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Al-Jafari: Statements of the UNGA Head Affected by Qatar’s Stances

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Syria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari on Tuesday sent a message to the UN Secretary-General and Heads of the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council on the hostile stances made by the Head of the Assembly, Qatar’s Ambassador Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al-Nassr.

In the message, al-Jafari said that the statements of al-Nassr don’t accord with the role of the Assembly’s presidency, which should comply with the UN Charter and be neutral and objective.

The message stipulated that ” According to UNGA Rules of Procedures, the head shouldn’t be affected by the stances of his country as he is elected to be the head of the Assembly with all of its members. He shouldn’t use his position to pass his country’s political stances,”

Al-Jafari added that the statements of al-Nassr go along with the stances of some countries which are enemies to Syria, adding that al-Nassr’s statements ignored the stances of other countries which oppose foreign intervention in the Syrian internal affairs and stress the need to hold dialogue and preserve Syria’s interests.

The message included proofs on such violations, among them are the rejection of al-Nassr to had a legal assessment on holding a public official session in February, 13th and neglecting the information documented by Syria as official documents issued by the UN on the comprehensive reforms and the terrorist attacks committed by armed groups funded and supported by external sides.

The message stipulated that “The UNGA head should be totally independent from his country’s political stances. He should work on encouraging dialogue,”

“In a statement in February 24th, al-Nassr welcomed the so-called “Friends of Syria meeting” without the approval of the member states. This statement undermines the role of the UN as it supports only some member states’ stances paying no attention to the stances of other countries that refused to participate in the meeting,”

Al-Jafari pointed out that al-Nassr ignored the undergoing reforms in Syria and the acts of the armed terrorist groups against the civilians and soldiers in addition to the public and private properties, adding that al-Nassr also ignored the aspirations of the Syrian people in reforms, prosperity, stability and rejection of foreign intervention.

” Al-Nassr stance sends a wrong message to the armed terrorist groups and those who sponsor them to continue their acts against the Syrian state and people.” The message concluded.

President al-Assad Sets May 7 for People’s Assembly Elections

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday issued decree No. 113 for 2012 stipulating for setting May 7,2012 a date for People’s Assembly elections for the first legislative round for 2012.

The decree set Monday 7/5/2012 as the date for electing People’s Assembly members, with the number of members representing workers, farmers and the rest of societies in each electoral constituency being distributed as follows:

In a statement to SANA, head of the Elections Higher Committee Khalaf al-Azzawi said that this decree constitutes the first step of implementing the articles of the new constitution, affirming that the elections will be held with utmost integrity, democracy and freedom so that voters can choose their representatives in the highest legislative authority in Syria.

He said that the Committee will discuss the steps to be taken to form subcommittees in governorates and ensure the integrity of the elections, noting that the Ministry of Interior will provide all the needs for holding the elections.

Terrorist groups perpetrate new massacre in Homs, killing 15 innocents, among them woman with four children

HOMS, (SANA)-Armed terrorist groups on Tuesday perpetrated a new massacre against innocents at Karm al-Louz neighborhood, killing 15 citizens, among them a woman with her 4 children after storming houses and looting them completely.

The competent authorities pursue those armed groups at al-Naziheen alley after they sabotaged, killed and mutilated bodies of civilians.

The authorities discovered one of the terrorists’ dens, a place for filming the fabricated reports broadcast by the channels of bloodshed, al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya.

Authorities Thwart Terrorist Infiltration Attempt

The competent authorities have foiled an attempt by an armed terrorist groups to infiltrate the borders into Syrian territories in the site of Jisr Qmar and al-Arida in Talkalakh, Homs Province.

SANA correspondent learned that the clash on Monday resulted in the injury of a number of terrorists who fled with the rest of the terrorist group members toward the Lebanese territories.

Two officers martyred by terrorist machine guns in Aleppo Countryside

A colonel and a Lieutenant Colonel  were martyred today after an armed terrorist group shot fire at their car on al-Mislmya School road in Aleppo.

An official source told SANA reporter that an armed terrorist group targeted with machine guns a military car near the Free Zone on al-Mislmya road in Aleppo countryside, leading to the martyrdom of Colonel Qais Tawfik Suleiman and Lieutenant Colonel  Ali Ibrahim Habib.

Authorities storm al-Dabaa Cave to the east of Khattab village in Hama countryside, killing one of the most dangerous terrorists

The competent authorities today stormed one of the caves known as al-Dabaa Cave to the east of Khattab village in Hama countryside, killing one of the most dangerous terrorists and arresting four others who perpetrated acts of killing, mutilating and kidnapping citizens.

The authorities confiscated a big quantity of weapons, explosives, bombs, Israeli-made defensive and attacking bombs, RPGs, several rifles, communication sets and Arab, Syrian and foreign fake currencies.

In a relevant context, one of the armed groups kidnapped the two men Yousef and Moneif Sleiman al-Hassan with their car while they were driving to bring bread for Arza village in Hama, demanding their family to pay 2 million SYP as a ransom.

“One of the terrorist groups kidnapped my two sons 8 days ago, asking for 2-million SYP ransom… we work in agriculture and we don’t have this amount of money,” Sleiman Mohsen Abo Mahna said.

He added that he collected this amount of money through relatives’ donations to give it to the armed group.

The two sons were later released while the authorities restored stability to Arza village after purifying the village from the armed terrorist groups.

Authorities Find Explosive Device inside Building in Idleb, Discover Two Field Hospitals

Authorities evacuated a two-story building in Idelb City as they found an explosive device planted by the armed terrorist groups to detonate it.

The authorities also discovered two field hospitals in al-Jalaa neighborhood and the other near Sa’ad Mosque.

The two hospitals were equipped with resuscitation and autoclave devices, medical instruments, medicine and beds.

The authorities also seized machineguns, cartridges and goggles.

Army Confronts Members of Armed Terrorist Group, Kill Number of Them

Members of an army outpost west of al-Lajat area in Daraa countryside on Monday night confronted an armed terrorist group which attacked the outpost.

An official source told SANA’s correspondent that the ensuing skirmish and pursuit of the terrorist resulted in the death of a number of gunmen and the confiscation of weapons and ammo from the terrorist, in addition to retrieving two rifles stolen by the terrorists during their attack.

Authorities clash with terrorist armed group attacking citizens, looting private and public properties in Hama

The authorities today clashed with a terrorist armed group that was attacking citizens, looting private and public properties at al-Madiq Citadel in Hama countryside.

A source in Hams told SANA reporter that the clashes led to the killing of a number of the group members and seizing their weapons.

Meanwhile, a tank driver for al-Ghab Development Body was martyred by an armed terrorist group that shot him to death in al-Madiq Citadel area.

At al-Salamya area in Hama, the competent authorities foiled an attempt by terrorists to burglarize 110 tons of Urea fertilizers.

Seventeen Army and Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

PROVINCES (SANA) – The bodies of 17 army and law-enforcement martyrs on Tuesday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital and Zahi Azraq Hospital  and Aleppo Military Hospital to their final resting place.

Solemn funeral processions were held for the martyrs who were targeted by armed terrorist groups while they were in the line of duty in Hama, Daraa, Homs, Idleb and Damascus Countryside.

The martyrs are:

Colonel Sami Ali Deeb, from Tartous.

Chief Warrant Officer Yasin Saleh Mohammad, from Lattakia.

Chief warrant Officer Malek Ali Hassan, from Hama.

Chief Warrant Officer Zuhair Ali Shahin, from Hama.

Sergeant Major Ahmad Oweid al-Milhim, from Der Ezzor.

Sergeant Ramadan al-Abdullah, from Daraa.

Sergeant Mahmoud Ali Jouma, from Aleppo.

Corporal Mohammad Arifo, from Lattakia.

Corporal Mohammad Khaled al-Khatib, from Damascus Countryside.

Private Suleiman Saleh Malla Hamza, from al-Hasaka.

Conscript Basel Zuhair al-Weisi, from Aleppo.

Conscript Abdul-Rahman Marsh Mohammad Shahideh, from Aleppo.

Conscript Ahmad Obeid Khalif, from al-Hasaka.

Conscript Issa al-Omar, from al-Hasaka.

Conscript Mohammad Hafiz Suleiman, from Hama.

Conscript Haidar Badr Kanaan, from Lattakia.

Civilian Abdullah Mohammad Kheir Qadour, from Damascus Countryside.

The martyrs’ families denounced the criminal acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups, stressing adherence to the national unity and determination to foil the conspiracy hatched against Syria.

They stressed that the terrorism and attempts to sow sedition among the Syrian people will not dissuade them from defending their homeland, hailing the sacrifices of the Syrian army in protecting Syria’s security and stability.

Syria Vehemently Condemns Israeli Aggression on Gaza Strip

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Syria on Tuesday vehemently condemned the continuous Israeli aggression against the Palestinian Arab people in the Gaza Strip since last Friday, which claimed the lives of over 25 unarmed civilians and caused tens of injuries.

A statement by the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry highlighted Syria’s stress on the importance of taking immediate action by the international community to halt these vicious aggressions, inflict punishment on those behind them and work on lifting the unjust siege imposed on this Strip since years.

“While stressing so,” the statement added, “Syria draws the attention of the Arab people to the gravity of the suspicious Arab moves led by some Gulf states at different international forums against Syria as they offer a service to the Israeli entity to cover what is taking place in the Gaza Strip.”

The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that “Gaza, sinking in its blood since days, is absolutely certain that Damascus will keep supporting it despite the Arabs’ preoccupation in conspiring against Syria.”

The Ministry underscored in its statement that the steadfastness of Gaza people in the face of the Israeli aggression machine is further consolidated by the steadfastness of the Syrian people in confronting the conspiracy against Syria.

Lavrov: The Syrian Opposition Using Arms Must Be Convinced in Dialogue as Its Only Choice

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, on Tuesday stressed the necessity of getting the Syrian opposition that has been completely rejecting dialogue and includes armed groups using armed violence to be convinced that it has no choice but that of dialogue, and that this issue is in the power of the UN envoy Kofi Annan and his team.

“It is incomprehensible how to speak to the largely non-harmonious and inconsistent opposition groups that are using arms in various Syrian cities, especially when there are those who can speak to the leadership in Syria,” said Lavrov in a statement reported by Russia Today website.

The Russian Foreign Minister expressed hope that Annan will be able to present preliminary assessments on paper about the situation in Syria in the near future.

“We all agreed that on this basis we will be ready to talk about the means to support Annan’s efforts and cast an official character onto the ideas he will propose,” said Lavrov.

He affirmed that the first and top priority task is halting the violence and finding a monitoring mechanism acceptable to all parties that helps declaring a ceasefire in a way that it can not be used by either party for its benefit. The second task has to do with ensuring access of humanitarian aid into Syria, Lavrov added.

He continued that the third task is associated with Annan’s mission and lies in preparing the atmosphere to start the Syrian national dialogue.

Lavrov noted that the UN envoy had commanded one of its staff to urge the opposition to come together on the basis of getting ready for the dialogue, considering that Annan’s mission is accepted by all the parties concerned in the situation in Syria.

Lavrov Expresses Surprise at Qarari Prime Minister’s Calls for Foreign Interference in Syria’s Affairs

Later, in a press conference, the Russian Foreign Minister expressed surprise at Qatar’s calls for foreign interference in the Syrian affairs.

” We agreed on five principles that have to be fulfilled to settle the crisis in Syria, the most important of which provides for the inadmissibility of any foreign interference in the Syrian affair, said Lavrov.

He added that he was totally shocked when he knew that the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani called in public to form Arab-international forces to be sent to Syria upon his arrival in New York.

He stressed that this stance completely contradicts what has been agreed upon and jointly announced with the Qatari Prime Minister.

Syrian Observatory for Victims of Violence and Terrorism Condemns Massacre Committed against Civilian in Homs

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian Observatory for victims of Violence and Terrorism condemned the massacre committed against families in Karm al-Zaytoun in Homs by terrorist armed groups.

The Observatory stressed that the crime is clear evidence on the brutality of Istanbul Council gangs and doesn’t leave any doubt as to the kind of democracy and freedom in which those people believe in.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Observatory considered that the massacre came, as usual, before convening the Security Council’s meeting to discuss the situation in Syria with full conniving and planning by the Qatari-Saudi axis which has dedicated their channels to stir sedition in the country.

It pointed out that the crime was perpetrated after hectic the Saudi-Qatari efforts to arm Istanbul Council gangs.

The Observatory underlined the importance of mobilizing efforts of Syrian NGO’s to unmask the crimes of the Istanbul Council at all international circles and humanitarian organizations.

Al-Maliki Rejects Attempts to Bring Weapons into Syria

BAGHDAD, (SANA) – Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday rejected any attempt to bring weapons into Syria.

United Press International quoted al-Maliki as saying during a phone call with US Vice President Joe Biden that tightening measures and putting the Syrian-Iraqi joint borders under control come in light of Iraq’s commitment to find a peaceful solution to the situation in Syria as well as to stop the bloodshed.

He called for intensifying efforts in order to find peaceful resolutions to the crises in the Middle East.

