President al-Assad Receives Islamic Education Preachers, Stresses Need for Emphasizing True Islamic Values
Dec 11, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday received Islamic education preachers working in the mosques and Islamic institutes of Damascus and its countryside.
During the meeting, President al-Assad stressed the need for emphasizing the true Islamic values which are based on the great moral values embodied by the Prophet Mohammad.
The President also pointed out to the strong correlation between Arabism and Islam, both of which constitute pillars of the Syrian society.
For their part, the preachers underlined Syria’s capabilities for holding Islamic activities, thanking President al-Assad for his support to the pioneering experience of Islamic preaching by women which had a significant positive impact on woman in Syrian society.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Religious Endowments (Awqaf) Dr. Mohammad Abdelsattar al-Sayed.
Military Operations against al-Qaeda-linked Terrorist Groups Continue in Several Areas, Scores of Terrorists Eliminated
Dec 11, 2012
PROVINCES, (SANA)_ Units of the Armed Forces on Tuesday continued pursuing terrorists belonging to Jabhat al-Nusra in Aqraba town in Damascus Countryside, killing a number of them and injuring others.
An official source in the province told SANA reporter that a unit of the Armed Forces clashed with an armed terrorist group near the International School in Aqraba, killing 4 snipers.
The source said that all members of an armed terrorist group, who were looting and killing citizens, were killed near Abu-Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in Aqraba.
The sources added that the terrorist group has wreaked havoc and devastation in the mosque.
In al-Ziyabiye, an Armed Forcfes unit eliminated a number of terrorists from Jabhet al-Nusra, including a Libyan called Omar Ghabathi, Ibrahim Kharfoush, and Ghassab al-Abdullah.
In Darayya, an Armed Forces unit clashed with terrorist groups and eliminated a number of snipers in al-Zaytoun roundabout, including Ala’a Ziyade, Mohammad al-Nakkash, Mohammad Nour al-Shemali, and Marwan Kharibeh.
In the town of Sheba’a, another unit carried out an operation which resulted in the destruction of a terrorist hideout al0ong with the weapons, munitions and terrorists inside it, including terrorists Mohammad Mousa and Zakariya al-Bekaei.
Terrorists Killed or Injured While Rigging Car Bomb in al-Qadam in Damascus
A car bomb exploded while terrorists were rigging it with large amounts of explosives in al-Qadam neighborhood in Damascus, resulting in killing or injuring all the members of the terrorist group.
An official source told SANA’s reporter that the explosion took place near al-Dabe’a roundabout in al-Dahabiye street in the neighborhood while the terrorists were rigging the car before transporting it and detonating it elsewhere.
The Syrian Army continues its national Duty in Aleppo
The armed forces today targeted gatherings in Aleppo and its countryside, killing scores of the terrorists and destroying their cars and munitions.
At al-Mislemiya, Babnes, al-Bab in Aleppo countryside, the army destroyed 12 cars loaded with weapon and munitions, in addition to destroying 8 cars on Tadef- Sharbaa road and 14 cars on Tal Rifaat-Fafin road.
In the city of Aleppo, units of the army targeted gatherings of terrorists in Tal al-Zarazeer, Baaedin, al-Shaar, al-Lermon, killing tens of them and injuring others , particularly near the Pullman station where a number of vehicles, equipped with machineguns were destroyed.
Al-Kindi Hospital and External Road of Aleppo Airport Cleared from Terrorists
Units of the Armed Forces restored in a series of precise and quick operations regular traffic movement to the external road of Aleppo International Airport after having eliminated the groups of mercenary terrorists which hindered the citizens’ movement towards the Airport from al-Ramouseh.
An official source told SANA reporter that the operations resulted in killing scores of terrorists and destroying their gatherings and criminal equipment.
The source added that another military unit cleared al-Kindi Hospital in the city of Aleppo from the armed terrorist groups which had used it as a den to store ammunition and weapons and attack the residents in the area.
Turkish and Foreign Terrorists Killed in Bustan al-Basha
SANA reporter quoted the source as saying that the army continued to tighten the noose the mercenary terrorists in Bustan al-Basha area and cleared Wajih Abdul-Daem School from the terrorists.
An armed terrorist group was killed in the area, with most of its members are from Turkish and other foreign nationalities, according to the source.
In the old city of Aleppo, the army units killed scores of mercenary terrorists and injured others in al-Zahrawi, al-Khabiyeh and al-Bandareh markets and the prison street.
