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Huge Crowds of Syrians Gather in Damascus and Hasaka in Support of Reforms

DAMASCUS/ HASAKA, (SANA) – Huge crowds of Syrians gathered at Saba Bahrat Square in Damascus and the President Square in Hasaka to stress support to the reform process in Syria.

The masses rejected all attempts of foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs, expressing determination to foil the conspiracy.

The participants in Damascus expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices of the Syrian army in confronting armed terrorist groups.

Political and media figures from Tunisia and Lebanon joined the Syrians in these gathering where Secretary General of the Tunisian Unionist Democratic Union Party, Ahmed Al-Inoubli, said that what is taking place in Syria is a hopeless attempt by the West to undermine an important defender of the Arab rights.

He expressed confidence that Syria will remain the main support for the Resistance, adding that its steadfastness signals the emergence of new international order that eliminates the US-Zionist domination.

Political analyst Akram Mkanna said that Syria will come out stronger of the crisis and the Syrian people are determined to continue reform process and combat terrorism, underlining that restoring security and stability are important to achieve reforms.

In al-Hasaka, a youth group organized a national event at the President Square in the province to express appreciation to the role of the Syrian army in defending the homeland.

The participants chanted national songs, raising flags and banners that stress their rejection of foreign interference in their internal affairs and all schemes which aim at undermining Syria’s stability and dignity.

Sheikh Fayez al-Names called for adhering to the national unity against the conspirators whose plots failed to undermine the Syrians.

The participants condemned stances of some countries which called for arming the terrorist groups which kill and mutilate the Syrian people serving the Zionist dream in preserving the Israeli entity.

Terrorists Caught in Hama, Weapons Seized in Raqqa, child martyred in Homs

GOVERNORATES, (SANA)_The competent authorities clashed with armed terrorist groups on the farms surrounding Taibet al-Imam in Hama, killing few terrorists and confiscated their arms, some of which Israeli-made.

The competent authorities also seized leaflets and documents stolen from state institutions.

Weapons Seized in Raqqa

The competent authorities on Thursday seized weapons smuggled from Turkey in Tal Abyad area on the Syrian-Turkish borders in Raqqa countryside.

SANA correspondent quoted an official source as saying that the seized weapons included 105 pump-action shotguns and 26 Magnum rifles, indicating that the smugglers were caught.

Explosive Devices Dismantled in Idleb Countryside Members of military engineering units dismantled 4 explosive devices planted by the armed terrorist groups at the crossroad of Trembeh village in Sarakeb in Idleb countryside.

A source in the province told SANA correspondent that the authorities arrested 4 of the terrorists while they were planting the explosive devices.

Armed Terrorist Group Rob Public properties in Idleb Countryside

A terrorist armed group robbed a feed center in Sinjar, near to Maaret al-Numan in Idleb countryside and stole big amounts of barely.

SANA correspondent was informed that a terrorist armed group broke into the center, destroyed its contents and stole barely.

The correspondent pointed out that the terrorist armed groups sabotaged plant nursery affiliated to the afforestation project in Sinjar area.

An armed group also blew up a private bakery in the eastern neighborhood in Idleb. No human losses were reported.

Child Mailk al-Aktaa, 11, was martyred today by the bullets of armed terrorist group while accompanying his father on their car in Homs going to their farm at Tadmor road.

“While driving my car out of our neighborhood, we came under fire of a sniper at the Mreije alley, my child was hit in his chest and hand… I immediately took him to the Hospital of al-Nahda, but he died,” Father of the child Basam al-Aktaa told the Syrian TV in an interview.

Gatilov: Russia will not Allow Passing any draft resolution on Syria which might hint to Using Force

MOSCOW, (SANA)-Russia underlined rejection of passing any draft resolution at the UN Security Council which includes any gaps that allow using force against Syria.

“Russia will not agree any draft resolution which includes points that refer to using force against Syria… it is not permissible for the resolution to bear different readings… difficult consultations are underway in New York regarding this issue,” Russia Today TV quoted Gennady Gatilov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister as saying on his website.

He added that the target is to remain as it is, represented in preparing a context that include equal demands for the two sides.

Earlier, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Russian Duma, Leonid Kalashnikov underlined that the Russian stance, which rejects any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs, is firm.

Kalashnikov told SANA correspondent in Moscow on Thursday ,” the Duma Council adopted an official statement on the events in Syria, and we stressed that Russia has vetoed in a completely right way , a UN Security Council resolution on Syria to foil a decision aiming to repeat the Libyan scenario, a decision which is completely rejected by Russian and China.”

The Russian official underlined that there is no basis for what some Arab and Western countries are trying to promote with regard to a change in the Russian and Chinese stance, pointing out that the situation is heading towards calmness and there should be efforts for a political and diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Kalashnikov said that the Arab League sent its observers to Syria, as they set their report but the Western states and some of AL countries concealed it and prevented distributing it to Security Council’s members because it included objective facts on the reality of events in Syria.

Moscow Reminds International Community of its Responsibility over exporting terror into Syria

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Russian Envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin put the international community once again in front of its alleged responsibility in combating terrorism through presenting a new evidence on the infiltration of terrorist trained members into Syria.

Churkin, confirming a lot of western media reports, reminded the UN Security council members of the existence of al-Qaeda in Syria before unveiling information that say the Libyan government has set up a special center for training terrorists to be later sent to launch attacks on official and governmental institutions and carry out criminal acts.

The Russian Envoy sought to remind the international community of its duty regarding the export of armed men and weapons into Syria that will undermine stability in the Middle East.

To Prove that, AFP quoted a journalist who spent a week in Homs as saying that he saw terrorists and Arab extremists that fight the Syrian government as Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki has underlined that al-Qaeda members infiltrate from Iraq into Syria.

Terrorists Ayman and Fahd Erbinieh Confess to attacking a Church, School in Erbin, kidnapping and killing citizens

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Terrorists Ayman and Fahd Abdul-Kareem Erbinieh confessed to perpetrating crimes in Erbin, Damascus Countryside including attacks on Erbin Church, Religious Kweider School, setting up barricades, kidnapping citizens and killing them.

“While driving my car in Erbin, I saw some persons setting up barricades, one of them called Basel intercepted me and called on me to participate with them in this act, first I rejected.. but on the second day he saw me and insisted to join them, then he handed me a rifle,” Ayman told the Syrian TV in confessions broadcast Thursday.

He added “Later, we began stopping the cars at the barricades where I met a person named Zaher Qweider who took me with him to the barricades.. I asked the group about this man, they told me that he was in Iraq and had relation with al-Qaeda and participated in an attack on the Syrian TV and Radio in Damascus.”

He went on to say that, one day, I saw Zaher who was also known as Houshan near the mosque, he was carrying an RPG… he ordered me to shell the church, first I told him not, but later I fired the church, but it hit the veranda of a building next to the church because I wasn’t skill in the shooting.

For his part, other terrorist Fahd confessed that he got acquainted with Zaher when he was setting up a roadblock in Erbin along with five persons where he joined them.

“Houshan gave us the rifles, ordered us to set up barricades.. once, we were standing at a barricade near Madeara when a military vehicle came, its driver was a warrant officer.. we asked him to get down, we put him aside, later a taxi crossed.. we order its driver to get down to take his identity card… then we took the two men to a farm in Hamourea,” Fahd told the Syrian TV.

He added that after two days terrorist Houshan asked them to set up a barricade at Erbin cemetery where we intercepted a Kia-Rio white car, kidnapped two persons, killed them and threw them near a sewage.

Brazilian Foreign Ministry Stresses Rejection of Foreign Interference in Syria’s Affairs

BRAZILIA, (SANA) – Secretary-General of the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil Ruy Nunes Pinto Nogueira on Thursday stressed his country’s rejection of foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs.

He underlined the necessity of enhancing dialogue among the Syrians to come out of the current crisis.

Meeting the Syrian Ambassador to Brazil Mohammad Khaddour, Nogueira said that Brazil recognizes the scope of the ferocious campaign Syria is facing and clearly understands the ambitions of some parties which seek to exploit the curent scenario taking place on the ground.

“Brazil stressed that halting acts of violence is urgent and necessary, ” said Nogueira, adding that the package of reforms achieved in Syria gives the Syrian people the opportunity for political dialogue to restore stability and security to the country and enhance political pluralism and the freedom of expression.

For his part, Khaddour said that the Syrian government is exerting great efforts in chasing armed terrorist groups which are destabilizing the country and targeting the unity of the Syrian people and their commitment to the independent national decision and their rallying around their leadership.

The two sides reviewed the Syrian-Brazilian relations and the political developments in the Middle East.

The Syrian Ambassador stressed that Syria will come out of the crisis thanks to the sacrifices and awareness of its people and the support of its friends, expressing the pride of the leadership and people of Syria in their friendship relations with Brazil.

In turn, Head of Commission on Foreign Relations and National Defense at the Brazilian Parliament, Manuela D’ Avila , stressed that Brazil is closely following up the developments in the Syrian arena.

D’Avila added that the terrorism , killing and intimidation which have been recently witnessed in Syria are perpetrated from the outside with the aim of undermining its stability to serve villainous schemes.

D’Avila pointed out that she will study with the Brazilian Foreign Ministry all means possible to help Syria overcome its crisis, pointing out to the need for activating the parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Health Minister, Amos Review Challenges to Health Sector in Syria in Light of Economic Sanctions, Terrorist Sabotage Acts

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Health Wael al-Halqi reviewed with the UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, the situation of health sector in Syria and the challenges facing it in light of the unjust economic sanctions imposed on Syria.

Minister al-Halqi pointed out to the losses of the health sector during the crisis where 18 workers were martyred and 30 were injured while few others were abducted, in addition to damaging 19 hospitals, 51 health centers and 145 ambulances, 60 of which are out of service.

The Minister added that the health sector was also another victim of the misleading campaign led by instigative satellite channels.

“The Health Ministry on Wednesday started works of rehabilitating the comprehensive health services center in Baba Amro neighborhood in Homs to resume providing health services to citizens after being damaged by the armed terrorist groups,” Dr. al-Halqi said.

The minister stressed that the public and private hospitals in Syria have continued to perform their duties in treating patients regardless of their political thoughts, refuting claims of some misleading channels which aim at damaging the reputation of this humanitarian sector.

He called upon the UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs to visit any hospital or place to inspect its situation and listen to workers about medical services provided and the pressure they experienced while performing their duty under the most difficult circumstances.

On Wednesday, Amos and the accompanying delegation visited Homs City, toured a number of its neighborhoods, met few citizens and inspected sabotaged public and private properties which were damaged by the armed terrorist groups.

Earlier, Minister of Education Saleh al-Rashed discussed with Amos, and the accompanying delegation the situation of the education process and the efforts exerted to ensure the the safe return of students to schools damaged by the terrorist armed groups.

The Minister underlined Syria’s keenness to apply education democracy for all and children’s right to learn, pointing out to the efforts exerted by the Ministry to rehabilitate damaged schools and make it possible for children to go back to their schools, in addition to compensating the missing lessons for them.

Al-Rashed clarified that the Ministry is working to achieve international standards for schools with regard to providing a secure environment and suitable curricula to guarantee a healthy upbringing.

The Minister handed Amos a booklet containing documented photos of sabotaging education institutions in addition to the harm done to workers in the sector including threats of killing.

He underlined the Ministry’s keenness to cooperate with UN organs to handle the psychological harm of students due to the sabotage operations, and to rehabilitate schools.

Amos, for her part, thanked the Ministry of Education for its high cooperation with the UN and the UNICEF, expressing hope of continuous cooperation between the two sides to serve educational issues.

She stressed the UN’s readiness to provide aid for rehabilitating schools and ensuring the the safe return of students to schools.

Amos visits al-Zahera Center of the Red Crescent

UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos on Thursday visited al-Zahera Center of the Syrian Red Crescent Organization, meeting its chairman Abdul-Rahman al-Attar.

Amos appreciated the work of the Organization’s volunteers, underlining the importance of cooperation between a UN team and the Syrian government to evaluate the humanitarian situation.

“The Syrian Foreign Ministry has underlined that I can visit any place in Syria… yesterday I visited Home and entered Baba Amro, inspecting the situation there as well as the humanitarian state of the citizens whom we seek to help,” Amos said, adding “I had no previous expectations on the situation in Syria.

Amos added that she didn’t see a lot of inhabitants in Baba Amro, saying “what is important now is how we could reach them in order to provide them with  the humanitarian aid.”

Velayati: Syria Front Line of Resistance, Attempts to Isolate Syria Serve Zionist Entity

TEHRAN, (SANA) – Chief Advisor of Iran’s Supreme Leader for foreign policy, Ali Akbar Velayati, said Syria is the front line of resistance in the region.

In a statement on Thursday, Velayati said that attempts of some Arab regimes to isolate the Syrian leadership from the political equation in the region serve the interest of the Zionist entity.

Abdullahian: We are Seeing Stability Return to Syria

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdullahian said that the situation in Syria is headed towards stability, adding ”We are seeing security and stability return to all Syrian cities.”

In an interview with Russia Today TV Channel on Thursday, Abdullahian stressed that the Syrian government and people have confronted foreign interference and terrorist acts over the past few months, noting that national dialogue will proceed with sure steps in the future.

He reiterated his country’s rejection of foreign interference in the Syrian affairs, indicating that foreign interference was invoked by some at the outset of the crisis who later abandoned it having seen the situation on the ground.

Abdullahian said that Western countries, the US and Israel relied on Arab countries for information on the political and field circumstances in Syria, but Syria managed to get over it.

”Iran’s relations with Syria are strategic,” said Abdullahian , adding ”We view Syria as an important country in the axis of resistance, and the Syrian people have a heightened sense of national unity.”

Solidarity Event in Yemen in Support of Reforms

SANAA, (SANA)_Political movements and public organizations organized a solidarity event in the southern Yemeni city of Taizz on Thursday in support of the reform process in Syria against the foreign conspiracy targeting it.

The participants stressed in a statement their solidarity with Syria and rejection of foreign interference in its internal affairs, voicing appreciation of the stances of Russia and China and all the countries which stood by Syria.

The statement denounced the Arab League stance on the crisis in Syria, indicating that it serves the Zionist entity and neocolonialism in the region.

The statement indicated that what is happening in Syria is a conspiracy and a flagrant interference in its internal affairs and violation of the Syrian sovereignty, which seek to create conflicts that serve as alternatives to the Arab-Israel conflict.

Int’l Women’s Day, Continuing Work to Achieve Gender Equality, Release Women’s Potentials

DAMASCUS, SANA_ The world celebrates today the International Women’s Day in light of the significant achievements that have been achieved thanks to the tireless advocacy, practical steps and enlightened policies pursued by the states.

Women’s Day is an opportunity to reconsider women’s situation in the world and review their economic, political and social achievements over the past year and their future goals to be fulfilled.

It is a symbol of women as integral partner-makers of history. It is a denial of all forms of religious gender discrimination considering women less worthy than men.

This Day symbolizes a long struggle of all women on all continents, with different ethnics, religions, cultures and social classes, who have been deprived from the equal right with men.

Women in the Arab countries as well as the Syrian women participate in celebrating this event. Syrian women were able to achieve significant status in society. They worked side by side with men in all walks of life and contributed to the process of sustainable development in their country.

In Syria, all constitutional provisions in their essence are based on a main fact that the Syrian woman enjoys the same rights as man, specially the political ones. The Syrian woman has the right to exercise full political rights and to be a voter and an elected.

These rights yielded the appointment of woman in Syria in the highest positions and sharing her in the People’s Assembly as she has the right of candidature and gaining parliamentary seats.

Woman forms half of the society. She is the mother, sister, daughter, wife and the beloved as she represents the beauty and tenderness by all forms.

International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and Europe.

The first National Woman’s Day was observed in the United States in 1909 to honour the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against poor working conditions.

International Women’s Day was marked for the first time in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. In addition to the right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded women’s right to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job.

Since those early years, International Women’s Day has grown into a global commemoration of women’s participation in political and economic life, as well as a time to take stock of past progress and future challenges.

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

President al-Assad Meeting Annan: Syria Ready to Make Successful any Sincere Effort to Find Solution to Events

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday said Syria is ready to make successful any sincere effort to find a solution to the events taking place in the country, adding that the success of any effort requires first studying what is happening on the ground instead of relying on the virtual space that is promoted by some regional and international countries to distort the facts and give a picture contrary to what Syria is undergoing.

President al-Assad’s remarks came during his meeting with UN Secretary General’s envoy Kofi Annan and the accompanying delegation.

The President was briefed by Annan on his preliminary vision on the situation in Syria, with the UN Secretary General’s envoy stressing his commitment to work fairly, neutrally and independently, as well as his rejection to foreign interference in the Syrian affairs and his belief in a peaceful solution.

Annan expressed hope to work with the Syrian government to launch diplomatic dialogue in the framework of a political process to restore stability to Syria and realize the aspirations of the Syrian people.

President al-Assad said that any political dialogue or political process can not succeed as long as there are armed terrorist groups that are working to spread chaos and destabilize the country through targeting citizens, both civilian and military, and vandalizing private and public properties.

A bilateral meeting between President al-Assad and the UN Secretary General’s envoy followed the plenary meeting, which was attended by Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor, Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, and Director of International Organizations Department at the Foreign Ministry Tamam Sulaiman.

Twelve Army and Law Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

DAMASCUS/ LATTAKIA, (SANA)- The bodies of 12 army and law enforcement members on Sunday were escorted from the Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus and Zahi Azraq Military Hospital in Lattakia 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 Daraa, Idleb and Damascus Countryside.

The martyrs are:

• Colonel Nidal Kamel Sakr, from Lattakia.
• Captain Ammar Hussein Mohammad, from Lattakia.
• Chief Warrant Officer Qais Ibrahim Khalil, from Tartous.
• Warrant Officer Ayham Mohammad Abdullah, from Homs.
• Sergeant Major Mohammad Ali Hassan, from Hama.
• Sergeant Major Yehia Zakariya al-Arrouq, from Aleppo.
• Sergeant Major Mohannad Mohammad Shahin, from Tartous.
• Sergeant Rabie Munir Mariam, from Lattakia.
• Sergeant Mohammad Khalid Shahin, from Damascus Countryside.
• Corporal Mohammad Ayoub al-Khani, from Idleb.
• Soldier Qusai Adnan Mohammad, from Homs.
• Conscript Merie Salman Talab , from Damascus Countryside.

The martyrs’ families and relatives stressed the Syrians’ determination to stand shoulder to shoulder to foil the conspiracy hatched against their homeland.

They said that the systematic terrorism practiced by the armed terrorist groups and funded by the West and some Arab regimes will not make the Syrians abandon their national and pan-Arab stances, calling for confronting the terrorists with an iron fist.

Terrorists Assassinate Boxing Champion in Aleppo, 2 Law-enforcement Members Martyred in Hama

PROVINCES, (SANA) – In the framework of targeting the experts and the national cadres, an armed terrorist group on Sunday assassinated boxing champion, Ghiath Tayfour in Aleppo city.

An informed source told SANA Correspondent that the armed group targeted Boxer Tayfour while he was passing near the courtyard of Aleppo University in his car as they opened fire on him and he was immediately martyred as five bullets entered his head.

Boxer Tayfour was born in Aleppo in 1969 and he came first in the Boxing Championship in Syria from 1984 to 1998 and he also won several gold medals in a number of the local, Arab and international championships.

Terrorist Group Kidnap Member of BASP Branch in Homs and His Driver

In Homs, an armed terrorist group kidnapped a member of the Baath Arab Socialist Party (BASP) branch in Homs Mesbah Ahmad al-Sha’ar and his driver at al-Ghouta area while they were heading for work.