Syrian Human Rights Network Condemn Terrorist Groups’ Execution of 45 People in Karm al-Zaytoun

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The Observation and Follow-up Committee of the Syrian Human Rights Network on Tuesday condemned the execution of 45 people in Karm al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Homs province at the hands of armed terrorist groups after having been kidnapped, beaten and tortured.

In a statement which SANA got a copy of, the Committee made clear that the terrorist groups committed these atrocities against those innocent people, including slaughtering them, mutilating their bodies and then covering them with female clothes and sending photos of them to the tendentious satellite channels, to portray the Syrian army as if it was the one responsible for this horrible massacre.

The statement confirmed that a group of terrorist snipers in al-Eyadat region in Wadi al-Zahab Street committed acts of sniping and terrorizing against residents to accuse the army and law enforcement forces of these serious violations that are contrary to the principles of human rights.

The Syrian Human Right Network had earlier revealed that the terrorist groups have been perpetrating mass massacres in order to blame the army for them, considering that the illegitimate support and privileges given to these groups by countries such as the US, France, Britain, Turkey and the reactionary Arab countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia will lead to undermining fighting of terrorism and threatening human rights.

“Human rights principles can’t be observed as long as these groups are being provided with patronage and support from those countries in a flagrant and clear violation of these principles,” said the Network, adding that this support will give the terrorist groups the license to proceed with their crimes and violations and disregard of the moral values and human feelings.

International Figures Reject Interference in Syria’s Affairs

CAPITALS, (SANA)- Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi criticized the US and some Western countries double standard policies against Syria through concentrating on interfering in Syria’s internal affairs and ignoring the Israeli continued aggression against the unarmed Palestinian people.

Meeting Assistant Secretary of Russian Security Council Yevgeny Lukyanov in Tehran on Tuesday, Salehi pointed to Iran and Russia’s joint understanding and stances towards some regional and international issues, including Syria, asserting the possibility of adopting a balanced and constructive stance to help Syria overcome the current situation and continue the development process and the political and economic reforms it has launched.

For his part, Lukyanov slammed the accelerated trends and double policy of the Western countries in dealing with the latest regional developments, expressing his country’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Iran to the regional and international levels.

In the same context, Bolivian President Evo Morales said that his country voted a resolution on Syria last February at the UN General Assembly because it considered the Syrian crisis an internal affair, asserting that the call for military intervention in Syria hides commercial motives.

In a statement following a meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Heinz Fischer, in Vienna, Morales said that the crisis in Syria is fed for other goals, affirming that his country recognizes all the government elected democratically.

The UN Secretary General was reported on March 3 saying that he had received “grisly reports” that Syrian government forces were arbitrarily executing, imprisoning and torturing people in Homs after retaking control of the Baba Amr district from insurgents. Did he really believe this; or was he just “saying it”? “One of the defining bifurcations of the future will be the conflict between information masters and information victims” the US officer assigned to the Deputy Chief of Staff (Intelligence), charged with defining the future of warfare, wrote in the US Army War College Quarterly in 1997.

“But fear not”, he writes later in the article, for “we are already masters of information warfare … Hollywood is ‘preparing the battlefield’ … Information destroys traditional jobs and traditional cultures; it seduces, betrays, yet remains invulnerable. How can you [possibly] counterattack the information [warfare] others have turned upon you? [1]

“Our sophistication in handling it will enable us to outlast and outperform all hierarchical cultures … Societies that fear or otherwise cannot manage the flow of information simply will not be competitive. They might master the technological wherewithal to watch the videos, but we will be writing the scripts, producing them, and collecting the royalties. Our creativity is devastating.”

This information warfare will not be couched in the rationale of geopolitics, the author suggests, but will be “spawned” – like any Hollywood drama – out of raw emotions. “Hatred, jealousy, and greed – emotions, rather than strategy – will set the terms of [information warfare] struggles”.

Not only the US army, but it seems mainstream Western media insist that the struggle in Syria must be scripted in emotional image and moralistic statements that always – as the War College article rightly asserts – trump rational analysis.

The UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry condemns the Syrian government of crimes against humanity, but only on the basis of what the opposition says, and without having investigated evidence of opposition “crimes”: and then proceeds to “charge” the Syrian government with this process based simply on “reasonable suspicion”: Do they really believe what they have written, or is it just a part of “writing the script”? [2]

Having quite forgotten what US Marines did to Falluja in 2004 (6,000 dead and 60% of the city destroyed) when armed insurgents there also sought to establish a Salafist “Emirate” – the Western media focus on Homs gives vent to the indignant cry that “something must be done” to save the people of Homs from “massacre”. The question of what effect exactly that something – whether external military intervention or providing heavier weapons for the insurgents – might be, and what its wider consequences might entail, meanwhile recedes entirely from view. Those with the temerity to get in the way of “this narrative” by arguing that external intervention would be disastrous, are roundly condemned as complicit in President Assad’s crimes against humanity.

This school of journalism – the Guardian and Channel Four are good examples of this “I-was-there” reporting – that emphasizes the reporter as participant, and indeed victim, a co-sufferer amid the charged, heart-tugging emotional sufferings of war, uses emotive images precisely to underline that “something must be done”. By focussing on mutilated bodies and weeping bereaved women they assert and determine that the conflict must be viewed as being of utmost moral simplicity – one of victims and aggressors.

 “In Baba Amr. Sickening. Cannot understand how the world can stand by. Watched a baby die today. Shrapnel: doctors could do nothing. His little tummy just heaved and heaved until he stopped. Feeling helpless”. [3]

Those who try to argue that Western intervention can only exacerbate the crisis, are confronted by this unanswerable riposte of dead babies – literally. As the War College article so rightly states: how can you counter attack this manner of “information warfare” unleashed against the Syrian government who are on the receiving end of those “writing the scripts, producing them, and collecting the royalties”?

I too, saw such terrible sights in Afghanistan in the 1980s: It does of course create an emotional abyss into which the helpless spectator slips; but do these reporters really believe that innocents and children are not always the victims of conflict? Do they believe their personal distress to be somehow so primary that it must set aside all complexities, and all potential possibilities? Is more conflict the answer to the awful death of an infant?

This reductionist, emotional ardor is but a form of concealed political advocacy – little different to that of an information “warrior” such as AVAAZ, who help write and produce those info-war videos. [4] And while nobody openly endorses such “journalism of participation”, this approach seems to have triumphed in certain journalistic quarters. And indeed it is creeping further: increasingly we see even certain Western diplomats acting as though they are “activists” and participants in the internal struggles of the states to which they are posted. What sort of reporting must their governments be getting?

Are we now to understand that the armed opposition, who originally brought Western journalists to Homs – and then insisted to exfiltrate them perilously, and at the cost of many lives, via Lebanon, rather than through the good offices of the Red Crescent to the nearest airport, were not motivated by a desire to advocate, and impel the argument for externally-imposed humanitarian corridors to be opened to Homs? In other words, were not witness to the construction of une piece de theatre in favor of a type of external intervention? Will a Kosovo-type solution will make things better in Syria?

What has become so striking is that, whilst this “information warfare” may have been almost irreversibly effective in demonizing President Assad in the West, it has also had the effect of “unanchoring” European and American foreign policy. It has become cast adrift from any real geo-strategic mooring. This has led to a situation in which European policy has become wholly suggestible to such “advocacy reporting”, and the need to respond to it, moment-by- moment, in emotive, moralistic blasts of sound-bites accusing President Assad of having “blood on its hands”.

In one sense the West inevitably has fallen hostage to its own information warfare: it has locked itself into a single understanding, stuck to a “singleness” of meaning: a simplistic victims-and-aggressor meme, which demands only the toppling of the aggressor. Europe, in this manner, effectively is cutting itself off from other options – precisely because the humanitarian theme, which policy-makers may have thought would suffice to see Assad easily deposed, now impedes any shift towards other options – such as a peaceful negotiated outcome.

But does anyone really believe American and European objectives in Syria were ever purely humanitarian? Is it not the case – given that the turnout of events in the Middle East are taking such an ominous and dangerous turn – that it has now becoming somewhat awkward openly to admit that their info-war was never primarily about reforming Syria, but about “regime change”, and that it was that even from before the first protest erupted in Dera’a?

In his recent interview with Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic, [5] given in advance of President Obama’s American Israel Public Affairs Committee speech, the president, inter alia, was questioned about Syria. His response was very clear:

GOLDBERG: Can you just talk about Syria as a strategic issue? Talk about it as a humanitarian issue, as well; but it would seem to me that one way to weaken and further isolate Iran is to remove or help remove Iran’s only Arab ally.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Absolutely.

Do these Western interventionist proselytizers really believe that the onslaught on Syria is only about democracy and reform? Obama said it plainly. It was always about Iran. And, as Europe and America increasingly become bystanders to a Qatari and Saudi frenzy to overthrow a fellow Arab leader by any means it takes, do these “apostles” truly think that these absolute Arab monarchies simply share the Guardian’s or Channel Four’s nice humanitarian aspirations for Syria’s future? Do these reporters really believe that the armed insurgents that Gulf states are financing and arming are nothing more than well-intentioned reformists, who have simply been driven to violence through Assad’s incalcitrance? Some perhaps do, but others perhaps are simply “saying these things” to prepare the battlefield?

9 March  2012

By Alastair Crooke

@ Asian Times Online

Notes: 1. Constant Conflict, Parameters, Summer 1997, pp. 4-14.

2. The United Nations Accuses Syria of “Crimes against Humanity”,

3. The danger of reporters becoming ‘crusaders’, spiked-online.com, Feb 27, 2012.

http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/printable/12159/

4. See ‘How Avaaz Is Sponsoring Fake War Propaganda From Syria’, March 3, 2012.

5. Obama to Iran and Israel: ‘As President of the United States, I Don’t Bluff’

Alastair Crooke is founder and director of Conflicts Forum and is a former adviser to the former EU Foreign Policy Chief, Javier Solana, from 1997-2003. (Copyright 2011 Alastair Crooke.)

Emails said to reveal dismay among Al-Jazeera staff over its “biased and unprofessional” coverage of Syria have been leaked by pro-Assad hackers.

Damascus – On Wednesday, the entire staff of the Al Jazeera network allegedly received an email instructing them to change their computer and email passwords.

Earlier in the week, the network’s server had been hacked by the self-styled Syrian Electronic Army, and some of its secrets were released to the media.

The major find to be made public was an email exchange between anchorwoman Rula Ibrahim and Beirut-based reporter Ali Hashem. The emails seemed to indicate widespread disaffection within the channel, especially over its coverage of the crisis in Syria.

Ibrahim wrote to her colleague saying that she had “turned against the revolution” in Syria after realizing that the protests would “destroy the country and lead to a civil war.” She went on to deride the opposition Free Syrian Army, which she described as “a branch of al-Qaeda.”

Ibrahim also complained about the attitudes of various colleagues at the channel’s Doha headquarters, saying some of them “have refused to greet me ever since the outbreak of events in Syria because they hold a grudge against my sect.”

Al Jazeera staffers were relieved that the email exchange had been leaked, “because it exposed the station’s biased and unprofessional coverage Syria.”Hashem responded sympathetically, saying he had opted to sit on the fence after sending the channel footage of armed men clashing with the army which he had witnessed while reporting from northeastern Lebanon. He said that after he submitted the video, he was told to return to Beirut on the grounds that he was exhausted.

In her response, Ibrahim once again protested that she had “been utterly humiliated. They wiped the floor with me because I embarrassed Zuheir Salem, spokesperson for Syria’s Muslim Brothers. As a result, I was prevented from doing any Syrian interviews, and threatened with [a] transfer to the night shift on the pretext that I was making the channel imbalanced.”

Ibrahim also spoke of how Syrian activists invited onto Al Jazeera use terms of sectarian incitement on air, “which Syrians understand very well.”

Hashem wondered in response where the channel’s head of news, Ibrahim Hilal, stood in all this. Ibrahim answered that he was “stuck between a rock and a hard place: the agenda and professionalism…”

This conversation was broadcast in full on the state Syrian News Channel, which also interviewed the hackers who broke through Al Jazeera’s information system.

However, the scoop did not attract the attention that had been hoped for. Like other official Syrian media, the channel is not widely watched and has suffered a loss of viewer confidence.

Thus the report was barely noticed, and Al Jazeera itself completely disregarded it.

The media-electronic war between the two camps seems set to escalate.Sources in the channel confirmed that the administration had taken no action over the incident, not even approaching Hashem or Ibrahim about it. The sources said it was generally assumed that the pro-regime hackers had accomplices inside the channel, as they would not have otherwise been able to get round its system’s sophisticated security measures.

The same sources said some Al Jazeera staffers were relieved that the email exchange had been leaked, “because it exposed the station’s biased and unprofessional coverage Syria.”

They also confirmed an allegation Ibrahim had reportedly made in one of her emails: That Ahmad Ibrahim, who is in charge of the channel’s Syria coverage, is the brother of Anas al-Abdeh, a leading member of the opposition Syrian National Council. He allegedly stopped using his family name to avoid drawing attention to the connection.

