Al-Ikhbariya TV Team Released from the Terrorist Groups
Aug 16, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- The armed forces freed in a “qualitative operation” the team of the Syrian al-Ikhbariya satellite channel who were kidnapped by an armed terrorist group seven days ago in al-Tal area in Damascus Countryside.
The released colleagues are Yara Saleh, Abdullah Tabreh and Hussam Imad.
A number of journalists and workers at the Syrian channels gathered early Thursday to receive the freed journalists, stressing that the Syrian media will remain stronger than terrorism and the terrorists and the word of right will always be high.
Minister of Information Omran al-Zoubi was among the first to congratulate the released journalists over their safety.
“The Syrian media is targeted in the war on Syria because it is the beacon of truth which the enemies want to obliterate,” said the freed journalist Yara Saleh in a statement to the Syrian TV.
She wished that the team was released with all its members, expressing condolences over the martyrdom of her and al-Ikhbariya TV cadres’ colleague Hatem Abu Yehya, whom she said was “hideously snatched by the armed groups’ terrorism and criminality.”
In a statement to SANA, the freed journalist Yara Saleh described her happiness when she saw men in army uniforms heading to her and knew that they are members from the Syrian army.
Saleh talked about the inhuman practices and verbal assault of the armed terrorists groups against her and her colleagues, not to mention beating them and executing the cameraman Hatem Abu Yehya in such criminal and brutal way.
She added that they were force to make false statement on the air that the cameraman Abu Yehya was killed in an operation by the Syrian army.
Journalist Saleh said that “their killing and kidnapping acts will not terrify us, rather they will enhance our strength,” expressing gratitude for the Syrian army members who rescued them.
For his part, the photographer Abdullah Tabreh said the party which kidnapped them was marked by a very vicious criminal nature that has nothing to do with the true nature of the Syrians “who are characterized by loyalty to the homeland.”
Tabreh expressed relief as he heard the voice of the Syrian army members, greeting the armed forces who sacrifice themselves to protect Syrians and preserve the safety of the homeland.
He said that a small group of the heroic Syrian army defeated 300 terrorists and mercenary gunmen who were transporting us from one place to another.
Tabreh offered deep condolences to the family of the martyr Abu Yehya.
Driver Hussam Imad, who was kidnapped along with his colleagues by armed terrorist groups, described how those groups interrogated and tortured them with sticks and electricity.
He said that “these armed groups kidnapped al-Ikhbariya TV team, stole our car and equipment forcing us to convey a distorted image about the reality and accuse the army forces of what they commit of sabotage and terrorists acts.”
“However, thanks to the will and strength of our heroic army, we are freed now from the hands of the criminal gangs,” Imad said with pride.
Eng. Toni Kamel Hajal expressed happiness over the safe return of his nephew, the cameraman Tabreh, appreciating the Syrian army’s sacrifices to safeguard the homeland.
He stressed that Syria will remain strong thanks to the unity of the Syrian people and the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.
Hajal called upon those who became tools for killing at the hands of western, Arab and regional countries to return to the right path and reject violence.
Information Ministry: Soul of Martyr Yehya Will Remain a Torch
Information Ministry expressed, on behalf of all the journalists and workers at the Syrian media institutions and on its own behalf, gratitude to the armed forces and the Syrian army for their great efforts and sacrifices exerted to free al-Ikhbariya TV kidnapped team.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry stressed that the soul of the martyr Hatem Abu Yehya, who was among the 4-member team kidnapped and later killed by the terrorist groups, will remain for the Ministry and its cadres “a torch that lights up their roads towards conveying the facts and reality far from falsification and distortion.”
The Ministry added that the national media will remain the fortress of right, credibility and transparency and will never be shaken by “the entities of black terrorism”, stressing that victory is definitely coming.
Team of UN Observer mission meets al-Ikhbariya TV released team
A team of the UN Observer mission in Syria on Thursday met al-Ikhbariya TV team which was released by the Syrian Arab Army in a qualitative operation today after being abducted by an armed terrorist group in al-Tal area 7 days ago.
Members of the Ikhbariya team underlined that the Syrian media will remain stronger than terrorism and terrorists, saying that the word of this media will remain high because it relays the Right.
Director of al-Ikhbariya TV Imad Sara said in a statement to the press that the armed groups aim to affect the moral spirit of the citizens and the journalists to combat this national media or preventing it from fulfilling its duties, adding this was clearly shown through targeting the building of al-Ikhbariya TV and later the Syrian TV.
President al-Assad Issues Two Decrees Nominating 3 Ministers, Appointing Mohammad Waheed Aqqad as Aleppo Governor
Aug 16, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)_ President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday issued Decree No. 309 for 2012 nominating Dr. Adnan Abdo al-Sukhni as Minister of Industry, Najm hamad al-Ahmad as Minister of Justice and Saa’d Abdel-Salam al-Nayef as Minister of Health.
Minister Sukhni was born in Aleppo in 1961. He holds PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Charles in the Republic of Czech.