The Army eliminates Terrorists in Homs Countryside
The Army units today destroyed 4 cars equipped with heavy machineguns and mortars in addition to a factory for preparing explosives and an advanced communications center in al-Hilmouz, Talbeisa.
An official source in Homs told SANA reporter that the army operation led to the killing of tens of the most dangerous terrorists, among them Awad al-Sidiq, Satam Dilleh, A’ed al-Hamwi, shahin al-Hifiyan known as al-Satour and Yazid Marwan known as “the scorpion”.
The source added that another army unit destroyed a den for terrorists near al-Maasara in Talbeisa, killing all terrorists hidden inside it, among them were Ali Hourani, Mahmoud al-Daher and Mustafa al-Khateeb.
At al-Warsha neighborhood in Homs, a unit of the army clashed with terrorists who were terrifying citizens and families, killing a sniper called Mohammad Abbarah.
Armed Forces Eliminate Scores of Terrorists in Deir Ezzor
The Armed Forces continued clearing areas in Deir Ezzor and its countryside from the armed terrorist groups.
An official source told SANA that the army clashed with terrorists near Fuad Cinema in Deir Ezzor city nd killed 4 terrorists.
The source added that the army killed and injured the members of the so-called “al-Mustafa Battalion” in al-Takaya Street.
In al-Jbeila neighborhood, an army unit clashed with armed terrorist groups, eliminating scores of terrorists and injuring others.
The Armed Forces also killed and injured members of a terrorist group in al-Sheikh Yaseen area in the city.
Another army unit eliminated members of the so-called “al-Qadeysseh Battalion” in the area of Hatlah in Deir Ezzor countryside.
Popular March in al-Maadi in Aleppo Demands Expulsion of Terrorist Groups
Dec 11, 2012
ALEPPO, (SANA)- A popular march went out in al-Maadi Area in the city of Aleppo on Tuesday, demanding the expulsion of the armed terrorist groups from the area.
Hundreds of residents participated in the march expressing their condemnation of the terrorist groups that are targeting citizens and services institutions, including bakeries, telephone and electricity networks and infrastructure in the area.
SANA reporter said the protesters marched the main streets in al-Maadi area chanting slogans demanding the expulsion of the terrorists and putting an end to their attacks and violations.
They voiced their denunciation of the Western and regional countries that are supporting and funding the terrorism targeting the Syrian people.
Workshop by People’s Assembly and UNFPA on Population Development
Dec 11, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, stressed continuing efforts to restore security and stability to all areas and rehabilitate infrastructure destroyed by the armed terrorist groups, which are funded and armed by regional and western countries, particularly Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the US.
Al-Laham was Speaking at the opening of a workshop on monitoring and evaluating population and development issues, organized in cooperation with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
He stressed that security and stability are essential to provide the appropriate foundation and environment to achieve development, therefore “Syria will not tolerate the takfiri terrorism which targets its people from all spectrums and political affiliations and it will root out its tools.”
The Speaker indicated to the People’s Assembly role in setting up necessary programs and plans to enhance the population development in Syria and contribute to improving society, particularly under the current circumstances which negatively affected all development sectors and hindered the implementation of several programs.
Al-Laham stressed the need for preparing regular reports on population development to ensure effective results that help deal with the damage caused to all society classes and rehabilitate the damaged infrastructure and achieve economic stability in order to create a social safety network that meets the people’s aspirations.
He said that population development constitutes part of the comprehensive development adopted by Syria with the aim of improving the citizens’ livelihood and provide better chances for the youth.
This goal will not be achieved, Al-Lahham highlighted, unless the efforts of the executive and legislative institutions in Syria are united with those of civil and international organizations, particularly the UNFPA, to raise awareness of issues related to population and reproductive health in order to draw outappropriate plans to achieve development.
Al-Laham affirmed that the government will spare no efforts to contribute to rehabilitating destroyed residences and to provide subsidies and financial compensations to those whose properties were damaged in the current circumstances.
He stressed that Syria will achieve victory over the conspirators thanks to its people, leadership and the sacrifices of its army, stressing determination to build a better future that guarantees the citizens’ rights and meet their aspirations.
The UNFPA Assistant Representative in Syria, Omar Ballan, emphasized the importance of the workshop in shedding light on the objective, economic, educational and social circumstances which affect the women’s health.