The sources said that among the issues concerning Al Jazeera journalists was pressure to start employing the term “martyr” when referring to slain Syrian opposition supporters, but not regime loyalists or members of the security forces.

They said two camps had emerged within the newsroom: one, headed by Hilal, wanting professional coverage of the coverage, and another “who believe they are part of this war and do not hesitate to show that on air.”

Ethical standards and the violation of journalists’ privacy seem to be far from anyone’s considerations.The sources said that as part of this rivalry, Facebook groups had appeared which were devoted to targeting Al Jazeera journalists “who are guilty of trying to be objective.”

For example, a fierce campaign was launched on social media websites demanding the sacking of Lebanese anchorman Hasan Jammoul. He had challenged an opposition activist to explain in an interview why the shelling of the city Homs was focused on Baba Amr and not other neighborhoods.

Neither Ibrahim, Hashem, or Hilal were available for comment when contacted by Al-Akhbar.

Yet the media-electronic war between the two camps seems set to escalate. Syrian President Bashar Assad himself has praised the Syrian Electronic Army, both in his recent speech at Damascus University and in meetings with popular delegations.

In addition to hacking into Al Jazeera’s emails, the group got into the channel’s breaking news subscription service – and circulated a false story to subscribers that the Emir of Qatar had died of a stroke. This was supposedly a response to the earlier hacking of the messaging service of the pro-regime Syrian al-Dunya channel.

Following the Army’s latest “victory,” ethical standards and the violation of journalists’ privacy seem to be far from anyone’s considerations. It seems this war will spare no one.

This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.

By: Wissam Kanaan

24 February 2012

@ Al Akhbar English

Syrian Ministry of Health Statement

The Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic has the honour to convey a statement by the Ministry of Health of the Syrian Arab Republic on the seditious broadcasts on Syria by the Aljazeera Channel, together with other partner channels and the media.

The above mentioned media, in particular on 16th March, 2012, broadcasted false news that security forces broke into the national hospital in Al-Rakka, Syria and arrested a number of the wounded who were transferred there.

The Ministry of Health of the Syrian Arab Republic confirms that the news is not just false but it is falsification of the facts and a complete fabrication of the truth and the goal of the Aljazeera Channel in doing so, is to stir the feelings of the Syrian citizens and incite them against the service sectors in Syria, including the health sector and thus depriving them of their right to free medical services, in particular the utilisation of ambulances.

The Syrian Health Ministry is surprised by the persistence of the said media in spreading the lies, in spite of the ability to refute them and expose the truth to all. The Ministry calls on all health and humanitarian international organizations to condemn these immoral and cynical methods which a number of foreign media and misleading channels insist on using to deviate from the truth in all aspects of health issues, despite repeated appeals to leave the sector from the schemes of foreign policy without discrimination and interference whatsoever as it serves basic life-saving for all.

The Syrian Health Ministry also confirms that the said hospital, as with all hospitals in the provinces, is constant in providing its medical and ambulance services 24hours to all citizens.

On this particular occasion, the Health Ministry of the Syrian Arab Republic calls on all International Organizations working on health and humanitarian affairs in Syria to provide proof of the false news and slander which the regional inflammatory media channels have broadcasted.

For your information.

With best compliments.

Thank you.

Interior Ministry: 89.4% of the 8,376,447 Voters Agreed to New Constitution

DAMASCUS, (SANA) –The Interior Ministry on Monday announced the results of the referendum on the new Constitution of Syria, with 89.4% of voters agreeing to it.

In a press conference, Minister of Interior Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar said that that 8,376,447 citizens voted in the referendum on the new draft constitution, which constitutes 57.4% of the 14,589,954 eligible voters, with 7,490,319 (89.4% of voters) agreeing to it while 753,208 (9% of voters) didn’t agree.

He said that there were 132,920 invalid ballots, which makes up 1.6% of votes.

Al-Shaar said that there was a good turnout despite the threats and intimidation by armed terrorist groups in some areas and the accompanying distortion and instigation campaigns by media which attempted to prevent citizens from practicing their right to vote and harm the democratic process.

Answering questions raised by journalists, al-Shaar underlined that the armed terrorist groups in some areas obstructed the arrival of citizens in a number of referendum centers, but they didn’t affect the process in general.

He added that what has prevented Syrian Embassies from opening referendum centers abroad was the ban on the airlines by some Arab and western states which hindered delivering the documents and publications related to referendum process.

“Instead, Syria has opened new referendum centers along the border points with the neighboring countries which witnessed good turnout,” the Minister said.

Al-Shaar stressed that new laws will be issued regarding the articles of the new constitution, adding that what needs amendment would be amended.

He concluded by saying that the government is serious in tackling security situation and ending all armed phenomena and all forms of chaos.

Russian Foreign Ministry: New Constitution Referendum Results  Indicate that the Syrian People Support their Leadership

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that the results of the referendum on the new constitution in Syria indicate that the Syrian people support their leadership.

In a statement, the Ministry said that Moscow considers the referendum as an important step on the way to making Syria a modern democratic state.

The Russian Ministry added that Russia views the results of the constitution as evident of the support the Syrian Government enjoys by its people, pointing out that the opposition groups which called for boycotting the referendum proved to be lacking popularity and they do not have the right to speak on behalf of the Syrian people.

The statement added that Russia calls on all sides to refrain from violence and get involved in dialogue with no preconditions.

Pushkov: Russia is Exerting Efforts to Evacuate Injured Foreign Journalists from Homs

Chairman of the Russian Duma’s International Affairs Committee Aleksey Pushkov said that Russia is exerting efforts to evacuate injured foreign journalists from Homs.

Pushkov was quoted as saying that according to his information, the Western countries are not trying to evacuate the injured, indicating that the gunmen haven’t consented to evacuating them, only allowing journalists to videotape them.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry had underlined the importance that foreign journalists respect the laws regulating journalistic work and not enter the Syrian territories to get to restive areas. F.Allafi/al-Ibrahim/M. Ismael

Seize More than 40 Explosive Devices in Daraa, Cars Loaded with Weapons in al-Hasaka

PROVINCES, (SANA)_ An armed Terrorist Group on Monday shelled with mortars a military educational Complex in Homs, claiming the lives of two members and injuring 12 others.

More than 40 Explosive Devices Seized in Daraa

Authorities seized in the Basra al-Harir town in Daraa countryside a  warehouse that includes explosive devices set to be detonated by armed terrorist groups to attack law-enforcement personnel and terrorize citizens.

SANA reporter in Daraa was informed that over 40 explosive devices weighing from 5 kilograms to 20 kilograms.

Border Guard Personnel Foil Infiltration Attempt of Armed Terrorist Group Coming from Jordan

Meanwhile, Border Guard personnel foiled an infiltration attempt by an armed terrorist group coming from Jordan in Tal-Shihab area in Daraa countryside.

SANA reporter in Daraa was informed that the border guard personnel clashed with the terrorist group killing 5 terrorists and wounding two others and the  rest of them ran away to the Jordanian territories.

Authorities Seize 3 cars Loaded with Amounts of Weapons and Ammunition in al-Hasaka

In the same context, Authorities seized in al-Hasaka province two cars loaded with various weapons.

SANA reporter in al-Hasaka reported an official source as saying that the weapons seized in the two cars included 106 rifles, machine guns and 3 RPG launchers, two sniper rifles and large amounts of ammunition coming from Iraq.

The source pointed out that after fire exchange, the authorities managed to seize the two cars and arrest the people riding them.

The source added that the authorities seized another  car  loaded with 26 rifles coming from Turkey.

16 Army and Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

DAMASCUS/LATTAKIA, (SANA) – Sixteen army and law-enforcement martyrs on Monday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus and Zahi Azraq Military Hospital in Lattakia to their final resting place.

The martyrs were killed in the line of duty by armed terrorist groups in Homs and Damascus Countryside.

Solemn processions were held for the martyrs, as the music of “The Martyr” and “The Farewell” was playing.

The martyrs are:

Warrant Officer Sami Sleiman al-Abdullah, from Tartous.

Retired Warrant Officer Hussein Ibrahim Hasan, from Lattakia.

Warrant Officer Hussein Matar Hamadi, from Homs.

Sergeant Major Mahmoud Ahmad al-Khatib, from Hama.

Sergeant Major Hatem Jamil Ahmad, from Lattakia.

Sergeant Mahmoud Hasan Salloum, from Tartous.

Sergeant Hussam Ibrahim al-Ali, from Aleppo.

Sergeant Mahmoud Ahmad Shams, from Aleppo.

Conscript Yehea Dawoud al-Homsi, from Damascus Countryside.

Conscript Khedr Khaled Abdullah, from Aleppo.

Conscript Yasser Hasan al-Hamad, from Aleppo.

Conscript Tamer Mahmoud al-Khamis, from Hasaka.

Conscript Khalil Ismael Taher, from Aleppo.

Conscript Hisham Hussein al-Atiya, from Aleppo.

Conscript Thabet Sobhi al-Hussein, from Idleb.

Conscript Bassem Issa Abbas, from Lattakia.

The martyrs’ relatives affirmed that their sons’ blood will make Syria stronger and more capable of facing challenges, and that Syria proved its ability to confront difficult conditions concocted by malicious hands.

They denounced the crimes and armed terrorist groups, warning people not to believe the lies of satellite channels who are accomplices in the shedding of Syrian blood.

Putin Affirms Russia’s Adherence to Its Independent Foreign Policy, Rejection of Any Foreign Interference in Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin affirmed Russia’s adherence to its rejection of any foreign interference in Syria or any attempt to repeat the Libyan scenario in Syria, stressing that the international community must exert efforts to achieve reconciliation among Syrians.

In an article under the title “Russia and the Changing World” published in the Russian newspaper Moskovskie Novosti on Monday, Putin underlined the need to end violence in Syria regardless of source and launch national dialogue without preconditions and without foreign interference in a manner respecting sovereignty, saying that this will compliment the steps announced by the Syrian leadership to promote democracy, and more importantly, will prevent the occurrence of a civil war.

He pointed out that after the bitter experience of Libya, Russia is against the Security Council issuing any resolutions that may be interpreted as permitting military intervention in Syria, noting that this is why Russia and China didn’t allow the resolution in February which could have been misinterpreted and urged one side to resort to violence.

Putin warned the west against creating a coalition or alliance to carry out an operation not sanctioned by the Security Council since such a behavior is very risky and does not help reach a settlement in a troubled country and will cause deterioration in international security, adding that the veto right is an integral part of the world order and the UN charter.

He expressed hope that the US and other countries will take the unfortunate experience of Libya into consideration, expressing wonder over the desire to use military force and the lack of patience to formulate a balanced unanimous stance, noting that such a stance could have been made by making the same demands from the armed opposition that were made from the government.

Putin said that rejecting this step was an impertinent act since all participants in armed conflict must come to their senses in order to guarantee the safety of innocent civilians, which is Russia’s primary goal.

Regarding the Arab region, Putin said that the “Arab Spring” resulted in the replacement of one force by another even more stern and oppressive one rather than establish democracy and protecting the rights of minorities, adding that foreign interference in favor of one side in an internal conflicts exasperated the situation, which is what happened in Libya, as countries worked to topple the Libyan regime under the guise of humanitarianism and resulted in the horrible scene of the killing of Muammar Gaddafi in a medieval manner.

He said that the tragic events in the Middle East aren’t motivated by protecting human rights, and that seeking to force democracy often leads to the opposite result as extremist religious forces emerge to subvert the development of countries.

Regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict, Putin stressed that there’s no magical solution to this issue and that work must continue to seek a solution, which is what Russian diplomacy will do.

He expressed Russia’s adherence to providing security to all countries and avoid the excessive use of force, saying that some of the actions of the US and NATO undermine Russia’s security and destabilize the world, adding that there are concerns over the armed conflicts which are being justified by humanitarian purposes.

Putin said that the selective protection of human rights leads to empty demagogy, stressing the need for the UN to resist pressure and dictations as no-one may use force against sovereign countries under the pretense of acquiring UN approval.

On the Iranian issue, Putin warned against the catastrophic consequences of a military strike against Iran, calling for resolving the Iranian issue peacefully.

Syrian Observatory for Victims of Violence and Terrorism Denounces Hamad Bin Jassim Calls for Arming Opposition

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_The Syrian Observatory for Victims of Violence and Terrorism denounced the statements made by Qatar’s Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim in which he called for supporting the opposition and arming Istanbul Council terrorist groups.

In a statement on Monday, the Observatory said that the Qatari and Saudi stances converge with those of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which amounts to conspiring and direct involvement in the Syrian events and is thus likely to raise the level of tension in Syria.

The Observatory saw that the so-called ”Friends of Syria” meeting came as part of endeavors by Western and Gulf states to conspire against Syria and rally as much support as possible to meet Istanbul Council’s demands.

The statement considered such US-Zionist initiatives as a direct involvement in the events taking place in Syria.

Syrian Consultative Center for Studies and Human Rights: Illusory Organizations were Invented to Stoke Instigation against Syria

The Syrian Consultative Center for Studies and Human Rights said that illusory organizations were invented under the pretext of protecting human rights with the aim to further stoke misleading campaigns against Syria, namely the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The center added that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights distributes false and uncorroborated statements on violations and victims intended for disorienting the Arab and world public opinion.