Terrorist Group Target Bridge in al-Ghab Region in Hama

An armed terrorist group targeted with an explosive device the bottom of a bridge connecting al-Rasif and Shateha in al-Ghab region in Hama province, damaging a part of the bridge.

A source in the province told SANA correspondent that the terrorist group planted two explosive devices to the bottom of the bridge, noting however that only one explosive device was detonated.

The source said that parts of the bridge collapsed blocking the road, adding that the bridge is an important traffic point between the villages of al-Ghab region.

Two Law-enforcement Members Martyred in Hama, Terrorists Killed and Injured

Two authorities’ members were martyred during a clash with armed terrorist groups which have been committing criminal acts against citizens and vandalizing private and public properties in the neighborhoods of al-Jarajemeh and al-Sheikh Anbar in Hama.

A source in the province told SANA correspondent that the clash resulted in killing and wounding a number of terrorists, in addition to seizing amounts of machineguns and RPGs launchers.

Authorities Kill Terrorists and Arrests Others in Daraa Countryside

The authorities raided the hideouts of armed terrorist groups in the towns of al-Jiza and Tisia in Daraa countryside, resulting the arrest of a number of terrorist and the death of others.

The authorities confiscated the terrorists’ weapons which include assault rifles, machineguns, handguns, RPG rounds and large amounts of ammo, in addition to advanced communication devices, military uniforms, satchels and medical equipment.

Six stolen private and government-owned cars were also recovered from the terrorists. A PKC machinegun was found in one of the stolen cars.

Also in Daraa, a terrorist group attacked the Foreign Trade General Establishment branch, which supplies medicine to local hospitals and health centers, firing RPG rounds at it and causing considerable damage to the building the destroying a large number of the documents and files kept in it.

Annan Meets Syria’s Mufti and Representatives of Religious Sects in Syria

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan said his mission is aimed at discussing steps that might help in ending the violence, ensuring the access of humanitarian aid and starting political dialogue in Syria.

Meeting Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmad Badr EddinHassoun and representatives of the religious sects in Syria, Annan hoped he would help achieve what could contribute to making democratic reforms and enhancing respect of human rights in Syria.

Annan wished for Syria to be secure and to invest the plurality in it to enhance reconciliation and tolerance and circulate them at the mosques and churches and across all the sects.

He said that he spoke with the Security Council’s members, the EU ambassadors and a number of officials and opinion leaders in the world and called on them to cooperate to ensure peace in Syria.

The UN envoy said that he met President Bashar al-Assad and some opposition figures, traders, businessmen and people from all spectrums of the Syrian society yesterday and found that everybody want a solution and a compromise.

Annan stressed that the Syrians alone are able to solve their problems and that his mission is to help them do so.

For his part, Mufti Hassoun called upon those who carry weapons and claim “peacefulness” to resort to dialogue, adding that those who have taken up weapons to sabotage their homeland in service of foreign agendas are not Syrian, because Syria has always been the country of co-existence where there is no difference between a Christian and a Muslim.

In turn, His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch and all the East said that the lies and fabrications propagated by the instigative channels about the situation of Christians in Syria are untrue and mere illusions in the minds of some Europeans.

“In Syria, we, Muslims and Christians, live as brothers and share everything,” His Beatitude added, wishing Annan success in his mission and stressing to work with him to help him achieve this.

Hasaka Clans and Figures Organize Gathering in Support of National Unity and Independent National Decision

HASAKA, (SANA) – The clans of Waldet al-Ghamr in Hasaka organized on Sunday a gathering to show support for national unity and independent national decision, with the participation of clan dignitaries and religious, social and popular figures from the governorate.

Participants said that this gathering symbolizes unity of the governorate’s people and all Syria, affirming that Syria’s clans will stand as one to protect it against conspiracies.

They stressed that Syria will emerge from the crisis stronger than before thanks to the awareness of the Syrians and their rallying around their leadership.

German Government Consultant: Targeting Syria by West Contradicts International Laws and Norms

BERLIN, (SANA) – German Government Consultant for Middle East Affairs, Christoph Horstel, said that targeting Syria by the West contradicts all the international laws and norms and the UN Charter.

” If they talk about a possible military intervention in Syria, they do it under the table and secretly, backed by some corrupt Arab regimes as well as Turkey,” Horstel said in an interview with Russian Today TV Channel.

Horstel warned against any blatant aggression against Syria through supporting the armed terrorist groups and arming them in addition to preparing for a direct military intervention, saying that French, British, Turkish and Saudi spies and scores of soldiers have been arrested in Syria, which is quite bad.

Horstel criticized the conference held by Syria’s enemies in Tunisia, saying,” with ‘such friends’ Syria doesn’t need enemies.”

He also criticized the Western mass media which ignores the number of the victims which have been killed by the terrorist groups.

Regarding the Russian-Chinese stance at the Security Council towards Syria, Horstel expressed support to this stance, affirming that those who support the project of targeting Syria will take decisions that can be only consumed, but at the same time they will guarantee the continuation of violence.

The German consultant described Istanbul Council as a premeditated agenda that has been previously used with regard to Iran in addition to some Arab countries including Libya.

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

Lavrov: The Syrians Alone Decide Their Country’s Future

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday stressed the Syrians alone decide their country’s future away from any foreign interference, calling for starting the comprehensive national dialogue without preconditions to find a solution to the crisis in Syria and for an immediate ceasefire by from all the parties under unbiased international supervision, along with the humanitarian aid.

Addressing a Russian Duma session, broadcast by Russia Today TV channel, Lavrov said that Russia is defending the principles of justice and the Syrians’ sovereign right to their democratic option.

By doing so, Lavrov added, Moscow aims at achieving peace in Syria and maintaining its citizens’ lives, preventing conflict and violence in the region and preserving stability and security in the area near Russia’s southern borders.

The Russian Foreign Minister pointed out that Russia will continue work with all the parties, whether the Syrian leadership, the opposition groups, the Arab League, the regional and international players and the Security Council member countries, in order to reach a solution to the crisis.

He called in this context for supporting the mission of the UN Secretary General’s envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan.

“Any international issue demands joint work, and this is what settling the crisis in Syria requires…Everybody should be honest and neutral in that,” said Lavrov.

He underscored that Moscow is in daily contact with the Syrian leadership to ease the situation in the country and draw a unified line to engage all the Syrian parties concerned in settling the crisis, adding that Russia, however, has no power over the armed groups and factions that are fighting the state.

“Unifying our efforts is essential to settle the issues and challenges faced by the international community,” said Lavrov, adding this is why Russia is determined to passing positive international solutions for the preservation of indivisible common security.

He stressed that this principle should be comprehensive in order to build a new security structure in the region.

Lavrov voiced his country’s concern over the developments taking place in the world in terms of the attempts at using force in violation of the international law and the great violations of the Security Council resolutions like what happened in Libya, or through means of force in the cases of Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said that all these experiences indicate that crises in those countries can not be settles by means of force but through adherence to the international law.

He stressed that Russia, based on the UN Charter, will oppose any attempts to blast the main principles of this Charter, that are of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries and the adoption of constructive means to settle international differences and conflicts.

Russia, China Stress Unified Stance towards Syria

Russia and China stressed their unified stance towards the situation in Syria, a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

It added that the Russian President’s Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and China’s Ambassador to Russia, Li Hui, stressed that their countries have identical stances with regard to the essential indications of the Syrian internal settlement through internal national dialogue and supporting the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.

The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Bogadanov and Hui also discussed the developments in the Middle East and North Africa, with focus placed on the stance towards Syria.

Bogdanov: Resolving Crisis in Syria through political internal dialogue

The Russian President Special representative for the Middle East Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov today underlined the importance of solving crisis in Syria through internal political dialogue in light of respect for Syria sovereignty.

The Russian foreign Ministry said that Bogdanov, during a meeting with Syria’s Ambassador in Moscow Riad Haddad, referred to Russia’s commitment to the need for halting violence in Syria as soon as possible whatsoever source it was, and for guaranteeing the humanitarian aid for the citizens depending on the UN mechanism.

Syrians to Gather in Squares Across the Country to Show Their Love for Their Homeland

In an initiative by Syrian youths, squares in cities across Syria will witness a universal march on Thursday, uniting all Syrians in affirmation of their loyalty and affiliation to their homeland no matter how much pressure is leveled against them.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Homs and Idleb Countryside, Security Restored to Idleb City

GOVERNORATES, (SANA)-Competent authorities on Wednesday clashed with armed terrorist groups near Jisr al-Daf farms to the west of al-Qseir in Homs countryside, killing a number of terrorists, injuring several others and seizing their weapons.

A source in Homs told SANA reporter that the weapons confiscated were RPGs, machine guns, Russian rifles, snipers, Israeli-made bombs and explosives. The source added that an officer and 5 army members were injured in the clashes.

Authorities Clash with Terrorist in Idleb Countryside, Security Restored to Idleb City

The authorities clashed with remnants of armed terrorist groups in the fields and caves of al-Bara in al-Zawiya mountain, killing a number of terrorists, injuring others and confiscating their weapons.

The authorities also engaged an armed terrorist group in the town of Nsaibin in Ariha area, killing three terrorists and confiscating their weapons and communication devices.

A source in Idleb governorate said that the conflict in Nsaibin resulted in the arrest of a terrorist and the confiscation of two cars loaded with explosive devices of various yields which the terrorists intended to plant on the road between the towns of Ariha and Saraqeb.

In Idleb city, the authorities cleared the city of armed terrorist group, and in the process confiscated weapons including assault rifles, RPG launchers and rounds, an Israeli-made machinegun, ammo clips, military uniforms, computers, advanced communication devices including satellite phones, stolen and fake car license plates, and medical equipment.

In addition, the authorities confiscated dozens of explosive devices of various shapes and sizes and materials used for manufacturing them.

The locals were happy to return to their homes from which they fled in fear of armed terrorist groups, saying that the terrorist spread fear and chaos across the city and prevented citizens from going to work.

Maqdisi: Syria Committed to Make Annan’s Mission a Success, Providing that it Suits Syria’s Specificity

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Foreign and Expatriates Ministry spokesman, Dr. Jihad Maqdisi, on Wednesday said the UN envoy Kofi Annan presented during his recent visit to Syria ‘no-paper’ suggestions to exchange views on them, and the Syrian ‘no-paper’ respond to those suggestions was very objective and of an illustrative character of the way the preliminary suggestions are to be implemented.

“We are committed to make a success of Annan’s mission providing that it goes in line with the Syrian specificity, and that requires the international and regional efforts be brought together, particularly those which are hindering the political solution and instigating and calling for arming the Syrian inside to pour oil on the fire,” said Dr. Maqdisi addressing reporters of a number of news agencies at the Ministry’s headquarters.

He stressed that the proposed solutions to the Syrian crisis cannot be imported, adding that “we encourage Mr. Annan to complete his consultations and we wish him success.”

“We wish that all efforts are mobilized to establish appeasement, which everybody should believe is to be reached through getting engaged in the reform and dialogue,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman added.

He said that those who call for arming are hindering Annan’s mission and the success of his mission requires unifying efforts, adding that what is important is the authorization granted to Annan and the extent to which others cooperate with him.

Maqdisi added “we welcome any initiative that helps political solution.”

He indicated that what is taking place in some areas is a security treatment, not political solution as the army is in a state of self-defense, indicating that the presence of armed groups on the ground was documented in international reports and has become undeniable truth.

Regarding the form of the proposed political solution, Maqdesi said that the political solution means to participate in the homeland and the ballot box will be the decisive criterion for all.

He said that we welcome those who believe in dialogue and reject foreign interference, hoping that those who reject dialogue would be convinced that sitting around the dialogue table and rejecting sabotage are the way out of the crisis, adding that President Bashar al-Assad is the guarantor for dialogue and the dialogists.

On humanitarian aid, Maqdisi said that there is a Syrian humanitarian and political commitment to convey humanitarian aid, indicating that Syria has agreed with the UN, during the visit of the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Valerie Amos, to Syria (Homs and Baba Amr), on a certain mechanism to evaluate and provide help in cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross in coordination with the Syrian government in a way that preserves Syria’s sovereignty.

On a question about Syria’s stance towards the meeting between the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with the Arab Foreign Ministers at the Arab League, he said that there were points of consonance, not an agreement.

He added that we welcome any constructive initiative that contributes to political solution but details are important to ensure well implementation and good intentions.

Regarding the Chinese initiative, he said that Syria received the Chinese envoy and officially welcomed the initiative, adding that “we will welcome and positively cooperate with all constructive efforts or initiatives… What is important for us is to put negative forces aside and focus on positives that help achieve the desired détente.”

A Number of Terrorists Who Committed Karm al-Zaitoun Massacre Arrested

The competent authorities in Homs arrested a number of terrorists who perpetrated the terrifying massacre against the citizens of Karm al-Zaitoun Neighborhood in Homs.

Two Terrorists Confess to Planting Explosive Devices Which Claimed the Lives of Two Children, a Woman and a Policeman

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Terrorists Abdelrahman and Ibrahim al-Sharif confessed to being part of plating explosive devices in Aleppo along with an armed terrorist group, which claimed the lives of several citizens, in addition to committing murder and hijacking a car.

In confessions televised by the Syrian TV, terrorist Abdelrahman, who was born in Aleppo in 1992 and works as a stonecutter, said that his uncle Ibrahim (not the other terrorist) was in prison and upon being released introduced him to a man known as Abu Zakkour and asked him to work with him.

During the first meeting, Aby Zakkour gave him a flash disc containing fatwas, recording of al-Qaeda bombings and instructions to make explosives, along with SYP 10,000 to by a bike.

In their second meeting, Abu Zakkour gave Abdelrahman a 7mm pistol equipped with a silenced and 15 rounds, in addition to two explosive devices which he asked Abdelrahman to keep, and later he instructed him to plant the explosives in al-Fardous neighborhood and detonate them after Friday prayers on the next day.

Abdelrahman, along with his cousin Ibrahim (the other terrorist whose confessions were televised), his brother (also called Ibrahim) and Ahmad Dakhil planted the explosives on Friday morning, and later once people began to gather Dakhil detonated the devices, killing a policeman, a woman and two children and wrecking a police car.

On the next day, Abu Zakkour handed Abdelrahman a pump-action shotgun with seven rounds, an AK-47 rifle with two magazines, and a 9mm pistol and SYP 10,000, telling him that he was to distribute the weapons and the money among his colleagues, which he did.

Later, Abu Zakkour instructed him to abduct the owner of a sawmill, and he went on a Monday along with his aforementioned accomplices, breaking into the sawmill and tying up the watchmen.

The sawmill owner arrived earlier, and the terrorists panicked upon seeing him and tried to flee, but he followed him and so they fired at him, with Abdelrahman’s brother shooting the man dead before they fled.

During this incident, Dakhil’s cell phone fell. They tried to hijack a car a failed, then they succeeded in hijacking another car and later hid it before hiding the weapons with his uncle Hussein Dakhil, except for the two pistols.

In the ensuing meeting with Abu Zakkour, he gave Abdelrahman explosive devices, one of them large and the rest of them small, telling him that he should keep them for a few days and that he would tell him where to plant them later.

However, the police raided Abdelrahman’s home two days later, confiscating the pistols, silencer and explosives.

Abdelrahman also said that his cousin Imad al-Sharif gave SYP 500,000 in counterfeit bills which were smuggled from Lebanon. The counterfeit money came from Abdelrahman’s uncle, Hussein al-Sharif, who is currently in Rumieh Prison in Lebanon.

In turn, Ibrahim al-Sharif, Abdelrahman’s cousin and a student, said that his cousin asked him to help them in the abduction of the sawmill owner, and that he went with him along with his brother and Ahmad Dakhil, recounting the events detailed by Abdelrahman.

Ibrahim said that he and Ahmad were hiding in a room where they had tied up the sawmill’s watchman, and they jumped out the window when they heard shooting and ran away, then they tried to hijack a car but the driver managed to run away, then they stopped another car and forced the driver to exit it at gunpoint.

He noted that he was wearing a mask which he lost when Ahmad Dakhil lost his cell phone.

On a relevant note, Hammoud Hajj Mohammad, the father of the child Fayssal who died in the explosion caused by the two terrorists and their accomplices, said that on that fateful Friday he gave his 13 year-old son money to buy drinks for his brother, and ten minutes later they heard an explosion.

Hammoud rushed to the site of the explosion and he was told that his son was injured and taken to the hospital where he passed away later.

In turn, the father of martyred child Ibrahim Hussein Hammoud said that his son was with his friend Fayssal when they were buying drinks, and that the two were injured in the blast and succumbed to their wounds in the hospital.

For his part, Ghaith al-Mustafa, owner of the car hijacked by the terrorists who teaches at Aleppo University, said that he had dropped off his children and nephews to school and was heading home when he was ambushed by the four terrorists, with one of them drawing an AK-47 on him, then they stole his car.

The stolen car was found in a village in Aleppo governorate by the authorities who were pursuing the terrorist group.

People of al-Nazhin, Karm al-Zaytoun, Ashira and Karm al-Loz Neighborhoods Relate Details of Their Suffering at the Hands of Terrorists

HOMS, (SANA) – The people of al-Nazhin, Karm al-Zaytoun, Ashira and Karm al-Loz neighborhoods of Homs related the horrors of the crimes and massacres committed by armed terrorist groups which wreaked havoc in the city.

A local from al-Nazhin said that the armed groups would open fire from every direction at people, and made holes in walls to move from one house to another, attacking the houses’ actual owners, adding that the terrorists belonged to several nationalities.

He said that these groups ran amok in the neighborhood and vandalized everything, and that they didn’t spare even schools and mosques.

Another man from the same neighborhood said that snipers were stations in the street he lvied in, preventing people from leaving their homes for two months, targeting passersby and cars and anything that moved in the streets, adding that the terrorists also robbed houses, committed massacres, murders and kidnapping.

In turn, a woman said that the terrorists killed her son on the doorstep of their home as he was returning from school.

One of the locals from Karm al-Zaytoun said that the innocent victims of the massacre that took place in the neighborhood were among those who refused to be involved in the crimes of the armed terrorist groups, which killed anyone who objected to what they do.

He said that these groups mostly consist of Libyans, Iraqis and Lebanese, and that they had no inhibitions.

Another local said that gunmen from Iraq, Libya and other countries came to Karm al-Zaytoun and laid siege on it, murdering many people and forcing others to flee, then they dug trenches and holes in houses’ walls and made makeshift barricades from sewage pipes.

In Ashira neighborhood, the locals said that gunmen had been assaulting them and that they didn’t feel safe until the army entered the area.

A woman from the neighborhood said that terrorists of unknown identities showed up and started terrorizing women and children who were too afraid to leave their homes.

In Karm al-Loz where terrorists massacred 15 people, the locals said that the terrorists were shooting at people in the streets and killing them, with some of the locals saying that they were practically besieged by the terrorists until the army freed them and provided them with food, drink and medicine.

13 Army Martyrs Escorted to Final Resting Place

PROVINCES, (SANA) – The bodies of 13 army members on Wednesday were escorted from the Military Hospitals of Tishreen in Damascus, Aleppo and Zahi Azraq in Lattakia 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 Aleppo and Idleb.

