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By Jonathan Cook

24 October, 2012

@ Countercurrents.org

Nazareth: Six and a half years go, shortly after Hamas won the Palestinian national elections and took charge of Gaza, a senior Israeli official described Israel’s planned response. “The idea,” he said, “is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger.”

Although Dov Weisglass was adviser to Ehud Olmert, the prime minister of the day, few observers treated his comment as more than hyperbole, a supposedly droll characterisation of the blockade Israel was about to impose on the tiny enclave.

Last week, however, the evidence finally emerged to prove that this did indeed become Israeli policy. After a three-year legal battle by an Israeli human rights group, Israel was forced to disclose its so-called “Red Lines” document. Drafted in early 2008, as the blockade was tightened still further, the defence ministry paper set forth proposals on how to treat Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Health officials provided calculations of the minimum number of calories needed by Gaza’s 1.5 million inhabitants to avoid malnutrition. Those figures were then translated into truckloads of food Israel was supposed to allow in each day.

The Israeli media have tried to present these chilling discussions, held in secret, in the best light possible. Even the liberal Haaretz newspaper euphemistically described this extreme form of calorie-counting as designed to “make sure Gaza didn’t starve”.

But a rather different picture emerges as one reads the small print. While the health ministry determined that Gazans needed daily an average of 2,279 calories each to avoid malnutrition – requiring 170 trucks a day – military officials then found a host of pretexts to whittle down the trucks to a fraction of the original figure.

The reality was that, in this period, an average of only 67 trucks – much less than half of the minimum requirement – entered Gaza daily. This compared to more than 400 trucks before the blockade began.

To achieve this large reduction, officials deducted trucks based both on an over-generous assessment of how much food could be grown locally and on differences in the ”culture and experience” of food consumption in Gaza, a rationale never explained.

Gisha, the organisation that fought for the document’s publication, observes that Israeli officials ignored the fact that the blockade had severely impaired Gaza’s farming industry, with a shortage of seeds and chickens that had led to a dramatic drop in food output.

UN staff too have noted that Israel failed to factor in the large quantity of food from each day’s supply of 67 trucks that never actually reached Gaza. That was because Israeli restrictions at the crossings created long delays as food was unloaded, checked and then put on to new trucks. Many items spoiled as they lay in the sun.

And on top of this, Israel further adjusted the formula so that the number of trucks carrying nutrient-poor sugar were doubled while the trucks carrying milk, fruit and vegetables were greatly reduced, sometimes by as much as a half.

Robert Turner, director of the UN refugee agency’s operations in the Gaza Strip, has observed: “The facts on the ground in Gaza demonstrate that food imports consistently fell below the red lines.”

It does not need an expert to conclude that the imposition of this Weisglass-style “diet” would entail widespread malnutrition, especially among children. And that is precisely what happened, as a leaked report from the International Committee of the Red Cross found at the time. “Chronic malnutrition is on a steadily rising trend and micro-nutrient deficiencies are of great concern,” it reported in early 2008.

Israel’s protests that the document was merely a “rough draft” and never implemented are barely credible – and, anyway, beside the point. If the politicians and generals were advised by health experts that Gaza needed at least 170 trucks a day, why did they oversee a policy that allowed in only 67?

There can be no doubt that the diet devised for Gaza – much like Israel’s blockade in general – was intended as a form of collective punishment, one directed at every man, woman and child. The goal, according to the Israeli defence ministry, was to wage “economic warfare” that would generate a political crisis, leading to a popular uprising against Hamas.

Earlier, when Israel carried out its 2005 disengagement, it presented the withdrawal as marking the end of Gaza’s occupation. But the “Red Lines” formula indicates quite the opposite: that, in reality, Israeli officials intensified their control, managing the lives of Gaza’s inhabitants in almost-microscopic detail.

Who can doubt – given the experiences of Gaza over the past few years – that there exist in the Israeli military’s archives other, still-classified documents setting out similar experiments in social engineering? Will future historians reveal that Israeli officials also pondered the fewest hours of electricity Gazans needed to survive, or the minimum amount of water, or the smallest living space per family, or the highest feasible levels of unemployment?

Such formulas presumably lay behind:

* the decision to bomb Gaza’s only power station in 2006 and subsequently to block its proper repair;

* the refusal to approve a desalination plant, the only way to prevent overdrilling contaminating the Strip’s underground water supply;

* the declaration of large swaths of farmland no-go areas, forcing the rural population into the already overcrowded cities and refugee camps;

* and the continuing blockade on exports, decimating Gaza’s business community and ensuring the population remains dependent on aid.

It is precisely these policies by Israel that led the United Nations to warn in August that Gaza would be “uninhabitable” by 2020.

In fact, the rationale for the Red Lines document and these other measures can be found in a military strategy that found its apotheosis in Operation Cast Lead, the savage attack on Gaza in winter 2008-09.

The Dahiya doctrine was Israel’s attempt to update its traditional military deterrence principle to cope with a changing Middle East, one in which the main challenge it faced was from asymmetrical warfare. The name Dahiya derives from a neighbourhood of Beirut Israel levelled in its 2006 attack on Lebanon.

This “security concept”, as the Israeli army termed it, involves the wholesale destruction of a community’s infrastructure to immerse it so deeply in the problems of survival and reconstruction that other concerns, including fighting back or resisting occupation, are no longer practicable.

On the first day of the Gaza offensive, Yoav Galant, the commander in charge, explained the aim succinctly: it was to “send Gaza decades into the past”. Matan Vilnai may have been thinking in similar terms when, months before Operation Cast Lead, he warned that Israel was preparing to inflict on Gaza a “shoah”, the Hebrew word for Holocaust.

Seen in this context, Weisglass’ diet can be understood as just one more refinement of the Dahiya doctrine: a whole society refashioned to accept its subjugation through a combination of violence, poverty, malnutrition and a permanent struggle over limited resources.

This experiment in the manufacture of Palestinian despair is, it goes with saying, both illegal and grossly immoral. But ultimately it also certain to unravel – and possibly sooner rather than later. The visit this week of Qatar’s emir, there to bestow hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, was the first by a head of state since 1999.

The Gulf’s wealthy oil states need influence, allies and an improved image in a new Middle East wracked by uprisings and civil war. Gaza is a prize, it seems, they may be willing to challenge Israel to possess.

Jonathan Cook won the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. His latest books are “Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East” (Pluto Press) and “Disappearing Palestine: Israel’s Experiments in Human Despair” (Zed Books). His new website is

www.jonathan-cook.net

Khamenei ‘incensed’ meeting was revealed

23 October 2012

By Reza Kahlili

@ www.wnd.com

The revelation on WND of the secret meetings between the Obama administration and Iran has caused confusion and anger for those who were taking part – and has derailed the previously agreed-to plans of an announcement for a breakthrough on the nuclear-weapons crisis prior to the U.S. elections.

In Monday night’s presidential debate, President Obama again denied reports in “newspapers” but later contradicted himself and admitted to the possibility of bilateral meetings with Iran.

In the heat of the moment and in response to Gov. Mitt Romney’s criticism of his handling of Iran’s nuclear program, the president said, “I’m pleased that you now are endorsing our policy of applying diplomatic pressure and potentially having bilateral discussions with the Iranians to end their nuclear program.”

Mark Fitzpatrick, a former State Department expert on proliferation and now at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, stated that, “I have been hearing for some time that they had been having private discussions, and now it is starting to become public.”

The British newspaper the Guardian reported the same on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Obama is open to having bilateral talks with Iran about its nuclear program, but the United States has not scheduled any negotiations.

As reported on Oct. 4 and again on Oct. 18, a three-person delegation representing the Obama administration secretly met with their Iranian counterparts about Oct. 1 in Doha, Qatar.

The source who provided details of that meeting and who remains anonymous for security reasons because he is highly placed in Iran’s regime, added that after the WND revelation of the secret meeting, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was incensed.

The Iranian supreme leader demanded the Americans explain about the leak, which prompted the White House to leak a soft version of the story to the New York Times and deny the facts.

With that, the source said, the Obama administration tried damage control, first by indicating that the story revolved around an agreement for after the elections so no pre-election political motive could be ascribed, and second to ease the mind of the Islamic regime’s leaders about any leaks on the actual event.

The White House, which originally gave a “no comment” to the WND story, responded to the Times story. “It’s not true that the United States and Iran have agreed to one-on-one talks or any meeting after the American election,” Tommy Vietor, a White House spokesman, said Saturday.

The source pointed to the clever response by the White House in denying any agreements for future talks rather than any previous meeting and agreement.

According to the source, who provided new information, the Qatar meeting lasted for about 11 hours, requiring two breaks so the Iranian delegate could do daily prayers.

Besides the woman who led the American team, the source said, there were two American men, one of whom, in his early 60s with slightly darker receding hair, had spent time in Iran before the Islamic revolution. The other, in his 30s, had a military haircut and carried a briefcase so he could report back to Washington live through encrypted messages.

The American woman had met the Iranian delegate, Ali Akbar Velayati, several times before and was trusted by him. Velayati, a close adviser of the supreme leader on international affairs, met privately with the woman for four hours before both groups continued talks.

The source identified the other Iranian present as Asghar Hejazi, a cleric who heads the intelligence and security divisions in the supreme leader’s office.

The presence of Velayati, who makes the international decisions for the regime, and Hejazi, with final authority over all intelligence and security of the country, shows that Khamenei is in direct talks with the Obama administration, the source said.

The source emphasized that the Americans requested an announcement on an agreement to partially halt enrichment temporarily before the U.S. elections to help with Obama’s re-election, but the revelation of the meeting caused both sides to re-evaluate the announcement’s timing.

The revelation has also aggravated both Russia and the European Union, which have been participating in multilateral talks of 5+1 on the Iranian nuclear program.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov is rushing to Tehran to warn of any back-channel dealings with America, the source said. So is a delegate from the European Union arriving to strengthen its economic position.

