Nine Army, Law-enforcement and Civilian Martyrs Laid to Rest
PROVINCES, (SANA) – The bodies of nine army, law enforcement and civilian martyrs were escorted on Thursday from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus, Zahi Azraq Military Hospital in Lattakia and the National Hospital in Daraa to their final resting place
Solemn processions were held for the martyrs who were killed while they were in the line of duty in Daraa, Homs and Aleppo.
The martyrs are:
• Captain Ibrahim Ali Maqsoud from Hama.
• Chief Warrant Officer Kamal Mohammad al-Zoubi from Daraa.
• Chief Warrant Officer Merie Hassan Zneiqa from Daraa.
• Chief Warrant Officer Suhail Sultan Ali from Lattakia.
• Warrant Officer Dari Jamil Shahin from Lattakia.
• Sergeant Major Issa Fuad al-Wara’a from Lattakia.
• Conscript Hassan Mahmoud Abdul-Razzaq from Damascus Countryside.
• Conscript Firas Mazri al-Mohammad from Hasaka.
• A Parliamentary Candidate from Daraa Abdul-Hamid Hussni Taha.
The martyrs’ families stressed adherence to national unity and determination to foil the conspiracy against the homeland, expressing confidence in the Syrian people’s ability to overcome the crisis and build the renewed Syria.
Several Terrorists killed while attempting to Assassinate an Officer
DAMASCUS, (SANA)-An armed terrorist group on Thursday attacked an officer working in Tishreen Military Hospital while going to his work along with his driver near Masaken Barza orchards.
An official source told SANA reporter that the officer and his driver clashed with the armed terrorist group, killing a number of terrorists while others escaped.
133 Citizens from Damascus Countryside Hand over Their Weapons
133 citizens from the province of Damascus Countryside who were involved in the recent events and whose hands are clear of the Syrian blood turned themselves in and handed over their weapons to the authorities.
The citizens were set free after having pledged not to take up arms again or commit any sabotage acts or anything that could harm Syria’s security upon realizing the dimensions of the conspiracy hatched against their homeland.
Over 2000 other persons turned themselves during last month.
Citizen Martyred, another wounded by fires of an armed group on al-Salamiya, Homs highway
Citizen martyred, another wounded by fires of an armed terrorist group on al-Salamiya, Homs highway
SANA reporter learned that an armed group opened fires on a tourist car, leading to the martyrdom of Ibrahim.
In a relevant context, an armed terrorist group burglarized a truck loaded with 45 tons of iron dedicated to the works of construction on Hama, Aleppo highway, taking it to unknown place.
Gen. Mood: Observers in Syria Reached 50
HAMA / HOMS, (SANA) – Head of the UN observer mission to Syria, General Robert Mood, said that the mission’s main aim is to monitor the halt of violence from all sides and make a success of the plan of the UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan to settle the crisis in Syria.
Meeting Hama Governor, Anas al-Naem on Thursday, Mood said that his visit to Hama city came in line with coordinating with all sides, specifying the framework of monitoring, documenting what has been seen and not depending only on news and information.
He pointed out that the number of international observers operating in Syria has reached 50, who are deployed in the provinces of Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, Hama, Idleb and Daraa.
Gen. Mood indicated that there are 4 observers in Hama who will be backed with another two to start their mission today.
He said that the mission sends daily reports to the UN that are based on the observers’ vision and direct field notes and observation.
The General hoped to give the observers the opportunity to meet any person or side to inspect the reality of events and know facts in a transparent and objective way.
For his part, al-Naem expressed readiness to provide all facilitations to make the observer mission a success, calling for being accurate and objective in their mission.
Mood visits Baba Amr and al-Khaldiyeh in Homs province:
Gen. Mood also visited the neighborhoods of Baba Amr and al-Khaldiyeh in Homs province.
At a press conference, Mood called on all sides to stop violence in order make Annan’s mission a success, saying “those who believe that violence is the solution are wrong.”
“The solution lies in the cooperation of all sides… those who criticize the observers’ mission and believe it is unsuccessful should offer alternative,” Mood said.
He added “What we have seen, not what we have heard, in specified sites is more commitment on land by the governmental forces.”
Mood underlined that he received guarantees from the sides in Syria to respect the mission and cooperate to halt violence.
International Monitors visit Sarakeb in Idleb:
A team of the international observers today visited Sarakeb in Idleb, meeting a number of citizens, social activities and inspecting the situation in the city.
General Mood visits Lattakia and meets Governor Abdul-Kader al-Sheikh
Another team, headed by General Mood visited the city of Lattakia, meeting Governor Abdul-Kader al-Sheikh.
“The armed terrorist groups are continuing the criminal acts,” the governor said, adding that their violations of Annan’s plan reached 38.”
He made clear that Syria is surrounded by big open borders with a number of countries and that those terrorists are being armed through smuggling along borders.
Lattakia Chief Police handed over a list including the violations perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups.