The martyrs are:

• Colonel Qais Suleiman, from Lattakia.
• Lieutenant Colonel Ali Habib, from Lattakia.
• Sergeant Major Sheneiwi Wajeeh al-Mohammad, from Hama.
• Conscript Mohammad Ali Yousef, from Hasaka.
• Conscript Qutaibeh Hamdo al-Sultan, from Deir Ezzor.
• Conscript Hassan Saeed, from Aleppo.
• Conscript Kenan Abu el-Fakher, from Damascus.
• Conscript Farouq Faeq Hijazi, from Aleppo.
• Conscript Hussein al-Aa’raj, from Aleppo.
• Conscript Ahmad al-Maghrebi, from Damascus Countryside.
• Conscript Osama Ibrahim, from Aleppo.
• Conscript Abdullah al-Ali, from Raqqa.
• Conscript Mohammad Nidal Said Zhourati, from Damascus.

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

They hailed the role of the Syrian army in maintaining the security and stability of the homeland, expressing confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to overcome the crisis through their unity and rallying around their leadership.

Parties Affairs’ Committee Licenses Two New Parties

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Parties Affairs’ Committee on Wednesday licensed two new parties; the Syrian National Youth Party and the National Youth Party for Justice and development.

Minister of Interior Mohammad al-Shaar, Head of the Committee, said in a press statement that the Committee gave license to the two parties after they completed their papers and legal measures accordion to the new Parties’ Law.

The step raises the number of the parties given licenses to eight in addition to the parties of National Progressive.

The new parties are: the Solidarity, National Development, Syrian Democratic, al-Ansar, Democratic al-Taleaa, Arab Democratic Solidarity, the Syrian National Youth Party and the National Youth Party.

Syrian National Committee for Following up Comprehensive Periodical Review Mechanism at the HRC: Some Countries Use Human Rights for Imposing Hegemony

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_The Syrian National Committee for Following up the Comprehensive Periodical Review Mechanism at the Human Rights Council issued a paper on the development of the human rights situation in Syria, with focus placed on Syria’s new approach in this regard in light of the new constitution.

The Syrian National Committee accepted the constructive proposals put forward by Syria which are based on its interest in benefitting from world countries’ experiences in this regard.

The deliberations focused on proposals for launching national dialogue in Syria, stressing that the Syrian leadership has adopted national dialogue as a way out of the crisis, which gunmen have so far rejected.

The paper criticized the countries that are using human rights to impose hegemony on other countries as they blatantly interfere in the internal affairs of independent states while covering Israel’s violations of human rights in Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan.

The paper also gave a review of the terrorist acts committed by the armed groups and documented detention centers set up by terrorists for incarcerating and torturing people and citizens whom they kidnapped for ransom, not saving the children and elderly.

The National Committee saw that Syria expected the international community to offer help in combating terrorism, not support the armed terrorist groups and provide them with political and media backing.

Venezuelan Parliament Votes by Majority for Decision on Supporting Syria against Conspiracy

CARACAS, (SANA) – Legislative National Assembly of Venezuela (the Parliament) agreed during a session held on Tuesday by a majority of votes on a decision presented by parliamentarians of Syrian origins for solidarity with the country in face of the conspiracy led by the USA to undermine Syria’s stances in support to the resistance and the Arab and libration international movements.

Speaker of the Venezuelan Parliament, Diosdado Cabello, underlined his country’s support to the Syrian people and leadership, pointing out that Syria is encountering an imperialistic conspiracy.

For his part, MP Jull Jabbour, Head of the Syrian-Venezuelan Parliamentary Friendship Committee, who submitted the draft project for supporting the Syrian people and leadership at the Venezuelan parliament, said that the statement presented is not only meant to support Syria but also to unmask the imperialistic schemes which seek to make Syria pay for its national and pan-Arab stances in support of resistance.

Vice Chairman of the Committee of Popular Authority and Media, Julio Chavez, said that what is going on in Syria is similar to what Venezuela suffered from in 2002, when the conspirators used to spread lies about virtual crimes, pointing out that the Syrians’ strong stance will foil the conspiracy.

“Interestingly, some countries which support the conspiracy against Syria do not have parliaments such as Qatar!” The MP said.

The decision, which was unanimously approved by all MPs of the Venezuelan Socialist Party, includes five introductory paragraphs and six acting articles. It stresses support to the Syrian people and leadership in the face of the U.S. imperialistic conspiracy with the aim of destabilizing the situation in the country through arming the terrorist radical groups in an attempt to drag the country into a civil war.

It also hails the reforms launched by the Syrian government including the referendum for a new constitution and urges the international community to reject interference in Syria’s domestic affairs.

China: Beijing is Neutral, Has No Private Interests in the Syrian Issue

BEIJING, (SANA) – China has no private interests in the Syrian issue, and Beijing will stick to neutrality towards all the sides, including the Syrian government, in order for it to issue its own verdict correctly according to the right and wrong principle, Head of the Chinese State Council, Wen Jiabao, said on Wednesday.

Chinese News Agency Xinhua quoted Premier Jiabao as saying in a press conference at the end of the annual parliamentary session that the Arab peoples’ demands for democracy will be respected and honestly met, calling on all the parties in Syria to halt the violence and the killing of citizens.

Premier Jiabao added that China feels great sympathy with the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people, highlighting that Beijing has contributed in the relevant international humanitarian aid to Syria and will continue to do so.

He stressed that China respects the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for change and supports the mediation efforts of the joint UN-Arab League special envoy on the Syrian issue.

The Chinese official highlighted that his country has intensively worked with the sides concerned to launch political dialogue in Syria as soon as possible.

Al-Akhbar Newspaper: 33 Armed Groups Spread in Syria

BEIRUT, (SANA) – The Lebanese al-Akhbar newspaper said that thirty three armed groups spread throughout the Syrian governorates of Aleppo, Idleb, Hama, Homs and Daraa, according to the 3rd Security Report issued by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in the US.

The military analyst Joseph Holliday, who served as an Intelligence officer in the U.S. Army from June 2006 to September 2011, said that these armed groups have a clear structure, yet they lack organization.

In the report, Holliday added that three of Syria’s most effective militias maintain direct ties to the “Free Syrian Army” which center in Homs; the northern of Jebel al-Zawiya mountain in Idleb and the southern Hawran plain in Daraa while other groups have no relations to the so-called “Free Syrian Army”.

He stressed that the majority of armed men are civilians carrying weapons who have to rely on external lines of supply to replenish their arms and ammunition.

“The emergence of al-Qaeda-linked terrorist cells working against the regime poses risks to the United States and a challenge to those calling for material support of the armed opposition,” the report said.

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

Syrian News on March 16th, 2012

Millions of Syrians Stress Support to Reform Program, Adherence to Syrian Leadership

PROVINCES, (SANA) – In a national scene conveying a message to the whole world of the Syrian people’s commitment to national unity away from foreign interferences and dictates, millions of Syrians on Thursday streamed into the homeland’s streets and squares throughout the provinces in a global march for Syria.

Waving Syrian flags and banners with national slogans on them, the jubilant participants voiced rejection of foreign interference in the Syrian people’s internal affairs and support to the comprehensive reform program led by President Bashar al-Assad to build the renewed Syria.

The reverberating echoes of pro-Syria and pro-leadership chants were heard all through the Umayyad square in Damascus, and Saba Bahrat Square in Deir Ezzor, Saadallah al-Jaberi Square in Aleppo, al-Mohafazeh Square in Lattakia and al-Raqqa, along the cornice in Tartous, the President Square in Hasaka, al-Baladieh in Misyaf, the main street of Salhab, the Post roundabout in Daraa and the neighborhoods of al-Zahra, al-Nuzha, al-Hadara and al-Sheirat in Homs.

The marchers’ slogans expressed denunciation of the antagonistic campaign and the conspiracy hatched against their homeland and led by some Arab parties, stressing adherence to their leadership and vowing to remain steadfast in defending Syria’s security and stability.

In Damascus, the citizens who filled the Umayyad Square stressed that the Syrian people won’t bow down to pressure and are bent on foiling conspiracies weaved in black rooms against Syria.

Afif Dalleh, a political analyst, said that this monumental day proves that all Syrians support the reform program under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad and that their unwavering national choices are ever focused on national unity.

”This is a declaration of victory by all accounts,” Dalleh added.

Participants voiced trust that Syria will emerge even stronger form the crisis, pledging to protect Syria from traitors and plotters who attempt to undermine its power in service of foreign and Israeli agendas.

”These crowds want to get a vocal message across to the whole world that the Syrian people will remain united as ever in combating terrorism,” said Monzer Mohammad, a participant.

They expressed deep thanks to Russia and China who stood by the Syrian people, indicating that one year after the onset of the crisis, the Syrians’ will remains unbreakable.

”The attempts of Western and Arab countries to alter Syria’s position will come to naught…because the Syrian people will spare no sacrifice to defend their country,” said one of the participants.

The tens of thousands of wavering Syrian flags reflected the Syrians’ awareness in confronting the pressures and foreign dictates that are aimed at undermining their homeland and its resistant and principled national and pan-Arab stances, and their choice of sticking to national unity and discarding all attempts at sowing sedition and the tendentious media misleading campaigns.

While condemning the criminal acts of the armed terrorist groups against the civilians, the security and army forces and the public and private properties, the cheering marchers applauded the Syrian Arab Arm’s sacrifices for the sake of preserving Syria’s stability, security and pride.

The Syrians expressed appreciation of Russia, China and other friendly countries for their stances in support of Syria against the conspiracy, denouncing the irresponsible resolutions of the Arab League, which they said has turned into a tool to implement foreign agendas aimed at fragmenting the region and controlling its resources.

In Aleppo, Saadallah al-Jabiri Square was filled to overflowing with mass crowds to voice support to national unity, independent national decision and reforms, as well as rejection of foreign interference.

Chanting national songs, they hailed the heroism and sacrifices of the Syrian Arab army for protecting the homeland, calling for punishing the armed terrorist groups and their funders.

They stressed that the pressure by the Arab League, EU and the US will not debilitate Syria, affirming that the Syrians reject dictates and foreign interference no matter where they come from.

Ahmad Ibrahim, a Palestinian, said that the Palestinians have become an inseparable part of the Syrian fabric, adding that it is obvious that Syria is coming under pressure due to its support to resistance, denouncing statements by Palestinian leaders which ”do not represent the Palestinian people.”

”This stupendous march proves beyond doubt that the Syrian people oppose foreign interference in their country,” said Haidar Talab, adding ”The comprehensive reform program and dialogue are the sole way out of the crisis.”

Abdul-Rahman al-Nayef, leader of al-Bousalem clan in Aleppo, said that the clans will be up to the challenge in repelling aggression against their country.

In Hasaka, Mr. President Square saw a mass gathering of thousands who began to stream into the square early in the morning to express rejection of foreign meddling and support to the independent national decision and the comprehensive reform program in Syria.

The participants raised national flags and lashed out at the attempts of foreign interference in their country, underling the importance of national unity among the Syrians.

”The horrendous crimes of the armed groups have laid bare their blood-thirsty tactics under the cover of demanding liberty…but the Syrian people were never taken in by these false pretexts,” said Jawhar El-Helo, leader of Adwan clan.

In Homs which has borne the brunt of terrorism, the people there expressed strong denunciation of the acts of terrorism and vandalism, echoing the stances of their fellow citizens across Syria in supporting reform for building a strong Syria.

In Deir Ezzor, people flocked to Saba’ Bahrat Square to send a clear message of commitment to national unity and support to reforms.

The participants pledged to preserve the Syrian soil and the national unity, condemning foreign interference and terrorism. Participants affirmed that Syria will emerge victorious with its head held high, blasting the lies and fabrications spread by some TV channels on the situation in Syria.

Lattakia was no exception. Raising national flags and banners, people gathered in the Governorate Square to support reforms and voice rejection to plots against their country.

Mufti of Lattakia Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal said that Syria is a model for national unity, adding that this nation is the cradle of civilizations and religions where people have always fought adversities and difficulties.

Participants said that the Syrians are giving lessons in democracy and reforms as embodied in these huge gatherings across the country, extending thanks to all friendly countries who stood by Syria.

In Raqqa, the citizens from across the governorate gathered at the Governorate building Square, chanting national slogans and songs.

The participants voiced adherence to national unity and saluted the Syrian Arab army which is defending the homeland, indicating that the current stage entails cohesion and soaring above differences.

The people of Hama assembled in Masyaf and Salhab areas in support of reforms and in rejection of foreign interference in their internal affairs.

The participants stressed that the Syrian people will not allow foreign interference, calling for punishing traitors and mercenaries.

In Tartous, people gathered along the Sea Cornishe, affirming that the Syrian people will remain unbowed and opposed to foreign interference.

The participants said that this global event is a genuine expression of unity against conspiracies, affirming that the Syrians could withstand the crisis thanks to their willpower and determination.

In Daraa, the crowds who gathered at the Post Roundabout Square in the city voiced support to reforms and national unity.

The participants, who chanted national songs and slogans, sought to send a clear message that the Syrians can solve their own problems, hoping that Syria will overcome the crisis.

They also said that the conspiracy is breathing its last, decrying the acts of killing, vandalism and terrorism which are intended to weaken Syria and undermine its stances in support to resistance.

Terrorists killed, others arrested in Homs and Idleb Countryside

Homs, Idleb, (SANA)-The competent authorities on Thursday seized a car loaded with a big quantity of different weapons, some of them of an Israeli-made, on Homs international highway.

SANA reporter in Homs quoted a source as saying that the weapons included four RPGs, five Israeli-made mortars, three anti-tank missiles, snipers and rifles.

The authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group between the villages of Kfar Nobl and Hazazin in Jabal al-Zaweih, Idleb, killing a number of terrorists and arresting several others.

A source in Idleb told SANA reporter that the authorities arrested terrorists Abdul-Majid al-Numan, Mo’taz Ghazi al-Jadou, Ahmad al-Nanaa and Alaa Mohammad Saloum.

Weapons of the terrorists were confiscated that included Russian rifles, RPGs, communication wireless sets and military uniforms.

At Maarat al-Numan, the authorities clashed with another terrorist group that was attacking civilians, killing 3 of the armed men and wounding others.

Security members also restored 14 private and public cars that were stolen by the armed groups.

Foreign Ministry Welcomes visit of Annan’s Technical Team

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Foreign and Expatriates Ministry on Thursday welcomed the visit of the technical team, formed by the UN Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, to discuss some issues related to his mission in Syria.

The Ministry added the step comes in the framework of the efforts exerted by Syria to make Annan’s mission a success.

Lavrov: Russia Will Continue Support to UN Special Envoy to Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA)– “Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stresses the Russian side’s intention to continue support to the UN special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

In the statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry added that Lavrov reiterated support to the UN envoy’s mission.

The statement said that Annan informed Lavrov about efforts exerted by all sides to write acceptable forms to reach a political settlement in Syria.

For his part, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that Annan presented important proposals and he is carrying out effective communications with all Syrian sides, expressing Russia’s support to his efforts.

Three Army and Law Enforcement Martyrs Escorted to Final Resting Place

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The bodies of 3 army and law enforcement members on Thursday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus 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 Idleb, Damascus Countryside and Homs.

The martyrs are:

• Corporal Mohammad Mute’ Abdulsalam from Aleppo.
• Conscript Mohammad Adulrahman Nasser from Aleppo.
• Conscript Adel Mahmoud Sultan from Aleppo.

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

They hailed the role of the Syrian army in maintaining the security and stability of the homeland, expressing confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to overcome the crisis through their unity and rallying around their leadership.

Nasrallah: the Only Solution to Crisis in Syria is Political

BEIRUT, (SANA)-Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said that after one year, the solution to the crisis in Syria is political through throwing weapon and engaging in a clear political solution, adding “those who want to destroy Syria or overthrow the regime have no ability to do so.”

“The latest developments have proved that wager on the fall of the regime, the army defection, sectarian war, foreign military intervention or economic sanctions, didn’t give any outcome… the citizens took to streets today, we saw them in Damascus, ,Aleppo and other Syrian cities to support reforms,” Nasrallah said in a speech during a celebration of graduating al-Nour sessions for learning, broadcast by al-Manar TV on Thursday.

“There are citizens in Syria who want reform, dismiss division or the civil war… since the beginning of the crisis, we have hoped Syria would be able to overcome crisis in the interest of its people… when we talked about fears of division, we weren’t talking about illusions or psychological war, but a reality on the ground.. and Sudan is an evidence,” Hezbollah Chief said.

He reiterated that the solution in Syria is political, and its mechanism is a Syrian issue, wondering about some sides’ dealing in Lebanon with the Syrian file, saying “we, as Lebanese people and a country, have an interest to see stability and calm, security and a political solution in Syria.”

Sheikh Nasrallah condemned the massacres perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups in Homs saying that any one couldn’t accept targeting the civilians.

Syrian Communities in Spain and Belarus Organize Stand in Solidarity with Syria

MADRID / MINSK, (SANA) – Members of the Syrian community and Spanish citizens, who support the anti-imperialist platform, organized a stand in solidarity with Syria in front of the Syrian Embassy in Madrid.

The event came within the framework of the Global March for Syria activities.

The participants stressed support to Syria and the reforms carried out under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad to achieve progress and development.

They reiterated the Syrian people’s commitment to their national unity in the face of all attempts that aim at undermining Syria’s security and stability, hailing the role of the Syrian army in defending the homeland and the citizens.

In the same context, the Syrian community and the Arab residents in Belarus organized a stand in solidarity with Syria, within the framework of, to stress rejection of any foreign interference in Syria’s affairs.

The participants voiced support to the reform steps undertaken in Syria, expressing gratitude to the friendly countries, especially Russia and China, for their stances towards Syria and rejection of foreign interference attempts in its affairs.

Madlasi: Algeria’s Stance on Syrian Crisis Based on Non-interference in Other Countries’ Affairs

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Algerian Foreign Minister, Murad Madlasi, said his country’s stance on the Syrian crisis is based on the principle of non-interference in other countries’ affairs and respect of the principles and the international law in this regard.

“Algeria works for respecting the principles and the international law and reserves on any foreign interference in any country,” said Madlasi in an interview with Russia Today TV channel, highlighting Algeria’s and Russia’s identical stances towards the Syrian crisis.

The Algerian Foreign Minister referred to the five points that came out of the Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, held recently in Cairo, saying this common denominator is the beginning for opening a serious dialogue between the Arab countries and all peace-loving countries and for a political solution to the Syrian crisis and not the military solution.

Madlasi said the Syrian issue is an issue of being acquainted with the situation and making a good analysis of it, adding that the Russian analysis is based on facts and the reality, which confirms that the problem of violence in Syria is a multilateral one and the government is not its main cause.

“The Arab people might be taking from the satellite channels the images which feed desperation, anger and condemnation , but the reality is be revealed on the ground, which is not necessarily the one being shown on some TV screens,” he added.

In the same context, Madlasi underlined that the resolution to the crisis in Syria will be through the Syrians themselves.

Algerian News Agency quoted Madlasi as saying at a press conference with his Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi on Thursday that he hopes a solution to the situation in Syria will be reached through dialogue, regretting the fall of victims in the country.

Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Russia: Russian Leadership Adopts Firm Stances Regarding Situation in Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Russia Valerie Gainchiev underlined that the Russian leadership adopts firm principled stances with regard to the situation in Syria.

On the sidelines of a painting exhibition, Gainchiev told SANA correspondent in Moscow on Thursday that the Russian public opinion expresses support and solidarity with the friendly people of Syria who are characterized by cultural and religious diversity.

He expressed firm confidence that the Syrian people will win and overcome the temporary crisis and they will confront all foreign attempts to attack.

The writer pointed out that the exhibition embodies a strong friendship between the two peoples, as he expressed pain over the images he saw in media about the crimes committed by the armed terrorist groups throughout a year.