According to the source, in the past five months, four meetings were held in the U.S. with the Islamic regime’s surrogates (two of whom have green cards and travel to America routinely) to hash out what was to be discussed at the Qatar meeting. The source identified Valerie Jarrett, a senior Obama adviser, as the head of the U.S. effort to engage Iran.

The Qatar agreement would have Iran announce a partial halt to enrichment, ensure the regime’s right to peaceful enrichment, quickly remove much of the sanctions, accept that Iran’s nuclear program does not have a military dimension, and relieve international pressure on the regime while it continues its nuclear program.

Khamenei has asked for a written guarantee from Obama to ensure the U.S. would abide by its promises. He once threatened to reveal the contents of a previous Obama letter if threats (referring to Israel) were carried out against the regime. The source said Obama’s letter urged the Islamic regime to avoid giving any reason to Israel to attack and urged collaboration on a peaceful nuclear program.

The news of the revelation of the secret meeting was reflected widely in Iranian media without any official statement by regime officials, although they denied any agreement on future one-on-one meetings, as the White House did.

Reza Kahlili served in CIA Directorate of Operations, as a spy in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, counterterrorism expert; currently serves on the Task Force on National and Homeland Security, an advisory board authorized by Congress. He is the author of the award winning book “A Time to Betray” and regularly appears in national and international media as an expert on Iran and counterterrorism in the Middle East.

Army Forces Kill Tens of terrorists, Confiscate Their Weapons and Destroy DSHK-Equipped Cars in Different Syrian areas

Oct 22, 2012

PROVINCES, (SANA)- Armed Forces units on Monday eliminated tens of terrorists during their operations to clear Aleppo and its countryside from terrorists groups.

An Armed Forces unit carried out a series of operations against terrorist gatherings enar Jamal Mosque, Souq al-Jalloum and Souq Sukkar in al-Kallaseh area in Aleppo city, killing tens of terrorists including a sniper.

Other units destroyed terrorist hideouts near the old impound lot in Bustan al-Qasser, Bab Antakya, al-Aqaba, Haret al-Shahadin and al-Marje roundabout, inflicting heavy losses upon the terrorists.

Terrorist Adnan Farroukh who commands a terrorist group was killed as he was attempting to flee to Turkey after sustaining injuries in Sleiman al-Halabi area in Aleppo. His entire group was eliminated by the Armed Forces.

In the town of Qabtan al-Jabal in Aleppo countryside, an Armed Forces Unit eliminated a terrorist group which was attacking locals and their properties.

Explosive planted by armed group under a car at East Rukn al-Dina neighborhood in Damascus detonated, causing no causalities

An explosive planted by an armed terrorist group under a car at East Rukn al-Dina neighborhood in Damascus was detonated today, causing no causalities.

A source at Damascus Police told SANA reporter that the explosion caused material losses to the car.

Army Foils Terrorists’ infiltration attempt to Harem, Idleb Countryside

In cooperation with the families of Harem region in Idleb countryside, a unity of the Syrian Army foiled an infiltration attempt by an armed terrorist group to enter the region, killing all the terrorists.

A source in Idleb told SANA reporter that big quantities of weapons were confiscated from members of the armed group.

It added that other Army units destroyed terrorist gatherings at al-Alani town in Salkin, dismantling tens of explosives planted by the terrorists in the surroundings of Ma’arat al-Numan.

Armed Forces Target Terrorists and Eliminate Them in Deir Ezzor

A unit of the Armed Forces on Monday targeted terrorists’ gathering in al-Hussainieh in Deir Ezzor countryside, killing a number of the terrorists and wounding others.

An official source told SANA reporter that the army personnel destroyed two cars which the terrorists were using for transporting ammunition and weapons.

Another unit of the Armed Forces clashed with terrorists who attempted to infiltrate al-Jbeileh neighborhood and Fouad Cinema Street in the city of Deir Ezzor .

The clash resulted in the killing of a number of terrorists and the injuring of others.

A unit of the Armed Forces clashed with terrorists in Ali Beik neighborhood in Deir Ezzor and killed a number of them and injured others.

A unit of the armed forces killed terrorists in al-Jbeileh and Ghassan Abboud roundabout in Deir Ezzor. Terrorists Eliminated and Their Vehicles Destroyed in Abukamal Area

An Armed Forces unit targeted a terrorist group in Abukamal area in Deir Ezzor countryside.

An official source told SANA that the operation resulted in killing and injuring a large number of terrorists and the destruction of the vehicles they were using, adding that one of the injured terrorists is Ahmad Abdelrazzaq Mattar who is one of the most dangerous terrorists.

Armed Forces Units Eliminate Terrorist Groups in Damascus Countryside

During its pursuit of terrorists in Erbin area in Damascus Countryside, an armed forces unit eliminated a terrorist group, killing all its members and confiscating their weapons and ammunition.

An official source told SANA that a unit of the armed forces destroyed two cars equipped with machineguns with the terrorists inside them.

Another Armed Forces unit eliminated an armed terrorist group which was terrorizing locals in the town of Harasta in Damascus countryside.

An official source told SANA’s correspondent that one of the most dangerous wanted terrorists in the area was killed in the operation.

On a relevant note, terrorists fired RPG rounds at the Police Hospital in Harasta, firing four RPG rounds at the hospital’s 7th floor. There were no casualties among patients or the medical staff, and only material damages were caused.

Armed Forces Inflect Heavy Losses Upon Terrorists in Homs

Units of the Armed Forces targeted terrorists’ gatherings in al-Sultanieh neighborhood in  Homs and in al-Bahsat neighborhood near Qattineh Lake in the province countryside, inflicting heavy losses upon the terrorists.

SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that a number of terrorists were killed and others were injured, adding that their weapons were seized or destroyed.

Terrorists Rob Ghabagheb Dispensary in Daraa Countryside, Loot its Contents

An armed terrorist group  robbed a dispensary in Ghabagheb town in al-Sanamin area in Daraa countryside and looted its contents.

SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that the armed group looted all the contents of the dispensary including medicine and medical equipment and supplies.

Authorities Seize Israeli-Made Weapons in Hasaka Countryside

Authorities confiscated various types of Israeli-made rifles and machineguns used by an armed terrorist group on the Hasaka-Deir Ezzor Highway.

An official source told SANA that authorities clashed with members of the terrorist group, killing many of them and arresting others , adding that they seized Israeli-made machineguns and rifles, an RPG launcher and a large amount of ammunition.

Authorities Arrest Terrorists, Confiscate Weapons and Ammo in Hama Countryside

The authorities raided a terrorist hideout in the village of al-Qaramtah in Mhardeh area in Hama countryside, arresting a number of wanted terrorists and confiscating weapons and ammo.

The confiscated items include pump-action shotguns and a hunting rifle, in addition to a communication device.

Similarly, the authorities raided another terrorist hideout in the town of Maazraf in Mhardeh area, confiscating munitions.

Terrorists Kidnap Daraa Attorney General

An armed terrorist group kidnapped on Monday the Attorney General in Daraa, Tayseer al-Smadi.

A source in the province told SANA that six terrorists kidnapped al-Smadi near the Civil Court of First Instance and took him to an unknown place.

People’s Assembly Condemns the Canadian Foreign Ministry’s rejection to Give Entry visa to the Syrian delegation to IPU Assembly

Oct 22, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-People’s Assembly on Monday condemned the stance of the Canadian Foreign Ministry’s rejection to offer entry visa to the Assembly’s delegation to participate in the activities of the 127th session of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) being held in Quebec between the 21st to the 26th of October.

At a press conference, members of the delegation considered that the Canadian Foreign Ministry’s rejection to offer visa indicates to plotted intentions by the Canadian authorities to make Syria absent from this important international meeting and give no opportunity to show the Syrian viewpoint towards the terrorists acts in the country.

The MPs underlined that this stance is a dangerous precedent in the dealing of a host country with members of the IPU which will result negative repercussions on the process of the IPU.

For his part, MP Arkan Nasr said that the People’s Assembly hoped that the IPU deal in responsibility and objectivity with the developments of events in Syria, condemn the terror practiced by the armed terrorist groups and the misleading media campaigns of a number of mass media.

“The People’s Assembly has indented to present a draft resolution which asserts the respect for Syria sovereignty, independence and keeping its territorial integrity as well as realizing an international parliamentary understanding to achieve security, stability in the country, stop bloodshed and terrifying the innocents,” Nasr added.

Other MPs stressed that the attempts of a number of countries to suspend Syria membership at the IPU is a dangerous precedent in the process of the Union’s work which will have negative repercussions on the mechanisms of its work and the goals which it was found for, represented by boosting cooperation among the parliaments to achieve security and peace among the world nations.

Maria Sa’ada, for her part, read the speech of the delegation that was decided to attend the meetings of the IPU which calls upon it to support the Syrian people, defend their rights and freedom, adding that evaluating the legitimacy of any elected parliament is considered as a flagrant intervention in the principle of sovereignty.

The People’s Assembly said in its speech that Syria recognizes the opposition powers as the constitution offers the right of the parties’ legitimacy and political pluralism.

It wondered “is that a revolution which encourages the killing of the Syrian to his brother, instigates sedition, fund or arm the armed terrorist groups.”

Al-Halqi: Government Working to Maintain Economic Situation and Provide Basic Needs to Citizens

Oct 22, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Members of the General Council of the General Federation of Trade Unions on Monday focused on the necessity of working as one team to overcome the difficulties facing Syria and its people, particularly as the crisis affected all life junctures.

During the concluding session which was attended by Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Kadri Jamil, in addition to other ministers, members of the General Council stressed appreciation of the great sacrifices offered by the Armed Forces to protect the homeland and citizens.

Prime Minister al-Halqi said in a speech that the Government is currently working to maintain the economic situation and provide basic and living needs to citizens.

Al-Halqi pointed out to the Government’s care for the displaced citizens concerning the provision of housing, schools and food and health baskets.

He added that the Government allocated SYP 1,2 billion to compensate the affected buildings, and the Government will allocate SYP 30 billion next year.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Kadri Jamil pointed out that the Government is working according to its governmental statement as it focuses on the urgent issues which require a solution.