Iran condemns any Foreign Intervention in Syrian Affairs
BEIRUT, (SANA)-Iranian First Vice President Mohammed Riza Rahimi renewed his country’s condemnation of any form of foreign intervention in Syria’s domestic affairs, saying “such intervention contradicts with the international conventions and laws.”
“Any foreign side should help Syria find the way for the political solution in the country,” Rahimi said at a press conference with Lebanese Premier Najib Mikati in Beirut.
He called for paving the way for President Bashar al-Assad to talk to the people and opposition in order to reach a suitable political solution that could lead to forming a government which will be capable to carry out the needed political reforms.
For his part, Mikati underlined Lebanon’s stance which is committed to non-intervention in the Syrian affairs.
Berri: Lebanon will not forget the Syrian white hands in the country
Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament said “As we distance ourselves from the details of crisis in Syria, we intend not to drag Lebanon to its events… we try to present ourselves as an example for coexistence without forgetting the Syrian white hands which rescued Lebanon at time of sedition.”
Meeting the Iranian top official, Berri said that the desire of plotters against the country was not to develop the political regimes in the region or democracy, but is a camouflage of intentions in order to mix papers and awaken the sectarian problems.
Bogdanov: Syria Ready to Implement Reforms Optimally Manifested in National Dialogue and Elections
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Special Representative of the Russian President to the Middle East and Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, said that Syria now is ready to implement reforms and democratic changes.
“Syria has become fully developed to implement reforms and democratic changes,” Russia Today website quoted Bogdanov as saying in a radio interview.
He noted that Russia considers the inclusive national dialogue and the elections as the best aspect of these reforms and changes as they give the people the opportunity to express their opinion regarding the country’s future.
Bogdanov added that “the Syrian people should decide their destiny by themselves through national dialogue and elections.”
Xinhua: Smuggling Weapons from Lebanon into Syria has Increased
BEIJING, (SANA) – Chinese News Agency, Xinhua, said on Thursday that smuggling weapons from Lebanon into Syria has increased recently.
A report issued by the news agency revealed that smugglers continue their operations in spite of being pursued by the security in Lebanon and Syria.
The report added that smugglers are using animals instead of 4wd cars after the Syrian and Lebanese armies locked all crossing points and illegal routes.
The report pointed out that weapon prices have increased a lot because of heavy demand as the price of a Kalashnikov increased up to USD 3000, while the price of an M16 rifle increased up to USD 5000.
U.S. State Department: Al-Qaeda Seeks to Take Advantage of Situation in Syria
WASHINGTON, (SANA)- The U.S. State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, expressed the US concern that some terrorist groups, particularly al-Qaeda, seek to exploit the situation in Syria, stressing the need for implementing the UN envoy Kofi Annan’s plan to halt the violence.
Answering a question at a press briefing in Washington on Wednesday on whether the US is worried that the Syrian opposition has taken up the form of al-Qaeda attacks the likes of the latest terrorist bombings in Damascus, Idleb and Aleppo and the suicide attacks targeting state institutions and employees, Toner said that the US is concerned that a terrorist group which is al-Qaeda mostly seeks to take advantage of such cases.
He called for abiding by Annan’s plan for realizing a real halt of violence.
Italian-Cuban Media Delegation Inspect Terrorist Attacks in Daraa
DARAA, (SANA) – A joint Italian and Cuban media delegation on Thursday visited Daraa city and inspected the situation there.
The delegation members toured the state institutions and private properties damaged by the armed terrorist groups including the Justice Palace and participated in the funeral processions of martyrs Abdel Hamid Hosni al-Taha, a parliamentary candidate, and Chief Warrant Officer Kamal Mohammad al-Zou’bi.
The owner of the Syrian Free Press Network, Filippo Fortunato Pilato, and Odai Ramadan, a leading member from the Italian Communist Party, told SANA that the visit gave them the opportunity to clearly and closely inspect the reality, especially the gunmen’ attacks against police members and civilians.
They said that they will convey the reality of the falsification and media campaign launched against Syria.
The Cuban journalist Luis Beaton from Prensa Latina agency expressed surprise at the burning of the Justice Palace, stressing that the citizens are living normal daily life contrary to news broadcast by media.
The delegation members also met Daraa Governor, Mohammad Khaled al-Hanous who briefed the delegation on the crimes committed by the armed terrorist groups which escalated their attacks in violation on the plan of the UN special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.
Syrian Products Exhibition in Tehran Wraps Up Activities
TEHRAN, (SANA)- The 5-day Syrian Products Exhibition held in Tehran on Wednesday wrapped up its activities.
In a press statement, Director of the Company of Foreign Exhibition and Markets Mohammad Hammoud said that the exhibition witnessed a lager turnout which encouraged the company to hold another exhibition very soon, as the Syrian products are of high quality and competitive prices.
For his part, Director General of Ninorta company for sport shoes said the Exhibition is an important, appropriate and good opportunity for the Iranian people to get acquainted with the Syrian products.
The Exhibition is the first to be held since the Free Trade Agreement between Syrian and Iran came into force on 21st of March.