedom and an end to corruption, but are now calling for the removal of Assad. 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. |