He added that the government is working to defend the purchasing value of the Syrian pound and to cut down on its deterioration.

He stressed the necessity of enhancing the role of the working class in the Syrian society to serve the current circumstances, calling for citizens’ participation in sponsoring markets.

Lavrov: President al-Assad Enjoys the Support of the Majority of Syrian People

Oct 22, 2012

MOSCOW, (SANA) –Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov said that President Bashar al-Assad enjoys the support of the majority of the Syrian people, and constitutes a guarantee of security and stability in Syria.

The Russian Russkaya Gazeta newspaper quoted Lavrov as saying that “the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is supported by the majority of the Syrian people, and he is the guarantee of the safety of minorities in Syria who have been living there for hundreds of years.”

He added that the Europeans admit that more than a third of the Syrian people back President al-Assad ”because he won’t allow Syria to become a place where minorities cannot live side by side with their fellow Syrian citizens.”

Lavrov considered the accusations leveled at Syria and President al-Assad as a cover-up of a big geopolitical game that seeks to redraw the Middle East map, through which various players are trying to secure their geopolitical positions, with Iran more in mind than Syria.

He reiterated necessity of commitment to Geneva communiqué, saying ”The principles of Geneva communiqué include a simple agreement that has no alternative,” reminding that Syria has announced its agreement to the communiqué, and the ball now is in the opposition’s court.

Lavrov said that the UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi will visit Moscow next week for consultations with the Russian leadership, hoping that Brahimi will ”endow the principles of Geneva communiqué with an effectual meaning in his current mission.”

Lavrov expressed Russia’s understanding of and support to the rights of the Middle East peoples to a better life and that the citizens enjoy respect in their countries , which has been Russia’s stance since the outset of developments in the Middle East.

Lavrov: Russia Supports Ending Violence in Syria, Reaching Peaceful Solution without Foreign Interference

Lavrov expressed Moscow’s total support to ending violence in Syria and reaching a peaceful solution for the crisis without foreign interference.

In a statement released Monday, Lavrov described the initiative of the UN envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, on ceasing violence as “important”, adding that Russia always supports stopping violence and reaching peaceful solution without foreign interference.

Lavrov called upon all the sides to respond to Brahimi’s suggestion as it is a very important step to stop violence and launch the political process that contributes to creating renewable Syria and serving the interests of its people.

Pushkov: What is Happening in Syria Similar to US Misdirection in Iraq

Chairman of the Russian Duma’s International Affairs Committee, Alexei Pushkov, said that what is happening currently in Syria is similar to the misdirection carried out by the United States regarding Iraq, and that the US Administration is assuming the same unilateral position and all its media acts as an ideological tool for the administration.

Russia and Iran Call for Unifying Efforts to Solve Crisis in Syria based on Respecting Sovereignty and Independence

Russia and Iran on Monday called on the international community to unify efforts exerted to solve the crisis in Syria based on respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and according to Geneva meeting statement and the principal stances of the Non-Aligned Movement which stipulate for ending bloodshed and launching comprehensive Syrian political dialogue.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russian President’s Special Envoy to Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, exchanged views in Tehran on the urgent issues listed on the international and regional agendas focusing on the situation in the Middle East and southern Africa.

The statement said that the two sides expressed deep concerns over the continuation of violence in Syria which has caused victims among the civilians.

The statement added that the participants in the talks held in Tehran supported UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi on announcing a truce in Syria during al-Adha Eid.

Earlier, Bogdanov started a visit to Tehran to discuss the latest developments in the region, particularly the crisis in Syria.

Brahimi Meets National Democratic Bloc: Exerting Pressure on Countries that Support Terrorists

Oct 22, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, met on Monday the National Democratic Bloc delegation at Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus.

Secretary-General of the National Youth for Justice and Development Party, Barwin Ibrahim, pointed out in a statement to journalists after the meeting that the National Democratic Bloc presented its point of view on the crisis in Syria and the vision of its parties for dealing with the crisis.

Ibrahim said that the bloc criticized the international community for not listening to the voice of the opposition inside Syria and adopting the point of view of the outside opposition which does not represent the Syrian people and calls for foreign intervention.

She said that the international community considers the political solution of the crisis in Syria as a compromise and reconciliation among the superpowers.

For his part, Secretary-General of the National Democratic Solidarity Party, Salim Abdul-Wahab al-Kharat, said that the bloc is searching for a roadmap to deal with all national opposition powers inside Syria, calling for halting violence by all sides.

Secretary-General of the Syrian Democratic Party, Firas Nadim, stressed the importance of lifting the suffering of the Syrian people because of the oppressive economic sanctions, calling on the UN envoy to Syria to play a bigger role in exerting pressure on the countries which are supporting the armed terrorist groups to end bloodshed in Syria.

Premier al-Halqi: Government Seeks Full Healthcare Coverage

Oct 22, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Activities of the National Forum of NGO’s Working in the Health Sector kicked off on Monday with the participation of 30 NGO’s and several international organizations under the title of ‘Better Participation for Better Health’.

The two-day forum discusses the health reality within the current challenges, the Ministry of Health’s directives to provide healthcare , in addition to NGO’s role in development and local and international organizations’ response to the public health needs in the society.

Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi stressed during the inauguration the government’s efforts to reach a full coverage of health services all over the country, underscoring the importance of boosting partnership among all bodies of the society in light of the current conditions and unprecedented difficulties facing the service sectors in the country, particularly the health sector, due to the systematic sabotage carried out by the armed terrorist groups.

“We can overcome challenges through the active participation by all society spectra according to a joint action plan to upgrade health conditions in the country by its devoted citizens,” Premier al-Halqi said.

He clarified that holding the forum stems from the great attention paid by the Syrian leadership for the health sector, as it has adopted partnership with NGO’s considering their significant role in building the society.

Premier al-Halqi pointed out that NGO’s such as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, in addition to all relevant international organizations such as UN Population Fund, UNICEF and Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have widely provided support to the Syrian people.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the government is going hand in hand with the national reconciliation project in order to protect the national fabric of the Syrian society through adopting national dialogue towards a democratic and pluralistic Syria.

Syrian Communities in Brazil, Bulgaria, Armenia and Belarus Express Support to Homeland, Condemn Terrorism

Oct 22, 2012

PROVINCES, (SANA)- Members of the Syrian community in Brazil on Sunday organized a solidarity stand to support their homeland, its leadership, people and army in the face of terrorism.

The participants in the stand, which coincides with the “International Campaign in Solidarity with Syria against Terrorism” stressed commitment to their national unity against the heinous campaign led by the US, the West and their allies in Turkey and some Arab countries.

They also condemned the acts of terrorism perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups in Syria with the aim of undermining Syria’s stability, unity and coexistence.

In a statement, they thanked the friendly countries for supporting Syria in the face of the conspiracy hatched against it, calling on the countries involved in supporting terrorism to stop their support and to stop interfering in Syria’s internal affairs.

Syrian Ambassador in Brazil Mohammad Khadour stressed that Syria will overcome terrorism , hailing the expatriates’ support to their Homeland.

In the same context, the Syrian community in several Brazilian cities expressed support to Syria in the face of the conspiracy hatched against it, voicing commitment to national unity as the fortress in face of the foreign and regional agendas and interference.

They also appreciated the role of the Syrian army in confronting terrorism and in protecting Syria’s security and stability.

They also thanked the friendly countries that stand by Syria in the international circles, particularly the Brazilian government in the face of the conspiracy against it.

Syrian Students in Armenia, Bulgaria Reiterate Rejection of Foreign Interference in Syria’s Affairs

The Syrian students in Bulgaria and Armenia reiterated their rejection of foreign meddling in the Syrian internal affairs and solidarity with their homeland in the face of the global imperialist and terrorist attack targeting it.

In a solidarity march carried out by the Syrian students in Armenia, the participants stressed their standing by the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad in confronting the imperialist conspiracy against Syria.

The participants, raising national flags and pictures of President al-Assad, highlighted their adherence to national unity and support to the Syrian people and leadership in the face of the plot that aims at undermining the national stances of Syria.

In Sofia, the National Union of Syrian Students ‘Bulgaria Branch’ organized, in cooperation with Arab communities and Bulgarian organizations, a march in solidarity with the Syrian leadership and people.

The participants chanted slogans saluting President al-Assad and the Syrian army, stressing their rejection of foreign interference in the Syrian internal affairs.

The march started from the Bulgarian capital’s downtown and headed for the Presidential Palace, where the Bulgarian parties and organizations participating in the event delivered speeches expressing their total support to the Syrian government in the face of terrorism, denouncing the policies of the Turkish PM, Recep Tayyib Erdogan in using the Turkish lands as a platform to launch terrorist acts against Syria.

The speeches stressed that Bulgaria will never support the terrorists and Jihadists who entered Syria from the Turkish lands with Erdogan’s knowledge and support.

Syrian Students  in Belarus Stress Support to Syria in Face of Conspiracy

The Syrian students and members of the Syrian community in Belarus stressed their support to their homeland in the face of the plot led by the west and supported by Arab and regional countries against Syria.

In a sit-in in solidarity with Syria in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, staged in front of the Syrian Embassy, the participants expressed their support to the reform process led by President al-Assad, denouncing the misleading media campaign against their country.

The participants expressed gratitude for the countries which supported Syria, particularly Russia and China, voicing rejection to the sanctions imposed by the European Union against the Syrian people.

Hotbird Suspends Broadcasting Syrian Satellite Channels.. Journalists’ Union condemns Step

Oct 22, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- In implementation of the unjust sanctions against the Syrian national channels, Hotbird suspended broadcasting the Syrian satellite channel and Syrian Drama Channel.

Viewers of these channels can watch their broadcasting on the Russian satellite Express AM-22.

Journalists Union Denounces Suspension of Syrian Channels on Hotbird

The Syrian Journalists Union denounced the decision to suspend the broadcasting of Syrian channels on the Hotbird satellite, saying that this step aims at preventing Syria’s voice from reaching Arab and global public opinion.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Journalists Union said that this step is a blatant violation of the principles of journalism and freedom of expression and opinion, and that it constitutes a part of the hostile campaign targeting Syria.