The exhibition was organized by the Syrian Embassy in Moscow, Russian Writers’ Union and the Russian Committee for Solidarity with Syria at the Writers’ Union headquarters.

Martyrs of Terrorist Blasts Escorted to Final Resting Place

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – In a solemn official and popular procession, the martyrs of the two terrorist blasts which occurred in Damascus on Saturday were escorted from al-Othman Mosque to their final resting place, while the music of “the Martyr” and the “Farewell” was playing.

After performing prayers, the martyrs, who were wrapped in the national flag, were carried on shoulders, with the citizens chanting slogans that condemn the criminal terrorist acts committed by the armed terrorist groups.

The participants stressed the Syrian people’s adherence to their national unity and their determination to foil the conspiracy hatched against Syria.

Requiem Mass for Repose of Souls of Damascus Terrorist Bombings Martyrs

Huge crowds of Syrian citizens on Sunday participated in the march and the Requiem Mass held for the repose of souls of the martyrs who fell in yesterday’s two terrorist blasts in the customs square and al-Qasaa region in Damascus, praying for God to heal the injured and preserve Syria’s security and stability.

The event was organized by the Orthodox Patriarchate in Damascus at the site of the terrorist attack in al-Qasaa quarter.

The crowds condemned these terrorist acts which are aimed at destabilizing Syria’s security, spreading chaos and stoking the flames of sedition among the Syrian people.

The Patriarchal Assistant Bishop Ishak Barakat told SANA reporter that those who commit such terrorist acts do not belong to any religion and have nothing to do with humanity, calling upon the countries which are supplying the terrorists with money and arms to stop trading with the Syrian blood in service of US and Israel’s interests in eliminating resistance in the region.

“Each blood drop shed in these terrorist acts is the responsibility of those who are sending arms to Syria,” said Sawsan Subh, a participant in the Mass, adding that each and every Syrian mother will give birth to heroes who are able to defend and protect their homeland.

Citizen Elias al-Eneini called upon all the Syrians to be united and preserve their unity as it is the only guarantee to overcome the crisis, live in peace and achieve better future.

“These terrorist acts reveal the failure of the conspiring powers and their supporters to weaken the Syrians’ determination to go ahead with the reform process led by President Bashar al-Assad,” said Georgette Ayyoub, participant in the Mass.

“The more Syria heads forward with its reform program, the more atrocious and repulsive the terrorists’ crimes against the Syrian people become,” said Engille Farah.

The marchers added that the Syrians’ participation in the global march for Syria across the Syrian governorates stresses their commitment to national unity and their standing side by side in the face of those who want to undermine Syria.

They stressed that the Syrian people will not give up their determination to move forward with reforms and combat terrorism, adding that the sacrifices of the Syrian army will safeguard Syria.

Two Terrorist Bombings Hit Damascus, Cause Martyrdom and Injury among Civilians and Law Enforcement Personnel

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_ Two terrorist attacks targeted Damascus Saturday morning claiming the lives of 24 people, along with the remains of three other martyrs, while 140 others were injured, including civilian citizens and law enforcement personnel.

The two terrorist attacks, carried out by two booby-trapped cars, targeted two crowded places in the capital: the Customs Square, and the zone linking Baghdad Street to al-Qasaa’ Quarter.

A statement of the Interior Ministry said that Damascus was hit on Saturday with two booby-trapped car terrorist attacks carried out by two suicide bombers, which caused the martyrdom of 24 people, while the remains of three other martyrs were found and 140 others were injured, including civilian citizens and law enforcement personnel.

The statement explained that the first explosion took place at 07: 20 am at al-Jamarek (customs) roundabout, and a few minutes later the second explosion occurred in al-Tahrir square that links Baghdad Street with al-Qassaa region.

“The two terrorist explosions caused great damage to the adjacent residential buildings and the cars parked nearby,” the statement added, indicating to grave material damages and losses.

The Interior Ministry said that the competent authorities at the Ministry collected evidence, samples, remains and remnants of explosive materials, which were sent to specialized labs to get to identifying the crime’s perpetrators and the type of material used in the bombings.

The Ministry’s statement said these two terrorist bombings are part and parcel of targeting the Syrian people in its security and stability and come in light of the recently witnessed escalation by regional and international parties, which was lately manifested in public calls for sending arms to Syria.

“On the other hand,” the statement added, “the Interior Ministry will not be tolerant while dealing firmly with all those who attempt to strike Syria’s security, stability and unity and terrorize its citizens.”

The Ministry called in its statement on the international community and the international organizations to shoulder their responsibilities and stand by the Syrian people and to work for stopping the attempts at disrupting Syria’s stability and security.

The Ministry also called upon the citizens to continue to cooperate with the authorities to inform any suspicious case or any information about the terrorists’ activities and movement so as to contribute to ending terrorism and preserving the Syrian citizens’ lives.

Damascus was targeted on 23/12/ 2011 by two terrorist explosions carried out by two suicide bombers driving two booby-trapped cars.The explosions targeted a state security headquarters and a security branch, claiming the lives of 44 martyrs and the injury of 166 of security personnel and civilians in addition to huge material damages in the surrounding buildings.

On January 6th, 2012, the terrorist explosion which was carried out by a suicide bomber at a crowded area near Hasan al-Hakim School at al-Midan Neighborhood in Damascus, claimed the lives of 26 and the injured 63 others of the civilians and the law-enforcement personnel.

Aleppo was also targeted on February10th by two terrorist explosions against a military security branch and the headquarters of the law-enforcement forces at al-Arqoub area.The explosions claimed the lives of 28 martyrs and the injury of 235 of the law-enforcement members and civilians.

Two Martyred, 30 Injured in Terrorist Bombing in Residential Area in Aleppo

ALEPPO, (SANA)_ A law enforcement member and a woman were martyred, 30 civilians and law-enforcement members were injured on Sunday when an armed terrorist group detonated a booby-trapped car while the authorities were dragging it out of a residential area in al-Suleimaniyeh neighborhood in Aleppo province.

The explosion took place near the Latin Church and two preliminary and preparatory schools in the abovementioned neighborhood.

A source in the province told SANA correspondent that the explosion resulted in the martyrdom of a law-enforcement member and a woman, while 30 civilians and law-enforcement members were injured, two of them are in a critical condition.

The source said the explosion caused the destruction of a residential building’s facade and huge material damage to the adjacent buildings.

Aleppo Governor Muwaffak Khallouf said the booby-trapped car was a black Geely with a fake license plate, and that it was parked in the middle of the neighborhood and was detonated when the authorities were attempting to remove it from the area.

Father George Abu Khazem, a local, said that the explosion happened after more than 50 children left al-Ram School of the Holy Land Convent, saying that divine intervention saved the children from being massacred.

Harut Donoyan, owner of one of the damaged houses, said that this bombing aims at destabilizing Syria’s social structure, and that those behind it will fail to achieve their goals because the Syrians are aware of the conspiracy.

In turn, Sona Tarrab, whose house was also damaged in the explosion, said that such barbaric crimes target the psychological and social stability to which Syrians have been accustomed for decades.

Ibrahim Hamidi, one of those injured in the explosion, said that such attacks will only make Syrians and more determined to defend their country’s security and stability.

Bernadette Naisi, who was also injured and whose home was damaged, said that those who carry out such crimes are merciless and part of the campaign led by some Arab regimes that are calling for arming those who commit crimes against Syria.

For his part, Mansour Mansour, one of the injured, said that this cowardly act reflects the frustration of terrorists and those who support them.

Director of al-Razi Hospital Dr. Samir Bebi said that the conditions of the wounded are currently stable, and that most of them suffer from broken bones, contusions and various wounds, affirming that cases are being evaluated according to severity and treated accordingly.

13 Civilians Martyred by Terrorists’ Gunfire in Homs, Terrorists Detonate Railway Bridge in Daraa

PROVINCES, (SANA) – An armed terrorist group on Sunday shot 13 civilians dead in the village of Hasiba near al-Qseir in Homs countryside.

SANA reporter said that the 13 civilian bodies include women and children.

Terrorists Detonate Railway Bridge in Daraa

An armed terrorist group on Sunday detonated with explosive devices a railway bridge on Damascus-Daraa highway near Kherbet Ghazaleh village.

A source in Daraa province told SANA correspondent that 30 m in length and 32 m in width were destroyed in the explosion, with the damage covering 900 m2 of the bridge’s total area.

According to explosives experts, the amount of explosives detonated was estimated at 700 to 1000 kg.

Director of Road Transportation Department in Daraa, Mahmoud al-Balkhei, said the targeting of the bridge constitutes a heavy burden on the state and citizens, pointing out that the total cost of the damage was estimated at SYP 30 million, in addition to the time period required to rebuild the bridge.

For his part, Director of Technical Services in Daraa, Kamal Brumo, said that the Directorate is constructing a detour to facilitate the movement of citizens in the damaged area.

Competent Authorities Find Big Amounts of Ammunition and Explosives in North Idleb

Meanwhile, competent authorities found big amounts of ammunition and explosives in northern villages of Idleb at borders with Turkey.

SANA correspondent was informed by an official source in Idleb Governorate that the while competent authorities were chasing terrorist members in the villages of Kherbet al-Jowz and Ain al-Baida lying at the Syrian-Turkish borders, they found the weapons which were used by the gunmen in their terrorist attacks against citizens and law enforcement members.

Terrorist Killed by Another Terrorist Gang during Armed Clash in Hama

A terrorist was killed at the hands of a terrorist gang during an armed conflict which took place between them on Saturday on the way of al-Sayyad –Khan Sheikhoun in Hama Province on the basis of a disagreement.

The terrorist Yousef Ahmad Salloum from al-Latamina village was shot dead by terrorists Hussein Abdullah and his son Saddam.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Deir Ezzor

Authorities clashed with terrorists in Deir Ezzor Province, killing several terrorists and confiscating large amounts of weapons.

Two officers and three personnel were martyred in the process.

SANA correspondent added that the authorities confiscated large amounts of arms, comprising 23 AK-47 rifles, a sniper rifle, 2 PKC machineguns, an RPG launcher and 11 rounds, Israeli anti-armor charges and mines in addition to Molotov cocktails, military uniforms, magazines and ammunition.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Idleb

Authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group which tried to blockade the highway between Areeha and Jisr al-Shughour in Idleb Province.

SANA correspondent said that many terrorists were killed and others were injured.

The authorities also raided a terrorist den in Jisr al-Shughour, killing several terrorists and arresting two most wanted criminals.

Weapons and ammunition were confiscated in addition to 25 explosive charges and detonators.

A camera-equipped balloon was spotted above border towns in Jisr al-Shughour, and the authorities shot it down and confiscated it.

Russia Supports Sending UN Mission in Syria, Describes it as a step in the Right Direction

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russia announced on Sunday that it supports sending a UN technical mission to Syria to discuss means of getting out of the crisis.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Gennady Gatilov, said on his blog that the UN technical mission will visit Syria to start consultations on settling the crisis, emphasizing that the mission is an important step in the right direction.

Five Army Martyrs Escorted to Resting Place

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The bodies of five army members, who were martyred at the hands of the armed terrorist groups in Idleb and Homs, were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital to their final resting place amid official funeral ceremonies.

The martyrs are:

­           Conscript Fayez Faysal al-Omar from Hasaka.

­           Conscript Nour-Eddin Mohammad Ali Mous from Hasaka.

­           Conscript Ghazal Omar al-Taha from Idleb.

­           Conscript Mohammad Turkmani from Damascus Countryside.

­           Conscript Mohammad Hassan Ersali from Damascus Countryside.

The families of martyrs lashed out at the terrorist acts of the armed groups backed by Western powers and some Arab regimes, calling for bringing the perpetrators to account.

Lebanese Foreign Ministers: Terrorist Bombings in Damascus and Aleppo Will Not Undermine Syrians’ Determination

BEIRUT, (SANA) – Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said on Sunday that the bombings that took place in Damascus and Aleppo are distinctly terrorist acts, but they will not undermine the Syria’s determination to achieve security and stability.

In a statement to al-Manar TV before heading to Moscow for a three-day visit, Mansour said that Lebanon has seen such bombings before, and that he doesn’t believe that they will achieve the goals of those who planned it who seek to undermine Syria’s security, unity and stability.

He reiterated Lebanon’s support to Syria’s leadership and people, stressing that these bombings will not dissuade the Syrian leadership from continuing reforms.

Mansour also lauded the Russian stance which calls for resolving the crisis in Syria peacefully and rejects foreign interference in Syria’s affairs, reiterating Lebanon’s rejection of any military of foreign intervention in Syria and its rejection of supporting armed groups.

He said that Lebanon believes that the choice should be left to Syria, and that it must be supported to resolve the crisis rather than oppose it and make the situation more complex.

Mansour also announced that Lebanon will not be participating in the so-called “friends of Syria” conference which will be held in Istanbul next month.

President al-Assad Offers Condolences Marshal al-Tantawi over Death of Pope Shenouda

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad sent on Sunday a cable of condolences to Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces of Egypt,  Field Marshal Mohammad Hussein Tantawi, over the death of Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Episcopate.

In the cable, President al-Assad expressed on behalf of the Syrian people and on his own behalf heartfelt condolences to Field Marshal Tantawi and the Egyptian people over the death of Pope Shenouda.

President al-Assad considered Pope Shenouda as an example of religious men who were distinguished for their openness and wisdom.

Pope Shenouda,89, died yesterday, and he was known for his firm stances on the Palestinian Cause which rejected normalization with the Zionist entity and judization of Jerusalem.

Lavrov: Russia Supports any Agreement in Framework of Comprehensive Political Dialogue between Government and Opposition

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Syrians should decide the fate of their country by themselves.

” Russia supports any agreement will be reached in the framework of a comprehensive political dialogue between the Syrian government and all spectrums of opposition,” Lavrov said in statements published by Russia Today website on Saturday.

The Minister expressed Moscow’s full support to the mission of UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.

“I confirm again that we strongly support the mission of the UN envoy to Syria as we believe that the Syrian government should support the means proposed by Annan to tackle the crisis quickly. We look forward that the political and armed opposition in Syria will adopt the same stance,” Lavrov said.

He went on to say that Russia supports the necessity of starting the political settlement which necessitates stopping violence immediately, asserting his country’s continued efforts in this regard

UN Chief Condemns Terrorist Explosions Hit Damascus

NEW YORK/ UN, (SANA)- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Damascus two terrorist explosions and called for an immediate end to all violence.

The Secretary-General, in a statement, vehemently condemned the bomb attacks which killed and injured scores of people.

The statement added that Ki-Moon extends his sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and the Syrian people.

At least 24 people were killed and around 140 others injured, including civilians and law-enforcement personnel, when two suicide bombings rocked Damascus on Saturday morning. The two terrorist explosions targeted Dawar al-Jamarek area and al-Tahrir Square in al-Qasaa district.

The explosions caused huge damages in the buildings and the cars barked at the sites of the explosions and huge materials losses.

Strong International Condemnations of Damascus Terrorist Bombings

CAPITALS, (SANA)- Russia firmly condemned the terrorists’ new acts in Damascus, stressing its full confidence in the failure of these acts’ plotters and perpetrators.

A statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday said that Syrian government bodies’ headquarters have once again become targets for the terrorists whose crimes claim the lives of civilian citizens and representatives of army forces and law-enforcement apparatus.

“We firmly condemn the terrorists’ new crimes,” the statement added, expressing Moscow’s deepest condolences to the victims’ families and relatives and sympathy with the injured and the affected.

“We are confident that the intentions of those who perpetrated today’s crimes are doomed to failure,” the statement stressed.

The Russian Foreign Ministry continued that “what arouses caution is that the terrorists’ bloody acts that are being carried out in al-Qaeda style coincide with the increased effectiveness of the international efforts aimed at overcoming the Syrian internal crisis, namely the mission of UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, which has Russia’s support, especially that Annan has just announced ending experts to Damascus to discuss the suggestions aimed to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis.”

The statement stressed that it is not allowed for the terrorists to block out the prospects of a peaceful settlement being the only way out of the crisis in Syria.

France Strongly Condemns Damascus Attacks

France expressed its strong condemnation of the two bloody attacks which took place in Damascus on Saturday.

“I strongly condemn the two attacks which happened in Damascus on Saturday,” French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, was quoted by the AFP as saying in a statement, adding that France condemns all unjustifiable terrorist acts.

He expressed his country’s deepest condolences to the victims’ families and relatives and sympathy with the injured.

Iran: The Two Terrorist Bombings Are Revenge against the Syrian People

The Iranian Islamic Republic strongly condemned the two terrorist bombings which hit Damascus, stressing that such practices lead to disrupting the region’s security and stability.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, expressed his country’s rejection of these terrorist practices, saying Iran considered that the two new terrorist explosions in Damascus came in the framework of taking revenge against the Syrian people because of the strength they showed and their support to their leadership and because of the stability Syria enjoys.

Mehmanparast voiced Iran’s sympathy with Syria, government and people, placing the responsibility for these acts on those who listed on their agenda providing arms to and instigating the armed groups. “The intentions behind these practices aim to strike the process of crystallizing the reforms, a dialogue that is charged with sovereign national understanding and the return of stability and security to Syria,” the Iranian official said.

Egypt Condemns Damascus Terrorist Blasts

Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr condemned the terrorists bombings which rocked Damascus on Saturday morning.

According to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) Amr offered condolences to the Syrian people and families of the victims, recalling Egypt’s firm position which rejects all types of terrorism whatever its motives.

Local, Arab and International Condemnations of Terrorist Bombings Continue

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU) on Sunday strongly condemned the two terrorist attacks which hit Damascus yesterday morning, stressing that they are part of targeting the Syrian people and their security, stability and national unity.

In a statement of which SANA got a copy, the Union added that the two terrorist attacks would not have happened without the foreign, Western, Arab and Gulf support.

The statement stressed that “targeting civilians, the Syrian state institutions and the stable neighborhoods is a serious terrorist escalation.”

The ICATU said that one of the two terrorist attacks took place near the ICATU headquarters in al-Qasaa and greatly damaged its building, calling upon all international organizations and unions to condemn these terrorist attacks.

The statement indicated that this serious escalation goes in line with Syria’s determination to move forwards with reforms, adding that this escalation cannot be confronted without the Syrian unity and the keenness on dialogue as the only way out of the crisis in Syria without foreign interference.

National Union of Syrian Students, General Union of Arab Students, al-Ahd National Party Condemn Damascus Terrorist Blasts

National Union of Syrian Students and the General Union of Arab Students strongly condemned Damascus terrorist blasts, in which 27 people including civilians and law enforcement members were martyred and dozens injured.

Both unions underlined that the terrorist attacks will make the Syrians more determined and adherent to their principled stances.

Al-Ahd National Party condemned the blasts, stressing that the black terrorism is a manifestation of a destructive scheme that serves the interests of colonial powers and their allies.

The party said in a statement that the bombings have represented the real image of the terrorists’ culture and co-supporters which spread death and devastation, underlining the party’s adherence to and belief in the national unity.

Secretary-General of Egyptian Libration Party Condemns Damascus Blasts

Secretary-General of Egyptian Libration Party, Mahomud Jaber condemned Damascus blasts, underlining that they are part of the conspiracy launched by the Gulf countries and the USA against Syria.

Jeber expressed the party’s solidarity with the Syrian people and leadership, pointing out that the conspirators are resorting to terrorism, which is similar to what is happening in Iraq and reflects their hopeless attempts to pass their dubious schemes to the Arab nation.

