Higher Committee for Elections: There were No leaks by the Committee on the People’s Assembly Election Results
PROVINCES, (SANA) –Chief of the Higher Committee for Elections, Councilor Khalaf al-Azzawi, said that the Committee will announce the date of announcing the final results of the People Assembly elections one day prior to the date, and media will be called to attend the announcement of final results.
On reported leaks on the results in some electoral constituencies, al-Azzawi said that no results were leaked by the Committee.
On the rerun of elections in al-Zahiriyyeh and Amarat in al-Hasaka constituency, al-Azzawi said that the elections were rerun due to objections submitted to the judicial subcommittee in Hasaka.
Answering a question on the expected date of announcing the election results, al-Azzwi indicated that the Higher Committee for Elections have so far received results from 5 electoral constituencies in the governorates, adding that the date and place of announcing the results will be announced when the Committee receives the final results from all constituencies.
Judicial subcommittees in provinces of Daraa, Sweida, Quneitra, Raqqa, Tartuos and Idleb finished counting votes for the People’s Assembly elections while the process continues in the other provinces.
In Lattakia, Head of judicial subcommittee , Judge Mohammad Suleiman, said that counting was finished in 577 poll centers, while 240 ballots are due to be finished by the end of the day.
Head of the judicial subcommittee n Tartous, Judge Hassan Shash, said that the counting is done in the 720 poll centers, adding that the results were referred to the Central Judicial Committee to be announced officially.
In Aleppo, counting votes is finished, while 60 ballots out of 954 in Aleppo Countryside are being counted.
In Aleppo, counting votes is finished, while 60 ballots out of 954 in Aleppo Countryside are being counted.
Head of the judicial subcommittee in Aleppo Countryside, Turki Hamsho, said that the committee received candidates’ objections and referred them to the Higher Constitutional Court.
In Homs, counting continues in 35 polling centers , while 420 out of 561 ballots have been counted in Deir Ezzor.
In Hasaka, 460 out of 758 ballots were counted , while elections were rerun in al-Zaheriyeh and al-Amarat in al-Jawadiyeh region due to some infringements.
Supervisor of vote-counting in the province expected the process to be finished on Thursday.
Terrorists Target Law-Enforcement Forces with Explosive Device in Hama
HAMA, (SANA) – An explosive device planted by terrorists in al-Sabouniyeh neighborhood in Hama went off on Wednesday, injuring members of law enforcement forces.
A source at the governorate told SANA’s correspondent that the explosion injured four people, two of them are in critical condition.
Four Army, Law-enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest
DAMASCUS, DEIR EZZOR (SANA) – The bodies of four army and law enforcement martyrs were escorted on Wednesday from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus and the Military Hospital of Deir Ezzor to their final resting place.
Solemn processions were held for the martyrs who were killed in line of duty in Damascus Countryside, Hama, Deir Ezzor and Aleppo.
The martyrs are:
Chief Warrant Officer, Ihsan Mohammad Ali, from Lattakia.
Sergeant Aiham Ali Ahmad, from Tartous.
Conscript Adnan Ahmad Milkash, from Damascus.
Conscript Seido Ibesh Mohammad, from Aleppo.
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 through their steadfastness and the sacrifices made by the Syrian army.
Al-Jafari: Syria Carries Out Annan’s Plan, Countries that Provide Terrorists with Money and Arms Should Stop this Support
NEW YORK, (SANA) – Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN , Bashar al-Jafari, said that the work of the observer mission is on the right path, yet the type of crimes committed by the armed terrorist groups became more worse.
Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, al-Jafari said that Syria is implementing its pledges under the plan of the UN Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, but those sides which support terrorists with money and arms from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are not, adding that these countries should stop their support to the armed terrorist groups.
Al-Jafari added that the armed terrorist groups are committing crimes against civilians and military members, indicating that confessions of 26 Arab people who were arrested in Syria revealed that they came from Libya, Tunisia and other countries through Turkey and Lebanon to launch terrorist attacks in Syria.