The statement said that this unjust step comes at a time when Arab and world public opinion began to learn directly from the Syrian media about the truth of the lies and fabrications carried out by biased misdirection channels regarding what is happening in Syria.

The Union saluted Syrian journalists and media workers and technicians, voicing confidence in their ability to find alternatives to keep Syria’s voice heard, reiterating that the aforementioned step contradicts the human right to reach information from its source.

By Simeon Kerr in Dubai

23 October, 2012

Rising regional political tensions and a flurry of recent cyber attacks have raised fears about the growing use of viruses to target critical national infrastructure in the Middle East.

Recent attacks on oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar bear the hallmarks of so-called “hacktivists”, say information security researchers. About 30,000 computers at Saudi Aramco were disabled in August by a virus known as Shamoon, which also damaged systems at Qatari natural gas company RasGas.

“There are only two known Shamoon victims – but all I can say is this was not the first, nor will it be the last, time this virus will be used,” says Costa Raiu, director of global research and analysis at Kaspersky Labs, the Russian information technology security company.

US officials have hinted that Iran – reacting to what is believed to have been the US and Israeli-led Stuxnet attack on its nuclear facilities – may be behind the Shamoon virus, either acting on its own or in concert with cyber activists.

A group calling itself the Cutting Sword of Justice claimed responsibility for the Aramco attack, blaming the Saudi government for crimes in neighbouring states such as Syria and Bahrain.

Leon Pannetta, US defence secretary, has said the threat of co-ordinated cyber attacks against critical national infrastructure could unleash an attack akin to a “cyber Pearl Harbor”.

Security experts discovered the Stuxnet virus, used to disable systems at an Iranian nuclear facility and widely believed to have been created by the US and/or Israel, in 2010. Since then, five more variants of the virus have been discovered, including another sophisticated cyber-espionage virus last week.

Dubbed Mini-Flame, it has been used to snoop on a relatively small number of high-value targets, its geographical spread spanning Lebanon and the Gulf.

Kaspersky has warned that, with the rise of cyber weapons, knowledge of how to write computer viruses will expand exponentially. Industrial computer systems that control power plants and other pieces of critical national infrastructure are often old, making them vulnerable to attack.

Working with governments and authorities, Kaspersky is aiming to develop a new, industrial-scale operating system with security embedded in the hardware, rather than using security envelopes to protect the systems.

Gulf governments are becoming increasingly attuned to the issue of cyber security as the threats proliferate. The United Arab Emirates in September announced the creation of a new agency, the National E-Security Authority, to implement a national plan to ward off threats to online security.

Experts say sharing information is necessary to boost defences against cyber crime. Ideally, networks would instantaneously share information about new attacks with other systems, creating a more effective defence against these threats.

“There has been a belief that the less said about breaches, the less attackers will know – but that’s not the case,” says Michela Menting, senior analyst at ABI Research, a technology market research firm.

“Lots of sharing is needed, especially at the government level, even if it opens up the risk of where potential vulnerabilities lie.”

Bader al-Manthari, executive in information security for Oman, says the government is working to improve information flow across the sultanate’s public and private sectors. The six Arab countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council are also working together more closely to ward off cyber threats, he says.

Mr Manthari concedes that forging co-operation in the sensitive area of IT security is tricky, as most institutions are secretive about confidential information.

But he says: “There is much better co-operation now. As more engage, the value add will push co-operation to the next level.”

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.

By Countercurrents.org

21 October, 2012

@ Countercurrents.org

The Associated Press reports: Israeli troops on Saturday commandeered a Gaza-bound ship that tried to break through Israel’s blockade of the Hamas-ruled seaside strip, the military said. European lawmakers and other pro-Palestinian activists aboard did not resist, and the Finnish-flagged vessel was diverted to an Israeli port.

The voyage by the ship, Estelle, marked the latest challenge to the air, land and sea embargo of Gaza that Israel imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas group seized the territory in 2007. Israeli officials say they need to enforce the blockade to prevent weapons smuggling.

Six Israeli naval vessels stopped the Estelle when it was about 30 nautical miles from Gaza, and masked soldiers boarder the ship and ordered it to sail to Israel’s Ashdod port, said Victoria Strand, a spokeswoman for the activists.

The Swedish-owned Estelle left Naples, Italy, on Oct. 7 with about 30 people from eight countries, including lawmakers from Norway, Sweden, Greece and Spain, as well as Israeli activists and a 79-year-old former legislator from Canada.

NEWS UPDATE #ESTELLE | -Israeli Estelle passengers report extreme violence. 2 Greek parliamentarians severely attacked. Blackhawk helicopters and hundreds of soldiers.

-The Israeli Estelle passengers were in the courtroom for 3 minutes. Once they started telling media about Israel army violence they were taken out, and brought back only when the judge came in. The judge decided to leave them in custody for an additional 48 hours

-Judge decided to leave Israeli #Estelle passengers in custody for an additional 48 hours

-The Israeli activists arrested on the Estelle are being charged with violating Disengagement Law, incitement, incitement to rebellion and aiding the enemy. International activists were taken to Hulon and there a reports coming through that Israel has already started to “deport”/”expel” them

~SPECIAL THANKS to Israeli Activist Tali Shapiro for providing these updates from Ashkelon Courthouse~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWjbP_8nllE&feature=player_embedded

Paul Manly Writes On His Father’s Behalf

Dear members of the media

I am writing to follow up on my last email. My father, Jim Manly is in Israeli custody. The Estelle was attacked in International waters around 4:30AM EDT. My dad, a retired United Church minister and former Member of Parliament is 79 years old (he turns 80 in 9 days). While he is in good health for his age, he is not as resilient as he was in his youth and has medication he needs to take daily. I hope that the Israeli Defence Forces respect his human rights and legal rights and treat him with the respect and dignity he deserves. Press release below.

For Immediate Release

Shortly after 4:00AM EDT when the Estelle was in international waters approx. 17 Nautical Miles north of Arish, Egypt (as per the last coordinates we have) Israeli war ships surrounded it and the assault on the peaceful ship started.

Communications were lost at that time and all reports we got from the ship were choppy.

Among others, the following individuals were on board:

Former Member of Parliament Manly James, Canada

Member of Parliament Hagen Aksel, Norway

Member of Parliament Britton Sven, Sweden

Member of Parliament Kodelas Dimitios, Greece

Member of Parliament Sixto Ricardo, Spain

Member of Parliament Diamantopoulos Evangelos, Greece

Full list of individuals onboard: http://shiptogaza.se/en/news/sailors-onboard-estelle

See Jim Manly’s pre-recorded video message:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8egYBdf-Zo&feature=player_embedded

As pre his request please contact the Prime Minister and your local member of parliament and ask them to insist that the Israeli government respect the human rights and legal rights of those aboard the Estelle.

– Stephen Harper (Prime Minister of Canada)

613-992-4211

stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca

– John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs)

613-996-0984

john.baird@parl.gc.ca

Thanks

Paul Manly

paul@manlymedia.com

250 729-1254

THESE ARE THE SAILORS ON BOARD ESTELLE:

Member of Parliament Hagen Aksel Norway 10/04/1953

Member of Parliament Britton Sven Sweden 14/06/1938

Member of Parliament Kodelas Dimitios Greece 02/01/1979

Member of Parliament Sixto Ricardo Spain 07/01/1967

Member of Parliament Diamantopoulos Evangelos Greece 20/04/1980

Former Member of Parliament Manly James Canada 29/10/1932

Opperdoes Joel Arvid Alexander Sweden 1983-06-20

Andreasson Charles Bertil Sweden 1965-03-10

Särner Daniel Karl-Erik Sweden 1985-12-16

Uddebrant Johan Lars OS Sweden 1981-06-28

Widell Anders Nils Olof Sweden 1986-07-11

Reksten Herman Elias Norway 1989-10-06

Elhanan Elazar Israel 1977-04-01

Sjøstrøm Nils Johan Norway 1963-11-10

Koivisto Velimati Finland 1968-03-01

Hammervold Jan Petter Norway 1944-27-03

Feiler Dror Sweden 1951-31-08

Svenberg Kristian Sweden 02-07-1947

Boethius Maria-Pia Sweden 09/04/1947

Mor Reut Israel 09/08/1982

Jämiä Mika Finland 1959-09-06

Arau Crusellas Laura Spain 02/05/1980

Ramazzotti Stockel Marco Italy 17-09-1947

Shapira Yonathan Israel 12-02-1972

Tiktopoulos Mikhalis Greece 24/12/1946

Zabale Gouzalet BegoÒa Spain 09/01/1950

Stamellos Loukas Greece 22/06/1979

Piassas Evangelos Greece 02/04/1947

Gardell Mattias Sweden 10/08/1959

Vinthagen Stellan Sweden 13/10/1964

October 20, 2012

The Asia Pacific Anti-U.S. Bases Network condemns in the strongest possible terms the raping of a Japanese woman in Okinawa by two U.S. sailors last October 16, 2012.

The woman was walking to her home when she was allegedly attacked and sexually assaulted by the two. One of the suspects, Able Seaman Christopher Daniel Browning, 23 years of age, admitted to the crime while his cohort, Third Petty Officer Skyler Dozierwalker, denied it. Both belong to the Fort Worth Naval Air Base in Texas, U.S.A.

Such a crime is unconscionable and both servicemen deserve to be punished and put to jail, if proven guilty. A swift and independent investigation is in order and the authorities of the Okinawa prefecture should carry this out while ensuring the suspects do not flee Okinawa or the country in the course of the investigation.

We in the network, composed of organizations and individuals across Asia Pacific calling for the removal of all U.S. military bases outside the U.S. soil, demand also that the U.S. government should not interfere but instead respect the Japanese authorities in conducting the investigation or resolving the case.

We express grave concern that the rape case will not be resolved and the victim will not get justice if both the Japanese and American authorities once again resort to dropping the case and allow the U.S. military officials to “enforce official discipline” on the suspects.