Regional Leadership of al-Baath Party in Yemen: The Blasts Are Part of U.S.-Zionist Agenda

The Regional Leadership of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party in Yemen issued a statement denouncing the two terrorist blasts which took place in Damascus on Saturday, saying they are part of implementing a U.S.-Zionist agenda against Syria.

The statement added that these acts came to take revenge against the millions of Syrians who went out into the streets to support the reform program led by President Bashar al-Assad, stressing the failure of these Zionist powers.

General Union of Arab Farmers, Arab Youth Union and Union of Palestinian Communities and Institutions in Diaspora/Europe Express Condemnation of Damascus Terrorist Blasts

In separate statements, the General Union of Arab Farmers, the Arab Youth Union and Union of the Palestinian Communities and Institutions in Diaspora/Europe condemned Damascus terrorist explosions, which they said will not weaken the Syrians steadfastness, national unity or principled national and pan-Arab stances.

The organizations considered that the two terrorist blasts comes in the framework of the organized terrorism supported by the US, Israel and the reactionary Arab countries, particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

They called for stopping all forms of support to the opposition abroad, adding that the armed terrorist groups’ acts, which are backed by the Zionist powers and some Arab regimes aim at destabilizing Syria and undermining the resistant forces in the region.

Syrian Human Rights Network Condemns Terrorist Blasts in Damascus

Syrian Human Rights Network condemned the two terrorist blasts targeted Damascus Saturday morning, considering them as a form of the foreign-backed opposition’s failure and international conspiracy which ultimately supports terrorism and violates all human rights principles, the international law and relevant international pacts.

In a statement, the Network called on human rights organizations which adopt a one-sided view and have involved in politicization to stop their allegations and pretend to representing the social promoter of human rights principles after they tainted with the Syrian blood and terrorism in the country.

It affirmed that all those army members broadcast by channels as being defectors, have initially been kidnapped by the armed terrorist groups and they were reading the pre-written defection statements under threats, clarifying that it has documented several cases by name, date and number.

The Network appealed to the international community with its institutions and the Human Rights Council in Geneva, saying that what is taking place in Syria constitutes a violation of human rights principles and the international law , as it is a terrorism similar to the terrorist attack took place in the USA on September 11 2001, which was condemned by the international community.

Busalama and Anza Clans in Syria and Iraq Condemn Two Terrorist Explosions Hit Damascus

Al-Sada al-Ashraf Busalama and Anza clans in Syria and Iraq condemned the two terrorist explosions hit Damascus on Saturday, asserting that these crimes target the security and safety of the Syrian people.

In a statement on Saturday SANA received a copy of, the clans said “Those two criminal acts, which target Syria’s dignity, will increase the Syrian people commitment to the national principles and rallying around the comprehensive reform program led by the Syrian leadership.”

Bani Sakhr Clan Denounces the Terrorist Attacks

The Bani Sakhr Clan (al-Khirshan) in Syria and the Arab countries also condemned the two terrorist attacks committed in Damascus, stressing that Syria will remain immune to plots and conspirators.

In a statement, the clan pointed out that the enemies of Syria and the Islamic nation are trying to undermine Syria and its people.

People of the Occupied Syrian Golan Denounce Damascus Terrorist Attacks

During their participation in the Global March for Syria on Saturday, the people of the occupied Syrian Golan denounced the two terrorist attacks.

During the march, participants said that the explosions are part of the plots targeting Syria, affirming their commitment to Syria and national unity and their rejection of any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs.

They also said that Syria will be victorious under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad thanks to the strength and unity of its people and the valiance of its army.

The participants then headed to the memorial of the Greater Syrian Revolution Martyrs where they lit candles for the souls of Syria’s martyrs.

Syrian Observatory for Victims of Violence and Terrorism, Syrian Consultative Center for Studies and Human Rights Condemn Damascus Twin Blasts

The Syrian Observatory for Victims of Violence and Terrorism and the Syrian Consultative Center for Studies and Human Rights condemned in the strongest of terms the twin blasts which rocked Damascus Saturday.

The Syrian Observatory for Victims of Violence and Terrorism held the so-called ”The International Union of Muslim Scholars” responsible for the bloodshed and increasing tension which goes as far as giving orders for carrying out terrorist operations and giving the green light to Isranbul Council and its terrorist groups to kill innocent civilians.

The Observatory denounced the international silence over the terrorism hitting Syria which does not spare civilians, and the silence of the Human Rights Council and the humanitarian organizations, considering it as complicity in the bloodletting in Syria.

For its part, the Syrian Consultative Center for Studies and Human Rights said that it has become obvious that the what is happening in Syria is a new chapter of the conspiracy that adopts the choice of violence and killing.

The Center indicated that this heinous crime which goes against human ethics and values coincides with a suspicious closure of embassies 48 hours before the attacks.

Journalists Union, National Media Council Condemn Damascus Terrorists Bombings

Journalists Union in Syria condemned the two terrorist attacks targeted Damascus on Saturday morning claiming 24 lives and injuring 140 others, mostly civilians.

The Union said in a statement that the two blasts come in a time while inflammatory campaigns against Syria are increasing and some foreign sides announcing the implementation of sabotage acts through calling on citizens not to leave their homes to foment fear among them.

The statement stressed that the perpetrators of these bombings are linked immediately to the states which call for arming saboteurs and work to hinder the international efforts to find political solutions to the crisis in Syria.

The Union urged international community to take its full role in exposing the lies led by international governments and mass media which continue implementing their scheme targeting the Syrian society as a unique model at the world level.

The statement concluded by praying for God’s mercy on the martyrs’ souls and wished speedy recovery to the wounded, calling on the Syrian people to show more coherence in the face of this plot.

In a similar statement the National Media Council said that Arab and foreign media, which are still instigating and misleading people, contrary to the simplest rules of professional work and media charter of honor, are partners of those terrorists in their crimes against Syria.

The statement offered condolences to the families of the martyrs and wished quick recovery to the injured.

Arab Socialist Union Party of Syria: This Terrorism Aims at Hitting the Syrians’ Will

The Arab Socialist Union Party of Syria expressed denunciation of the terrorist attacks, saying that the terrorism hitting Damascus is aimed at hitting the Syrian people’s will to subjugate it and break its ability to confront the conspiracy.

Syrian Communist Party (Unified) Condemns The Terrorist Attacks in Damascus

The Syrian Communist Party (Unified) strongly condemned the two terrorist attacks committed in Damascus on Saturday.

In a statement, the party added that this criminal act aims at undermining the situation in Syria as a preface to spread chaos before calling for foreign intervention.

The party stressed that the terrorists won’t succeed in undermining the national unity in Syria with their crimes.

Syria’s Scholars Statement ‘Strongly’ Condemns Damascus Explosions

A statement issued by Syria’s Scholars ‘strongly’ condemned the two terrorist explosions which hit Damascus stressing that the provocative scholars shoulder the responsibility for the terrorist acts.

Heads of Syrian Clans Condemn the Terrorist Explosions

Sheikh Abdul-Aziz al-Barak of al-Jabour clan condemned the terrorist explosions which hit Damascus, stressing that these explosions and other terrorist acts will not weaken the will of the Syrian people.

Al-Boumajed clan,  Al-Marramera clan and al-Khazaelah clan also condemned the explosions stressing that the Syrian people will remain united and continue rallying around their leadership against all conspiracies.

Regional Leadership of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party Condemns  the two Terrorist Explosions, Stress Syrian People’s Will to Overcome Terrorism

The Regional Leadership of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party condemned the two terrorist explosions which hit the Syrian people and their secure institutions and houses.

In a statement, the Regional Leadership considered the explosions as indicative of terrorism backed from the outside through offering money and ammunition.

People’s Assembly Condemn Damascus Terrorist Explosions

The People’s Assembly condemned the terrorist explosions which hit Damascus early in the morning, stressing that such acts are aimed at undermining the security and stability of the Syrian people.

In a statement, the People’s Assembly stressed that such criminal acts will boost the steadfastness of the Syrian people against all forms of terrorism.

Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Arab Writers Union, General Sport Union and National Initiative of Syrian Kurds Condemn the Bombings

Condemnations of the terrorist explosions were also expressed in statements issued by Damascus Chamber of Commerce, the Arab Writers Union, the General Sport Union and the National Initiative of Syrian Kurds.

The statements firmly condiment the two explosions highlighted the continued war against Syria and its national and pan-Arab stances waged by the US, Zionism and the Arab reactionary forces, stressing that building homelands cannot be achieved by means of destruction and sabotage.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine: The Same Killers Committing Massacres from Gaza to Damascus

For its part, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the General Leadership, condemned the two terrorist bombings, saying it is the same hands of the killers that are committing massacres stretched from Gaza to Damascus, whose aim is to assassin the spirit and culture of the Resistance.

A statement by the Front said this crime shows the failure of the conspiracy against Syria, stressing that “the flames of hatred will backfire on the killers in Washington, Saudi Arabia and Qatar and all those following their plots against our nation.”

Syrian Community in Jordan Denounces Damascus Terrorist Attacks

The Syrian community in Jordan organized a protest rally outside the Syrian embassy in Amman to condemn the twin terrorist blasts in Damascus.

A joint statement by the Syrian community and the gathering of Jordan national powers denounced the terrorist attacks and their mastermind, stressing that Syria will not bow down.

Syrian Community in Lebanon Denounces the Terrorist Bombings in Damascus

Members of the Syrian community in Lebanon strongly condemned the two terrorist bombings that took place in Damascus, reiterating their support for reforms and rejection of foreign interference in Syria’s affairs.

Participants in a march to support Syria gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Beirut, saluting Russia and China for their support for Syria, rejecting all the attempts for supporting and arming the terrorist groups, and denouncing the channels of misdirection that fabricate lies and allegations and support terrorism.

Syrians in Austria, Slovakia Lebanon Denounce Damascus Terrorist Attacks

Members of the Syrian community in Austria and Vienna strongly denounced the two terrorism attacks that took place in Damascus, condemning this cowardly act that shows the frustration of the terrorism and their masters.

During a march in Vienna as part of the Global March for Syria, Syrians decried the terrorist attacks affirmed their support for their homeland and reforms and their pride in Syria’s national unity.

They also denounced the instigation campaigns and the support provided to terrorists by some Arab countries, thanking Russia, China and the friendly countries which stood by Syria in the face of the conspiracy.

Syrian Community in Algeria, Algerians and Tunisian Journalists Denounce Damascus Terrorist Attacks

Members of the Syrian community in Algeria and Algerians participated in the Global March for Syria, condemning the terrorist attacks which took place in Damascus.

Participants gathered in front of the Syrian Embassy in Algeria to affirm commitment to reforms, stressing that terrorism will not intimidate the Syrian people and dissuade them from supporting reforms.

They also rejected calls for arming terrorists, eliciting the support of foreign armies and exploiting human rights to interfere in Syria’s affairs.

In turn, Tunisian journalists Kheri al-Nouri and Eskandar Alwani and political analyst Najib al-Dreizi denounced the two attacks, affirming that they’re parts of the plots targeting Syria for its resistant stances, calling on Syrians to rally behind its leadership and Arab youths to support Syria.

Syrian Community in Italy Condemn Damascus Terrorist Attacks

Hundreds of Syrians in Italy participated in the Global March for Syria, marching in the streets of Rome and observing a moment of silence for the victims of the two terrorist bombing that took place in Damascus.

The participants, who were joined by Archbishop of Jerusalem in Exile Hilarion Capucci, representatives of peace organizations, and Italian journalists, expresses sorrow for the deaths  caused by terrorist mercenaries carrying out suspect foreign agendas.

They voiced rejection of foreign interference in Syria’s affairs, stressing that Syria will be victorious over the conspiracy.

Palestinian Liberation Army Staff  Condemns Two Damascus Explosions

The Palestinian Liberation Army’s General Staff condemned the two explosions which hit Damascus and stressed that the explosions are a criminal step that uncovers the conspiracy plotted by some Arab sides and western powers against Syria.

In Beirut, Maronite General Council Head, former Minister Wadih Khazen denounced terrorists bombings, affirming that the hands, which tamper with the security and stability of Syria, are seeking to push things towards the external military intervention in its affairs.

” What happened of explosions in the heart of Damascus, is a blatant defiance of the reforms approach launched by President Bashar al-Assad and a mixing of papers to lead the situation in Syria into a state which is similar to what happened in Libya, ” al-Khazen said.

He pointed out that these sabotage acts which target the civil peace in Syria represent a crazy state to create an out-of-control sedition.

In Moscow, a number of Russian and Syrian citizens, during a stand in front of the Russian Foreign Ministry in solidarity with Syria, strongly condemned Damascus terrorists bombings causing many deaths and injuries.

They stressed that Syria, due to the wisdom of its leadership and people’s awareness, will emerge from this crisis stronger.

A number of Palestinian factions, parties and bodies vehemently condemned Damascus terrorist bombings, expressing solidarity with Syria in the face of the plot to which it is exposed with the aim of deterring it from its resistant national stances.

The factions, in statements, said the blasts indicate the state of failure and despair reached by the armed opposition in Baba Amr, Idleb and in other areas, stressing that the Syrian people’s high interest lies in the emphasis on stopping violence, preventing outside interference, supporting comprehensive reform process and in adhering to the national unity and resisting the Zionist occupation.

The terrorists bombings also were condemned by several parties, unions, organizations and clans.

General Union of Farmers Condemns the Terrorist Attacks

The General Union of Farmers also denounced the two terrorist attacks, stressing that such crimes will not undermine Syria’s national and pan-Arab stances under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.

In a statement, the Union pointed out that this crime is a cover for Israel’s crimes in Jerusalem and Gaza Strip amid Arab silence and submission.

The Union added that the purpose of this crime is to exaggerate the events in Syria in order to pave the way for intervention under fake pretexts as ‘defending human rights’ and ‘insuring humanitarian passages’.

Arab Workers Union Denounces the Terrorist Attacks

Rajab Matouk, General-Secretary of the Arab Workers Union condemned the attacks, considering them as terrorist acts funded and supported by external sides.

In an interview with the Syrian TV, Matouk added that the attacks prove that the conspiracy against Syria is in its last stage.

He stressed that the millions of the Syrians who took to streets on Thursday prove that the Syrians are determined to confront all terrorist acts and achieve security and stability.

Syrian Community in Russia Condemns the Terrorist Attacks

The Syrian Community in Russia also denounced the terrorist attacks, holding external sides, especially Qatar and KSA, responsible for them.

In a statement released Sunday, the community stressed its support to Syria, highlighted that ” These crimes will not dissuade us from uniting in the face of plots or from continuing the reform program announced by President Bashar al-Assad.”

For its part, the National Union of Syrian Students in Russia condemned the terrorist attacks.

The union added that these crimes were perpetrated by terrorists supported and backed by the oil princes and countries.

Syrian Community in Brazil Condemns the Terrorist attacks

The Syrian Community in Brazil condemned the terrorist attacks, reiterating its support to all procedures taken by the Syrian leadership to restore stability and security to the country.

During a mass march in Brasilia Downtown, they expressed their adherence to the leadership of President al-Assad, expressing appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Syrian army.

The participants raised banners and placards in which they expressed their rejection of foreign interference attempts in Syria’s affairs.

Two Terrorists Killed in Booby-trapped Car Blast in Yarmouk Camp

DAMASCUS COUNTRYSIDE, (SANA)_Two terrorists were killed on Saturday when a booby-trapped car they were driving exploded in Thalatheen Street in Yarmouk Camp, shattering the glass of nearby buildings and causing damage to parked cars.

Presidential Decree on Extending Nomination Period for People’s Assembly Elections for a Week

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad on Monday issued decree No. 120 for 2012 stipulating for extending the nomination period for the People’s Assembly Elections for the first legislative round for 2012 for a week.

The period starts from  Thursday 22/3/ 2012 to Wednesday 28/3/ 2012.

Earlier, President al-Assad 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:

Martyrs of Aleppo Terrorist Blast Laid to Rest

Aleppo, (SANA)-Families of Aleppo on Monday escorted bodies of the martyrs of the terrorist blast which hit al-Suleimanya neighborhood in Aleppo on Sunday to their final resting place , with participation of popular, religious and social figures.

Families of martyrs Arxi Badrousian, Hassan al-Yassin and Basel al-Qishani denounced criminal acts that seek destabilization of Syria , bloodshed of its citizens, underlining commitment to the unity of Syria.

They reiterated that those who perpetrated the terrorist attacks  have no relation to humanity.

Twenty Army, Law Enforcement and Civilian Martyrs Escorted to Final Resting Place

The bodies of twenty army and law enforcement members and civilians on Monday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus and Sweida National 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 Damascus and its Countryside, Idleb, Deir-Ezzour and Homs.

The martyrs are:

­           Lieutenant Colonel Imad Ahmad Horani from Homs.

­           Major Alayham Ali Hamad from Tartous.

­           Chief Warrant Officer Ahmad tayseer Rankousi from Damascus Countryside.

­           Chief Warrant Somar Salloum from Lattakia. – Sergeant Hazem Adnan Issa from Hama.

­           Sergeant Ibrahim Adul-Rahman Daass from Quneitra.

­           Sergeant Bassel Hamad Azqoul from Sweida.

­           Sergeant Assem Fawzat Morshed from Sweida.

­           Sergeant Ayham Iyad Iscandar from Homs.

­           Private Ali Farhat Ali from Tartous.

­           Conscript Riyad Ahmad Aweida from Damascus Countryside.

­           Conscript Mohammad Maysour Qabbani from Idleb.

­           Conscript Ahmad Abdullatif Hijazi from Damascus Countryside.

­           Conscript Ajwad Riyad al-Neimat from Damascus Countryside.

­           Conscript Mahmoud Omar al-Turk from Damascus Countryside.

­           Conscript Zakaria Ajjan from Aleppo.

­           Conscript Mahmoud Adnan Alloush from Aleppo.

­           Policeman Ali Mohammad Ibrahim from Homs.

­           Bashar Shahrour Qassem from Lattakia, a civilian.

­           Marwan Ismael Radwan rfom Sweida, a civilian.

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

They hailed the role of the Syrian Arab Army in maintaining the security and stability of the homeland, expressing confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to overcome the crisis through their unity and rallying around their leadership.

Foreign Ministry: Foreign Support to Terrorism is Flagrant Violation of UN Security Council Resolutions on Combating International Terrorism

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Foreign and Expatriates Ministry sent on Monday a message concerning the criminal terrorist acts witnessed in Damascus and Aleppo during the last two days to the Chairman of the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Chairman of the Human Rights Council and the Higher Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Ministry said in its message that terrorism targeted the secure and safe houses and stable suburbs in Damascus Saturday morning March 17, 2012 leading to 27 martyrs, including corpses and 140 wounded people, the condition of some of them is critical.

The Ministry added that the bombing in Aleppo city came to complete the terrorist blood-shedding scheme carried out by terrorists and those who back them with money and weaponry.

It stressed that terrorism which is backed by regional and international sides has led to dozens of Syrian martyrs and wounded people, adding that this support by those sides which provide  the armed terrorist groups with money and weapons is considered a flagrant violation of the UN Security Council resolutions on combating international terrorism and a violation of the international law and the international humanitarian law.

The Ministry pointed out that the terrorist acts took place after millions of the Syrian people took to the streets on March 15,2012 to affirm their support to the reforms carried out in Syria since the beginning of the events a year ago, and they took place after the UN envoy, Kofi Annan, started diplomatic efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, far from foreign interference, and after Syria accepted the mission of Annan while the opposition rejected it.

It stressed that the suicide bombings are a violation of the Human Rights principles, pointing out that combating terrorism necessitates that all states should refrain from funding it.