He was elected as a member in the People’s Assembly in the seventh, eighth and ninth legislative terms, and he has been the Governor of Raqqa province since 2010. He is married with three children.
Minister of Justice Najm hamad al-Ahmad was born in Aleppo in 1969. He got a degree in law in 1991 and three diplomas in general law, administrative law and administrative sciences from the University of Damascus and the University of Ain Shams in Egypt. He holds a PhD in law from the University of Ain Shams.
He chaired the judicial reform committee which was formed on May 17th, 2011 with the aim of drafting an integrated strategy to reform jurisdiction.
He also chaired the committee which was formed on May 5th, 2011 aimed at drafting a resolution on general elections.
Minister of Health Saa’d Abdel-Salam al-Nayef was born in Alepo in 1959. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Aleppo University in 1982. He got the colloquium certificate in 1986 as a specialist doctor.
He is married with three children
President al-Assad also issued Decree No. 310 for 2012 on appointing Mohammad Waheed Aqqad as Governor of Aleppo.
President al-Assad Sends Letter to Chinese Counterpart on the Situation in Syria
Aug 16, 2012
BEIJING, (SANA)_President Bashar al-Assad sent a letter to the Chinese President Hu Jintao on the developments in Syria and the region, delivered by the Presidential Political and Media Advisor, Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, to Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Dr. Shaaban briefed minister Jiechi on the situation in Syria and the efforts exerted by the Syrian government to get out of the crisis through a political national dialogue, away from foreign interference, stressing Syria’s interest in cooperation with friendly countries and international organizations and its commitment to Annan’s six-point plan.
Dr. Shaaban thanked China for its balanced and principled stance in support of the Syrian sovereignty, stressing the importance that all countries follow the lead of Russia and China in their accurate approach of the way out of the crisis.
For his part, the Chinese minister expressed his country’s unswerving rejection of imposing solutions on the Syrian people and foreign interference.
Terrorists Suffer Heavy Losses in Aleppo and Homs, 9 Citizens Released in Damascus Countryside
Aug 17, 2012
PROVINCES, (SANA) – The security authorities on Thursday repelled an armed terrorist group which tried to enter al-Sabaa Bahrat area from al-Atmeh Souq in the city of Aleppo.
The authorities clashed with the group leaving its members dead or injured.
Armed Forces Destroy 11 Pick-up Vehicles Equipped with DShK Machineguns in Aleppo, Carry out Qualitative Operations in Bab al-Neirab
Armed forces destroyed 11 pick-up vehicles equipped with DShK machineguns and arrested 3 terrorists near al-Jandoul Roundabout and Castillo crossroad in Aleppo.
Units from the armed forces carried out an operation in al-Marjeh neighborhood in the area of Bab al-Neirab in the city.
SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that the operation resulted in the death and injury of a number of terrorists.
A unit from the armed forces clashed with terrorists at the entrance of Saif al-Dawleh in Aleppo inflicting heavy losses upon them.
Armed forces killed and wounded dozens of terrorists in qualitative operations in al-Bab city in Aleppo countryside.
In Masakin Hanano, a unit from the armed forces targeted a group of armed terrorists and killed a large number of them.
Three 40-kg Explosive Devices Dismantled in Aleppo
The engineering units on Thursday dismantled an explosive device planted by an armed group near a mosque at the Meridian area in Aleppo.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that the device weighed 40 kg.
The engineering units also dismantled two 40-kg explosive devices that contain high-explosive materials and iron splinters planted near Amer Sarmini School and in Saif al-Dawleh area in Aleppo.
The engineering units also seized Molotov cocktails in a basement which was a command center for terrorists.
Army units pursue mercenaries in al-Bab , Masaken Hananou and Saif al-Dawla in Aleppo
A unit of the Syrian Arab Army targeted in two qualitative operations a number of terrorists positioned at the Post Office and the Justice Palace in al-Bab, Aleppo countryside.
A Source in Aleppo told SANA that the two operations led to the killing and inuring of a big number of terrorist mercenaries, while others escaped and threw their weapons.
Other Army units pursued the mercenaries who were positioned at the cultural center of Masaken Hananou, Bostan al-Basha, Said al-Dawla, inflicting heavy losses among the terrorists.
Scores of the terrorists were killed during the cleaning operations of the Army in Aleppo, among them one of al-Qaeda leaders.
Armed Forces Release 9 Citizens after Clash with Terrorists in al-Tal in Damascus Countryside
A unit from the Syrian armed forces clashed with terrorists in al-Tal area in Damascus Countryside, killing dozens of them and releasing 9 citizens who were kidnapped earlier.
An official source told SANA reporter that the freed citizens are Mohammad Hamadiyeh from Ein Mnin in Damascus Countryside, Deeb Mohammad from Ekweer in Damascus Countrysdie, Selman Razzouq from Idleb, Mohammad Baddour from Homs, Alaa Hussein from al-Salamiyeh in Hama, Fadi Neddeh from Tartous, Osama Yousef from Jableh, Manhal Baddour from Lattakia and Alaa Ammar Dawood from Jableh.