This long-running “agreement” between the two governments has caused many frustrations and anger among the people of Okinawa and Japan as many crimes committed by U.S. military servicemen in the past remain unresolved. Who will not be affronted when the victim of the October 14, 2007 gang rape in Hiroshima and the Filipina woman raped in Okinawa in February 2008 still call for justice until now?

We fear that more crimes will be committed and more women, children and people will be victimized if the meting out of the justice will be placed in the hands of the U.S. military forces. Such an agreement is truly unacceptable and unjust.

The Asia Pacific Anti-U.S. Bases Network is one with the people of Okinawa and Japan who are continually demanding the Japanese government to immediately remove the 47,000-strong military naval base in Okinawa.

The Asia Pacific Anti-U.S. Bases Network raises the call to having all U.S. military bases in Japan and everywhere in the world to be pulled out. With continued presence and basing of the U.S. military forces in Asia Pacific, the rape and abuse of our women will only worsen. Furthermore, nations and peoples in the region will only be dragged to the war of aggression that U.S. imperialism has been intensifying.

Justice for the victim of the October 16 gang rape!

U.S. military troops and bases out of Okinawa and the rest of the world!

*For reference: Ramon Bultron, Tel. No. 852-27237536

By Chris Marsden

20 October, 2012

@ WSWS.org

On Friday, Gold Fields boasted that threats of mass sackings had succeeded in forcing the 9,000 workers at its Beatrix mine and 90 percent of the 14,300 workers at KDC West back to work. But a new strike by platinum miners at Lonmin’s operation in Marikana delivered a blow to efforts to stem the working class upsurge, with tens of thousands of workers remaining in struggle.

Marikana workers struck Thursday in defence of colleagues subjected to police persecution and arrest. Miners in Marikana began the present strike wave in August and refused to return to work after police killed 34 strikers and wounded 78. The strikes spread after Lonmin agreed a 22 percent pay hike to settle the Marikana dispute, fuelling demands for similar rises throughout the mining industry. Reports are unclear, but it is believed that between 80,000 and 100,000 miners have been on strike at various points.

In the most detailed account of recent events, the Daily Maverick notes that just one week before an official inquiry into the Marikana massacre, police have embarked on a wave of arrests of militants and strike leaders.

On October 15, workers at the Marikana mine managed to prevent the arrest by security guards of strike leader “Rasta” Thembele Sohadi when he clocked in at Three Shaft. The police were waiting outside the main entrance. On October 17, Xolani Nzuza, a leader of the ad hoc strike committee, and a striker known as Mzet were arrested and held at an unknown location. They are reportedly to be charged with two murders, including of an official from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

Several other miners, witnesses to what happened at the August 16 massacre, are among those arrested. The Daily Maverick focuses on the case of Bangile Mpotye, who was arrested October 14 on charges of fraud, even though no charges have been officially laid by Lonmin.

Mpotye was first arrested August 20 and accused of shooting and killing a police officer. Four days of beating and torture followed before he was released.

“What is astonishing is that Mpotye claims the police transported him to Lonmin mine every day, and his beatings happened at Lonmin,” the Daily Maverick reports. “A lawyer working on Marikana cases says it is obvious that this is a wave of terror to intimidate witnesses who would otherwise give evidence at the Farlam Commission.”

The intimidation at Marikana is the most blatant example of a broad campaign involving tens of thousands being sacked or threatened with the sack, as well as mass arrests and police violence.

Gold Fields, the world’s fourth-largest bullion producer, has also threatened to sack 8,500 strikers at its KDC East facility. A spokesman for the company declared, “The raiding of hostels and disarming of strikers gave workers the confidence to return to work.”

Anglo American Platinum Ltd (Amplats) said it intended to go ahead with the sacking of 12,000 miners at its Rustenburg facility, but would discuss their status with recognised trade unions. It reported only 20 percent attendance at its facilities.

Atlatsa Resources fired 3,000 employees at its Bokoni platinum mine.

The Mail & Guardian described October 18 how striking workers at Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen mine gathered near the Kathu Magistrate’s Court in solidarity with 47 workers arrested two days earlier. The detained workers’ appeal for bail was denied by the court and a second hearing was delayed until October 26 in violation of a law preventing anyone being held for more than 48 hours without charge.

Strikes have hit Lonmin, Aquarius, Impala, Anglo American Platinum, Royal Bafokeng Platinum, Xstrata, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Gold One, Harmony Gold, Kumba Iron Ore, Petra Diaminds, Forbes, Manhattan Coal and Samancor. In addition to miners, 180,000 municipal workers and bus drivers are beginning strike action this week. Toyota halted production at its Durban facility Wednesday due to a strike at a parts supplier.

The mood in mining areas has an insurgent character, with mine buildings, scabs, police officers and police stations coming under attack. Mini-buses and taxis carrying scabs have been torched.

The unrest is directed in particular against the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which is viewed as the labour police force for the companies. NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni recently boasted that his organisation has spent one million rand on a campaign to end wildcat strikes. This was “money well spent” to “get people to understand the risk they’re putting themselves and the country in,” he said, denouncing “people who are organising anarchy and economic sabotage”.

“You need just one mine to break this strike,” he added.

The Mail & Guardian writes of an organisation suffering a “slow, sure, violent implosion”. It notes that the NUM claims that so far this year 13 of its local officials have been killed by strikers, and hundreds of Amplats workers marched on the NUM’s regional headquarters in Rustenburg this month demanding the immediate cancellation of their union membership.

At Lonmin and Implats, the NUM has lost at least 20,000 members. NUM membership at Implats has now dropped from 70 percent to 13 percent and the real figure could be even lower because workers neglect to officially leave. The union is rapidly approaching extinction.

Reporters from the Daily Maverick visited Gold Fields KDC West mine in Carletonville prior to the end of the strike there. Strikers explained that some 1,500 of them had not returned to work Thursday because they had been waiting for NUM President Senzeni Zokwana to formally move the offer made by the Chamber of Mines, as promised when he visited the mine on Wednesday. They then found out they had been sacked.

Jeffrey Mphahlele, general secretary of the breakaway Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), stepped in to convince workers to return to work on Friday while ripping up their NUM cards and switching to the new union. The workers are now demanding, in addition to equalisation of pay and the withdrawal of all sackings, that NUM leaders at KDC West resign. They are threatening to resume their strike if these demands are not met.

The AMCU was also reportedly instrumental in stopping the strike at Marikana developing into an indefinite wildcat action. According to another Daily Maverick report, an “AMCU representative and the union’s lawyer managed to convince the people that another strike wasn’t the sensible way to reach their objectives.”

AMCU membership is near the 50 percent-plus level at both Implats and Lonmin that is required for the AMCU to be recognised as the official negotiating body. It is benefiting from the widespread hatred of the NUM, but using the confidence placed in it to restore order. Many strikes, however, are being led by ad-hoc strike committees.

By Gilad Atzmon

20 October, 2012

@ Gilad.co.uk

The recent attack on Free Gaza’s Greta Berlin and Colonel Ann Wright suggests that we have crossed a red line — Jewish domination within the Palestinian solidarity movement belongs to the past. We are now, it seems, under Zionist occupation, and we are subject to all the symptoms of Israeli abuse and Zionist brutality.

The expulsions, the exclusions and the cleansings that are inherent within Zionism, Israeli and Jewish politics, are now alive and kicking within the Palestinian solidarity movement itself. On a daily basis we are notified about more and more people who ‘must be’ expelled from the ‘movement’: earlier this year we learned that the Palestinian poet and writer Nahida Izzat had first been harassed and later expelled from her local Palestinian solidarity group by a Liverpool Jewish activists’ gang. Next, Dr Francis Clark Lowes, former Chairman of the UK PSC was expelled from the organisation, for allegedly being an ‘Anti Semite’ and a ‘holocaust denier’. Norman Finkelstein, probably the leading pro Palestinian Jewish scholar, has also been subjected to repeated smears and attempts at character assassination for voicing some legitimate criticisms re BDS being a cult, and recently, the greatly admired Greta Berlin, co-founder of Free Gaza, has also been subjected to harassment and abuse in the last few weeks. Berlin was labeled ‘an anti Semite’ and ‘a Holocaust Denier’ — and yet, up until the present time, there has not been a shred of evidence provided by her detractors to support such accusations. And now, the respected peace activist Colonel Ann Wright has also been ‘purged’, and expelled from the current attempt to break the siege on Gaza — simply for being associated with Mrs Berlin. The pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim is also subject to a BDS boycott. And six months ago I too, faced a call for a disavowal — by people who were foolish enough to confess that they had not even read a single line of my work.

The message here is clear – some elements within the Palestinian solidarity movement have obviously adopted the most repellent and brutal Zionist symptoms, and we are now engaged, caught up in, and beset by a sinister series of expulsions, purges, crude witch hunts, exclusions, smears, character defamations and cleansings.

Palestinian Authority– The Palestinian authority was formed by Israel in order to ‘maintain order’ within the occupied territories. We are fully aware of the PA’s difficult and problematic role in Palestine — but in recent years we have also become familiar with a new type of exilic Palestinian ‘authority’: I refer here to those few Palestinians who are in place to maintain the solidarity movement as ‘a Kosher haven’. In the last six months, some exiled Palestinians have been involved in numerous ‘targeted character assassinations’ of some of our most valued leading activists and scholars. In the last month we saw Solidarity activists openly joining forces and collaborating with the darkest Zionist forces against Greta Berlin, Ann Wright, Ken O’Keefe, Norman Finkelstein, and myself amongst others.

Segregation – Like in occupied Palestine (or ‘apartheid’ Israel, if you prefer), the solidarity movement is now clearly a segregated society: we can witness a clear division between the ‘Jews only’ groups (racially driven and tribally oriented), and the ‘Palestinians only’ groups (ethnically segregated). And then there is the general solidarity activist network, that still insists to promote those consistent humanist values and goals of inclusivity and universality that it it has always upheld.