Military Source denies reports about the arrival of Russian Warships in Syrian shores

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-A military source on Monday denied reports by some media about the arrival of Russian warships carrying military staffs to combat terrorism in the Syrian shores, describing those reports as categorically baseless and untrue.

“Those news come in the framework of the lie campaigns against Syria by some opposition sides and the countries that support them in order to cover the calls for the foreign intervention in the Syrian affairs,” the source told SANA in a statement.

Russian Defense Ministry denies news on Russian Presence of Warships near Syrian shores

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Defense Ministry on Monday denied reports by some media about the arrival of Russian warships in the Syrian shores.

The Russian news agencies quoted a source at the Ministry’s Media Department as saying that it was astonished at the reports circulated by some media about the presence of Russian warships near the Syrian coasts.

The source added that there is not any warships for the Russian navy near the Syrian shores.

Russia, China Stronlgy Condemn Terrorist Attacks in Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russia firmly condemns the terrorist attack in Aleppo yesterday which resulted in the martyrdom of three persons and the injury of 25 others, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The statement added that after the two terrorist attacks which carried out by two booby-trapped cars in Damascus, a similar terrorist attack hit Aleppo, the second city in Syria. The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that “Russia condemns this new crime and its plotters and perpetrators as their aim is clear in destabilizing the situation in Syria’s two largest cities and launching terrorist campaign against authorities and safe people in the country.

The statement warned that solving the crisis in Syria by force would have disastrous consequences on it and the whole region, indicating that this was proved by the events took place recently as the terrorists are ready to sacrifice the lives of innocents to achieve their goals in this regard.

The Russian Foreign Ministry add that “Confronting all terrorist aspects, we realize the necessity to guarantee an effective move towards a peaceful settlement with the contribution of the mission of the UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.

In the same context, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and head of the International Committee of the Red Cross Jakob Kellenberger discussed continuing joint efforts that could be exerted to solve the crisis in Syria.

China strongly condemns twin terrorist blasts that hit Damascus on Saturday

BEIJING, (SANA)- China today strongly condemned the twin terrorist blasts that hit Damascus on Saturday, rejecting all forms of terror and acts of killing.

Xinhua News Agency quoted Spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hong Li as saying at a press conference that China rejects any form of terror and acts of killing that target the civilians.

Hong underlined that the situation in Syria now necessitates  a solution through political channels as soon as possible, calling on the sides concerned to exert joint efforts to settle the crisis.

He said that his country always calls for respecting  the states’ sovereignty, independence  and territorial integrity, underlining that China respects the peoples’ right in selecting their political regime and the way of development.

Lavrov and Kellenberger calls for offering humanitarian aid to the needed in Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA)-The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President of the International Red Cross Committee Jakop Kellenberger were confident that the priority now in Syria is to offer humanitarian aid to all Syrians.

The Ministry added that the two sides called on the Syrian government and all armed groups to immediately accept a daily humanitarian cease fire to allow the International Committee and the Syrian Red Crescent Organization reach the wounded and all Syrians in need, evacuate and provide protection to the medical staff.

The Russian side stressed the necessity of guaranteeing the reach of the International Committee to the arrested people in Syria who shared in acts of protest.

Russia: Shift Towards more Realism in Western Countries’ Perception Regarding Syria

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that there is a shift in the perception of the western countries toward Syria’s situation.

In a statement, the ministry added that the shift leans towards more realism, but it is still not enough to solve the current crisis.

The statement highlighted that Russia will continue work to settle the crisis in Syria politically through an immediate cessation of violence, insuring the delivery of humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts.

Security Member Martyred, 3 Terrorists Killed while Storming Hideout of Terrorists in Mezzeh

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Authorities on Monday morning stormed a hideout of an armed terrorist group in one of the residential buildings in Mezzeh after evacuating the building.

SANA reporter was informed that the authorities clashed with the terrorists, killed two of them and arrested one, in addition to seizing three machineguns and grenades.

The clash resulted in the martyrdom of a member from the authorities.

Head of the Political Security Branch and Chairman of the Criminal Research Section in Rakka deny reports about their defection

Colonel Mohammad Ammar Sardini, Head of the Political Security Branch in Rakka and Lieutenant Colonel Musaab Abu Rikba, Chairman of the Criminal Research Section denied reports of some bloody channels about their defection, describing those reports as baseless and untrue.

The two officers told the Syrian TV in an interview broadcast Monday that they were astonished at broadcasting a fake announcement by some misleading TV about their defection along with other members, saying that those news are ridiculous are foolish.

Terrorists Shukairi and al-Azizi Confess to Committing Several Crimes and Videotaping them for Misleading Media

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Terrorists Mohammad Walid Shukairi and Yamen Hussain al-Azizi confessed on Monday to committing several crimes, including killing a citizen in Sayda Zeinab suburb in Damascus countryside, and videotaping them to be broadcast on al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya channels to blame the security forces.

In his confessions to be aired by the Syrian TV in the evening news bulletin, Shukairi said that he fired at protesters and the security forces, and he burned several cars in return for money.

Shukairi added that the terrorist who carried out the terrorist suicidal explosion in Kafar Souseh is a man called Raed Mohammad and that he belongs to Abu-Bilal group in al-Hajar al-Aswad suburb, near Damascus.

“I met a terrorist called Khaled Shahin in al-Sayda Zeinab who gave me money, at that meeting, he introduced me to a man called Raed Mohammad from al-Hajar al-Aswad… later I heard about the explosion that hit Kfar Souseh, I contacted Khaled Shahin by phone to inform him about the news… he wasn’t surprised because he knew that Raed Mohammad was the perpetrator of the explosion,” Shukairi said.

He added that during a funeral at al-Sayda Zeinab, their armed group fired at the people and security personnel, hitting a girl in her head, later, they protested at Fayez Mansour street in al-Sayda Zeinab, attacking the owner of al-Sanafer bookshop with knifes and photographing the process in order to send them to al-Arabiya and al-Jazeera TV channels and attributing it to the army.

Chairman of Turkish Republican People’s Party: We Will Confront Erdogan Policies against Syria

ANKARA, (SANA) – The chairman of the Turkish Republican People’s Party, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, strongly criticized the stances of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Syria, announcing the Turkish opposition’s determination to confront these serious policies.

Kilicdaroglu stressed the Turks’ rejection of interfering in Syria’s affairs, adding that the West avoids interfering in Syria and pushes Turkey into this dangerous adventure.

He added that the Republican People’s Party which prevented the deployment of the US troops in Turkey after the war on Iraq in March 2003, will confront any Turkish interference in Syria.

Kilicdaroglu indicated that Syria is a neighboring country and the Syrian and Turkish people are brothers, stressing that “We want to live side by side in peace”. He called upon all sides to reconsider the whole developments in the situation in Syria and face the policies which don’t serve the interests of the Turkish people.

Meantime, the Turkish Cumhuriyet newspaper quoted different sources in Turkey as saying that about 3000 Libyan armed men and al-Qaeda members infiltrated the Syrian-Turkish borders to conduct armed operations in the Syrian territories.

13 Civilians Martyred by Terrorists’ Gunfire in Homs, Terrorists Detonate Railway Bridge in Daraa

PROVINCES, (SANA) – An armed terrorist group on Sunday shot 13 civilians dead in the village of Hasiba near al-Qseir in Homs countryside.

SANA reporter said that the 13 civilian bodies include women and children.

Terrorists Detonate Railway Bridge in Daraa

An armed terrorist group on Sunday detonated with explosive devices a railway bridge on Damascus-Daraa highway near Kherbet Ghazaleh village.

A source in Daraa province told SANA correspondent that 30 m in length and 32 m in width were destroyed in the explosion, with the damage covering 900 m2 of the bridge’s total area.

According to explosives experts, the amount of explosives detonated was estimated at 700 to 1000 kg.

Director of Road Transportation Department in Daraa, Mahmoud al-Balkhei, said the targeting of the bridge constitutes a heavy burden on the state and citizens, pointing out that the total cost of the damage was estimated at SYP 30 million, in addition to the time period required to rebuild the bridge.

For his part, Director of Technical Services in Daraa, Kamal Brumo, said that the Directorate is constructing a detour to facilitate the movement of citizens in the damaged area.

Competent Authorities Find Big Amounts of Ammunition and Explosives in North Idleb

Meanwhile, competent authorities found big amounts of ammunition and explosives in northern villages of Idleb at borders with Turkey.

SANA correspondent was informed by an official source in Idleb Governorate that the while competent authorities were chasing terrorist members in the villages of Kherbet al-Jowz and Ain al-Baida lying at the Syrian-Turkish borders, they found the weapons which were used by the gunmen in their terrorist attacks against citizens and law enforcement members.

Terrorist Killed by Another Terrorist Gang during Armed Clash in Hama

A terrorist was killed at the hands of a terrorist gang during an armed conflict which took place between them on Saturday on the way of al-Sayyad –Khan Sheikhoun in Hama Province on the basis of a disagreement.

The terrorist Yousef Ahmad Salloum from al-Latamina village was shot dead by terrorists Hussein Abdullah and his son Saddam.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Deir Ezzor

Authorities clashed with terrorists in Deir Ezzor Province, killing several terrorists and confiscating large amounts of weapons.

Two officers and three personnel were martyred in the process.

SANA correspondent added that the authorities confiscated large amounts of arms, comprising 23 AK-47 rifles, a sniper rifle, 2 PKC machineguns, an RPG launcher and 11 rounds, Israeli anti-armor charges and mines in addition to Molotov cocktails, military uniforms, magazines and ammunition.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Idleb

Authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group which tried to blockade the highway between Areeha and Jisr al-Shughour in Idleb Province.

SANA correspondent said that many terrorists were killed and others were injured.

The authorities also raided a terrorist den in Jisr al-Shughour, killing several terrorists and arresting two most wanted criminals.

Weapons and ammunition were confiscated in addition to 25 explosive charges and detonators.

A camera-equipped balloon was spotted above border towns in Jisr al-Shughour, and the authorities shot it down and confiscated it.

Lebanese Foreign Ministers: Terrorist Bombings in Damascus and Aleppo Will Not Undermine Syrians’ Determination

BEIRUT, (SANA) – Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said on Sunday that the bombings that took place in Damascus and Aleppo are distinctly terrorist acts, but they will not undermine the Syria’s determination to achieve security and stability.

In a statement to al-Manar TV before heading to Moscow for a three-day visit, Mansour said that Lebanon has seen such bombings before, and that he doesn’t believe that they will achieve the goals of those who planned it who seek to undermine Syria’s security, unity and stability.

He reiterated Lebanon’s support to Syria’s leadership and people, stressing that these bombings will not dissuade the Syrian leadership from continuing reforms.

Mansour also lauded the Russian stance which calls for resolving the crisis in Syria peacefully and rejects foreign interference in Syria’s affairs, reiterating Lebanon’s rejection of any military of foreign intervention in Syria and its rejection of supporting armed groups.

He said that Lebanon believes that the choice should be left to Syria, and that it must be supported to resolve the crisis rather than oppose it and make the situation more complex.

Mansour also announced that Lebanon will not be participating in the so-called “friends of Syria” conference which will be held in Istanbul next month.

Mansour: Russia’s Stance Towards Situation in Syria is Positive and Balanced

Minister Mansour described the Russian stances towards the situation in Syria as “positive and balanced”.

In an interview with ” Voice of Russia” Radio, Mansour said ” Russia has been a sincere friend to the Arab countries throughout years and it has contributed in solving their crisis.”

He stressed that Lebanon welcomes Russia stance calling for finding solution to the Syrian crisis by the Syrians themselves without foreign interference.

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

President al-Assad in the Umayyad Mosque Stresses that Syria and the Levant Prove Day after Day that It Will Remain Main Fountain of Islamic Science

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad visited on Tuesday the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus to inspect the printed and audio standard copy of the Holy Quran which was set to be the standard for printing the Holy Quran.

President al-Assad listened to members of the Permanent Committee for Holy Quran Affairs about the stages of writing the copy which is considered the first of its kind in the Islamic world.

President al-Assad hailed the efforts exerted by the committee which is affiliated to the Ministry of Religious Endowments and includes a number of top Islamic scholars under the supervision of Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Buti.

The copy includes the correct articulation of letters and their inflections and precision.

President al-Assad gave the green light for the printing of the copy as to be distributed to all interested.

The President also reviewed a copy of the Holy Quran dubbed ‘al-Sham’ written by over 64 calligraphers from 17 states. The copy is two meters long and one meter wide set to be the largest copy of the Holy Quran in the world.

In a statement, Minister of Religious Endowments Mohammad Abdelsattar al-Sayyed said that President al-Assad was briefed on this project which took four years to complete, which commemorates the sending of the original copy of the Quran by Uthman ibn Affan to the Umayyad Mosque.

He said that the preparation of this copy was a huge undertaking for the Ministry and that it was carried out by the Permanent Committee for the Affairs of the Holy Quran, adding that this copy of the Quran is the first of its kind in terms of covering all aspects of punctuation, Quran science, calligraphy and letter composition.

A Number of Law-Enforcement Members, Civilians Martyred by terrorist’s booby-trapped car in Daraa Countryside

DARAA Countryside, (SANA)-A number of law-enforcement members, several civilians were martyred Tuesday when a suicide terrorist exploded a booby-trapped car at law-enforcement forces at al-Jiza crossroads on al-Musefra-Busra road in Daraa countryside.

SANA reporter in Daraa learned that the blast caused big damages in some surrounding buildings with 2-meter crater at the place of bombing.

The act also left many injuries among the law enforcement members and citizens.

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.

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

The martyrs are:

• Major Farkad Abdul-karim, from Tartous.
• Warrant Officer Aws Ghassan al-Ahmad, from Tartous.
• Sergeant Amer Munir Ahmad, from Lattaki.
• Sergeant Mohammed Hafez Hilal, from Lattakia.
• Corporal Ashraf Ahmad Shahin, from Idleb.
• Corporal Eid Kamal Ayyoub, from Damascus Countryside.
• Conscript Khalil Mahmoud al-Ali, from Aleppo.

The martyrs’ families called for confronting the terrorists in order to restore Syria’s security and stability, expressing confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to overcome the crisis through adhering to  national unity.

They condemned the criminal acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups backed by some Arab and Western countries.

Syria Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Iraq

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Syria strongly condemned the terrorist bombings that took place simultaneously in several Iraqi cities on Tuesday, killing and wounding dozens.

In a statement, the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that terrorism has no religion nor homeland, and that the same terrorism that struck Damascus and Aleppo recently is targeting Iraqi cities.

The Ministry offered the sincerest condolences to Iraq for the martyrs who lost their lives in the bombings, voicing full support and commiserations to the families of the victims and hoping that security and stability will be restored in Iraq.

On Nowruz Day.. Kurds Affirm they are part of Syrian Society

Aleppo, (SANA)-The National Initiative for the Syrian Kurds on Tuesday held its annual festival at Sky Rose Hall in Aleppo celebrating al-Nowruz ( Spring ) occasion, with participation of popular, civil and official activities in Aleppo.

“The Syrian Kurds, as other national constituents, have foiled all wagers, showed high national awareness and sense to become a real defender of the Homeland,” Chairman of the Initiative Omar Ossi said, referring to the hostile powers’ bids to exploit the Kurdish file within their hostile agendas.

He pointed out to the role of the US-backed Zionism and their tools represented by Al Saud, Al Thani, Turkey and its war against the Kurds in safe regions, preventing them from celebrating the Nowruz Day.

He added that the Kurds will engage, along with their partners in the Homeland, in the national political life to build the features of modern Syria that will consolidate the basic principles of the Syrian people’s rights.

The festival included a lot of shows, songs, folkloric dances that reflected the Syrian people’s civilization and history.

HRW: Some Syrian Armed Opposition Groups Committed Serious Abuses

BEIRUT, (SANA) – Human Rights Watch (HRW) affirmed on Tuesday that some Syrian armed opposition groups have committed serious human rights abuses.

AP reported the Organization as saying in a statement that the abuses included the kidnapping, torture and execution of Syrian civilians and security force members.

HRW stressed that it has received  reports of ‘executions by armed opposition groups of security force members and civilians’.

Earlier this week, two booby-trapped car  blasts hit Damascus city leading to 24 martyrs and torn-off limbs of three other martyrs and 140 civilians and law-enforcement members were injured.

Popular, State Efforts to Bring Back Normal Life to Terrorism-Affected Cities Being Exerted

CITIES, (SANA) –Less than twenty four hours after Aleppo’s terrorist bombing, Suleimanyieh neighborhood has restored to normal gradually amid its residents’ insistence to go back to their work and open their shops.

” We thank God that we are alright and Syria is alright… everything is okay because we, the Syrians, are as one,” a woman who was affected by Suleimanyieh blast told SANA correspondent.

In the capital, Qassaa residents started to repair their houses right after the blast took place on Saturday, pointing out that terrorism will not discourage the Syrians and they will rebuild all over again.

On the other hand, Ministry of Electricity continues its efforts to supply Homs houses with electricity after terrorist armed groups sabotaged the city’s infrastructure and properties.

Life in Idleb is witnessing normal activity after the authorities secured the area.

Lavrov: Positive Modifications in Stances by Western and Middle East Countries Regarding Evaluation of Events in Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA)_ Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that arms and fighters penetrate into Syria from Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Libya irrespective of the stances taken by the Governments of these Countries

In a joint press conference following his talks with Lebanese Counterpart, Adnan Mansour, Minister Lavrov added that the task is to contribute to the taking of measures as not to let such penetrations continue, because they increase the complication of the situation in Syria and inflame armed conflict.

Minister Lavrov rejected strongly the news circulated by US representatives’ claims regarding ‘modifications in Russian stance on Syria’, asserting that some positive modifications and changes in stances have been made by western and Middle East countries, where realism in their evaluation for what is taking place in Syria is close to evaluations for the ongoing in Syria.

The Russian veteran Foreign Minister underscored the importance of conveying humanitarian aid to Syria, simultaneous stopping of violence by the authority and the opposition, lashing out at calls on the Syrian Government to pull out its units from cities while the opposition isn’t called on.

Minister Lavrov denied the news circulated about the entry of Russian warships into Syrian Ports, asserting that such fabrications aim at foiling Kofi Anna’s efforts as to help in solving the crisis in Syria and that the withdrawal of Gulf Countries ‘ ambassadors from Syria and the new sanctions by EU on Syria don’t help in making the mission of Annan a success.

Minister Lavrov declared that His Country would support a statement or a resolution by the UN Security Council only if it includes no mention of ultimatums, asserting that the events of the so-called Arab spring should not be exploited as a pretext to put the Palestinian Cause on the shelf.

On his part, Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said that the viewpoints between Lebanon and Russia are identical in standing against violence as well as in calling for a stop of violence by all sides, reiterating Lebanon’s firm rejection to any military intervention in Syria’s affairs.

Mansour Renews Lebanon’s Rejection of any Foreign Intervention in Syria’s Affairs

Mansour renewed his country’s rejection of foreign intervention in Syria’s domestic affairs.

“We are against any military intervention, against any support to the armed men… we are with Syria’s unity and stability,” Mansour said following a meeting with Chairman of the International Relations’ Committee at the Russian Duma Council Alexander Poshkov in Moscow.

He added that Russia, as a superpower, can offer a lot through its constructive stances to solve the difficult problems in the Middle East.

Lavrov: Hardline US-French Policies Regarding Syria Prompted by Election-Related Considerations

Later, Lavrov said that the hardline policies of the United State and France regarding Syria are largely prompted by attempts to “earn points” in election campaigns in these countries.