China Hopes Referendum on New Constitution will Push Reform Process in Syria and Start Political Dialogue

BEIJING, (SANA) – China hoped on Monday that the referendum on the new constitution would push the ongoing reform process in Syria forward and start political dialogue in response to the Syrian people’s aspirations for change and legitimate demands.

“We hope that all sides in Syria work together and exert coordinated efforts to ease the tension as soon as possible,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson, Hong Lei, told a news conference.

Lei pointed out that his country calls on the international community to fully respect Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and to respect the choice of the Syrian people.

He reiterated China’s stance which rejects any foreign interference or solutions, adding that China adheres to an objective and responsible stance based on protecting the interests of Syria and the Arab peoples.

Concerning the so-called “Friends of Syria Conference” held in Tunis recently, Lei pointed out that China decided not to attend this conference because the purpose of the conference and its mechanisms and role need more study and understanding.

Syrian youths launch activity of the longest letter in the world in loyalty to Homeland

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-A group of Syrian youths on Monday launched activity of the longest message in the world in loyalty to the Homeland, stressing that the aim of this message is to stress amity and solidarity among all Syrian people and reject the foreign intervention in Syria’s domestic affairs.

Organizers of the activity said that the message bears signatures of Syrian citizens from different cities in order to boost solidarity among them in the face of plots and pressures to which the country is exposed.

Lavrov: Russia lauds Holding Referendum on Draft Constitution in Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russia has welcomed holding a referendum on the new draft constitution in Syria as “a step toward achieving reform and  democracy”, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.

“Holding referendum on a new draft constitution in Syria constitutes an important step towards reform and democracy… The end of a one-party system in the country should be welcomed,” Lavrov added in a press conference in Moscow.

Lavrov called on all international powers to give a unified and clear sign to all Syria sides on the necessity of sitting around the table of dialogue to find solution to the crisis, pointing to the necessity of halting violence in the country by all parties.

Lavrov described the so-called ‘Friends of Syria’ meeting held recently in Tunisia as “a meeting of unilateral support”, noting that “To this day, we do not know the legal status of the document adopted by the meeting. We have an impression that this meeting didn’t contributed in ensuring the circumstances to encourage all sides to hold political dialogue”.

Lavrov expressed confidence that referendum on the draft of the new constitution for Syria is not a response to statements, but rather it is an important reform step.

He added that Russia welcomes any initiative to unify the international community on the basis of supporting decisions made by the Syrians themselves.

Damage Caused by Armed Groups to Irrigation Sector Exceeds SYP 1 Billion and 600 Million

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Irrigation George Somi on Monday said the damage caused by armed terrorist groups to water facilities and vehicles affiliated to the Ministry exceeded SYP 1 billion and 600 million.

“In Hama governorate, the attacks targeted pumping stations in al-Ghab region which hindered providing water to the dams and irrigation networks,” said Minister Somi in a statement to the journalists.

He added that the armed terrorist groups also prevented the companies responsible for water projects execution from continuing their works.

The minister said these armed groups also prevented employees at the Water Resources Directorate in Idleb governorate from going to their workplace which made it difficult to continue maintenance works of irrigation networks or monitoring ground water, adding that the case in Daraa and Homs governorates is similar.

He added that the situation of water facilities throughout the Syrian governorates was better except for Deir Ezzor as the General Establishment for Land Reclamation in the lower Euphrates Basin has been attacked with a total loss of more than SYP 5 million.

Minister Somi stressed that the Ministry will exert great efforts to preserve the safety of water facilities and vital projects throughout the Syrian territories.

Tunisian Writers Criticize Their Government’s Stance towards Syria

TUNIS, (SANA) – Tunisian writers criticized the aggressive stance of their country towards Syria and hosting the so-called “Friends of Syria” meeting.

Writer Amin Abu Masood from the Tunisian Al-Shorouk newspaper apologized to Syria and wondered what kind of friend lies, misleads and instigates against Damascus, gives a hand to Israel and supports armed figures from the Syrian opposition who fight in the name of the Zionists.

Abu Masood considered that hosting the meeting in Tunisia stresses the commitment of the Tunisian government and presidency to the US “Great Middle East” project which aims at re-drawing the map of the Arab world through fragmenting the region and provoking sectarian and ethnic division.

“It is naive that the President al-Marzouki circulating the lie about keenness on helping the Syrian people to build democracy through a meeting whose Arab, Western and Turkish members support armed terrorist gangs which shed the Syrian blood using US, French, British, Gulf and Israeli weapons,” he said.

For his part, the Tunisian University Professor Mustafa al-Keilani said the Syrian intelligence was proved once again which helped the country survive the scheme against it, noting that this scheme is very similar to the one used against Libya.

He warned agaisnt intensifying economic sanctions on Syria to gain time to change the reality on the ground through increasing the internal conflict along with several attempts to influence regional and international powers that support Syria.

Source: The Embassy of Syrian Arab Republican in Kuala Lumpur.

Presidential Decree on Syria’s New Constitution

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_ President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday issued decree No. 94 on publishing the Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic approved by referendum in the official gazette.

The new constitution comes into effect on February 27, 2012.

Syrian Delegation Walks out from UN Human Rights Council Session in Geneva Describing its Discussions as Futile

GENEVA, (SANA) – The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva held an emergency session on the situation in Syria on Tuesday, with Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Fayssal Al-Hamwi, beginning by voicing Syria’s denouncement of holding this session in a manner contradicting procedural rules and showing blatant manipulation of the Council.

Al-Hamwi wondered why the session ignored Article 4 of its agenda which is dedicated to discussing the state of human rights in Syria, asking if the purpose of this session is to slander and politicize the situation of human rights.

He also questioned the decision to work behind the scenes and avoiding a direct dialogue with Syria in the same manner the Red Cross did, which resulted in providing humanitarian aid to several areas and helped evacuate civilians from them.

“We’re convinced that the true goal of holding today’s session is covering up the violence and murder committed by armed terrorist groups against innocent civilians which were clearly mentioned by Agence France-Presse on February 25,” he said, acknowledging that the services provided by the government suffered setbacks due to the presence of armed groups in some areas, adding that armed groups attacked 18 hospitals, 48 health centers and 129 ambulances as of February 9th, 2012.

He also pointed out to the negative effects of unilateral and unjust economic sanctions imposed by some countries against the Syria people, hindering the procurement of medicine, vaccine, food and fuel and hindering banking transactions used to purchase these materials.

”Unilateral economic sanctions are the ugliest violations of human rights, because they target foremost civilian populations including children, women and the elderly,” said al-Hamwi.

He said that the concepts of humanitarian intervention and protecting civilians have been distorted recently, using them to justify military intervention, topple governments and destroy infrastructures.

Al-Hamwi asserted that the call to hold a session about humanitarian condition in Syria is but part of a premeditated scheme as to strike at the Syrian State and its institutions under the pretext of humanitarian needs.

Headded that those who called for the meeting didn’t even wait for discussions of the independent international investigations committee, which included no hint to the deterioration of humanitarian condition in Syria.

He also underscored that the report of the said committee acknowledged the painful and catastrophic consequences of the economic sanctions imposed on the Syria People and that he who claims to be a friend for People should never impose hard and illegitimate sanctions on the people.

Al-Hamwi said to those who claim to be friends of the Syrian people to help them by immediately ceasing mobilization, sectarian instigation, media lies, supplying weapons and funds to armed groups, and turning the Syrians against each other.

he pointed out that the Council has been transformed into a tool in the hands of some countries, asserting that the real objective of the council out-of-procedure session is to inflame the fire of terrorism and prolong the crisis through message of support by the Council to the armed groups in Syria.

“The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic  announces non-acknowledgement of the legitimacy of this session,” said Al-Hamwi, declaring Syria’s rejection of whatever illegitimate biased and malicious  resolutions  to be taken.

Seven Army and Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Seven army and law-enforcement martyrs on Tuesday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus to their final resting place.

The martyrs were killed in the line of duty by armed terrorist groups in Homs and Damascus Countryside.

Solemn processions were held for the martyrs, as the music of “The Martyr” and “The Farewell” was playing.

The martyrs are:

­          Second Lieutenant Fadi Samir Ahmad from Lattakia.

­          Conscript Fares Ammash al-Subaikhan from Deir Ezzor.

­          Conscript Omar Ahmad Abu Bakr from Aleppo.

­          Conscript Mohammed Khalil Qutaifani from Damascus.

­          Conscript Nor Fahmi al-Jibbeh from Idleb.

­          Conscript Khalid Mustafa Ibrahim from Aleppo.

­          Conscript Ali Mohammed Hammad from Idleb.

The martyrs’ relatives affirmed that their sons’ blood will make Syria stronger, expressing readiness to face the conspiracy hatched against their homeland and to defend its security and stability

Terrorist Hideout Uncovered, Authorities Prevent Terrorists from Entering Syria, Four Explosive Devices Dismantled

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_ Syrian competent Authorities have discovered Tuesday a terrorist hideout used by terrorist at a farm in al-Shoufiniah, Douma, Damascus Countryside.

SANA reporter quoted the authorities as saying that huge amounts of weapons, field hospital and medical materials were uncovered during the operation.

Among the weapons confiscated were 6 Kalashnikov rifles, 2 RPG launchers, 3 snipers, a Turkish pump action shotgun, 2 Turkish guns, snipers’ silencers, explosive charges, and tens of RPG shells, fire cartridges, communication tools and cameras.

Authorities Prevent Terrorists from Entering Syria from Lebanon

The authorities prevented an armed terrorist group from entering Syria through the Oyoun al-Shara-Halat crossing point in Telkalakh countryside on the Syrian-Lebanese borders.

An official source told SANA’s correspondent that three members of the terrorist group were killed and others were injured, while one member of law-enforcement forces was wounded and taken to al-Bassel Hospital in Tartous for treatment.

Earlier on Monday, the authorities prevented an armed terrorist group from entering Syria from Jordan in Tel Shihab area in Daraa countryside.

Four Explosive Devices Dismantled in Idleb Countryside

Engineering units dismantled four explosive devices planted by terrorists at the Maarshouren town crossroads east of al-Maara, Idleb countryside.

An informed source at Idleb governorate told SANA’s correspondent that each explosive device is rigged for remote detonation and has a yield of 50 kilograms.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent Refutes Allegations Pertaining to Its Impartiality

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) on Tuesday rejected allegations made by some media outlets throughout last week regarding its impartiality, refuting claims that the SARC is untrustworthy.

In a statement, the SARC voiced deep concern over these allegations which are not only untrue, but constitute insults to the workers and volunteers of the organization who are making sacrifices to reach vulnerable groups and provide humanitarian aid to whoever needs it regardless of nationality, religion or political beliefs.

The statement pointed out that volunteers from the Homs branch of the SARC have been working around the clock since Friday in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross to evacuate the injured form Baba Armo neighborhood, successfully evacuating 30 people.

The SARC added that it also provided humanitarian, medical and food aim to those who need them in areas including Daraa, Hama, Homs, Deir Ezzor, Madaya and al-Zabadani.

The statement said that the baseless allegations against the SARC not only undermine its efforts, but also endanger the lives of its workers and volunteers and hinders their humanitarian efforts, noting that the SARC lost two of its members already; volunteer al-Hakam Darrak al-Sibayi and secretary of the Idleb branch Dr. Abdelrazzaq Jbeiro.

The SARC concluded by voicing appreciation for the support it’s receiving from the associations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and other organizations from across the world, saying “their support, along with the diligent efforts of our volunteers and workers, enabled us to provide humanitarian aid to thousands of people regardless of nationality, religion or political affiliation… it is of utmost necessity to those who need our humanitarian services that we continue to do our work.”

Head of the Syrian-Belgian Friendship Association: Constitutional Referendum, Historic Day for Syria and Syrians

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Head of the Syrian-Belgian Friendship Association Kriss Janssen said that February 26th marks a historic day for Syria and the Syrians as they participated in a national referendum to accept or reject the new constitution.

He added that the new constitution is the outcome of a year of consultations with all spectrums of the Syrian people to reach a clear viewpoint about the Syrians’ vision of their future.

Walking down to the Sabaa Bahrat Square in Damascus, he said that the whole atmosphere was different from stories broadcast by international media as there were no armored vehicles or snipers on rooftops, rather he saw families and students dancing and chanting national slogans as if they were in celebration.

He added that he met some of the participants and hailed their political awareness about this important day in Syria’s history.

Accompanying a friend to a polling center where he noted the large number of Syrian citizens, Janssen said that the gathering citizens told him that they are here to exercise their national duty and democratic right, unlike other people in the region whose governments criticized Syria and called for arming terrorist groups.

He refuted some western claims that only employees at state constitutions went to the polling centers by force and pressure.

Janssen added that a number of citizens asked him to convey a message to the foreign world which is “leave us alone and stop interfering in our affairs or telling us what to do… we Syrians don’t want the Americans, the French or the British to tell us how to arrange our life. We are able to do so by ourselves.”

