President al-Assad: Any Initiative or Political Process Should Be Essentially Based on Principle of Halting Terrorism
Oct 22, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday stressed that Syria supports the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria and is open to any sincere efforts seeking to find a political solution to the crisis based on respecting Syria’s sovereignty and rejecting any foreign interference.
The President’s stress came during his meeting with the UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, which tackled the developments in Syria and the efforts exerted by Brahimi and the outcomes of his latest tour to a number of countries in the region.
President al-Assad clarified that any initiative or political process should be essentially based on the principle of halting terrorism and what is required in this regard from the countries involved in supporting, arming and harboring the terrorists in Syria to halt such acts.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor, Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Ahmad Arnous, and Head of Foreign Media Department at the Ministry, Jihad Makdissi.
Brahimi: Meeting Was Open and Responsible as Usual
Later, in a statement to the journalists following his meeting with President al-Assad, Brahimi described the meeting as “open and responsible as usual”.
He said the meeting tackled the issues related to the Syrian situation “with us looking forward to the future which we hope will end up in solving the crisis in Syria and restoring peace and security to it.”
“I talked with President al-Assad about halting the fighting during the Eid, and I also talked with all those whom I met inside and outside Syria about this personal initiative which isn’t an advanced project or part of the peace process which we seek for this country,” the UN envoy told the journalists.
Brahimi: My Only Agenda Is Serving the Syrians
He considered that “if each of the parties would take a decision on its own, then there would be a collective decision on the non-use of arms during the Eid.”
Brahimi noted that this idea of his had the support of the opposition parties abroad and the officials in the neighboring countries whom he met.
He said that being in charge, he hasn’t got any other agenda except that of serving the Syrian people, wishing them a blessed Eid.
“I’ll come back after the Eid. If there was calm during it, we would build on it, and even it there wasn’t, we would work to realize calm,” Brahimi pointed out, expressing hope that the door to ease for the Syrian people will open.
Answering a question regarding him having a long-winded plan or a ready paper, Brahimi said “We are working on getting this paper prepared with the various internal and external parties.”
He added that the Syrian people expects something more than this days-long armistice and they have the right to this, noting that “What we can promise to do is to work tirelessly to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people.”
Asked on whether he had guarantees from the armed groups on commitment to halt fighting, the UN envoy said “this call doesn’t require prearranged guarantees as guarantees are promises by the people to halt the fighting. Therefore, they either commit themselves and their conscience to do so, or otherwise if they didn’t, then it is the Syrian people who would hold them accountable.”
Thirteen People Martyred, 29 Injured in Bab Touma Terrorist Blast
Oct 22, 2012
DAMASCUS, ALEPPO, (SANA) – Thirteen people were martyred and 29 others were injured when an explosive device planted by an armed terrorist group under a car went off on Sunday in Bab Touma Square in Damascus.
A source at the Interior Ministry told SANA that the blast resulted in great material damages to the residents’ houses and nearby cars.
Bab Touma Residents: Terrorist Crimes Won’t Break our Will
The terrorist bombing that ripped through Bab Touma Square in Damascus, claiming the lives of 13 people and injuring 29, incurred the rage and condemnation of the locals and owners of shops overlooking the historical square that is thronged with people around the clock.
Father Gabriel Dawood, from the Syriac Orthodox patriarchate, said ”The terrorists behind this coward act have targeted safe citizens inside and outside their homes…In this place there were children on their way to their schools and people going about their business, Where is justice and amity? People behind this don’t have a shred of humanity.”
Maher Khouli, a local, said that the terrorist bombing happened as worshippers were leaving Churches, describing it as ”awful”, but one that won’t diminish the will of the Syrians.
Raef Fallouh, another resident, said that minutes before the exposition, he was paying the electricity bill nearby, then he heard a sound of big explosion.
”These are the terrorists’ gifts to the Syrian people for Eid al-Adha, but we are determined to remain unbowed, and we will always be one hand in defense of our country against terrorism, ” he said.
”It was a horrible scene…Bodies of martyrs scattered everywhere…One of the martyrs was a dustman…I saw him just before the explosion.”
George Hnein, a waiter in a nearby restaurant said ”I heared a loud explosion and rushed to see what’s up…I saw women, children and men drowned in their blood. Is this the kind of freedom the Gulf sheikhdoms want?” he asked, pointing to his blood-stained shirt.
Safwan al-Taweel, a shop keeper, expressed shock at the sight of Syrian blood being shed in Bab Touma square.