He highlighted the important role of People’s Assembly in monitoring, evaluating and contributing to provide data on issues related to population.
Ballan stressed the UNFPA’s commitment to support the efforts exerted by the People’s Assembly to enhance awareness of population and development through setting up response plans and participating in all training, capability building and educational activities.
He pointed out to the Fund’s efforts to collect data in order to set up the 2013 response plan, adding that the current data should be further developed to better specify the needs.
Representatives from the Ministries of Health and the Social Affairs and Labor, the Planning and International Cooperation Commission and the Syrian Commission for Family Affairs participated in the workshop.
Participants in the workshop stressed the need to spread the culture of small families using mass media, and making population issues a priority in meetings of the Cabinet and relevant authorities.
They also stressed the need to hold seminars and meetings to tackle the facts of the effects of population growth, encourage family planning, stressing the need for mass media in spreading awareness about population growth and the need to include the concepts of populations issues, family planning and reproductive health in school curricula.
The participants called for implementing plans to combat all forms of discrimination against women, in addition to focusing on balancing between economic growth and population growth.
The first session dealt with criteria of evaluation and monitoring in population issues, with participants saying that an integrated monitoring and evaluation system was designed and will be used in the public sector as a preliminary step.
They also called for increasing the participation of the People’s Assembly in dealing with population issues, in addition to implementing a national population strategy, and issuing laws for protecting women from violence and harassment and protecting children and people with special needs from violence, abuse and neglect.
Al-Zoubi: Terrorists’ Victories Imaginary, US-Western Statements on Chemical Weapons Caused by Inability to Achieve Gains on Ground
Dec 11, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of Information Omran al-Zoubi said that the victories claimed by some media outlets of the armed terrorist groups are “baseless and imaginary victories,”
In an interview on the Lebanese al-Manar TV on Monday, Minister al-Zoubi said that there are clashes in specific areas in Damascus Countryside and attempts by the terrorist organizations to achieve any kind of progress, adding that the life is normal in Damascus.
Al-Zoubi added that these terrorist groups are extremist Takfiri organizations, stressing that “When the US places Jabhat al-Nusra on the international terrorist organizations’ list, that is because it realizes the nature of these groups which are fighting the Syrian Armed Forces,”
He highlighted that Syria realizes the nature of the confront with the enemy plot and is working on protecting the state institutions and infrastructure.
He pointed out that the suffering of the Syrians in securing some materials is caused by the acts of the terrorist groups which are attacking the vehicles transporting wheat, petroleum and other goods.
He noted that the terrorist bombings in residential areas aim at terrorizing people, embarrassing the security and military system and alluding the public opinion to the idea that they can do whatever they want whenever they want, adding that these acts are part of media and military policy for those sides.
Al-Zoubi said that the US-western repeated talks on the chemical weapons in Syria are caused by their inability to achieve any progress on the ground, “Syria doesn’t own any internationally-banned weapons, whether chemical, nuclear or biological”, he stressed, adding that “Even if Syria possessed such weapons, it will not use them for moral reasons,”
“Statements on this topic resemble those issued against Iraq and other countries. We don’t ignore any possibility, including the Iraqi scenario. The world can’t bear the consequences of such risk. The western countries should realize that Syria isn’t a simple or easy country. Damascus has friends and there are regional and international balances,”
Minister al-Zoubi added that there are intelligence agencies operating on the Syrian soil since the beginning of the crisis, embodied in the existence of advanced equipment and technologies among the terrorist groups and in high-tech sabotage acts committed by the terrorists.
He considered the Turkish talks on Syrian threats against Turkey as naive, adding that Syria never threatened, attacked or interfered in any neighboring countries’ affairs.
“Deployment of the Patriot missiles doesn’t target Syria only, it is part of radars and early warning systems established by the US with cooperation with the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. These systems target Iran, Syria, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt and other countries,” he noted.
Minister al-Zoubi stressed that the USA sat at the table with Russia when it felt that its project is falling, adding that “Yet, the dialogue between the two sides is positive if the talks are based on respecting the Syrian independency and as long as the talks will lead to a political process based on supporting the national dialogue,”
Al-Zoubi stressed the need to adhering to Geneva statement and the initiative of the former UN envoy Kofi Annan, that are based on respecting national independence and not meddling in the countries’ internal affairs.
Al-Zoubi added that the Syrians, who brought President Bashar al-Assad to power through ballots, are the only side to determine how and who to rule.
