Germany, France, UK table UN resolution on SyriaNovember 18, 2011 - 10:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Germany, France and the UK have tabled a UN resolution calling for an end to human rights violations in Syria. The resolution, which also calls for the implementation of an Arab League plan to end the violence, was also backed by four Arab countries. With the UN Security Council divided on Syria, the resolution has been tabled in a committee of the General Assembly. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Syrian violence was becoming "similar to civil war". He was speaking a day after renegade soldiers were reported to have attacked a key government army base outside Damascus. With Russia and China having vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning government violence in Syria, European nations are looking for a new route to condemn the Syrian government. They have turned to a key committee of the General Assembly where there are no vetoes. Western diplomats hope that a leading Arab role will eventually help overcome opposition in the Security Council, because requests from the region where the conflict is taking place strongly influence the positions of members, our correspondent says. Germany, France and the UK circulated the draft resolution to the General Assembly's human rights committee and Western diplomats said they hope it will be put to a vote next week. If approved, it is virtually certain to be adopted by the 193-member General Assembly, BBC reports. 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. |