”Just yesterday, they torched historical souks in Aleppo, attacked Krak des Chevaliers Citadel in Homs and the Great Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo, today, they’ve targeted one of the most renowned historical squares in Syria, but their terrorist acts will make us even stronger,” Safwan said.
Syrian Network for Monitoring Human Rights condemns the Heinous Act
The Syrian Network for Monitoring Human Rights condemned the terrorist explosion which claimed the lives of 13 citizens and injured 29 others in Bab Toma neighborhood in Damascus, stressing that it was a low way adopted by the armed terrorist groups.
In a statement today, the Network considered that the crimes carried out by the armed groups through planting explosives on the public roads, streets and among the houses which cause causalities among the civilians are flagrant violations of the human rights’ principles and international justice.
It called on the countries which sponsor terrorists to stop supporting and harboring them.
Armed Forces Target Terrorists in Aleppo, Foil Terrorists’ Infiltration Attempts from Lebanon
Oct 21, 2012
PROVINCES, (SANA)_Units of the Armed Forces on Sunday continued cleansing neighborhoods in Aleppo and its countryside of terrorists.
The army units carried out qualitative operations in Sheikh Khodr and Suleiman al-Halabi neighborhoods.
A source told SANA that the operation caused the death of scores of terrorists and the injury of others, and inflicted heavy material losses on them.
The Armed Forces destroyed 4 booby-trapped cars while heading for Aleppo city near the Reclamation Institution in Deir Hafer area in Aleppo countryside.
The army also destroyed two machineguns-equipped cars in the area of al-Bab.
An army unit targeted a terrorists’ gatherings in the areas of Aziza, Khan al-Asal, Mare’ and al-Aoyja, inflicting heavy losses upon the terrorists.
Another army unit destroyed 3 cars loaded with weapon and ammunition near al-Nayrab Bridge.
The army carried out qualitative operations in the areas al-Layramoon, al-Zahrawi Souk, Bani Zaid, Bab al-Hadeed roundabout, Asyla Square, al-Milh Square and al-Sakhour Square, inflicting heavy losses upon the terrorists.
Armed Forces Foil Terrorists’ Infiltration Attempts from Lebanon
A unit of the Armed Forces on Sunday repelled several infiltration attempts by armed terrorist groups trying to cross the border from Lebanon into Syria in the countryside of Talkalakh in Homs.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that the Armed Forces clashed with armed terrorist groups which were attempting to enter the Syrian territories from Lebanon through the areas of al-Ramel, al-Masamek and Harmoush, inflicting heavy losses upon their members while others fled back to the Lebanese territories.
IEDs-Manufacturing Factory Explodes in Homs
Eight terrorists were killed and others were injured after a factory to manufacture explosive devices exploded in al-Warsha neighborhood in Homs.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that the warehouse where the explosion took place was used by an armed terrorist group to manufacture explosive devices.
A unit of the Armed Forces clashed with an armed terrorist group in Bab Hood neighborhood in Homs, killing and injuring large number of the terrorists.
Car Bomb Blast near a Hospital in Aleppo
A suicide terrorist blew up his booby-trapped car in front of the Syrian-French Hospital in al-Zohour Street in Aleppo city, causing material damage only.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that the blast resulted in several injuries among the passers-by and caused material damage to the hospital and the nearby residential buildings and cars at the site.
Material Damage Only Caused by Explosive Device Blast in Damascus Countryside
An explosive device planted by terrorists on a road in Mneen town in Damascus Countryside blasted, causing the injury of a number of passers-by at the site of the blast.
A source at Damascus Countryside Police Command told SANA reporter that the blast resulted in material damage to the surrounding houses and shops.
Armed Terrorist Group Eliminated in Harasta, Weapons Seized
A unit of the Armed Forces pursued an armed terrorist group in Harasta in Damascus countryside as the terrorist group was terrifying citizens and committing sabotage and killing acts.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that all members of the armed terrorist group were killed and their weapons were seized.
Weapons’ Storehouse Destroyed, Terrorists killed in Deir Ezzor
The Armed Forces targeted a terrorist group in al-Jandool neighborhood in Deir Ezzor city, killing and injuring most of its members.
In al-Rashidyeh neighborhood, an army unit destroyed a storehouse for weapons and ammunition and a car, killing the terrorists in it.
Another army unit targeted a terrorist group in Sheikh Yaseen neighborhood, killing and injuring scores of its members.