He said that the political leadership has been saying, right from the beginning of the crisis, that the destiny of the leadership is determined only by the people.
Minister al-Zoubi said Russia’s stance towards Syria is “firm, not contradicted, rather clear and frank” as it shows keenness on the interest of Syrian state and people.
” Russia also rejects any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs, mainly in a sovereign issue and calls for the necessity of unifying efforts to support a political process based on dialogue, the participation of all Syrian sides without exception and halting violence, ” he added.
Minister al-Zoubi said “Doha coalition is a political gathering that has been already existed and reproduced and its members are the same who had formed Istanbul Council.
He added that the Syrian opposition abroad, including Doha coalition don’t behave in Syria’s interest because pursuing the path of violence, rejecting dialogue and adopting foreign agendas mean that the opposition has no political project.
The Minister underlined that the formation of the so-called military councils for the armed groups will only lead to more violence, killing and destruction.
He pointed out that Syria has well-documented information that confirm that Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Nusra Front) encompasses several armed groups with different names, asserting that the US inclusion of the Front in its international list of terrorist organizations is not enough and doesn’t reflect the US commitment to the UN Security Council’s resolutions on combating terrorism.
“Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government directly, openly and flagrantly violates its international obligations regarding cooperation in combating terrorism,” Minister al-Zoubi said, calling on the international community and the UN to put pressure on all countries to commit to combating terrorism.
The information minister said it is regrettable to talk about the self-dissociation policy and at the same time dividing this policy with respect to options of all states and governments.” self-dissociation policy is not an option of the Lebanese government in terms of its ministers only, but is supposed to be the option of Lebanon as a whole because the government is the side who leads the Lebanese state,”
Minister al-Zoubi asserted that some leaders and figures in the Lebanese Future party are responsible for smuggling weapons to the armed terrorist groups in Syria, recruiting fighters and financing these groups which violate the agreements signed between Syria and Lebanon on all levels and breach the rules of the international law.
Churkin: Opposition Fighters in Syria Use Anti-aircraft Missiles Smuggled from Libya
Dec 11, 2012
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, stressed that there is information which indicates that the anti-aircraft missiles smuggled from Libya are being used by the armed groups in Syria.
Russia Today website quoted Churkin as saying in a speech in front of the UN Security Council on Monday that the infiltration of weapons from Libya will influence not only the neighboring countries.
He stressed the necessity of considering a decision on preventing the smuggling of weapons from Libya, including portable anti-aircraft missiles, in line with a UN Security Council resolution in this regard, adding that the presence of chemical weapons in this country further complicates the problem.
Khamenei: Sides Stoking Violence and Igniting Civil War in Syria Responsible for Continuing Crisis
Dec 11, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA) – Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, said that the parties which work on stoking violence and igniting a civil war in Syria are responsible for continuing the crisis in it.
Meeting the participants in the International Conference for Islamic Awakening in Tehran, Khamenei warned of the enemies’ attempts to create divisions among Muslims through exploiting their racial and sectarian disputes.
He called upon all Muslims to solve their disputes through dialogue and peaceful means and be aware of the western-U.S. moves.
Khamenei hailed the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, expressing appreciation of the Palestinian resistance’s victory over the Israeli enemy in its recent assault on the Gaza Strip
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Discusses with Syrian and Chinese Ambassadors in Russia the Situation in Syria
Dec 11, 2012
MOSCOW, (SANA) – The Russian President’s Envoy to the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, on Tuesday discussed with Syria’s Ambassador in Russia Riyad Haddad the situation in Syria.
A statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the meeting underlined the effective efforts exerted by Russia to expedite the cessation of violence in Syria and moving to a political track.
The statement said that the two sides affirmed conviction that the closing statement of the Geneva meeting of the work group on Syria issued on June 30th still forms the irreplaceable and consensual basis of finding a peaceful solution for the crisis in Syria.
Earlier, Bogdanov discussed with China’s Ambassador in Russia Li Hui the situation in Syria.
A statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry after the meeting said the two side discussed the situation in Syria and work in the framework of unifying international efforts to achieve a diplomatic and political resolution for the crisis in Syria and to support the mission of UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Ibrahimi.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that claims that Russia and China are responsible for the continuation of the crisis are shameful and unjust claims.