He said that the majority of people are convinced that the new constitution represents the whole political scene in its plurality as they believe that their participation in the referendum is to confront terrorism, while terrorists and mercenaries kill innocent civilians and destroy infrastructures to create chaos and negatively influence the Syrian’s life in order to change Syria into Afghanistan.

Janssen said that he was moved by the sincere popular support to the political referendum and the wisdom of the Syrian people, expressing confidence that the Syrians, with their adherence to their principles and their belief in that only they can decide their future, will overcome all pressure.

Jordanian Youth Delegation Stresses Solidarity with Syria, Rejecting Foreign Interference in its Affairs

DARAA, (SANA) – A delegation from the Jordanian Youth Students Campaign to Support Syria and members of the Arab Students Union expressed solidarity with Syria and its independent decision, reiterating rejection of foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Head of the delegation Ahmad al-Seidawi said “our visit to Syria and our support to its leadership, people and government are stemmed from our belief in Syria’s role in defending the just Arab issues, particularly Palestine.”

Al-Seidawi said that the Jordanian students and youths will stand side by side with all Arab students across the Arab world to defend Syria and its people against the conspiracy which aims at fragmenting and undermining it.

Al-Seidawi expressed the Jordanian students’ confidence in that Syria will come out of the crisis victorious and strong thanks to the awareness of its people and its wise leadership.

Another delegation member, Abdel Majeed Abu Najm said that they are here to stress support to the comprehensive reform program launched by the Syrian leadership and represented in the new constitution which will transform Syria into an example of democracy.

He hailed the Syrian people’s awareness and unity in the face of the crisis.

For his part, Asef Ismael Naser said that he came to Syria to express gratitude to the Syrian leadership which supported the Palestinian cause and the Resistance.

People’s Assembly: New Constitution Marks New Stage, Heralds Pluralistic and Democratic Society

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Members of the People’s Assembly affirmed that the constitution referendum is a civilized achievement for the Syrian people, showing the people’s support for reforms led by President Bashar al-Assad and their adherence to national standards.

During a session chaired by Speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash on Tuesday, the Assembly members said the new constitution makes Syria stronger in the face of the plots against it, marking a new stage and heralding a pluralistic and democratic society.

They said that the new concepts and principles in the constitution require a new mentality to deal with their repercussions and amend current laws and legislations to match the modern constitution.

In turn, Speaker al-Abrash said that the citizens’ participation in the referendum on the constitution guaranteed that Syria will persist and that Syrians will be united by the new constitution, noting that  it’s possible to amend some of the constitution’s articles which raised some questions.

Members of an Egyptian media delegation visiting Syria attended a part of the session, affirming that Syria will remain the heart of Arabism and that the new Syrian constitution underlines Syria’s Arabism while some other countries are striking out Arabism from their constitutions.

During the session, the Assembly referred legislative decrees referred from the President to the appropriate committees for study, including a decree on establishing a center for agricultural research.

The Assembly also referred the new environment draft law to the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee for study.

The session was adjourned until 11 AM on Wednesday.

On a relevant note, Speaker al-Abrash held a meeting with the visiting Egyptian media delegation, briefing them on the truth regarding the conspiracy against Syria and the media, political and economic attacks against it.

Al-Abrash affirmed that Syria will continue to pursue the reforms announced by the leadership.

In turn, members of the delegation said that the Syrians’ approval of the new constitution was a true blow for the conspirators against Syria, lauding the new constitution as a model of reform and development.

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Syria won the ‘Best Print Promotional Material’ award, during participation in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) held in the Indian capital New Delhi from February 24 to 26.

Some 350 exhibitors from 27 countries and 28 Indian states took part in India’s leading travel show.

The Syrian Tourism Ministry’s delegation was granted a certificate of excellence and a medal in recognition of the distinction of the promotional materials, that were distributed in a party held by the fair’s administration for this purpose.

The Syrian participation drew the interest of the Indian visitors throughout the 3-day travel fair, who expressed admiration of the cultural and religious components of Syria, hailing the richness of the elements making up the Syrian tourism products.

Second Secretary and Counsel at the Syrian Embassy in India, Mustafa Dayoub, said the fair constituted an important gate to the Indian market and an appropriate opportunity to meet representatives of tourism companies from different countries so as to promote Syria as a diversified and unique tourist destination and introduce the investment opportunities it has.

Vice Chairman of Turkish Labor Party: Government of Erdogan is leader of Greater Middle East Project

ANKARA, (SANA)-Vice Chairman of the Turkish Labor Party Hasan Basri Ozbey said that the Turkish current government, headed by Recep Tayyib Erdogan, is the leader of the Greater Middle East Project on which the US-backed western courtiers are applying in the region.

In a speech to the Syrian TV broadcast Tuesday, Ozbey said that unfortunately Turkey has been without a government since 10 years, which means since the coming of the Development and Justice Party to the power, adding that he was not astonished at Turkey’s harboring for terrorists.

He described the Saudi-Qatari steps against Syria, particularly the calls for arming and funding the armed groups, as US orders to carry out satanic projects in order to divide the region and ignite hostility through arming terrorists, saying that this is unacceptable.

Corpses of US Journalist Marie Colvin, French Journalist Remi Ochlik, and Spanish Journalist Javier Espinosa uncovered at Baba Amro

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_ The corpses of US Journalist Marie Colvin, French Journalist Remi Ochlik, and Spanish Journalist Javier Espinosa were uncovered by competent authorities at Baba Amro, Homs following humanitarian motivated strenuous efforts of search and follow up.

An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates declared , just after the Syrian Army cleansed Baba Amro from the foreign-backed armed groups of terrorists, that 3 previous bids by the Syrian Red Crescent in coordination with the International Red Cross failed to take these corpses out because the armed terrorist groups rejected to do so as to manipulate them along with the forces of provocations against Syria.

The corpses, added the source, are to be transferred into a Damascus hospital for Forensic DNA analysis, to be compared with the DNA to be received from their respective countries, before being handed over to the Embassies of Poland, on behalf of the US Embassy, France and Spain and in presence of representatives from the Syrian Red Crescent and International Red Cross.

”Syria offers condolences to the families of the three journalists, Syria, however, voices the hope that all foreigners would evade entering to the Syrian Territories in an illegal way and to evade going to the places where the terrorist armed groups are present,” concluded the source.

Foreign Ministry: Amos Asked to Come to Syria on Inappropriate Date for Us,   We Are Ready to Consult on Suitable Date

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Foreign and Expatriates Ministry Spokesman announced that the Ministry reviewed with regret the allegations which said that Syria rejected to welcome UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos or cooperate with her, which came in a press statement released by Amos.

“The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry would like to make clear that it had expressed welcome of Amos’ visit to Damascus and readiness to discuss her mission and cooperate with her and that an appropriate date for the visit for both sides was to be agreed on,” the Spokesman said in a statement on Thursday.

“However, we were surprised about her having arrived in the region and asking to come to Syria on a date not suitable for us,” added the statement.

“To put things in perspective,” it continued, “the Syrian side is ready to continue consultation with Amos on a date that is appropriate for both sides so that for Amos to start her visit to Damascus.”

Armed Group which Assassinated two Businessmen from Aleppo Caught, 8 Civil Workers Kidnapped in Hama

ALEPPO, HAMA(SANA)_The competent authorities arrested on Thursday the armed terrorist group which assassinated Mahmoud Ramadan and Mahmoud al-Sourani, two businessmen from Aleppo.

The terrorist group had also blown up public and private cars in Aleppo, intimidated locals there and vandalized public and private properties.

The armed group assassinated on February 20 the businessman Mahmoud Ramadan in front of his home in New Aleppo neighborhood.

Armed Terrorist Group Kidnaps 8 Civil Workers at the Defense Factories Establishment in Hama

An armed terrorist group seized a bus carrying 8 civil workers at the Defense Factories Establishment in Hama city.

SANA correspondent in the city said that the workers were kidnapped while they were heading to their workplace.

Syria has been exposed to a fierce unprecedented attack and plot

Palestinian Liberation Army Command asserted, in a statement received by SANA, that Syria has been exposed to a fierce unprecedented attack and plot, in which the ugliest kinds of misleading, falsifications and fabrication are being used.

The Command condemned the crimes perpetrated by armed terrorist groups, linked to foreign and Zionist agendas,  in Syria against civilians and army personnel, including that assassination of colonel Abul Naser Moqari at al-Yarmouk Camp in Damascus yesterday.

The Palestinian Liberation Army Command underscored that the crimes perpetrated by the terrorists would never deter the Palestinian People from pursuing the way of liberation and that Syria would emerge out from the crisis stronger, and more steadfast under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.

Nine Army Martyrs Laid to Final Resting Place

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The bodies of 9 army martyrs on Thursday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus to their final resting place.

The martyrs were killed by the armed terrorist groups while performing their national duty in Damascus, Damascus Countryside, Homs and in Idleb.

Solemn funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs, as they were carried on shoulders while the music of the “Martyr” and “Farewell” was playing.

The martyrs are:

• Colonel: Abdel Nasser Mouqari from Damascus.
• Sergeant: Razan Izz Eddin Mohammad from Raqqa.
• Sergeant: Ahmed Mohammad al-Hashash from Deir Ezzor.
• Sergeant: Hussein Mohamad al-Hussein from Aleppo.
• Sergeant: Hussein Jaafar Dabjan from Homs.
• Private: Serfan Nouri kilom from Aleppo.
• Private: Mohammad Hassan Sheikho from Aleppo.
• Private: Khalid Wahhab Saad from Deir Ezzor.
• Private: Jum’aa Younis Buzu from Aleppo.

Families and relatives of the martyrs said that the blood of the martyrs will fortify Syria against all challenges and conspiracies and make it more stronger to defend the national principles which have become the title of the resistant Syrian identity.

Russia and China Oppose a UN Human Rights Council Resolution against Syria

GENEVA, (SANA)- Russia and China opposed a UN Human Rights Council resolution against Syria, Reuters reported.

It said that Russia, China and Cuba voted against the resolution, while three countries abstained from voting, which are Ecuador, India and the Philippines.

Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers Reiterate Rejection of Foreign Interference in Syria’s Affairs

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Thursday reiterated their rejection of any encouragement from the outside to any of the conflict parties in Syria as to help it reach its goals by means of violence, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement pointed out that Lavrov and Jiechi discussed in a phone call the situation in Syria in detail and stressed their countries’ unified stances against any direct or indirect encouragement from the outside to any of the parties to the conflict to help it realize its goals by force.

It added that Moscow and Beijing call on all the foreign parties concerned in a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis to create favorable conditions for starting comprehensive internal dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the opposition.

“Such joint work is the only way to ensure the effectiveness of the efforts aimed at a cease-fire as soon as possible, relieving the suffering of civilian citizens and resolving the acute humanitarian issues,” the statement continued.

Both ministers expressed readiness to continue close contacts on the Syrian issue and coordinating their countries’ stances at the UN and other international organizations.

They voiced their satisfaction over the results of the referendum on the new Syrian constitution which gained the support of the majority of Syrian people, stressing the necessity of accurate implementation of the reform program, including the parliamentary elections.

Russia’s Stances Defend Justice and Options of Syrian People

The Russian Foreign Minister said that his country’ s stances towards Syria defend the justice and the options of the Syrian people.

In a statement to Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper, Lavrov said Russia’s stances don’t defend a regime, rather they defend the justice and the right of the Syrian people to elect the government in a peaceful and democratic way that complies fully with the UN Charter and the international law.

He stressed his country’s conviction that the way to achieve this goal is comprehensive dialogue with the participation of all Syrian political sides and parties, otherwise the substitute will be a destructive civil war.

Gatilov: Russia Voted against Human Rights Council Resolution on Syria because it is Unbalanced

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Gennady Gatilov, stressed on Thursday that Russia voted against a Human Rights Council resolution on Syria because it is unbalanced.

In a statement to Itar Tass News Agency, Gatilov said that the Russian delegation to the UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) session voted against a resolution on Syria because the attempts of the delegation to form a balanced resolution were rejected by the members who drafted the resolution.

Gatilov added that the Russian delegation suggested adding some amendments to the resolution most of them were based on proposals and recommendations of the latest report of the UNHRC committee tasked with investigating human rights violations in Syria, but these amendments were rejected.

He affirmed that the Russian amendments are aimed at balancing the resolution to include the call on the opposition which is continuing its military attacks against government institutions and law-enforcement forces, and it shoulders a part of the responsibility for the current events in Syria to stop violence.

He pointed out that the resolution considered the Syrian Government as responsible for the humanitarian situation and human rights, while Moscow considers that as untrue and that the situation is more complicated.

Gatilov called for dedicating the efforts exerted by the international community to stop violence and search for a diplomatic and political settlement.

Russian Foreign Ministry:  al-Qaeda Members Fight against Syrian National Forces

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Alexander Lukashevich, stressed on Thursday that al-Qaeda members are fighting against national forces in Syria.

Itar Tass News Agency reported   Lukashevich as saying that the Russian proposals regarding the crisis in Syria were rejected by the west or frozen by the extremist opposition without mentioning armed units including al-Qaeda members and other extremists fighting against national forces in Syria.