In an interview with the Russian radio station Kommersant 93.6 FM, Lavrov said that for animosity towards Russia is currently being used in the United States to achieve election-related goals.

The Russian Foreign Minister voiced his belief that al-Qaeda might be behind the latest terrorist acts which took place in Syria, adding “when such terrorist acts, like those which recently happened in Damascus and Aleppo, are taking place how can we ask the Syrian authority to lay down arms.”

“I believe that in the condition of terrorist acts that are being manifested with al-Qaeda fingerprints on them, as far as I correctly understand what is going on, there must be a response, otherwise the citizens will be simply living in constant panic.”

Russian Deputy Defense Minister: We Don’t Have Troops in Syria

Russian Deputy Minister of Defense,   Anatoly Antonov stressed on Tuesday  that ‘at this time Russia has no troops in Syria’.

The Voice of Russia website quoted Antonov as saying that “We have a tanker there for supportive functions. We don’t have any Special Forces and Military troops. It’s all made up information regarding Russian Federation. There are no military troops now and it won’t be any. It doesn’t match our national interests.”

For his part, Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces, Nikolay Makarov told journalists that ‘Russia is fulfilling its contractual obligations with Syria on sending weapons’, and it will continue carrying out its commitments, asserting that Russia is an independent state.

Matviyenko: Russia is Opposed to Excessive Pressure and Forceful Undermining of Authority in Syria

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko on Tuesday said that Russia is opposed to exerting excessive pressure on Syria and using force to undermine the authority in it, stressing that the Syrian crisis can only be solved by negotiations between the authorities and the opposition without preconditions.

In an interview with Russia’s Izvestiya newspaper, Matviyenko said that there are certain differences between Russia’s stances and those of western countries regarding the crisis in Syria, affirming that there are some points that Russia cannot agree upon with the west, and that Moscow considers western demands of toppling the regime in Syria to be interference in its internal affairs.

She pointed out that the Libyan model is not a successful recipe since that country is currently witnessing a civil war, noting that the west emphasis too much on toppling the regime in Syria, adding that at the same time, the west isn’t very interested in increasing external pressure on Damascus.

Matviyenko also affirmed that Russia is conducting daily dialogue with western countries and Arab League member states regarding the crisis in Syria.

She said that the joint announcement between Russia and the Arab League includes an article on guaranteeing that humanitarian aid reaches all Syrians, pointing out that Russia helped the International Red Cross to enter Syria, concluding by hoping that Syrians will be able to reach an agreement among themselves.

Joint Prayer Held for the Souls of Syria’s Martyrs… Patriarch Laham: Syria is Strong and Resilient

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – A joint prayer was held on Wednesday in Kyrillos Church in al-Qassa neighborhood in Damascus for the souls of Syria’s martyrs and the martyrs of the two terrorist bombings that targeted Damascus last Saturday.

In a speech, Patriarch Gregorios III Laham of Antioch and All The East said that this prayer is held for the sake of Syria, which is strong and resilient, noting that this cycle of violence must not persist and calling on Syrians to resort to dialogue, reconciliation, repentance and calm to preserve unity and vanquish enmity.

He called upon Syrians to pray to God to preserve Syria and its people, stressing that Syria can continue the process of renewal and change and emerge from violence through dialogue.

Patriarch Laham also stressed the importance of heeding the calls for reforms, noting that this has already begun as the new constitution is a step forward, voicing confidence in the Syrians’ ability to lead reform on their own so that they make their own democracy, freedom and dignity with the participation of all groups.

He denounced the heinous and barbaric terrorist bombings that took place in Damascus, calling for praying for those who were wounded and are now lying in hospitals.

“Despite what happened, we affirm from our churches and mosques that Syria will remain strong, resilient and united… we pray for our President Bashar al-Assad whose heart bears love for all Syrians” he said.

Patriarch Laham noted that he informed the Pope, heads Episcopal councils in Europe and some European officials of some ideas to eliminate violence, informing them of the elements that are aggravating it in the regions, adding that he told the Pope and Europeans who claim to fear for Christians that Christians are Syrians, and what happens to other Syrians affects them as well.

He stressed that the role of Christians in Syria and the region during these difficult circumstances isn’t neutral, as they are working diligently to preserve the unity of Syria and the Arab world, since the preservation of Syria’s unity will restore the Arab world’s well-being and unity.

Patriarch Laham saluted all mothers, particularly who lost husbands, children or relatives, on occasion of Mother’s Day, in addition to congratulating teachers on occasion of Teachers’ Day.

After the prayers, participants marched bearing candles from the church to the site of the terrorist bombing which took place in al-Qassa neighborhood, where they laid wreaths in honor of the martyrs.

The march was led by Patriarch Laham, the Papal Ambassador in Damascus Monsignor Mario Zenari, and several Muslim and Christian religious figures.

During the march, Muslim preacher and scholar Ahmad Sheikho said that Syria always has and always will be the home of all religions and coexistence, and that the prayer and march aim at instilling the values of love and peace, not hatred and violence which some are trying to spread in Syria.

Sheikho called on those who were led astray to come to their senses so that violence may come to an end, stressing that religion rejects murder and calls for amity, peace and cooperation.

Other participants in the march voiced support for reforms and saluted the Syrian Arab Army and law-enforcement sources for their sacrifices for the sake of preserving Syria’s security and stability.

They also denounced the Arab and western regimes that support terrorists and provide them with money and weapons to kill Syrians and employ misleading channels to help them in shedding Syrian blood.

Bogdanov: No Draft Resolutions on Syria at Security Council Agenda

MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian President’s Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, announced on Thursday that the UN Security Council is currently focusing on discussing the mission of the UN Special Envoy, Kofi Annan, to Syria, adding that there are no draft resolutions on Syria at this time.

In a statement, Bogdanov said that all sides are waiting for the outcome of Annan’s mission, pointing out that Annan will visit Moscow within the coming two days to hold consultations on the Syrian issue.

Margelov: Russia satisfied that UN Security members’ listened to its voice

The Russian Special representative to Africa Mikhail Margelov announced today that Russia is satisfied over the UN Security members’ listening to its voice regarding the crisis in Syria.

” We are satisfied over listening to our correct viewpoint because we support the UNSC statement on Syria,” Margelov, also Chairman of the International Relations at  the Russian Federation Council, said in a statement to journalists.

He added that Russia continues its contacts with the Syrian opposition and it is ready to be a linking among sides of the crisis in Syria.

Chekov: Economic sanctions on Syria, Iran and Belarus aim at changing regimes in these states

Russia’s permanent representative to the EU Vladimir Chekov announced that the economic sanctions imposed on Syria, Iran and Belarus aim at changing regimes in these counties at last.

“I believe that the final target of those sanctions is changing regimes, but the sanctions by themselves didn’t change regimes,” Chekov said during an interview with Vesti 24 TV channel.

Citizens involved in possessing weapons, but didn’t perpetrate crimes give themselves up to authorities

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-A number of citizens who were involved in possessing weapons, but they didn’t perpetrate crimes of killing or sabotage gave themselves up to the competent authorities on Thursday.

In turn, the authorities released them immediately after they pledged not to possess weapons or carrying out any acts against the homeland or citizens.

The citizens said in speeches to the Syrian TV that they were possessing different kinds of rifles in Kfar Batna, Damascus countryside, but when they heard of the presidential amnesty, they gave themselves up to the authorities to make use of this amnesty and return to their normal life.

They admitted that they were wrong, calling on any person who possess any weapon to do so and make use of the amnesty.

Authorities Clash with Terrorists, Seize Weapons in different areas

GOVERNORATES, SANA_ The competent authorities on Thursday seized quantities of weapons, ammunition, drugs and explosives in the house of the killed terrorist, Oday al- Youssef, in the neighborhood of Sheikh Yassin in Deir Ezzor.

The confiscated weapons included six RPG launchers, 50 varied RPG rounds, 20 automatic rifles, bump action guns, mortars, variety of rounds, 8 hand grenades, bombs and explosive belts, a large quantity of ammunition and a machine gun.

Authorities clash with terrorists, kill and arrest several of them in Idleb and Hama

Competent authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group that was attacking families at Dir Sunbul, Kuhof and the surrounding areas in Jabal al-Zawya, Idleb, killing and injuring a number of criminals.

Two members of the law-enforcement were wounded in the clashes.

The Authorities at al-Sheikh Town between Aleppo and Hama also clashed with another terrorist group that was assaulting the passing cars, killing three of the terrorists, arresting others and confiscating their weapons.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Hama confiscated a big quantity of weapons and ammunitions during pursuit of the armed terrorist groups’ remnants in Hama northern countryside, killing a number of terrorists and seizing their weapons.

The weapons included 6 RPGs, five mortars, six bombs, 12 rifles, pistols, computer and communication sets.

Lebanon FM: Lebanese Stance Similar to Russia’s in Rejection of Foreign Interference, Dialogue as Solution for Crisis

BEIRUT, (SANA) – Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour stressed that his country’s stance with regard to Syria is to a large extent similar to Russia’s as the two stances reject foreign interference in Syria’s domestic affairs, refuse the idea of arming the opposition and keen on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in addition to considering dialogue as the basis for solving the crisis.

Mansour said in an interview with Lebanese al-Manar TV on Thursday that Lebanon is more committed to its stance than before, whose correctness has been proven after several months of the crisis, particularly after international parties retreated from their stern stances, adding ” there is no way out but through the political solution and dialogue.”

The Lebanese Minister pointed out that the Syrian leadership has responded to reform demands right from the beginning as it is also working on them through approving several legislations and laws, the most prominent of which are the new Constitution, the Parties Law, the Media Law and preparing for the forthcoming legislative elections.

He underlined that Lebanon will never attend the so-called ” Friends of Syria” conference which is due to be held in Istanbul next month, adding “Lebanon’s relationship is with the Syrian state and the events taking place do not mean that we should go so far and act illegally.”

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister pointed out that his country depends on Syria in the economic and trade domains but not the other way round, so it cannot go along with the Arab League’s sanctions against Syria.

Eighteen Army and Law Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Eighteen army and law enforcement martyrs on Thursday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus 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 Daraa, Homs and Hama.

The martyrs are:

­           Conscript Joma Okeidi Sheikho from Aleppo.

­           Sergeant Ali Khaled Ibrahim from Idleb.

­           Corporal Conscript Wael Ahmad Awad from Hasaka.

­           Conscript Rashid Qassem Rashid from Deir-Ezzour.

­           Conscript Mohammad Kheir Mohammad al-Ahmad from Raqqa.

­           Conscript Abboud al-Hamadi al-Mani from Deir Ezzour.

­           Corporal Conscript Salaman Abd al-Salem from Raqqa.

­           Conscript Ahmad Saleh al-Ali from Hasaka.

­           Conscript Salah Seido Mohammad from Aleppo.

­           Sergeant Ahmad Ali al-Mohammad from Hama.

­           Conscript Alaa-Eddin Ali al-Ali from Aleppo Countryside.

­           Sergeant Rabie Ali Othman from Lattakia.

­           Sergeant Khalil Ahmad al-Zaal from Deir-Ezzour.

­           Sergeant Farouq Bozan Bakr from Raqqa.

­           Conscript Abdul-Baset Abdullah al-Naasan from Aleppo.

­           Conscript Yahem Mahmoud Khalouf from Hama.

­           Conscript Ahmad Hamed al-Khodr from Raqqa.

­           Chief Warrant Officer Rami Abbas Mohammad from Tartous.

The martyrs’ families called for confronting the terrorists in order to restore Syria’s security and stability, expressing confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to overcome the crisis through adhering to national unity.

They condemned the criminal acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups backed by some Arab and Western countries.

Russia Concerned over Human Rights Violations Committed by Syrian Opposition’s Armed Groups

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russia expressed deep concern over human rights violations committed by armed groups affiliated to the Syrian opposition against the civilian citizens in Syria, violations which were recently highlighted in an open letter recently published by Human Rights Watch (HRW), stressing the necessity to investigate into these abuses and implement tougher penalties against the perpetrators.

“This letter comprises a wide range of verified facts on serious human rights crimes perpetrated by the armed groups in Syria including those of kidnappings, acts of torture, arbitrary detentions and killings of civilians,” Russian Foreign Ministry’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, Konstantin Dolgov, said in a press statement on Thursday.

He added that HRW confirmed that the Syrian opposition has kidnapped civilian and military citizens in order to get ransom or money for buying arms in return or to exchange them with detainees from the opposition.

Dolgov pointed out that the international body has posted on YouTube no less than 25 videos recording scenes of torturing and killing people who showed signs of battery and bone fractures to be later forced by the opposition to confess to having killed civilians and opponents to the Syrian government.

“This open letter to human rights advocates stresses the correctness of Russia’s principled stance that is committed to not allowing human rights violations in light of the events taking place in Syria,” said the Russian diplomat.

He voiced concern over the emergence of representatives from al-Qaeda and other extremist terrorist organizations among the Syrian opposition.

Dolgov affirmed that Russia stresses the necessity of using information provided by human rights advocates by all the international fellows concerned to contribute to widening the scope of stability, quickly normalizing the situation with regard to human rights in Syria and starting an effective political process, including supporting the mission of UN envoy Kofi Annan without outside interference.

Human Rights Watch confirmed in a statement last Tuesday that some Syrian opposition’s armed groups have committed serious human rights abuses that included kidnapping, torture and execution of Syrian civilians and security force members.

HRW stressed that it has received reports of executions by armed opposition groups of Syrian forces members and civilians.

UNSC Adopts Statement Backing Annan’s Mission to Syria..Lavrov: No Warnings or Signals in the Statement

NEW YORK, (SANA)- The UN Security Council on Wednesday endorsed a presidential statement, which does not have the character of a resolution, that backs the mission of UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced at a press conference in Berlin that the Security Council statement does not include any warnings or signals to whom it may be held more responsible.

He was satisfied as western sides prevented from sending final ultimatums, threats or try to solve the problem through proposing unilateral demands.

“In light of the fact that there are armed sides that are fighting the government, it is not probable to rely on the UNSC to ask the governmental forces to withdraw from the main cities without taking similar steps by the opposition,” Lavrov said.

On the UNSC previous resolutions rejected by Russia, Lavrov said “Russia has defended the UNSC, not the Syrian government because Security Council shouldn’t adopt unrealistic resolutions.”

Security Council Strongly Condemns Latest Terrorist Bombings in Damascus and Aleppo

In another context, the Security Council condemned in a press statement today the latest terrorist bombings which took place in Damascus and Aleppo.

“The Security Council members condemn in the strongest of terms the terrorist attacks which happened in Damascus and Aleppo in March 17 and 18 and caused tens of deaths and injuries,” said the Russia-proposed statement.

It added that the Security Council members express their deepest condolences to the families of the victims of these heinous acts.

“UNSC members reiterate that terrorism, with all its forms, represents one of the most dangerous threats on world peace and security… any terror acts wouldn’t be justified regardless of their goals at any time and whatsoever the side that perpetrates it would be,” the statement added.

It said that the Council member countries renew expression of their determination to combat all forms of terror in line with the UNSC responsibilities and the UN Charter.

Churkin: Russia’s Stance on Crisis in Syria didn’t change

The Russian Permanent Envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin underlined that Russia’s stance on the crisis in Syria didn’t change, saying that this stance reflects his country’s vision and understanding to the need of halting all forms of violence, bringing all Syrians together to dialogue and supporting the political process which is led by the Syrians.

ITARTASS news agency quoted Churkin as saying in a statement following the UNSC meeting that the talks of experts’ group sent by Annan to Syria to monitor a mechanism for the cease-fire are running in a good manner.

He was worried about the smuggling of weapons into Syria, saying this matter wouldn’t contribute to making Annan’s mission a success.

AFP: Extremist Islamist Terrorist Group Calling Itself Jabhet al-Nasra Claims Responsibility for Recent Terrorist Bombings in Damascus

BEIRUT, (SANA) – An extremist Islamist terrorist group calling itself “Jabhet al-Nasra” claimed responsibility for the two terrorist bombings that took place in Damascus on Saturday.

AFP (Agence France Presse) published a statement by this group which said that these so-called “Jabhet al-Nasra soldiers” carried out the two bombings that took place in al-Jamarak rotary and al-Qassa neighborhoods.

The aforementioned bombings claimed 26 lives and wounded dozens of civilians and law-enforcement personnel, in addition to causing massive damage to buildings, homes and private properties in the blast sites.

Earlier, US Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper said at the US Senate that the bombings that have been taking place in Damascus and Aleppo since December 2011 have the marks of al-Qaeda all over them, noting that al-Qaeda members and extremist have infiltrated the divided Syrian opposition.

Vatican’s Agenzia Fedis: Armed Groups Affiliated with al-Qaeda Carrying Out Ethnic Cleansing of Christians in Homs

VATICAN, (SANA) – Agenzia Fides, the Vatican’s information service, said on Wednesday that armed terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda are carrying out ethnic cleansing of Christians in Homs.

The report said that a note sent from the Syrian Orthodox Church, a militia calling itself “al-Faruq Brigade” expeled 90% of Christians in Homs and confiscated their homes by force, noting that members of this group broke into houses in the neighborhoods of Hamidiya and Bustan al-Diwan, forcing Christians to flee, without giving them the chance to take their belongings.

The note added that this group is run by armed elements of al-Qaeda and various Wahhabi groups and includes mercenaries from Libya and Iraq.

In addition, the Vicar Apostolic of Aleppo, Monsignor Giuseppe Nazzaro told Fides that these reports are beginning to break down the wall of silence built up to now by the press worldwide, while extremist and terrorist movements are making headway.

Nazzaro also recalled the recent bombing which took place in Aleppo on Sunday, saying “By a miracle a massacre of children was avoided, at the Center of catechesis of the Church of St. Bonaventure: only because the Franciscan, sensing danger, made the children leave 15 minutes before the usual time.”

President al-Assad: Restoring Security, Safety, Imposing Rule of Law a Must

 HOMS, (SANA)_President Bashar al-Assad paid an inspection field visit Tuesday to Baba Amr Quarter in Homs Governorate.

President al-Assad met the inhabitants of the Quarter, earlier agonized by heavily-armed terrorist groups which terrorized the inhabitants, asserting that the State would never hesitate to carry out its duty and responsibilities in protecting its citizens.

“The State has given those who deviated from the path of right the best of possible opportunities to backtrack and return to the Homeland, and to put down their arms; they ,however, rejected seizing these opportunities and further increased their terrorism. So, there was a must as to work for restoring security, safety, and for imposing the rule of law,” underscored President al-Assad to hundreds of the citizens who gathered around him and complained from the heinous acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups.

President al-Assad, during his field visit and inspection of the destruction inflicted upon the Quarter by the armed terrorist groups, called for the rallying of efforts and redoubling work as to quickly reconstruct destroyed buildings and rehabilitate the infrastructure, especially schools, electricity grids, and medical establishments.

President al-Assad, during his meeting with some army and police force members, lauded the sacrifices and efforts exerted by the Syrian Army and Police members in defense of the Homeland and its stability and security.

The inhabitants of the Quarter, who chanted slogans of loyalty, and amity to president al-Assad, asserted that the terrorist acts by the armed terrorist groups have but increased the inhabitants’ commitment to their Homeland, and care about its security and stability, highly appreciating the Syrian Arab Army, which restored safety and security to their Quarter and City.

14 Martyrs at the Hands of  Terrorist Groups Escorted to Final Resting Places

DAMASCUS, LATTAKIA, (SANA)_ 14 martyrs of the Syrian Army and Police Force, who were martyred by the armed terrorist groups, were escorted to their final resting places.