Espionage –Recent Jewish ‘progressive’ campaigns against Berlin and Colonel Wright have proved that, like Hasbara agents and Mossad, some of the so-called ‘anti’ Zionist Jewish organisations within our movement have been spying and tracking our moves, our private life, and even our social network activity. They also use Hasbara disinformation and spin tactics in order to ruin the names of those who ‘got too close to the bone’ i.e. criticising Jewish power.

I have been monitoring these Hasbara tactics for more than a while and I have seen these tactics being used by some marginal Sayanim individuals within the movement. But I was slightly disappointed to find out that slander, smear and abuse are now increasingly openly used by leading solidarity outlets such as Mondoweiss and Electronic Intifada.

The Verdict Is Clear

We are not a ‘solidarity’ movement anymore, for we have become foreign to the notion of solidarity as well as empathy.

But this is not necessarily entirely bad news. Being subject to vile Zionist occupation, we had better urgently be in solidarity with ourselves — for we are all Palestinians now. We are abused by Israel, by its Sayanim, and by their collaborators.

I guess that we had better liberate ourselves first. And such an aspiration would certainly give the concept of Palestinian resistance a new meaning and dimension.

Gilad Atzmon is an Israeli-born musician, writer and anti-racism campaigner..His New Book: The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics http://www.gilad.co.uk

Foreign Ministry: Evidence of Foreign Countries’ Involvement in Supporting Terrorist Groups Increased… Syria Hopes UNSC Take Serious Moves to Deter Terrorism

Oct 18, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Foreign and Expatriates Ministry on Thursday addressed two identical letters to President of the Security Council and the UN General Secretary about that evidence on involvement of foreign countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, in supporting and arming the terrorist groups in Syria has recently increased, not to mention their contribution to hindering dialogue and peaceful solutions and harming the Syrian state at material and humanitarian levels.

The Ministry said that supporting terrorism and arming the terrorists in Syria became overt that went so far as to urge others to get involved in this track which has been clear in the statements of officials in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

In line with previous letters addressed by the Syrian Arab Republic to inform you about the terrorist attacks against the Syrian state in all its components backed by some regional and international powers and countries, it would like to remind you that the continuity of terrorist attacks which claim the lives of many innocent military and civilians and destroy the infrastructure and the archeological and historical treasures on which the Syrian state spent a lot of material and human resources to strengthen its pillars and guarantee its existence.

It has been clear to all that those who are behind targeting Syria are the same countries which stress the importance of devising the appropriate international mechanisms to combat terrorism with all possible means, the Ministry added.

“Evidence on involvement of foreign countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, in supporting and arming the terrorist groups in Syria has recently increased, not to mention their contribution to hindering dialogue and peaceful solutions and harming the Syrian state at material and humanitarian levels,” It said.

The Ministry added that supporting terrorism and arming the terrorists in Syria became overt that went so far as to urge others to get involved in this track which has been clear in the statements of officials in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The Ministry said that these statements were proved to be true for the BBC reporter in Aleppo city who saw weapons shipments – owned by the Saudi army – diverted to the armed terrorist groups in the city, the piece of news was broadcast by the BBC on October 9th.

The Ministry added that French President Francois Hollande admitted in a statement to the French TV5Monde and France24 TV Channels on Thursday 11th October 2012 the existence of French terrorists in Syria among the ranks of the so-called free army, and the British Foreign Minister William Hague also admitted the intentions of some British extremists to join the fighting in Syria on October 10th, 2012.

The Ministry said that the Turkish government is responsible for harboring and training these terrorists on its territories to send them to Syria across its borders.

The Syrian Arab Republic would like to draw your attention to the statement made by the US Defense Minister, Leon Panetta in a press conference in Brussels on October 10th in this regard as he announced that the US is providing aid to the Syrian opposition, including non-lethal support, adding that he knew that there are countries in the region offering lethal aid but the US efforts aimed at working with the opposition with all possible means to improve its capabilities.

The Ministry added that it might be useful while reviewing the statement of the US Defense Minister to remind of what New York Times Newspaper published one day before his statement about that the Syrian opposition receives aid from the US and its allies to carry out terrorist attacks, indicating that one of the photographed reports depicted a war crime committed by an armed group called “Osod al-Tawhid” as its members deceived one of the war prisoners to carry out a suicide operation with a booby-trapped truck against a government headquarters.

The Ministry pointed out to the frequent news about the involvement of Qatar and Saudi Arabia in dispatching weapons to the Syrian opposition through the Turkish city of Adana, where U.S. Incirlik Air Base lies and this support depends completely on the U.S. agreement and aid. These shipments go to the very extremist groups which are provided with non-lethal aid as it also benefits the newspaper itself.

The Ministry considered that the most dangerous of which is regarding the confirmed information it has on the deal binding some parties of al-Qaeda and Turkish and Saudi parties, stipulating for transferring al-Qaeda fighters to Turkey and then to Syria. Many of these terrorists, the most of whom are from the Yemeni area of Abyan, are currently in Aleppo and Idleb, pointing out to many statements of European officials confirm that terrorist members are fighting now in Syria.

The Ministry stressed that as the Syrian Arab Republic draws world states’ attention to the conclusive evidence about some Arab and foreign countries’ support to terrorism in Syria, it would point out to the importance of getting out of this clear contradiction represented through some states’ support to the international efforts for combating the global terrorism, while they are active in financially and logistically supporting the extremist takfiri groups in Syria.

The Ministry pointed out that Syria emphasizes that this contradiction also applies to some UNSC permanent states which joined the agreement of the Council on condemning the terrorist bombings that took place in Syria during the past months, yet they approve the support provided by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey to the terrorists and present logistic and technical aid that leads to backing those who are carrying out terrorist operations.

The Ministry said that this contradiction must pose a legitimate query about the stances of some major and regional states in combating terrorism seriously after finding that investing it in a country like Syria a serviceable means to achieve slight political profits…Is it allowed to resort to political hypocrisy and double standards policy in dealing with this plague which caused destruction in different parts of the world?

Syria reiterated its call for the UNSC and its relevant committees to start an immediate investigation in the dangerous information, stressing that it will provide the data available to the UNSC committees specialized with combating terrorism.

At the conclusion of the two letters, Syria expressed hope that the UNSC would seriously move to deter the terrorists and dry up their funding and moral sources and place responsibility on world states regarding terrorism, stressing that the UNSC movement to address this issue would constitute a constructive contribution in boosting security and stability in Syria and the whole Middle East region, as well as maintaining the UN and its member states’ credibility.

Army Inflicts Heavy Losses upon Terrorists in Several Cities… Armed Terrorist Group Detonates Oil and Gas Pipelines in Deir Ezzor

Oct 18, 2012

PROVINCES, (SANA) – An army unit on Thursday destroyed four DShK-equipped vehicles near al-Zura bakery in al-Sakhour neighborhood in Aleppo, killing large number of terrorists.

A unit of the Armed Forces killed a large number of terrorists, 5 of whom are RPG shooters near al-Shaar roundabout and al-Salehin area in Aleppo.

Two vehicles, one of which is equipped with DShK machinegun were also destroyed near the Retirement Home in Bustan al-Basha in Aleppo.

A unit of the armed forces attacked a gathering for terrorists in al-Shaar area in Aleppo and killed many of them and injured several others, and destroyed two cars, one of which equipped with DShK machinegun.

The armed forces destroyed a den for terrorists in Brad area near Qadi Askar roundabout in Aleppo and killed a big number of them, including two RPG launchers, and destroyed three DShK-equipped cars and a van loaded with terrorists and ammunition.

The armed forces destroyed a den for terrorists in Brad area near Qadi Askar roundabout in Aleppo and killed a big number of them, including two RPG launchers, and destroyed three DShK-equipped cars and a van loaded with terrorists and ammunition.

5 cars carrying terrorists, among them the leader of a terrorist group, and four Toyota cars equipped with DShK machineguns were destroyed in Qadi Askar roundabout in Aleppo.

A unit of the Armed Forces stormed a hideout of terrorists in Khan al-Asal and seized large amounts of weapons and ammunitions, including twenty machineguns, pump-action shotguns, RPG launchers, PKC machineguns and communications devices.

A unit of the Armed Forces attacked a gathering of terrorists in al-Atareb town in Aleppo countryside and eliminated a number of terrorists and injured others.

One citizen martyred, another injured by explosive of an armed terrorist group in Idleb

An explosive device planted by an armed terrorist group in one shops at the old Koora square in Idleb was detonated today.

A source in the province told SANA that the explosive led to the martyrdom of one man while a woman was injured, in addition to grave damages to the surrounding  shops and building.

Army kill scores of terrorists in al-Wae’r and Baba Houd in Homs

A unit of the Army stormed a den for the armed terrorist groups at al-Wae’r neighborhood in Homs, seizing 22 mortars.

A source told SANA that the competent authorities confiscated three anti-tank missiles, 48 RPGs, 5000 bullets and big quantities of smuggled cigarettes.

The source added that the army killed scores of terrorists during clashes with two armed groups that were terrifying the families and sabotaging private and public authorities at Bab Houd neighborhood in Homs.

Authorities Kill Tens of Terrorists in Lattakia Countryside

The competent authorities killed tens of terrorists and injured many others during clashes with members of an armed group which were trying to infiltrate into Yousef Prophet Peak in Lattakia countryside.

The authorities confiscated weapons and RPGs during the clashes.

Explosive Device on Electric Bike Goes off in Kafarsousseh, Causing Limited Material Damage

An explosive device that an armed terrorist group fixed on an electric bike near Osman Bin Affan Mosque in Kafarsousseh area went off, causing limited material damage.

An official source told SANA that terrorists parked the bike near the Mosque under construction and detonated the explosive device remotely, indicating that the device weighed between 10-15 kg. No human losses were reported, and damage was done to some cars parking nearby.

Sheikh Mohammad Walid al-Taki, supervisor of the mosque under construction, said that the ”bombing is a criminal act intended to target the mosque and worshippers, especially that it happened as worshippers were leaving the mosque.”

He added that such acts are so detached from the teachings of Islam, and those behind this terrorist act deserve the death penalty.