Lavrov: Syria is Confronting Armed Gangs, al-Qaeda Members that Commited Horrible Crimes

NEW YORK, (SANA) – The United Nations Security Council held on Monday a session to discuss the situation in the Middle East in the framework of the attempts of some Arab states backed by the west to internationalize the crisis in Syria and ignore what is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, stressed in a speech at the UNSC that the Syrian Government is confronting armed gangs and al-Qaeda members who committed horrible crimes in Syria, adding that violence should stop and humanitarian aid should be offered to civilians.

He reiterated that the calls for military intervention in Syria jeopardizes the whole region and risks an outbreak of conflicts.

Lavrov underlined the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state that meets the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

He added that the role of the international community is to guarantee that the current changes in the Arab world would lead to positive effects and to guarantee freedoms, human rights and the minorities’ rights.

Lavrov noted that the Syrian Government shoulders the responsibility for the current events, but “We have to take into consideration that the Syrian Government is fighting armed gangs and al-Qaeda members who committed horrible crimes.”

He called for finding an immediate solution to the crisis in Syria without violence, launching a comprehensive political process in Syria and implementing reforms, pointing out to the five points which were agreed on by the Arab League and Russia in this regard, including stopping violence by all sides, a monitoring mechanism, no foreign interference and supporting the mission of Kofi Annan to launch dialogue between the Government and Syrian opposition.

He stressed that Russia is ready to approve a UNSC resolution based on these five points.

For his part, China’s permanent representative to the UN Li Baodong stressed the importance that international community respect Syria’s sovereignty and independence and not interfere in its affairs, adding that China is ready to shoulder responsibility and establish talks with all sides to push for a peaceful settlement to the crisis.

He urged the international community to help the ME countries economically, emphasizing need to respect the demands of people in these countries without meddling in their internal affairs.

Baodong also called for commitment to the UN Charter and respecting the sovereignty, stability and safety of the region’s countries, voicing China’s rejection of foreign interference to achieve change under the pretext of humanitarian aid, indicating that economic sanctions don’t bring about change.

He stressed that China will remain committed to the just Arab causes and supporting the legitimate demands of Arab peoples, adding that it supports the two-state solution to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict. ”The situation in the Middle East has reached an impasse as we saw an escalation of tension in Gaza last week, ” Baodong said.

He expressed China’s support for the five-year agreement between Russia and the Arab League to solve the Syrian crisis, emphasizing that the parties concerned and the international community must provide the necessary circumstances for dialogue between all Syrian sides to start.

”The Syrian crisis is highly complicated and mediation won’t succeed overnight, but through synchronized and sustained efforts”, said Baodong, welcoming Annan’s mission to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

He said China does not support one side over the other and respects the Syrians’ choices and sovereignty, adding that China backs the role of the UN in delivering aid to some Syrian cities and will offer USD 2 million in humanitarian aid.

For his part, the Indian foreign minister said India’s vision is based on the principle of giving peoples an opportunity to solve their own problems through internal and comprehensive political process. The Indian minister reiterated his country’s call for respecting the sovereignty and independence of countries, affirming that meeting the peoples’ aspirations cannot be achieved through foreign intervention.

Lavrov Expresses Support to Annan’s Mission in Syria

In a phone call with the UN special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Minister expressed support to Annan’s mission in light of Russia’s vision which aims at halting violence from all sides and starting dialogue between the government and the opposition without preempting the results.

Sources in the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Annan informed Minister Lavrov about the start of his mission in Damascus in terms of enhancing what has been agreed upon in the 10th March meeting, stressing the inclination to cooperate with Russia in regards to achieving a peaceful settlement in Syria.

Syria’s Representative at HRC: Report of HRC Politicized, Serves Aggressive purposes

GENEVA, (SANA) – Syria’s Permanent Representative at the Human Rights Council (HRC), Fayssal Al-Hamwi, on Monday said that the report of the Human Rights Commission on Syria is politicized and serves aggressive purposes of some western and regional countries against Syria.

In his speech before the Council, al-Hamwi added that the foreign intervention under ‘humanitarian pretext’ aims at dividing Syria to achieve Israel’s interests.

He stressed that ” The crisis in Syria isn’t peaceful demonstrations…It is a political scheme carried out by external sides,” adding that it’s shameful to use the HRC as a tool to exert political pressure on a sovereign country.

Al-Hamwi underlined that the national dialogue that brings together all Syrian people could pave the way for reforms away from any violence to tackle the problems of victims, but reconciliation wouldn’t be achieved through the impact of foreign powers.

“The determination of the Committee to politicize its work and offer results based on illegal, non- objective and untrue criterion made it lack moral and legal duty… and this pushes the Syrian government to reject the report,” al-Hamwi said.

He added that the crisis in Syria is not peaceful demonstrations, but it is a political plot carried out by some foreign sides that aim to strike Syria through waging misleading media campaign and imposing unilateral economic sanctions against the Syrian people.

“Syria repeatedly stresses  its determination to end the current situation, conduct a comprehensive national dialogue, go on in the reform process and respect the human rights,” the Syrian Envoy said.

He added that the latest step towards reform was voting yes for the new constitution by the two thirds of the Syrian people, this constitution that guarantees democracy, political pluralism and public rights and basic freedoms.

Al-Hamwi concluded by saying that Syria welcomes any true effort to help it come out of the current crisis as it will cooperate with all honest who  present constructive political solutions.

Minister of Information: Terrorist Groups Committed Atrocious Massacre in Karm al-Zaytoun to Elicit International Stances against Syria

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Information Dr. Adnan Mahmoud said that armed terrorist groups committed a most atrocious massacre against women, children and elderly citizens in Karm al-Zaytoun neighborhood and mutilated their bodies in order to put pressure to elicit international stances against Syria.

In a statement on Monday, the Minister said that some countries which support the terrorist groups such as Qatar Saudi Arabia and provide them with weapons and money are accomplices in the terrorism targeting all the Syrian people, and that these countries are responsible for the shedding of Syrian blood.

“We’ve grown accustomed to the bloody escalation of these terrorist groups in committing massacres, murdering citizens and attacking public and private establishments which proceeds international meetings,” he said.

Dr. Mahmoud said that the terrorist channales such as al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya are accomplices in these heinous crimes, and that those which these channels proclaim to be correspondents in Homs and other areas are gunmen and terrorists who participate in these crimes and record them, then these channels broadcast false allegations and twist facts.

He said that the massacre committed by an armed terrorist group in Karm al-Zaytoun neighborhood, claiming the lives of entire families, is but one of the massacres committed by these groups and represents an escalation in their crimes.

A terrorist armed group perpetrated an appalling massacre in Homs in Karm al-Zaytoun neighborhood prior to convening the Security Council meeting to elicit hostile stances against Syria with the participation of bloodshed media channels.

Images broadcast in the Syrian TV showed the horrible crimes committed against families, as the brutality of the perpetrators have not saved the children, women or the elderly to satisfy their bloodlust.

The so-called al-Farouq Battalion documented its responsibility of the bloodbath by writing: ” al-Farouq Battalion passed here,” where all members of a family fell victim to the terrorism perpetrated by this militia.

A citizen said that the family targeted by the terrorists was simple and poor people including a 75-year-old man, as another neighbor clarified that the family members were killed for not responding to the gunmen’s dictations.

Local residents said that the terrorists were using a deserted under-construction building to commit crimes of killing and mutilating against kidnapped innocent citizens and then they filmed them and send the videos to Gulf-backed sedition channels, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

A woman from the neighborhood said that militants rape, kill, throw bodies in the streets and then film them and send the clips to Aljazeera and al-Arabia TV channels.

Earlier, a media source asserted that the footage of the corpses presented by some Satellite TV stations belong to the civilians, who were kidnapped by the terrorist armed groups.

The media source added that the crimes perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups and aired by al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya, who have among the terrorists operating in Syria special correspondents, coincide with today’s UN Security Council session , as to call for foreign interference in Syria.

The source also refuted the news circulated by some satellite TVs about the closure of al-Salihya and al-Midan Quarters in Damascus as groundless and fabricated  in line with the hysterical campaign unleashed by anti-Syria media  channels.

Family members of the kidnapped stated to Syrian TV that the corpses of their relatives were shown by al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya Satellite TV, which are but participants with the armed terrorist groups in perpetrating massacres.

Ahmad Shihab, a citizen from Bab al-Sibaa Quarter, Homs, said that he recognized two corpses for his relatives who were kidnapped more than a month ago.

Khalid al-Najar, from al-Naziheen Quarter, Homs, said also that two of the corpses were for two persons of his quarter.

Fou’ad Suleiman, a citizen from al-Nizha Quarter, Homs, said that one of the corpses belong to his cousin, Jihad, who was kidnapped more than 90 days ago.

Abukhald al-Abdullah, from al-Naziheen Quarter, Homs, said that the attacks by the armed terrorist groups, have turned their life into hell under house arrest, using their houses as prisons, kidnapping and killing the citizens casting their corpses at al-Siteen Street, Homs.

Syrian Consultative Center for Studies and Human Rights: Homs Massacre Committed by Criminal Groups

The Syrian Consultative Center for Studies and Human Rights considered that the killing and terrorism against innocent civilians which happened in Homs last night was perpetrated by criminal groups as part of a bloody scheme under external intelligence and media guidance and cover.

In a statement on Monday, the Center said that murdering kidnapped citizens is committed prior to the United Nations Security Council sessions to use as a pretext for blatant interference allegedly for protecting human rights.

The statement added that these armed groups embrace ”journalists” who entered illegally through routes that the gunmen opened to guarantee logistical help from outside.

The Center called upon the international community and human rights’ bodies to use their influence to pressure the regimes involved in the bloodshed to stop dispatching terrorist elements and the flow of weapons to Syria.

Armed Terrorist Group Blows up Diesel Transfer Pipeline in Homs that Feeds Hama Province

DAMASCUS, SANA_ An armed terrorist group on Monday targeted with an explosive device a diesel transport pipeline extended from Homs to Hama in al-Holeh area, east of Tal Daw, causing an explosion and fire to erupt in the pipeline.

An official source at the Ministry of Petroleum told SANA reporter that the 20-Inch diameter pipeline, which is affiliated to the Syrian Company for Fuel, provides Hama Province with diesel.

The reporter pointed out that the pumping into the targeted pipeline was immediately halted after the explosion and the fire was extinguished so that for the authorities to start repairing works to resume pumping in the pipeline.

Earlier last month, the armed terrorist groups targeted with an explosive device a diesel transport pipeline which extends from Homs Refinery to the oil warehouses in Adra at Damascus Countryside between al-Sultaniyeh and Baba Amr in Homs setting ablaze the site of the explosion.

Armed terrorist groups have targeted oil and gas transfer pipelines with explosive devices several times with the aim of sabotaging these pipelines and depriving the Syrian people of the energy supplies.

Lattakia Governor Denies News on Explosions in Lattakia Province

Lattakia Governor Abdul-Qader al-Sheikh denied as “completely baseless” the news circulated by some misleading satellite TV channels about explosions at Lattakia Province.

Al-Sheikh told SANA reporter on Monday that the life in Lattakia Province is normal, calm and secure.

The Governor said “These news come in the framework of the heinous media campaign hatched against Syria in an attempt to undermine Syria’s security, stability and the tranquility prevailing in Lattakia Province.”

For his part, Lattakia Police Chief Brigadier General Jamal Bitar told SANA reporter that the life across the Province is normal, calm and secure, denying as “baseless” the news broadcast by some satellite TV channels.

Authorities in Daraa discover hideouts of the armed terrorist groups

The competent authorities in Daraa countryside discovered hideouts of the armed terrorist groups,  7 explosives inside a stolen public car on a farm-road.

Five of the explosives weigh 50 KG and 2 40 KG, medical, emergency and some wears were also found.

Competent Authorities Confiscate Weapons in Aleppo Countryside

The Competent authorities in Aleppo countryside confiscated amounts of weapons hidden in a taxi that was parked in one of Manbej neighborhoods.

An Interior Ministry source said that the confiscated weapons include 22 rifles, RPG launchers, 203 bullets and 7 magazines.

Armed terrorist group burns four houses at Sankol town in Idleb

An armed terrorist group burned four houses at Sankol town in Idleb.

An official source told SANA reporter that the terrorists burned those houses because their owners rejected to join them in the acts of sabotage.

In Maarat al-Numan, the authorities found the body of the killed citizen Hassan Mahmoud al-Sultan inside the mosque of Saad bin Muaz, with signs of mutilation on it.

In Homs, the competent authorities arrested a number of the wanted persons who were engaged in dangerous crimes in a number of Homs regions.

Fire breaks out in a store of cotton to the East of Idleb

A fire broke out today in a store of cotton affiliated to Idleb old spinning factory, to the East of Idleb.

An official source in Idleb told SANA reporter that the fires swallowed up the contents of the store, while firefighters are doing their best to extinguish the fires.

The source added that armed terrorist groups are shooting fire to prevent the fire engines from reaching the place of fire.