Prime Minister Stresses Need to Bolster the Steadfastness of Syrians and Palestinians in the Face of Conspiracies
Oct 21, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Prime Minister Dr. Wael al-Halqi affirmed that Syria is facing an international conspiracy aiming to destabilize and fragment it and deviate it from its resistant role in the region to achieve the goals of western countries, primarily the US and Israel.
During his meeting on Sunday with a delegation from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command headed by its Secretary General Ahmad Jebril, al-Halqi stressed the need to bolster the steadfastness of the Syrians and Palestinians in the face of the conspiracies targeting them, underlining the need to provide the requirements of steadfastness particularly in light of unjust embargos and sanctions imposed by the west on Syria which affect citizens’ livelihoods and needs.
The Prime Minister said that these sanctions are supported by Arab and regional countries that are involved in the conspiracy against Syria, mainly Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, asserting that Syria will emerge victorious and more determined thanks to the steadfastness and unity of its people and its valiant army.
He noted that the political situation improving in terms of global understanding of the nature of the conspiracy against Syria and the considerable efforts exerted to strengthen national economy.
For his part, Jebril affirmed that the Palestinian people support their Syrian brethren in confronting the conspiracy which targets them both, stressing the need to persist in standing fast and fighting to achieve victory.
Al-Halqi: All Basic Food and Provisions Supplies Available at Reasonable Prices
Later, al-Halqi chared a meeting at the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, during which he stressed the importance of the government’s strategic development programs and plans and the role of the Ministry in supporting national economy.
He said that the government will work to overcome all obstacles affecting establishments of the Internal Trade Ministry by amending laws and legislations and restructuring the Ministry and its establishments to reduce squandering and control spending.
Al-Halqi stressed the need to curb faults and corruption in state establishments, finish each establishment’s annual budgets and accounting on time, ending financial entanglement and accumulation, and using positive intervention to provide goods at reasonable prices across Syria.
He noted that the methodical sabotage affecting Syria’s establishments and infrastructure drains the country’s strategic reserves and causes the loss of billions, adding that despite that, Syrian economy is growing and has all the components of sustainability and endurance due to the presence of a strategic reserve of various provisions.
Afterwards, Deputy Prime Minister and Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Minister, Dr. Qadri Jamil, reviewed the state of work at the Ministry’s establishments and the challenges facing it.
Syrian Students in India, Belgium and Luxemburg Reiterate Support to Syria
Oct 21, 2012
NEW DELHI, (SANA)_The Syrian students at the Indian universities and members of the Syrian communities gathered outside the Syrian embassy in New Delhi to express solidarity with and support to motherland Syria against the conspiracy targeting it.
The participants raised the Syrian flags and chanted slogans saluting the Syrian Arab army in his battle against terrorists and extremists, voicing support to the Syrian leadership and President Bashar al-Assad.
They also lashed out at Arab and foreign interference in the Syrian domestic affairs, and planted a fig tree symbolizing amity among the Syrian people in the soil of the Syrian embassy in New Delhi.
The participants observed a minute of silence in honor of martyrs and blasted the terror attacks targeting the Syrian people, especially that which ripped through Bab Touma on Sunday.
In a statement issued by the National Union of Syrian Students-India Branch, the Syrian students expressed backing to the reforms process in Syria and resolve to foil seditious conspiracies hatched by colonial countries, especially the US and Western countries, and their tools in the region, namely Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
The students renewed rejection of foreign interference and the forceful imposition of solutions, denouncing the economic sanctions on Syria that reflected negatively on the lives of citizens.
They expressed trust in the Syrians’ ability to solve their own problems, saluting the Syrian Arab army who is valiantly confronting terrorist groups and offering the dearest of sacrifices for protecting the homeland.
Syria’s Ambassador to India, Riyad Abbas, gave a detailed account of the conspiracies targeting stability and security in Syria, assuring the Syrian community that Syria will succeed in bringing terrorists to their knees.
He thanked the Syrian community for their high morale and solidarity with their country, urging them to unite for defending the country.
In the same context, the Syrian students in Belgium and Luxemburg condemned the terrorist crimes and the imperialist conspiracy against Syria.
The students gathered at the Stock Exchange Square in Brussels on Sunday and raised the Syrian flags and President al-Assad’s posters, and banners blasting terrorism.
They chanted slogans for national unity, voicing resolve to foil the conspiracy and conquer terrorism.
Culture Minister Discusses with Heads of Cultural Centers Ways of Promoting Cultural Activities
Oct 21, 2012
TARTOUS, (SANA) – Minister of Culture Dr. Lubanah Mshaweh on Sunday discussed with Heads of cultural centers from all provinces ways of activating and promoting the work of the cultural centers.