He said that the Syrian security forces killed 15 members of those Takfiri and Salafi groups, adding that “Therefore, we are talking about facts that cannot be denied regarding the involvement of foreign fighters in the events in Syria which is a very serious issue.”
Al-Jafari added that the sheikhs who issued fatwas calling for murdering and committing crimes live in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Al-Jafari reiterated the Syrian government’s commitment to guarantee the utmost degrees of success for Annan’s mission, saying “but the Syrian government can’t do this alone.. we are in need for the participation of all to see the Qataris, Saudis and the Turkish government stop their support and instigation of violence, stop their money funding to cover the needs of the armed groups which attack civilian and military members.”
“There are committees at the UNSC meant to implement the resolutions 1272 and 1373 linked to the activities of al-Qaeda and Taliban… these committees should assume responsibilities in dealing with al-Qaeda activities in Syria.. otherwise this will be a double standard policy and language,” al-Jafari said.
In response to questions of journalists, al-Jafari underlined that Syria is interested and participates in the success of the international observers’ mission, adding “we think issues are going in a positive manner on the field, the volume of violence has remarkably retreated, but the quality of crimes perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups became worse.. we are witnessing now suicide acts, assassinations and explosive devices blasts.”
On the difference between Ban Ki-Moon’s statements yesterday from those of Annan’s today regarding Syria, al-Jafari said “I met the UN Chief 10 days ago and urged him to engage positively in supporting Annan’s mission.”
“Turkey sponsors and gives shelter to some army defectors and the armed terrorist groups… those armed groups are infiltrating through the Turkish borders.. they are perpetrating crimes against the Army forces and police, then infiltrating back to Turkey.. so the Turkish government should be responsible for halting the operations of infiltration through the Syrian-Turkish borders,” al-Jafari added.
He underlined that Syria has a bulk of facts, and everything will be announced on time, saying “what was announced today is a simple example of the facts Syria possesses.”
As for Annan’s intention to visit Syria during the next days, al-Jafari said “We always welcome him in Damascus.”
Popular Front: Elections would help launch national dialogue
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The Popular Front for Liberation and change held a press conference on Wednesday to declare its stance on the parliamentary elections which were run last Monday.
“The Front has entered the electoral process with the aim of making this process a turning point and a serious completion for the political process in the country to help launch the hoped- for national dialogue,” Qadri Jamil, Head of the Front said at the press conference.
He considered that the elections have proved there was a popular support to the program proposed by the Front, saying “we will study how this support has been reflected by voting through collecting information from all candidates.”
“At principle, the Front was against this electoral system.. this system doesn’t put the candidates in a place of equality.. it gives preference to the candidates who are backed by the powers of money or the state bodies,” Jamil said.
He added that the Front was confident in the need for changing that electoral system and moving towards a new one that concords with the 8th Article of the new constitution.
Mood: Syria’s Exit from Crisis has to be Decided by the Syrians
DARAA, (SANA)_Maj. Gen. Robert Mood, Head of the UN observer mission in Syria, said that an explosive device went off as the UN observer mission team passed by, injuring one of the guards and a journalist.
In a press conference in Daraa on Wednesday, Mood said “The explosion is an indication that reflects the violence in Syria.”
Gen. Mood considered that Syria’s exit from the crisis has to be decided by the Syrians themselves, adding that all parties in Syria have to communicate for solving the crisis.
”We met the UN observers in Daraa who said they are welcomed by all, ”said Mood, adding that there are 70 observers in Syria to reach 100 in the next couple of days, vowing to convey the situation on the ground as it is.
On the report submitted by the UN envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, to the UN Security Council, Mood said “We cannot comment since it was we who submitted the report based on our on-the-ground observations..I believe that the international community had a balanced view on the report.”
165 Citizens Involved in Recent Events Turn Themselves In
ALEPPO, (SANA) – 165 citizens who were misled and got involved in the recent events in the country and whose hands are clear of the Syrian blood have handed themselves and their weapons in to the authorities in Aleppo and its countryside.