Terrorists Detonate Oil and Gas Transfer Pipelines in Deir Ezzor

An armed terrorist group on Thursday detonated with an explosive device a gas pipeline extending from Deir Ezzor to Palmyra and an oil transfer pipeline extending from al-Omar field to Atteim field in Murrat village, north of Deir Ezzor, causing a fire to erupt at the site.

SANA reporter quoted an official source at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources as saying that the Company halted pumping operations through the damaged pipelines, adding that workshops will start repair works to restore operations in the next few days.

Stability Restored in Masshara Town in Quneitra after Army Cleans it of Terrorism

A unit of the armed forces restored security and stability to Masshara town in Quneitra after cleaning it of armed terrorist groups.

An official source told SANA reporter that dozens of terrorists were killed and others were injured during the operation, as different sorts of weapons and ammunition seized.

Weapons and Ammunition Seized in a Tunnel for Terrorists in Homs

Authorities seized 3 anti-tank DNGR missiles, 48 RBG launchers, 15,000 PKC bullets and 5,000 bullets hidden inside a tunnel extended between al-Ghouta, Nizar Qabbani roundabout to al-Sinaa area in Homs, which the terrorists were using to smuggle weapons and ammunition.

Meanwhile, an army unit clashed with two terrorist groups in Bab Hood neighborhood in Homs city, killing scores of their members.

Another unit of the Armed Forces killed a number of terrorists who cut off roads in al-Hosn village in the countryside of Talkalakh in Homs.

The body of terrorist Ahmad Sheikh Bass was identified among the dead.

Armed Forces Continue Cleaning Eastern Countryside of Maaret al-Numaan in Idleb of Terrorists

Units of the armed forces continued cleaning villages of eastern countryside ofMaaret al-Numaan in Idleb province.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that the Armed Forces cleaned Maarshumarin and Maaret Hutat in the eastern countryside of the armed terrorist groups, killed a large number of terrorists and injured others.

The source added that the army units also destroyed heavy weapons, including a mortar and four DShK-equipped vehicles.

The armed forces killed a large number of terrorists in Bseida, al-Deir al-Gharbi, Armanaya, Maaret Hutat in the countryside of Idleb and dismantled 60 explosive devices, weighing between 100 to 200 kg.

The army units continued cleaning the tunnels and caves in these villages of terrorists.

A unit of the armed forces destroyed 3 DShK-equipped cars with the terrorists inside near Kfar Sajna power station in Maaret al-Nu’man in Idleb.

Units of the armed forces killed a big number of terrorists in a qualitative operation north of Khan Sheikhoun in Idleb countryside, and destroyed scores of cars equipped with mortar shells , and reopened the international road that terrorist groups planted with hundreds of explosive devices.

A unit of the armed forces destroyed a den for terrorists and a warehouse containing scores of explosive devices in a qualitative operation in al-Madiq Citadel, killing scores of terrorists , among them Omar Mohammad al-Omar, one of the most dangerous terrorists in Hama countryside.

In Hama countryside, a unit of the Armed Forces destroyed a hideout of terrorists and a weapons cache in al-madiq Castle.

SANA reporter in the province said that a large number of explosive devices were destroyed and a large number of terrorists were killed.

Symposium in Brazil: Syria Targeted by US-led Aggressive Attack

Oct 18, 2012

BRASILIA, (SANA) – Participants in a symposium held on Thursday in Brazil under the theme of “Brazil in the World: Duties and Responsibilities in the Middle East” stressed that Syria is targeted by an aggressive attack because of its stance which reject the dictations of the US and its western and regional allies.

The symposium was organized by the Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee at the Brazilian Parliament.

The participants affirmed that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are contributing to shedding the Syrian blood in implementation of the western and US plots, calling these countries to stop supporting terrorism in Syria.

The Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry representative who attended the symposium called on all countries concerned in solving the crisis in Syria to resort to dialogue to help solve this crisis.

Syria’s Ambassador and Iran’s Ambassador in Brazil also attended the symposium, in addition to other personalities representing the Syrian Arab community in Brazil.

38 Persons Involved in Current  Events without Committing Murder Released in Aleppo

Oct 18, 2012

ALEPPO, (SANA)_38 persons who were misled into getting involved in the current events without committing murder were released in Aleppo on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the juridical authorities in Aleppo on Wednesday released 109 citizens who got involved in recent events but commit no murders.

The citizens were released after they pledged not to take up weapons again or commit any act that might undermine Syria’s security.

Al-Jaafari: Syria Fully Supports Tendency Toward an International Community Free from Using or Threatening to Use Force

Oct 18, 2012

NEW YORK, (SANA) – Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari, on Tuesday stressed Syria’s full support to the global tendency aiming at building an international community that is free from using or threatening to use force, whether nuclear or traditional.

In a speech before the UN General Assembly’ First Committee on Disarmament and International Security Affairs, al-Jaafari said that the continued support made by major countries to Israel in the fields of traditional and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is a negative measure that doesn’t help building peace or establishing a region free from nuclear weapons.

Syria’s representative pointed out to the war waged against Syria by armed extremist organizations and mercenaries, urging the member countries to commit themselves to international agreements and stop smuggling weapons and materials, both lethal and non-lethal, through the borders of Syria’s neighboring countries.

“My country’s delegation stresses full support to the global tendency toward establishing an international society that is free of using force, whether nuclear or traditional, a community where the principles of the UN Charter stipulating for justice in dealing, equality in sovereignty and peace among nations and peoples prevail,” al-Jaafari said.

He added that ” Preserving national security is a right guaranteed by the UN Charter to all countries, it’s not a privilege to be used by some countries to circumvent the principle of Nuclear non-proliferation and to conduct double-standard criteria that hinder the process of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.”

Al-Jaafari said that the world is facing huge challenges, on top of which is the danger of WMD proliferation, especially as some countries are threatening to use these weapons to achieve political purposes and gains.

Syria’s representative said that “After more than four decades since the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed, it is very important that nuclear countries comply with the 6th article of the treaty, stipulating for working seriously to relieve the world from this danger.”

He underlined that the continued support made by major countries to Israel in the fields of providing various nuclear and cutting-edge traditional weapons and enabling it from manufacturing such weapons with ability to store them locally can’t help build peace or establish a region that is free of nuclear weapons.

Al-Jaafari underscored that some countries have been providing Israel with advanced nuclear technology for decades and violating their commitment to the first and second articles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty through protecting this Israeli nuclear anomaly in the region.

He highlighted that these violations enabled Israel to build nuclear weapons and delivery methods, which pose threats to the safety and security of the whole Middle East region and beyond it.

Al-Jaafari warned of the risks of the continuation of the international suspicious and inexcusable silence over Israel’s policies, as it moved from the policy of nuclear ambiguity, based on  US-Israeli understanding since the beginning of the 1960s,  to publicly declare its possession of nuclear weapons and  threatening to use them amidst a western silence that confirms the connivance of some states in protecting Israel from the repercussions of disavowal of the relevant international obligations,” he added.

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations said that Syria expresses its deep concern that the NPT Review Conferences have not been able to set a specific and obligatory timetable for possessing nuclear weapons so far.

He stressed that what has been issued in the Review Conference for 2010 regarding the establishment of a the Middle East Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (MENWFZ) based on Review Conference of 1995 that necessitates the international community to work for achieving this goal through the need to pressure Israel to join NPT.

Al-Jaafari added that most world states are aspiring for convening this conference and making it a success, as it is due to be held at the end of the current year in Helsinki in Finland, yet Israel’s declaration in the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last month confirms its intention to shirk the resolution of Review Conference for 2010 and thus foiling Helsinki Conference.

Al-Jaafari called on the international community to put pressures on Israel to take part in the Conference and to join the NPT as a non-nuclear party.

He pointed out to the necessity that the conference adopt a comprehensive balanced work program which includes the formation of subsidiary bodies to negotiate eliminating all nuclear weapons according to a binding , unconditioned specific timetable.

“Syria confirms the inalienable right of the NPT’s member states, according to the provisions of article IV of the Treaty, to access the nuclear technology and employ this technology for peaceful purposes in cooperation with the IAEA,” he said, calling on the Agency  to shoulder its responsibilities for facilitating the cooperation among the countries in the field of using the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

He expressed Syria’s rejection of any attempt to interpret these texts  in a way that detracts this right or restricts its use.

On the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, al-Jaafari said that  some countries are involved in transporting these weapons to the terrorist groups, illegitimate armed groups and mercenaries with the aim of igniting crisis and undermining certain countries and areas to serve the geopolitical interests of other countries.

Al-Jaafari went on as saying “My country is witnessing grievous events due to the terrorist acts perpetrated by armed extremist groups , mercenaries and Jihadist groups  from Arab and regional countries that committed criminal acts based on takfiri and extremist irresponsible Fatwas.”

He added that these suicidal groups are using booby-trapped cars, explosive devices and all forms of small arms and light weapons to hit the  Syrian citizens, infrastructure and the state institutions with the aim of spreading panic and pushing sectarian war forwards and bringing foreign military intervention under the pretext of protecting civilians.

Al-Jaafari stressed that the terrorist attacks which hit Syria cannot be carried out without financial and weapon support or political and media coverage of the practices of the armed groups.

Syria’s Representative to the UN said, “Unfortunately, some Arab, regional and international states are providing facilitations to the armed terrorist groups to carry out terrorist attacks in Syria.”

Al-Jaafari called on the member states to shoulder their responsibilities and commit themselves to international conventions and treaties, in addition to stopping smuggling of weapons and all related materials whether they are lethal or ‘non-lethal’ across the borders to Syria.

Deputy Russian FM: Need for Solving Situation by Syrians, International Community Should Support Brahimi

Oct 18, 2012

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Deputy Russian Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, stressed his country’s firm stance about the necessity of solving the situation by the Syrians’ efforts without any foreign interference.

In a speech before Council of the Russian Federation at presence of a delegation from NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), Grushko said that Russia works its best for helping to start a political dialogue and halt violence in Syria, yet Russia’s partners should also exert all efforts possible to push the Syrian opposition to start dialogue with the authority.