Fifteen Army and Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

DAMASCUS (SANA) – The bodies of 15 army and law-enforcement martyrs on Monday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus and the Police Hospital in Harasta to their final resting place.

Solemn funeral processions were held for the martyrs who were targeted by armed terrorist groups while they were in the line of duty in Damascus and its Countryside and Homs.

The martyrs are:

­           Colonel Mohammed Ali Halloum, from Tartous.

­           Warrant Officer Soumar Sharif Ali, from Lattakia.

­           Sergeant Major Alaa Youssef Hassan,from Hama.

­           Sergeant Abdul-Baset Ahmad Haj Hassan, from Aleppo.

­           Corporal Khalid Kamal Ismael, from Idleb.

­           Corporal Maizar Ibrahim Marae, from Raqaa.

­           Conscript Alaa Haji Shawakh, from Aleppo.

­           Conscript Mohammed Ibrahim Toumeh, from Quneitra.

­           Conscript Hassan Naseif Jamal-Eddin, from Idleb.

­           Conscript Khalid Mohsen al-Dairi al-Ahmad, from Aleppo.

­           Policeman Alaa Rajab, from Homs.

­           Policeman Bayan al-Rashid, from Sweida.

­           Policeman Alaa Nisafi, from Lattakia.

­           Policeman Mazen al-Sayek, from Damascus.

–           Policeman Ibrahim Hammoud, from Idleb.

The martyrs’ families denounced the criminal acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups, stressing adherence to the national unity and determination to foil the conspiracy hatched against Syria.

They stressed that the terrorism and attempts to sow sedition among the Syrian people will not dissuade them from defending their homeland, hailing the sacrifices of the Syrian army in protecting Syria’s security and stability.

China Reiterates Support to International Community Constructive Efforts to Solve Syrian Crisis

BEIJIN, (SANA) – China reiterated support to the international community’s constructive and positive efforts to reach a political settlement to the crisis in Syria.

In a press conference on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Weimin expressed his country’s hope that the all sides will continue efforts to reach a just, peaceful and appropriate solution to the Syrian crisis.

He said that China welcomes the international community’s efforts to enhance communication and coordination on the crisis in Syria, adding that “We believe that the five-point plan reached between Russia and the Arabs is of realistic and positive significance to the political solution to the Syrian crisis.”

He added that China is open to all proposals that could contribute to enhancing political solution to the problem in Syria and ready to work with the international community ,including the Arab League (AL), to promote a just, peaceful and proper solution to the Syrian crisis.

Liu said China supports Annan’s constructive efforts in promoting the political solution and hopes all sides would cooperate with Annan’s mediation efforts.

He added that Beijing participated in the consultations on the new draft resolution and proposed some amendments based on the six Chinese proposals on solving the Syrian issue politically.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that some of what has been issued at the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers on March, 10th demonstrated the readiness of the Arab countries and the AL to solve the Syrian crisis through political means, especially the decision which calls upon the Syrian government and opposition to positively cooperate with the UN- Arab League’s envoy Kofi Annan.

“The decision has a positive impact on easing the current tensions in Syria as well as expanding consensus among all parties concerned,” he added.

He stressed China’s support to the peace process in the Middle East which is based on protecting peace and stability in the region and its commitment to reach political settlement to the issue of the Middle East and continue efforts to achieve this purpose.

Iran Reiterates Full Support to Syria

TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir- Abdollahian on Monday reiterated Iran’s full support to Syria’s people and government.

Amir- Abdollahian was quoted as saying “We are confident that the Syrian people support the reform process led by President Bashar al-Assad and will stand up against any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs.”

He added that Iran considers the political solution and support to the Syrian people’s demands, which were given the attention of the Syrian leadership, the best way out of the crisis.

Amir- Abdollahian held the countries which threaten Syria’s security and stability responsible for escalating the crisis, calling upon some regional and international parties which have undertaken rash procedures and provided the opposition with weapons to stop.

Mikdad Briefs Delegation of Unionist Democratic Union Party of Tunisia on Developments in Syria

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, briefed on Monday  the delegation of the Unionist Democratic Union Party of Tunisia on the developments in Syria in various fields, particularly concerning Syria’s resolve to continuing the reform process represented in the new constitution and the efforts exerted to launch  national dialogue with the participation of all Syrian national factions.

Mikdad stressed that Syria will not abandon its belief in the Arab issues and the importance of deepening relations between the sons of the nation regardless of some Arab states’ stances which have become a part of the conspiracy against the present and the future of the nation.

He hoped that the Arab Nation will overcome all schemes and plots drawn by western Zionist circles to liquidate the Arab causes in favor of Israel.

The Tunisian delegation, which is currently visiting Syria headed by its Secretary-General, Ahmad al-Ainobli,expressed solidarity with Syria which is the last line of defense for the Arab Nation in face of media and political campaigns aimed at ending Syria’s resistant role.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent Receives 80 Tons of Relief and Food Supplies from Russia

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) on Monday received 80 tons of relief and food supplies sent by Russia to support the organization’s humanitarian efforts.

Director of SARC Marwan Abdullah thanked the Russian people for this humanitarian contribution, saying that the organization will distribute these supplies to the needy via their branches across Syria.

The supplies were transported to Damascus Airports by two planes which were received by Russia’s Ambassador in Damascus Azmatullah Kulmohammadov and a representative of the Syrian Foreign Ministry.

Syria Youth Table Tennis Team Wins West Asian Championship

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian female table tennis team for youths on Monday won the gold medal of the West Asian Table Tennis Championship held in Beirut with the participation of 5 countries.

Syria’s team qualified for the Asian qualifiers set to be held in Beijing in August.

Secretary-General of the Game Union, Hadi Issa, told SANA that the team won the title of the Arab Leagues Championship in UAE, adding that the team also won the last Arab Cup in Jordan.

The Syrian female table tennis team for youths is ranked 17th in Asia.

Source: The Embassy of Syrian Arab Republican in Kuala Lumpur.

Sixteen Army, Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

PROVINCES,(SANA)- Sixteen army and law-enforcement martyrs on Sunday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus, Zahi Azraq Military Hospital in Lattakia and the National Hospital in Sweida to their final resting place.

The martyrs were targeted by the armed terrorist groups while they were in the line of duty in Quneitra, Idleb, Homs and Daraa.

Solemn funeral ceremony was held for the martyrs as they were covered with flower and laurel wreaths to the Military Band playing the music of the “Martyr” and the “Farewell.”

The martyrs are :

•           First Lieutenant, Mukhles Issa Shahla from Lattakia.

•           First Lieutenant, Hazem Moneer Salloum from Hama.

•           Sergeant Major, Rami Sa’adou al-Halabi from Sweida.

•           Sergeant, Mohanad Rashid al-Mala from Deir Ezzour.

•           Sergeant, Mohammad Tamer Najla from Homs.

•           Corporal, Issa Abdul-Haji from Raqqa.

•           Corporal, Mustafa Fayyad Hilal from Aleppo.

•           Corporal, Salim Mohammad Khaddour from Hama.

•           Corporal, Mohammad Abdul-Ghafour al-Hassan al-Khudeir from Aleppo.

•           Conscript, Elias Jres Shamma from Damascus Countryside.

•           Conscript, Bilal Fares Da’aboul from Aleppo.

•           Conscript, Ali Mohammad Radwan from Raqqa.

•           Conscript, Ghassan Matar al-Hassouneh from Hasaka.

•           Conscript, Naji Awad al-Mutlak from Sweida.

•           Policeman, Naji Hamesheh from Lattakia.

•           Policeman, Mohammad Ali Fayyad from Lattakia.

The martyrs’ relatives affirmed that their sons’ blood will make Syria stronger and more capable of facing challenges, and that Syria proved its ability to confront difficult conditions concocted by malicious hands.

They denounced the crimes of the armed terrorist groups, warning people not to believe the lies of the misleading satellite channels which are accomplices in the shedding of Syrian blood.

Authorities Start Removing Debris Left by Terrorists in Homs

HOMS, (SANA) – The authorities on Sunday started removing the destruction and debris left by the armed terrorist groups in al-Insha’at and Baba Amro neighborhoods in Homs city.

The repair and maintenance teams started rehabilitating roads and service institutions and removed the roadblocks set by the terrorists in the area.

In Baba Amro neighborhood, the authorities discovered other caches and dens which the armed terrorist groups resorted to in their operations against the civilian residents.

A field hospital was also discovered in the neighborhood in addition to explosive-manufacturing facility.

For its part, the Syrian Petroleum Company started repairing the petroleum pipeline in al-Sultaniyah area, the pipeline was sabotaged by armed terrorist groups.

Information Minister: Syria Adapted Political Solution and Reforms Since the Beginning of the Crisis

DAMASCUS, (SANA) –Minister of Information Adnan Mahmoud on Sunday stressed that since the beginning of the crisis, Syria has adapted the political solution and started implementing the reform program within a set timetable.

In a meeting with an Ukrainian delegation comprising parliamentary and media figures, Dr. Mahmoud stressed the importance of the visit to inspect the reality of Syria’s events.

The Information Minister pointed out to Syria’s keenness on bolstering cooperation with Ukraine in all domains and expanding media cooperation in order to convey the reality of events.

Dr. Mahmoud underlined that the unjust economic sanctions imposed by the USA and some western countries in addition to some Arab states harmed the interests of the Syrian people.

He lauded the stances of Ukraine regarding its rejection of foreign interference in Syria’s affairs and the crimes committed by armed terrorist groups against its public and private properties.

For her part, Head of the Parliamentary Committee of Friendship Relation with Syria and head of the delegation, MP Alla Aleksandrovska, called for enhancing cooperation with Syria, particularly in the media sector.

“Ukraine stresses its support to Syria and rejection of foreign interference in its affairs. Ukraine also stresses support to dialogue among all the Syrian sides,” she added.

Later, the Ukrainian delegation met Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Ignatius IV Hazim, who affirmed to them that the crisis affected all Syrians yet it failed to undermine their unity, warning against calls for foreign interference in Syria’s affairs.

During the meeting, members of the delegation stressed the strength of the relations between Ukraine and Syria, voicing readiness to relay the reality of the events taking place in Syria.

One of the journalists, Lydia Denisenko, said that she spoke to people in the streets after the meeting with Patriarch Hazim, and that these people were clear in their adherence to the reform program.

She said that as a journalist, she must be objective, affirming that what is being broadcast by some media outlets contradicts reality completely.

Child Martyred, Five Injured in Explosive Device Blast in Aleppo

ALEPPO/IDLEB, (SANA) – A child was martyred and five persons from the same family got injured Sunday in a blast of an explosive device planted by a terrorist group in the northern province of Aleppo.

An official source in the province told SANA correspondent that the explosive device was planted in park in Bustan al-Basha area in Aleppo, martyring an eleven-year-old boy, Mahmoud Batayhi and injuring other four teenagers from the same family, in addition to an elderly man.

The injured are Mustafa Batayhi (11 years old), Hasan Mohammad Batayhi (14 years old), Ahmad Batayhi (9 years old), Hasan Mustafa Batayhi (17 years old) and Khalaf al-Juma’a (55 years old).

A doctor at al-Razi Hospital said that one of the patents sustained a severe injury to the left thigh, shattering the femur, in addition to injuries to the tissue and bones of the left hand which may necessitate amputation at the wrist.

Hasan Mustafa Batayhi said that explosion happened when he went out to call his cousins – who were playing in the park – to come home.

One of the injured children said he saw a man wrapping the bomb – which he believed to be trash – in papers and placing it by the wall. He called the attention of his cousin Hasan to the man, which is when the bomb exploded.

Three Explosive Devices Dismantled in Idleb

Meanwhile in the northern province of Idleb, the military engineering units dismantled three explosive devices planted by an armed terrorist group on Ariha-Saraqeb road at Tarnabeh crossroad.

A source in the province told SANA correspondent that the explosive devices weigh 80 kg each and were ready to explode by remote control to target citizens and law enforcement personnel.

Flat with Various Sorts of Torture Tools Used by Armed Terrorist Groups uncovered in Homs

Competent authorities seized on Sunday a flat with various torture tools inside used by armed terrorist groups to mutilate citizens in Jawbar farms in Homs province.

SANA reporter said that the armed terrorist groups named this flat as “Investigation Division”.

Ammoura: Reform Steps Did Not Please the Countries Calling for Arming the Opposition to Kill the Syrians

DAMASCUS, (SNA)- Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister Abdel Fattah Ammoura on Sunday stressed the Arab and regional-backed conspiracy against Syria is aimed at undermining it national stances, stability and geostrategic position in the region.

Meeting a Ukrainian parliamentary and media delegation, Ammoura said that Syria will come out of the crisis stronger thanks to the awareness of it people and the support of the friendly countries.

Ammoura briefed the Ukrainian delegation on the process of comprehensive reforms in Syria and the laws and legislative decrees issued such as the laws of parties, elections, media, local administration and the latest of which is the new constitution.

He indicated that these reform steps did not please the Western and Arab countries which stand behind the conspiracy against Syria, especially Qatar and Saudi Arabia that started to publically call for arming the opposition to kill the Syrian people.