The citizens were released to go back to normal life after pledging not to take up arms again or take part in vandalizing public and private properties.
The released citizens expressed regret and promised not to participate in acts that affect Syria’s security in the future.
Humanitarian Aid Convoy Heading to Gaza Arrives in Lattakia
LATTAKIA, (SANA) – The humanitarian aid convoy “The Right to Return” heading to Gaza entered the Syrian territories through Kasab crossing point on Wednesday.
The convoy is organized by a group of Europeans who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and Syria and headed by the British MP George Galloway.
Receiving the convoy, Lattakia GovernoAbdel Qader Mohammad al-Sheikh and Secretary of al-Baath Party Branch in Lattakia, Mohammad Shreitah, expressed Syria’s gratitude to the convoy members’ stances in support of the Palestinian Cause which is the Arabs’ central cause.
Spokesman of the convoy members thanked the Syrian government and people for facilitating their mission in conveying aid to the Palestinians in Gaza and continuing efforts to lift the siege imposed on them.
He added that the convoy is scheduled to arrive in Gaza on May 15 which coincide the anniversary of Nakba Day to remind the world that the Palestinians who were forced to leave their homes should return.
“What is taking place in Syria is a Syrian affair and we are guests of the Syrian people and respect their right to determine their destiny without foreign interferences,” he said.
He criticized the pressure and sanctions imposed by the West and some other countries on Syria in the name of democracy, indicating to the difficulties hindering their passage on the Turkish side.
The convoy included 14 buses carrying 24 activists from different European countries, in addition to humanitarian, health and educational aid.
UN Monitoring Mission Delegation Visits Aleppo
ALEPPO, (SANA) – The UN monitoring mission delegation visited on Wednesday several suburbs of Aleppo city and met the Governor of Aleppo Mouaffaq Khallouf.
For his part, Governor of Aleppo, Mouaffaq Khallouf, briefed the UN mission delegation on the city of Aleppo and its economic and industrial importance. Governor Khallouf pointed out that the province has been calm since the crisis started in Syria until some armed terrorist groups entered the province and perpetrated several criminal acts.
Head of the delegation noted that the western media is presenting a different view from reality on the ground, adding that the western media is exaggerating the events in Syria.
The delegation visited Bab al-Hadid, al-Qaterji, al-Maysar, Bab al-Nairab and al-Muhalaq suburbs in Aleppo.
Churkin: Situation in Syria Moving in Positive Direction
NEW YORK, (SANA) – Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vitaly Churkin on Wednesday said that the situation in Syria is moving in a positive direction.
In a statement made after the UN Security Council’s meeting, Churkin underlined that “Things are moving in a positive direction, there are some obstacles, but we think they can be overcome.”
Syria’s Al-Shorta Qualifies for Second Round of AFC Cup
AMMAN, (SANA) – Syria’s Al-Shorta football team qualified to the second round of the Asianf Football Confederation Cup after defeating Lebanon’s Safa SC 3-2 in the final match for Group E.
Two of Al-Shorta’s goals were scored by Raja Rafe’a at the 18 and 51 minutes marks, while Kussai Habib scored the third at the 71 minutes mark, while Safa SC’s goals were scored by Ali al-Saadi at 21 minutes and Rami Kaddour at 91 minutes.
With this victory, al-Shorta stands at the top of group E with 15 points.
Meanwhile, Syria’s Al-Ittihad left the championship after losing to Kuwait’s Al-Qadsiya 5-2.
Al-Qadsiya’s goals were scored by al-Haj Issa at the 2 and 48 minutes marks, Nawaf al-Materi at 41 and 52 minutes, and Omar al-Soma at 45 minutes. Al-Ittihad’s goals were scored by Hussameddin Omar at 33 minutes and Mohammad al-Hasan during the extra time.
With this loss, Al-Ittihad ended up with 4 points, while Al-Qadsiya ended up at the top of Group A and qualified for the second round along with Oman’s Al-Suwaiq which beat Jordan’s Al-Faisaly earlier.