In a statement to SANA, Minister Mshaweh stressed the need to establish workshops and symposiums attended by specialists with the aim of spreading awareness on the events in Syria and facing the cultural and intellectual invasion of the misleading media outlets.
She urged the Directorate of Antiquities to create an environment that embraces cultural activities, calling upon heads of cultural centers to communicate with the National Campaign to Protect Antiquities in Syria with the aim of holding symposiums and workshops on the importance of antiquities in the cultural centers.
Minister Mshaweh asked the Culture Directorate to allocate a building for holding plastic and fine arts exhibitions, stressing the need to adopt a mentality that could contribute to enhancing the cultural movement in the country and benefitting from the experiences of other countries in this regards.
Raqqa Governor: We Provide Basic Needs to All Newcomers
Oct 21, 2012
RAQQA, (SANA) – Governor of Raqqa Hassan Jalali on Sunday said that the province is providing all services and needs, especially in the fields of health and residence, to all the families that fled to the province from other provinces becasue of the acts of the armed terrorist groups.
Jalali briefed the delegation on the situation of the displaced people and the services provided by the province to them, pointing out that all newcomers are living in fixed institutions such as schools, makeshift centers or houses.
For his part, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Ben Parker said that the team’s mission is restricted to the humanitarian aspect, adding that several organizations are represented in the team, comprising WHO, WFP, UNICEF and UNFPA with cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Organization.
Agriculture Ministry and FAO Mark World Food Day
Oct 21, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Ministry, in cooperation with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), marked the World Food Day which coincides this year with un unprecedented rises in food prices around the world and an escalation global hunger, with more than 800 millions suffering from hunger around the world.
This year’s marking of World Food Day comes under the slogan “agricultural cooperations… key to feeding the world” to shed light on how agricultural cooperations can help provide food security and job opportunities and free people from poverty.
Minister of Agriculture Subhi al-Abdullah said that the World Food Day comes at a time when changes, repercussions and wars have drained many local, regional and international efforts that could have been better used to prevent the deterioration of the issue of food around the world, with these factors limiting the availability of agricultural products leading to an increase in their prices.
He pointed out that Syria realized the importance of agricultural cooperations decades ago, as the first agricultural cooperative society was established in Damascus Countryside in 1943, noting that Syrian governments made farmers organizations their partners in realizing food security and self-sufficiency.
Al-Abudllah pointed out that the government implemented a program for increasing agricultural production and introduced advanced irrigation projects, working to increase the working force in the agricultural sector and improving the living conditions in rural areas, in addition to supporting farmers and livestock breeders through a fund for reducing the effects of droughts and natural disasters.
In turn, FAO representative in Syria Abdullah Bin Yehea underlined the importance of agricultural cooperations in providing food as they are capable of overcoming restrictions and mitigating the effects of crises.
He affirmed that the FAO will continue its work to revitalize and support agricultural cooperations to achieve the goal of a world that enjoys food security and sustainability.
For his part, Chairman of the Farmers General Union Hammad al-Sauud said that agricultural cooperations achieve agricultural clustering which reduces fragmentation of agricultural properties, in addition to reducing production costs through group work which in turn reduces prices and better results in terms of quality and volume.
The World Food Day is marked on October 16th.
Losses of Printing Establishment due to Terrorist Acts Estimated at SYP 100 Million
Oct 21, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Director of the General Establishment for Printing, Zuhir Kamel Sleiman, estimated the losses of the Establishment due to the attacks of the armed terrorist groups at SYP 100 million.
In a statement to SANA, Sleiman said the practices of the terrorist groups against the Establishment included burglarizing and burning its storehouses and targeting its cars, causing problems in distributing school books which have so far been denied access to many schools after a month has passed since the beginning of the study year of this season.
He however affirmed that work is going on to complete the provinces’ needs of books, with 16 cars are transporting books from Adra storehouse in Damascus to the rest of the provinces.
Sleiman said that the actual needs of Quneitra, Tartus, Sweida, Lattakia, Raqqa, Hasaka and Damascus have been met, noting that work is underway to open additional storehouses and provide books to the rest of provinces including Aleppo, whose 50 percent of its needs were already secured over the past period, and Damascus Countryside, which will be supplied with all its needs in the coming few days.
The Director of the Establishment stressed that the distribution of books is being carried out according to certain rules to prevent exploitation by middlemen, highlighting that those who violate the laws in this regard are subject to fines and legal accountability.