Heading the Ukrainian delegation, MP Alla Aleksandrovska of the Communist Party said that what is taking place in Syria is not a crisis, rather it comes within the framework of the US so-called ‘creative chaos’ policy which might affect the neighboring countries and the whole region including Ukraine.

Aleksandrovska, who is the head of the parliamentary committee of friendship relations with Syria, highlighted the strong human, social and economic relations binding Ukraine and Syria, referring to the thousands of Syrians who have studied in Ukraine.

Patriarch al-Rahi: Syria is Closest to Democracy in Arab World, Needs the Reforms Announced by President al-Assad

BEIRUT, (SANA) – Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi affirmed that Syria is the closest to democracy in the Arab world, and that much like all countries, it needs reforms which President Bashar al-Assad announced since March 2011.

In an interview with Reuters, Patriarch al-Rahi stressed that reforms cannot be achieved through force of arms, noting that the religion of the state in Syria is Islam, but Syria is unique among Arab countries in that it doesn’t proclaim itself to be an Islamic country, rather it simply states that the President’s religion is Islam, therefore it’s the closest country to democracy in the region.

He regretted the violence and destruction taking place in Syria, saying that there are destructive plans in world politics and that the people don’t want the extremists who are receiving financial, military and political support from certain countries.

“How can the Arab Spring be a spring when people are killed every day? They talk about Iraq and democracy while a million Christians out of one and a half million were forced to leave Iraq… where is democracy in Iraq?” he asked, saying that this so-called spring is closer to a winter of war, destruction and killing.

“What good is democracy if it wants to kill people and throw away stability?” Patriarch al-Rahi wondered.

Iranian Media Delegation: Daraa is Normal and Stable despite Terrorists’ Attempts to Stoke Crisis

DARAA, (SANA) – The Iranian media delegation visiting Daraa City condemned the conspiracy against Syria which aims to undermine its role in the region, wondering at the extent of media exaggeration and the instigative campaign launched against the Syrian people by some Arab channels.

Heading the delegation, Director of Foreign Press at the Iranian Information Ministry, Mohsen Emami, said that the enemies of Syria tried to exploit the situation and exaggerate the events, indicating to the atrocity of terrorism and destruction they witnessed in Daraa.

He added that despite the loss of souls, properties and infrastructures, it is an important experience for the Syrian people to be sure that there are hostile parties that exert continuous efforts to fragment their country due to Syria’s resistant role and its support to the Resistance.

Head of the delegation stressed that life in Daraa is normal and the situation is stable in spite of the terrorists’ attempts to stoke the crisis in Syria and give the iamge that there is division between the people and the government, adding that touring Daraa governorate gave an image contradictory to that promoted by some media which is that the government and the people desire to overcome the current situation.

Editor-in-Chief of the semi-official Mehr news agency Hassan Hani Zadeh said that he expected the situation in Daraa to be unstable as the instigative Arab media continued to broadcast false news about terrorism prevailed in this governorate, but the reality was different as he walked down in its streets.

He added that life is normal and people were everywhere at streets and shops, indicating to the government’s serious attempts to rehabilitate the building and institutions damaged by the armed terrorist groups, hailing the popular support to the government to overcome the situation.

The Iranian delegation also met the Governor of Daraa Mohammad Khaled al-Hannous, in addition to touring some of sabotaged and burnt state institutions such as the Justice Palace and the TV and Radio Center in the governorate.

The delegation included a number of correspondents from several Iranian newspapers, websites, TV channels and Mehr News Agency.

Mauritanian Political Parties Announce Establishing Popular Movement to Support Syria, Iran and the Resistance

NAWAKSHOT, (SANA) – A number of Mauritanian political parties have announced the establishment of popular movement to support Syria, Iran and the Resistance in the face of plots which target the Arab and Islamic Resistance.

In its founding statement, the movement stressed determination to organize protests in front of the embassies of countries involved in the conspiracy to convey a message to their people and regimes that the Mauritanian people voice full support to Syria, its resistant leadership and President Bashar al-Assad, in addition to their rejection of all forms of political or economic siege and foreign interference in Iran.

The statement warned that what Syria is facing comes in the framework of the conspiracy targeting the Arab and Islamic nations with the help of reactionary Arab forces which financed the arming of armed groups in the Syrian cities in line with the wide western mobilization to isolate Syria’s leadership and weaken its role as a supporter for the Resistance.

The movement condemned hosting the meeting of those conspiring parties in Tunisia to voice hostility to Syria while at the same time the holy and sacred places in Palestine were being desecrated and copies of Quran were being burnt in Afghanistan.

The statement said that the movement will organize a number of political, cultural and intellectual activities to expose the conspiracy against Syria and the dangers of exploiting the so-called “Arab Spring” to practice systematic killing by Takfiri terrorist groups recruited by the Zionism and some regimes in the Gulf to fragment the Arab nation starting of Somalia, the Sudan, Iraq and then Libya.

The statement mocked at the claims of democracy by some leaders in the Gulf, whereas the Peninsula Shield Force are deployed in Bahrain and the tanks of Al Saud in al-Qatif and al-Awamiyah.

The founding members of the popular movement to support Syria, Iran and the Resistance include the Popular Front, Movement for Direct Democracy, the Welfare Party (Hizb al-Rafah), the Social-Democratic Unionist Party and the Arab-Islamic Gathering to Support the Option of Resistance in Mauritania, the Party for Labor and Equality, the Reform Party, the Gathering of Youth Technocrats, the Sustainable Development Organization and Majd Party.

President al-Assad Congratulates President Putin on Winning Presidential Elections

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad on Monday sent a cable to Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulating him on winning the presidential elections. 

In his cable, President al-Assad expressed, on behalf of the Syrian people and on his own behalf, heartfelt congratulations to the Russian President on his distinguished winning, wishing him success in his responsibilities.

The President also wished more prosperity and progress to the friendly people of Russia under the leadership of President Putin.

Putin, who was the President of Russia from 2000 to 2008 and is currently the Prime Minister until the date of assuming office on May 7th, won the presidential elections with 64% of votes.

Families of Baba Amro Return Home, Authorities Discover weapons’ factory

HOMS, (SANA)-Many families of Baba Amro on Monday returned home which they fled because of the crimes of the armed terrorist groups after authorities restored stability and security to the neighborhood.

Public workshops also continued maintenance and cleaning works, opening roads, streets and removing the debris left by the terrorists who sabotaged the general and private properties.

Works are underway in Homs to repair the oil pipeline which supplies the refineries and crosses Baba Amro after it was sabotaged by the attacks of the armed terrorist groups.

At Baba Amro, the competent authorities uncovered a factory for weapons used by terrorists to prepare explosives and hand-made rockets to be launched against houses without specifying the target.

The authorities also discovered an Israeli-like reconnaissance plane, cameras, anti-tank grenades, and tunnels and used by the terrorists to smuggle weapons.

Media Source: Syria Welcomes Kofi Annan’s Visit

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – A media source on Monday said that Syria welcomes the visit of Kofi Annan, envoy of the UN Secretary-General, to Syria.

On the other hand, the source said that Syria accepted to receive UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, who is going to arrive in Damascus on Tuesday after midnight.

Amos will hold talks with Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs, Walid al-Moallem, his deputy and head of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the source added.

Amos will pay visits to some areas in Syria, according to the media source.

Lavrov: Gunmen, Foreign Fighters Among Syria’s Opposition

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday said that Russia sees the news coming from many sources on arming the Syrian opposition and the presence of foreign fighters among the opposition as not encouraging.

In a press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Naseer Jouda in Moscow, Lavrov said that it’s important to call upon all sides in Syria to an immediate cessation of fighting.

Lavrov expressed worry over Burhan Galion’s statements on arming the Syrian opposition and the establishment of a military bureau in Turkey, adding that these news prove that Galion is working towards escalating the situation rather than putting an end to it.

Lavrov stressed that the basic objective now is to stop violence in Syria regardless of its source, adding that Russia allocated 1 million Swiss Francs to the International Committee of the Red Cross in order to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria.

“The West shouldn’t call upon Moscow to exert pressure on the Syrian government. The situation is far from being dependent on Russia.” He added.

Lavrov stressed that Moscow supports the mission of the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, pointing out that Annan’s mission will provide the appropriate circumstances to start dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition groups.

He said that there is no need to submit new initiatives over Syria’s crisis.

Gatilov: US Draft UNSC Resolution on Syria “Unbalanced”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Gennady Gatilov, described on Monday the new US-drafted UN Security Council resolution on Syria as “unbalanced”.

Reuters quoted Gatilov as saying on his Twitter account, “the new US draft UN Security Council resolution on Syria is a slightly renewed version of the previous vetoed document. It needs to be significantly balanced.

Earlier, Russia vetoed two UN Security Council draft resolutions on Syria because they were one-sided and unbalanced.

Dolgov: Russia rejects ignorance of armed groups’ acts against civilians

Konstantin Dolgov, Russian Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law renewed his country’s rejection of the unilateral attempts to attribute the crisis and hold the Syrian government responsible for the acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups.

In a statement today, Dolgov said that those unilateral attempts ignore the acts of terrorists which violate laws, adding “those facts are documented in the latest report of the independent international Committee formed by the UN Human Rights Council.”

He underlined that Moscow calls for continuing finding a Syrian internal reconciliation, without any foreign intervention, through a cease-fire and resolving the human issues.

China Reiterates Stance on Adopting Political Solution to Solve Crisis  in Syria

Beijing, (SANA) – China said on Monday that it will send Li Huaxin, China’s former Ambassador to Syria, as an envoy to the country next week for two days in a bid by Beijing to settle the current crisis.

Reuters quoted China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Liu Weimin, as saying in a press conference held in Beijing “Although conditions are extremely complicated, and the situation remains tense, China still maintains that a political solution offers the fundamental escape from the Syrian crisis.”

“China believes that based on recent developments and changes in Syria, it is necessary for us to further explain our policies and proposals,” the spokesman Liu said of Li’s trip.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday, underlining its rejection of any interference in Syria’s domestic affairs under humanitarian pretexts and stressed its commitment to supporting the independence, sovereignty, unity and integrity of Syria’s territories.

The Ministry called on relevant parties in the international community to seriously respect the right of the Syrians to choose their political system independently and to create a convenient environment and constructive support for political parties in Syria to start a dialogue and respect its outcome.

The Ministry underlined that it does not agree on military interference or pushing towards changing the regime, as it thinks that threatening sanctions does not help solve the crisis in Syria properly.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry is following up closely on the situation in Syria and believes firmly that the crisis in Syria should be solved through political dialogue and with a appropriate and peaceful means, as it is exerting ongoing efforts to achieve that.

Twelve Army Martyrs Laid to Final Rest

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Twelve army martyrs on Monday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus to their final resting place after they were targeted by the armed terrorist groups while they were in the line of duty in Homs, Daraa and Damascus Countryside.

Solemn funeral ceremony was held for the martyrs as they were covered with flower and laurel wreaths while the Military Band was playing the music of the “Martyr” and the “Farewell.”

The Martyrs are :

•           Retired Brigadier General, Faisal Ismail Ahmad from Lattakia.

•           Lieutenant Colonel, Ghassan Hassan Fawzi from Lattakia.

•           Sergeant Major, Ali Asaad Suleiman from Homs.

•           Sergeant Major, Nasaat Kamal al-Akil from Sweida.

•           Sergeant, Mohammad Bassel al-Aoutani from Damascus Countryside.

•           Corporal, Bilal Ali Abboud from Hama.

•           Conscript, Hassan Mohammad al-Sayyeid al-Hussein from Idelb.

•           Conscript, Saad Salman al-Ahmad from Tartous.

•           Conscript, Moutasem-Billah Mohammad Mahdi Hatahet from Damascus.

•           Conscript, Fares Khamis Mustafa from Deir Ezzour.

•           Conscript, Sheikh Nafi’a Omari Mousa from Aleppo.

•           Conscript, Alaa Dib Said from Idleb.

The martyrs’ families expressed pride in the martyrdom of their sons, asserting that the blood of the martyrs will protect Syria and make it stronger in the face of challenges.

The martyrs’ relatives hailed the role of the Syrian army in maintaining the security and stability of the homeland, expressing confidence of the ability of the Syrian people to overcome the crisis through their unity and rallying around their leadership, asserting that Syria will foil all the conspiracies hatched against it.

President of Venezuela Reiterates Solidarity with Syria

HAVANA, (SANA) – President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela reiterated solidarity with Syria’s people and leadership in the face of the conspiracy, condemning the US pressure against Syria.

Speaking from his residence in the Cuban capital of Havana during his recovery after undergoing a surgery, President Chavez stressed that he closely following up on the international developments, especially in Syria, adding that “From here, We express our solidarity with Syria and President Bashar al-Assad.”

The Venezuelan President demanded halting armed aggression, not only the diplomatic, against Syria, calling upon all sides to participate in solving the crisis through dialogue without preconditions.

In 2011, Chavez underwent surgery and four rounds of chemotherapy in Cuba after the discovery of a cancerous tumor in his pelvis.

Source: The Embassy of Syrian Arab Republican in Kuala Lumpur.