He added that the main task of the international community is restricted to implementing the plan of the former UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan and Geneva statement, in addition to providing support to the current UN Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s mission.

Grushko expressed worry over terrorist s ‘ infiltration and weapon trafficking into Syria, pointing out that the fragmentation of the opposition constitutes an obstacle on the way of solving the crisis in Syria.

He added that this opposition is unable to unite its ranks or form a political power which could be dialogued with.

Russian Foreign Ministry: US State Department should stop giving advice to Russia on Syria and Stop Funding Syrian Opposition

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich stressed on Thursday that the US State Department should stop giving advice to Russia concerning Syria and stop funding ‘the Syrian opposition’.

During his wekkly press conference in Moscow,  Lukashevich said that Russia is observing the evaluations presented during the US State Department’s official press conferences, particularly the evaluation of the Russian policy and the expressions of aspirations to change its course.

He added that Russia has its point of view on what Washington should do, pointing out that Russia wants the US to use its relations with the ‘Syrian opposition’ instead of offering financial and logistic aid.

He described the provision of the armed terrorist groups with MANPADs as ‘a very dangerous move’.

The US should encourage the opposition for a political settlement and get involved in a wide Syrian-Syrian dialogue, he said.

He pointed out that the attempts of some states to take the Syrian issue to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to other international organizations are attempts of failure because they lack legal rules.

Lukashevich asserted that the UN Security Council is the regulating side to solve the crisis in Syria and to make decisions on this issue.

Ordjonikidze: No Alternative to Political Solution in Syria

Former United Nations Deputy Secretary General Sergei Ordjonikidze stressed that there is no alternative to political solution in Syria in accordance to accredited references, especially Geneva statement, adding that the Western’s elusion, particularly the US, from the statement is considered a dangerous precedent in the international relations and a big collapse of the American diplomacy.

Interviewed by Russia Today TV Channel, Ordjonikidze said that “We are waiting the plan and work mechanism to be set up by the UN envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, adding that if Brahimi did not receive full support from all the Security Council members, he will not reach the anticipated result.

He stressed that Geneva statement is the key to reach solution and some countries’ attempts to hinder it complicated the crisis in Syria.

Ordjonikidze said that Russia presented several proposals for immediate halt of violence, return to centering points and preparation for next elections which are clear points and need no internationalization. “To achieve the aforementioned points, it is a must to provide all appropriate conditions, particularly stopping foreign intervention in Syria’s affairs, mainly Turkey, and preventing arms smuggling operations to the opposition groups, not to mention the funding of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to these groups,” he added.

He considered the West as direct sponsor for terrorism, adding that the U.S. gave USD 40 million to the opposition to purchase weapons despite their allegations about providing humanitarian aid and communication devices to them.

Ordjonikidze said that the unilateral sanctions imposed against the Syrian people affect them negatively and they cannot be a way to solve problems, regretting that the West is not interested in the rights of other peoples, rather it cares about its own interests.

He added that the best solution to the crisis in Syria is simple and depends on immediate halt of violence and sitting around dialogue table to find a joint solution without foreign dedicates.

Cooperation Agreement Worth USD 300,000 to Assist Families Affected by Terrorist Acts Singed

Oct 17, 2012

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Ministry of Local Administration and the UN Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) signed a cooperation agreement to provide aid to the displaced, hosting and affected families due to the armed terrorist groups’ attacks.

The total budget of the agreement is initially estimated at USD 300,000 and it might reach USD 5 to 6 million by the end of 2012.

The agreement stipulates for carrying out maintenance and rehabilitation works for makeshift centers in the provinces, ensure basic materials and provide aid to affected and displaced families.

According to the agreement which came within the framework of the response plan signed by the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry and the UN organization working in Syria, monthly cash assistance will be provided for displaced citizens in the Syrian provinces to meet their needs.

Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, Minister of Local Administration, Omar Ghalawanji on the Syrian side and the Head of the UNHCR Office in Syria, Tareq al-Kurdi signed the agreement.

Minister Ghalawanji said that the UN aid came to support Syria in current crisis which forced a large number of citizens to leave their houses to alternative places.

He hailed the Syrian government’s efforts to reduce the negative impact of the crisis and provide humanitarian aid for citizens, underlining the role of the international organizations working in Syria to help the Syrians overcome part of these negative repercussions, especially the UN Higher Commission for Refugees Affairs.

In turn , al-Kurdi stressed the Commission’s commitment to establish a database on the level of Syria and contribute to distributing aid in cooperation with the Syrian government, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the UNICEF to improve the economic and social situation of families affected by the current circumstances.

Putin: No-One Has the Right to Tell Russia How and to Whom it Exports Weapons if Exports Don’t Contradict UN Sanctions

Oct 17, 2012

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said that no-one has the right to tell Russia how and to whom it may export weapons if the exports don’t contradict UN sanctions.

In a speech on Wednesday, Putin said that Russia only signs agreements to export weapons and military equipment with legitimate authorities to boost the defensive capabilities of independent countries after careful study of the situation in the region in question, noting that not all exporters of weapons are so methodical.

Putin also said that unilateral or group sanctions outside the framework of the UN, particularly politicized sanctions, do not represent a rule for international law.

He also called for increasing the level of technical military cooperation among Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Vietnam.

125 Citizens Released after Pledging Not to Take up Arms Again

Oct 17, 2012

PROVINCES, (SANA) – The juridical authorities in Aleppo on Wednesday released 109 citizens who got involved in recent events but commit no murders.

The citizens were released after they pledged not to take up weapons again or commit any act that might undermine Syria’s security

In the same context, 16 citizens who got involved in the recent events in the country and did not commit murder were released in Damascus Countryside.

Meeting the released citizens, Governor of Damascus Countryside, Hussein Makhlouf said that it is an opportunity for all those who have been misled to return to the right path and a call for those who are involved to turn themselves in.

He hailed the governorate’s efforts to facilitate procedures of releasing the misled citizens to go back to normal life and contribute to building their country.

The governor stressed that the governorate will take care of those who surrendered themselves and weapons to the authorities, solve their problems and help them find job opportunities to start again.

He indicated that the governorate of Damascus Countryside is working on communicating with all sides that reject violence and seek dialogue as a way to achieve legitimate rights.

He said that those who turn themselves in are contributing to reducing the bloodshed and the burden on authorities and the whole country in combating terrorism.

The released citizens said that the humane treatment while they were under arrest changed their convictions.

They asked for providing job opportunities for them and releasing some others in addition to calling upon the Ministry of National Reconciliation Affairs to reduce of the social consequences of the crisis in some areas in the governorate.

Earlier on Tuesday, 68 persons from Homs and its countryside who were misled into getting involved in recent events without shedding Syrian blood were released after turning themselves and their weapons in and pledging not to bear arms again.

Ahmadinejad Calls on All Countries to Help Find Solution to Crisis in Syria through National Dialogue and Accord

Oct 17, 2012

TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on all countries to help resolve the crisis in Syria through dialogue and talks, saying that his recent talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan focused on achieving peace and stability in Syria and the developments in it.

In a press conference during his visit to Kuwait on Wednesday, Ahmadinejad said that those who love the Syrian people must work to establish groundwork for dialogue, peace and free elections, stressing that the future of Syria must be decided upon by the Syrians and that their choices must be respected.

He affirmed that national reconciliation and unity and ending violence is an urgent need, adding that no-one should work against the opinion of the Syrian people.

Ahmadinejad said that weapons and war cannot achieve a solution in Syria as they perpetuate violence and war and do not lead to a future, stressing that ending violence and holding dialogue to hold free elections is the right way to reach a solution.

The Iranian President also criticized suggestions and allegations that Iran poses a threat to security in the region, affirming that Iran considers the region’s security equal to its own security, and that it has been a protector of security in the Gulf area and regional countries across history.

He noted that lack of security in the region is only caused by the presence of foreign forces, which is proven by history, pointing out that the region’s peoples have coexisted for thousands of years.

Ahmadinejad also warned against plots by foreign sides for sowing disputes in the region to preserve their own presence in it.

Brahimi: Solution to Crisis in Syria Depends on Syrians

Oct 17, 2012

BEIRUT, (SANA) – The UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi reiterated that solution in Syria depends mainly on the Syrians, adding that his mission to find a solution to the crisis in Syria is based on Kofi Annan’s plan and Geneva statement.

In a press conference in Beirut, Brahimi said that “We deal with the problem depending on different visions, particularly Annan’s six-point plan and Geneva statement which has been agreed on by the UN Security Council members and the majority of countries of the region.

He said that he is holding talks with all sides to stop bloodshed in Syria and to establish a project for the Syrians and by the Syrians themselves to solve their problems. Brahimi added that the solution to the crisis in Syria lies in the hands of the Syrians since they are mainly concerned, with the possibility of providing international support by the UN.

He indicate that the neighboring countries are interested in solving the crisis, depending on the necessity of putting an end to the suffering of the Syrian people, not to mention their fear of the fact that the crisis will not remain within the Syrian borders forever, it might be solved or it will expand.

Regarding a ceasefire on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Brahimi said “It bodes well as regards the Syrian government, and if the opposition responded positively to the proposal, it might be a small stride towards ceasefire and start talks about withdrawing heavy weapons and halt the flow of arms from outside to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria.”

Interior Minister: Exerting More Efforts to Prevent Attempts to Destabilize Security of the Homeland

Oct 17, 2012

DAMASCUS COUNTRYSIDE, (SANA) – Interior Minister, General Mohammad al-Shaar called upon police officers for exerting more efforts to protect citizens and shoulder their responsibilities in confronting all attempts to destabilize the security of the homeland.

Meeting police officers in Damascus Countryside, Minister al-Shaar reviewed the recent events taking place in the country and the instigative campaigns launched by Arab and international sides to undermine Syria’s stability due to its national and pan-Arab stances, its support to the resistance and its rejection of domination policies and dictates.

He said the media campaign by some satellite channels aimed at stoking internal situation and affect the international public opinion through the support of foreign countries and the armed terrorist groups which kill and commit sabotage acts serving foreign agendas.