Solemn funerals were held for the martyrs, who sacrificed their souls in defense of the beloved homeland :

• Brigadier General Ali Ahmad Jamahiri from Lattakia.
• Colonel Mahir Nadim Issa from Lattakia.
• Major Alaa Arif Al-Ali from Lattakia.
• First Lieutenant Ihab Fhassan al-Khatib from Lattakia.
• Sergeant Rabi Abdullah Ramadan from Homs.
• Sergeant Amar loui Shalah from Damascus Governorate.
• Conscript Omar Moussa al-Hassan from Quneitra.
• Conscript Mamoun Mohamad Taha from Aleppo.
• Conscript Abdulrahman Hassan Abdulrahman from Aleppo.
• Conscript Mohanad Zouheir Jouma from Deir Azzour.
• Conscript Swar Salahaldin Qaddour from Aleppo.
• Conscript Youssef Abdulhamid Oubid from Damascus.
• Conscript Mohamad Ramadan Alal from Homs.
• Conscript Mahmoud Mohamad Dojan from Hama.

The family members of the martyred reiterated their pledge to stand united in the face of foreign schemes and terrorist attacks targeting Syria.

In press statements, the family members underlined their willingness to sacrifice the more in defense of stability and security .

Gatilov: Russia Awaiting Syrian Opposition’s Acceptance of Annan’s Plan

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Tuesday said Moscow is waiting for the Syrian opposition to accept the plan of UN-Arab League special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan to settle the crisis.

The Russian ITAR-TASS news agency quoted Gatilov as saying on his Twitter page that the Syrian authorities have accepted Annan’s plan and that the envoy expressed cautious optimism over this, adding “this is a step forward…now it’s the opposition’s turn.”

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister earlier mentioned that a Syrian opposition delegation representing the Coordination Commission will visit Moscow soon.

Russia Is Not Participating in Next ‘Friends of Syria’ Meeting

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich announced that his country is not participating in the meeting of the so-called ‘Friends of Syria’ due to be held on April 1st in the Turkish city of Istanbul, saying such activities have a politicized character and unilateral approach.

“The participants in Istanbul meeting are preparing for foreign intervention and they are not seeking solution for national dialogue or a peaceful settlement to the crisis in Syria,” Lukashevich was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS agency.

He added that Russia considers that such groups are not able to unite the stance of the international community, but rather work destructively contrary to the mode of the positive changes related to the UN envoy’s mission to Syria.

Lukashevich said the chances of success are available for Annan’s mission as long as all the parties in Syria halt dialogue and sit at the dialogue table, noting that his country has from the beginning supported the envoy’s mission.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman added that Russia is using all its capabilities and continuing contacts with many of the Syrian groups inside and outside Syria, stressing the necessity for more effective participation by the West in the peaceful settlement to the situation in the country.

He added that Moscow is awaiting specific signals from the Syrian opposition.

Medvedev: Syrians Alone Decide Their Country’s Destiny

SEOUL, (SANA)- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday said the Syrians alone decide Syria’s destiny and not other countries’ leaders, describing the calls for President Bashar al-Assad to step aside as “a short-sighted view”.

Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, President Medvedev considered the UN envoy’s mission is a last chance to avoid civil war in Syria.

Authorities Seize a car loaded of weapons in Dir Ezzor, Kill Terrorists in Sarakeb

Dir Ezzor, (SANA)-Competent authorities in Dir Ezzor on Tuesday seized a pickup Chevrolet automobile loaded with a big quantity of weapons at al-Mayaden semi-desert on the Syrian-Iraqi borders.

An official source in Dir Ezzor told SANA reporter that the seized weapons included 267 Russian rifles, machine guns, mortars, RPGs, and a number of bombs.

Authorities Clash with terrorists in Sarakeb, kill a number of them

In response to the citizens’ appeals in Sarakeb, Idleb, the competent authorities pursued the armed terrorist groups which attacked the private and public properties and practiced acts of kidnapping, killing, looting and rape, burning houses and shops.

The authorities clashed with the terrorists, killing the most dangerous leaders of those groups, including Abdullah al-Haji, Osama al-Hammoud, Eyad al-Zer, Ibrahim Baker, Imad Shaaban and Mohammad Parish, known as Mohammad al-Hafi.

Security members also clashed  with another terrorist group near Jisr al-shoughour, killing a number of the armed men and confiscating their weapons.

An official source in Idleb told SANA reporter that two of the arrested terrorists were Fadi Mohammad al-Ahmad and Deib Latif Mohammad.

Iranian President: Relations’ Development with Syria has no Limits

TEHRAN, (SANA)-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday underlined that development of bilateral relations between Iran and Syria has no limits, saying that his country will spare no effort to achieve this purpose.

“The Syrian leadership carries out the reforms in a correct manner, depending on the Syrian people who have foiled the enemies’ conspiracies which achieved nothing,” President Ahmadinejad said during a meeting with Deputy Foreign and Expatriates’ Minister Fayssal Mikdad in Tehran.

He added that the Syrian leadership is not only confronting armed terrorist groups, but a global project against the country, pointing out that the enemies of the region seek to strike Iran, Syria and the resistance to rescue Israel under the pretext of protecting the freedoms and human rights.

The Iranian President criticized the Arab League’s dealing with the crisis in Syria, referring to proposals by some countries to Syria to adhere to democracy while they didn’t run any elections.

Al-Mikdad, for his part, briefed the Iranian President on the situation, events and latest developments in Syria, and the consultations, contacts made so far to reach a solution that protects Syria’s territorial integrity and ends the terrorist acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups.

Later, al-Mikdad completed talks with the Iranian National Security Advisor Saeed Jalili who hailed Syria’s resistant role against the western-Zionist schemes.

Al-Mikdad also reviewed with Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salihi the situation in the region, particularly in Syria.

Salihi hailed Syria’s steadfastness, as people and leadership, to foil the conspiracy to which it is exposed. Salihi underlined the importance of coordination between the two countries in all fields, saying that Syria’s stances and its support to the Palestinian Cause made it a target to the attacks of terrorists and their supporters.

China Calls All Syrian Sides to Cooperate with Annan

BEIJING, (SANA)- Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, discussed with UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan in Beijing his plan on the situation in Syria.

AFP quoted Jiabao as saying during his meeting with Annan on Tuesday that the UN Security Council presidential statement which called for ending violence reflects the high level of concern and important consensus reached by the international community on the situation in Syria.

For his part, Annan described the response of the Syrian Government to his plan as “positive”, expressing hope to work with it as to translate this response into action.

Earlier, China called on all the Syrian sides to participate in the efforts exerted by Annan.

In a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hung Li, said “We hope that all the Syrian sides will be able to join the mediation efforts exerted by  Annan to ensure the conditions for a political settlement for the situation in Syria.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed determination on continuing work with all sides through playing an active and constructive role in reaching a peaceful and appropriate solution to the Syrian crisis.

Economy Ministry Permits Importing  All Materials and Products Originating from Iran

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Economy and Trade Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar issued a decision on Tuesday permitting the import of all materials and products originating from Iran.

The decision also ratifies the Free Trade Agreement between Syria and Iran which was put into effect on March 21st.

Only items that are prohibited from being imported due to health, environmental or such reasons are exempt from this decision, in addition to materials that are restricted to the public sector which the private sector isn’t allowed to import.

Five Army and Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Five army and law-enforcement martyrs on Monday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus 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 Daraa Province.

The martyrs are:

• Sergeant Ismael al-Ammouri, from Aleppo.
• Sergeant Hamzeh Ramadan al-Ali, from Tartous.
• sergeant Mohsen Majed al-Hassan, from Homs.
• Corporal Ali Hani Hmaidoush from Lattakia.
• Conscript Nayef Abdul-Rahman al-Owayid, from Aleppo.

The martyrs’ families expressed pride in the martyrdom of their sons to protect the security, safety and dignity of their homeland in the face of the conspiracy and the foreign interference.

They called for confronting the terrorists in order to restore Syria’s security and stability, expressing confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to overcome the crisis through adhering to national unity.

People’s Assembly Appeals to the President for Delaying Legislative Elections until Comprehensive Reforms Consolidated

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – In a session chaired by Speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash, the People’s Assembly discussed on Monday the date for parliamentary elections set to be on May 7,2012 according to Decree No. 113.

The Assembly appealed to the President of the Republic, H.E. Bashar al-Assad, as to consider delaying the elections so that the comprehensive reforms are consolidated, waiting for the outcome of the comprehensive national dialogue and empowering the licensed parties in light of the new parties law.

Mikdad: Terrorists Destroyed a number of developmental projects carried out with the UN

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad said that cooperation between Syria and the UN programs has been good during the latest years which gave fruits to many development projects in Syria, but the terrorists have destroyed a number of these projects with billions of SYP losses.

Al-Mikdad, meeting the UN Development Program (UNDP) Representative in Syria Ismael Wild al-Sheikh Ahmed who has ended his mission in Syria Monday, regretted that the UN didn’t condemn the sabotage acts of the terrorists, saying “A lot of information which the UN receives are taken from several sources, but they don’t reflect what is really happening in Syria.”

He added ” while Syria steps with quick strides towards stability and gets rid of the terrorist members who brought chaos into the country, we are going ahead with our people towards more developed Syria with democracy, pluralism and respecting freedoms.”

For his part, Wild al-Sheikh regretted the latest events in Syria, underlining that the peaceful solution and dialogue is the only way to come out of the crisis.

Mikdad: Syria Keen on Continuing Efforts Regarding Population

Mikdad said that Syria is bent on continuing efforts as regards the population despite the exceptional circumstances it is going through.

During his meeting on Monday with Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) ,Laila Bakr, on the occasion of assuming her mission in Syria, Dr. Mikdad expressed Syria’s appreciation for the standing cooperation with the UNFPA, wishing her success in her missions.

Dr. Mikdad underlined Syria’s desire to carry out the programs that will address population-related problems and find the appropriate solutions.

He added that any UNFPA program should be based on the real needs of the population, the nature of the Syrian society and the standing challenges to yield the hoped-for results.

Bakr expressed happiness over assuming her new mission , indicating that the UNFPA is willing to cooperate with the Syrian government and continue the programs it started in Syria.

She voiced appreciation for the progress achieved in Syria, attributing it to its cooperation and support to the UN Population Fund.

National Council of Media Grants Licenses to Six Newspapers, 13 Magazines

Earlier, the council held several meetings in which it set the future plans of media work according to the media law.

China’s Foreign Ministry: Beijing Will Continue Work with All Sides to Reach Peaceful Solution to Syria’s Issue

BEIJING, (SANA) – Spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hong Li, on Monday said that China will continue playing a constructive role and working with all sides with the aim of reaching a peaceful solution to Syria’s issue.

The Chinese News Agency, Xinhua, quoted Li as saying at a press conference that solving Syria’s issue demands participation and dialogue among all main sides, adding that the international community should provide the appropriate circumstances for such dialogue.

He outlined that the procedures taken by the international community should help alleviate the situation and enhance political dialogue.

He added that in the current situation, China didn’t consider the possibility of participating at ‘Friends of Syria’ conference, which is due to be held in Istanbul in April.

Syria, Belarus Sign Executive Protocol on Cooperation in Health Field

MINSK, (SANA) – Syrian and Belarusian Ministries of health on Saturday evening signed an executive protocol in Minsk.

According to the protocol, the Belarusian side will facilitate procedures of registering the Syrian medicine after presenting a full package of documents and implementing all requirements with regard to registering medicine in Belarus.

The protocol also encourages the Syrian investors to produce wide range of medicine in Belarus, as the Syrian registered drugs could take part in tenders held by Belarusian Ministry of health, in addition to importing medicine and cosmetics made in Syria.

The Ministries of the two countries will provide the required facilities for establishing a mutual firm in Belarus to produce a list of agreed upon drugs.

The Belarusian side pledges to provide appropriate environment to import the Syrian medicine to Belarus according to the protocol, as the two sides will set joint training programs for medical cadres, particularly for the Syrian doctors at the Belarusian Medical Academy of post-graduate qualification in different specializations.

” The Syrian-Belarusian health relations are characterized by understanding and the mutual desire of constructive cooperation in different medical domains, particularly in pharmacology.” Minister of Health Wael al-Halaqi said after signing the protocol.

Archbishop Mansour: Syrians’ Unity will Foil Conspiracies of Enemies

BRAZILIA, (SANA)_ Archbishop of Orthodox Church in Brazil, Damaskinos Mansour, said that Syria will remain the land of amity against all attempts to undermine its unity, adding that the bonds binding the Syrians will foil the conspiracies.

In a speech during a religious mass held in the Brazilian city of Cordoba in honor of the Syrian martyrs, Archbishop Mansour said “The Muslims and Christians  are praying for reforms to be consummated in peace and for dialogue to be marked with transparency and respect.”

He added that no religion allows killing, indicating that those who are using weapons are not interested in reforms.

Burial Chamber Dating Back to Byzantine and Ayyubid Eras Uncovered in Cavern in Sweida

SWEIDA, (SANA) – A national archeological expedition working in Tel Ara in Sweida governorate uncovered an ancient burial chamber dating back to the Byzantine and Ayyubid eras in a cavern.

Hussein Zeineddin, head of the expedition, said that the volcanic cave is located north of al-Hesha volcanic hill, east of Ara mountain, and that it has an arch-like entrance with a roof consisting of handmade arches.

He said that excavations uncovered four semicircular tombs, the first located in the eastern part of the cave and consisting of an oval alcove serving as a grave for an individual or a family, while the second is located in the center of the cavern and is raised from the floor, containing small bone fragments that could have belonged to a young person.

The third tomb is similar to the first one and contains a small grave in the floor, while the fourth is in the western part of the cavern and consists of an alcove full of debris.

Expedition member Yasser al-Sahaar said that it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact date of the burial chamber due to the damage it sustained over the ages and the lack of bones, noting that pottery fragments and remains of funerary wares imply that it dates back to either the Ayyubid or the Byzantine era.

In ancient times, the nearby Ara village was located on an important route connecting Basra and Sweida. It contains remains of an ancient Roman wall and church, in addition to a number of ancient ruins and two keeps, one ancient and one built in 1879.

Ara village is located 15 kilometers southwest of Sweida city. Its name means “expansive land” or “strong bond.”

Two Officers Assassinated by Terrorists in Aleppo and Damascus Countryside, Terrorists Blow Up Teacher’s Car

PROVINCES, (SANA) – A brigadier general was assassinated on Wednesday by a terrorist armed group in Aleppo when he was on his way to work.

SANA correspondent was informed that Martyr General Khleif al-Abdullah from the Air Forces was targeted by four terrorists in a Cerato car who shot the General dead near to al-Bassel Mosque in al-Hamadaniyeh neighborhood.

The Martyr left behind three children; two sons and a daughter.

Armed Terrorist Group Assassinates Colonel in Damascus Countryside

An armed terrorist group assassinated Colonel Tarek Mahmoud al-Houshi outside his home in Jobar in Damascus countryside.

SANA correspondent said that the terrorist group shot dead Colonel al-Houshi as he was leaving his house.

Terrorists Blow Up Teacher’s Car in Hama, Teacher Severely Wounded

An explosive device planted by a terrorist group in the car of teacher Wafa’a Ibrahim al-Bunni was detonated in al-Sabouniyeh neighborhood in Hama, severely wounding al-Bunni who was rushed to Hama National Hospital.

An official source told SANA that the bomb was detonated near al-Sabouniyeh rotary while the teacher was driving from work to Abi al-Fida’a quarter, causing extensive damage to the car, a Chery.

Another terrorist group murdered citizen Mehdi Ali Asfar. Mehdi, who was born in Hama in 1982, was abducted from Homs city three months ago. His body showed signs of extensive torture.

In the town of Mork, an armed terrorist group broke into a garage and stole a state-owned car, a Cham, which belongs to the Agricultural Bank branch in Soran.

Foreign Ministry: Syria Won’t Deal with Any Arab League Initiative in Its Absence

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry on Wednesday stressed that Syria would not deal with any initiative by the Arab League at any level in its absence.

The Ministry spokesman, Dr. Jihad Maqdisi, mentioned that the attendees at Baghdad Summit are discussing a certain Arab initiative towards Syria.

He said that Syria, since the suspension of its membership in the Arab League, has had its relations with the Arab countries based on a state-to-state level only, “therefore it won’t deal with any Arab League initiative at any level in its absence.”

Russia, China Welcome Syria’s Acceptance of Annan’s Plan

MOSCOW/ BEIJING, (SANA)- Russia has welcomed Syria’s acceptance of the plan of UN special envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, to find a peaceful solution in the country.

A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said Annan’s plan, that was supported in the Security Council presidential statement issued on March 21st, provides for ending violence by all the parties in Syria under effective monitoring through a UN special mechanism, launching internal political dialogue and delivering humanitarian aid to the affected.

“We are convinced that this will provide an actual possibility for realizing the legitimate aspirations of all the Syrians with respecting the country’s sovereignty and independence and under collaborative support by the entire international community to Annan’s mission,” the statement added, stressing that this opportunity should not be wasted.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it is of a great importance that the Syrian opposition groups follow in the government’s footsteps and accurately announce their acceptance of the Security Council-backed UN envoy’s proposal to resolve the crisis peacefully.

“It goes without saying,” the Ministry added, “that many things now hinge on the foreign players, particularly those able to practice a positive influence on the opposition figures.”

The statement continued that rather than dissenting and armed confrontation, a responsible stance seeking acceptable solutions for all in the course of an inclusive political process under Annan’s mediation is the thing to allow a halt to the bloodshed and violence, an end to the humanitarian agonies of the civilian citizens and ensuring the development of Syria in a democratic and stable manner.

China Hails Syrian Government’s Acceptance of Annan’s Plan

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Wednesday hailed the Syrian government’s acceptance of the six-point plan of the UN special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.

The Chinese Xinhua news agency quoted Hong as saying in a press conference that his country had knowledge of the reports about the Syrian government’s writing to Annan on its acceptance of his six-point plan to halt the violence in the country.

He added that China believes the acceptance of the UN envoy’s plan will help enhance a political solution to the Syrian issue, noting that Beijing hopes the Syrian government and all the parties concerned will seize this important opportunity and support and cooperate with Annan’s mediation efforts so as to ensure effective implementation of the plan and boost the political solution process.

Iranian Foreign Minister Confirms Disagreement between Iran and Turkey on Syria

TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi expressed confidence that there are means for Syria to get out of crisis, calling for dealing patiently with the Syrian issue.

In a press statement on the sidelines of a meeting between Iranian and Turkish officials, Salehi said that Iran is optimistic about the mission of the UN Envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, adding that Iran believes that supporting the mission by the Arab states, Turkey and the UN would help solve the issue.

He pointed out that Iran and Turkey are not in agreement on Syria, warning of the repercussions of any hasty act towards Syria, stressing continued consultation to remove the difference in viewpoints.

Period of Accepting Compensation Claims for Damages by Terrorist Groups Extended 15 Days

DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The Local Administration Ministry extended the period of accepting compensation claims by citizens whose private properties were damaged by armed terrorist groups another 15 days in all the provinces.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, the Ministry announced the formation of a central committee chaired by the Local Administration Minister and comprised of the ministers of Finance, the Interior and the Justice and the governors in a measure to compensate the affected citizens for the damages caused to their uninsured properties by the sabotage acts of terrorist groups.

The circular indicated that sub-committees were also formed in the provinces for this purpose that are chaired by the governor of each province.

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