Regarding the use of veto in the Security Council to prevent issuing unilateral decisions that threaten only the government and disregard the acts of armed opposition groups, Lavrov noted that the right to veto isn’t a whim, rather it’s part of international law and the UN charter and was based on a US initiative during the formation of the UN.
Syrian Human Rights Network Calls on UNICEF to Condemn Armed Groups’ Crimes against Children in Syria
Dec 11, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian Human Rights Network called upon the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to condemn the crimes, acts of violence and violations committed by the armed terrorist groups against children in Syria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the network called on the UNICEF representative to carry out her duty towards children inside Syria and abroad in terms of what they are exposed to by the mercenary gangs, backed by countries that are known for their support of terrorism in the region and the world.
The statement condemned the fact that the armed terrorist groups are using and exploiting the children in their crimes against humanity and childhood, stressing that the network has documented the armed groups’ violations and crimes against children.
The network highlighted the necessity for the UNICEF to pay attention to these crimes and condemn them as its mission is to care for children’s rights and protect them.
“It is better to protect children than teaching them how to commit a crime which arouses fears over bringing up a generation that is used to the culture of murdering and terrorism in which the UNICEF took part through overlooking the crimes of the terrorist groups,” the statement said.
It added that the UNICEF policy of double standards towards these violations is a flagrant breach of the children rights care and protection which the organization claimsto be one of its main priorities and principles.
The network cited the conduct of the UNICEF goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie in terms of visiting al-Zaatari camp in Jordan while ignoring the displaced families inside Syria as an evidence on the organization’s double standards policy.
The network called on the UNICEF ambassador to visit displaced families and children and inspect their situation in Syria so that her work and donation will not be in the framework of instigating on sedition and conspiring against Syria, the thing which violates the goals of the organization.
The network highlighted the violations and crimes being committed against children at schools, particularly regarding the terrorists’ mortar attacks on schools.
“Not condemning these crimes by international and human rights organizations stresses that these organizations are biased to violence and instigate it, said the statement.
Opposition Coordination Body Head Warns of Western Policy against Syria
Dec 11, 2012
BEIRUT, (SANA) – Haytham Manna, Head of the Syrian opposition Coordination Body abroad, described the meetings of the opposition abroad in Doha as a kitchen for conspiring against the homeland and dividing roles and goods.
In an article published by the Lebanese As-Safir newspaper, Manna said that the Body considered the Western and Gulf keenness to make those parties meeting abroad look as “representatives of the homeland, the opposition and the people” a serious attempt to cancel all possibilities for a civil democratic transition in Syria.
Manna warned against the dangers of the western policy towards Syria which is mainly based on providing unlimited support to an opposition group that announced itself in Doha.
He said that all indications refer that “a hearty diplomatic, financial and even military injection” will be provided to Doha Coalition in Marrakech where a meeting of the so-called “Friends of Syria” will be held on Wednesday.
Manna revealed that the Coordination Body has received veiled threats and warnings directed by several western officials regarding its stance towards Doha coalition, adding that the Body was threatened with marginalization if it did not join the coalition.
He reminded those who claim to do service to Syria that the number of innocent victims has doubled due to their silence towards the Turkish involvement in facilitating the movement of extremists into Syria through the Turkish borders.
Political Crisis in Egypt Turns to a Military Crisis with Economic Repercussions
Dec 10, 2012
CAIRO, (SANA) – Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi asked the army to help the police forces in cracking down on demonstrators until the declaration of the results of the referendum on the new constitution, giving the military the authority to apprehend civilians.
AFP said that a presidential decree stipulating for the armed forces to support police in ‘preserving security and protecting vital institutions’ was put into effect until the declaration of the constitution’s referendum, scheduled on Saturday.
Earlier, the National Salvation Front rejected the referendum on the new constitution draft, describing it as a prevarication policy and a challenge for the will of the Egyptian people, calling for mass demonstrations on Tuesday in all Egyptian provinces.
Meanwhile, the sit-in held in front of the Presidential Palace (Kasr al-Ittihadia) continued for the fourth consecutive day.
The Presidential Guard finished the building of barriers in all roads leading into the palace, while security forces enhanced presence and tightened security in the area. 6 tanks, 6 armored vehicles and a number of soldiers were deployed in it.
The Egyptian Stock Market lost EGP 2.29 billion as it was affected by the turmoil in the country and by the decision made by the government to increase taxes by 50% . President Morsi had to cancel the decision on the same day.