Authorities Inflict Heavy Losses upon Terrorists in Homs
Authorities on Thursday morning clashed with armed terrorist groups in al-Nizariyeh and al-Zeraa villages in the countryside of al-Qseir in Homs, killing and wounding a number of terrorists.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that the authorities, in cooperation with the inhabitants, carried out a tactical maneuver and ambushed the terrorist groups’ members which resulted in the killing and wounding a number of them.
The authorities also stormed a number of terrorists’ hideouts in Deir Baalbeh to the east of Homs.
The operations resulted in killing and wounding an number of terrorists, in addition to arresting others.
Authorities Destroy Two Cars Loaded with Weapons in the Countryside of Lattakia
Authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group in two double-cabin pick-ups loaded with ammunition and weapons in Kefr Delbeh in the countryside of Lattakia and destroy the two cars with terrorists inside.
Authorities Storm Terrorists’ Hideouts in Idleb, Kill Dangerous Terrorist Saeed Taleb
Authorities in Idleb stormed a hideout of an armed terrorist group on Salqeen-Isqat road whose members used to cut off roads and fire on passing cars.
An official source told SANA reporter that the clash resulted in killing and wounding a number of terrorists, in addition to seizing their weapons.
The authorities raided the house of terrorist Saeed Taleb, nicknamed as al-Zalt, who leads an armed terrorist group in the city and killed him.
Al-Moallem: OIC Decision to Suspend Syria Membership a Violation of the Organization’s Charter.. the US Leads Conspiracy against Syria
Aug 16, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem said that suspending Syria’s membership at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is a violation of the organization’s charter as its decisions are taken unanimously, indicating that several countries have informed him of their rejection of the decision.
In a special interview with the Syrian TV broadcast on Thursday, al-Moallem said that the Arab League and OIC have not only suspended Syria’s membership, but also conspired against it, adding that they are responsible for the bloodshed in Syria.
Al-Moallem indicated that they sent private planes to bring the leaders who were hesitant to attend Mecca meeting, describing them as hypocrites.
“The Syrian people had no interest in the summit which was held in Mecca, because an invitation was not sent to Syria, in another violation of the Organization’s charter.. Mecca is free from them because it will ask them what did you do for the occupied Jerusalem, al-Moallem said.
He added that they had no wish to invite Syria because they feared to hear the word of Right, and that might affect the mentality of some leaders whom they brought for this meeting.
On his meeting with Valery Amos, the UN Under Secretary General for the Humanitarian Affairs, al-Moallem said, ”During my meeting with Amos yesterday, I asked her about the countries who offered donations to the Syrian people, saying that there are four countries and not one dollar came from the Arabs.”
Al-Moallem stressed that the conspiracy against Syria is spearheaded by the US, while Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are but tools, stressing that they wanted to pass their conspiracy by all means, but the Syrian people stood firm thanks to their faith in their independent decision and secular state.
“They are hypocrites because they pay the money for the terrorist gangs in order to kill the Syrians, destruct their infrastructure, force them to leave homes and take them as human shields,” al-Moallem said.
He added that all states are obliged to implement resolutions issued by the UN Security Council to combat terrorism, adding that following the 9/11 events in New York, the US headed this act and mobilized the world public opinion towards combating terrorism.
“But regarding Syria, the US supports terrorists in a clear contradiction with the UN resolutions and the US commitment itself which disregarded this for a simple reason; as it leads the conspiracy against Syria, while Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are tools,” al-Moallem said.
Al-Moallem referred that the UN committed mistakes the same as made by the Arab League which took a decision to send an observer mission and after two months it decided to withdraw it as it recorded a report which admitted a presence of armed terrorist groups which cause violence and destruction in the country, and this contradicts with the conspiracy which they had plotted.
“The Arab League has taken the issue to the UN which decided to send a special envoy; Kofi Annan.. Syria has cooperated with the UN and Mr. Annan.. Syria has always asked him about the commitment of the other party and the neighboring countries.. but he had no ability to get any commitment for his plan from them,” the Foreign Minister said.
Al-Moallem added “We also asked him about the coming of mercenaries from Arab and non-Arab countries to fight in Syria.. he ( Annan) was saying: I admit that there is a third party, we were asking: is it al-Qaeda.. he was answering: I don’t want to respond.”
Al-Moallem went on to say that they appointed Annan and he resigned because he had no ability to get commitments from those states, the armed sides and the opposition inside and outside.. it was natural that this man would resign because he has his dignity.
He underlined that Syria welcomed the possibility of appointing Lakhdar al-Ibramimi as a new envoy, but the UN didn’t take a final decision yet.
“Syria wants to keep the presence of the UN as a good intention.. but we defy the UN to bring a side, whether from the opposition or from the armed terrorist groups, that accepts to stop violence,” al-Moallem said.
He added that Syria is committed to Annan’s six-point plan, but this is not enough and needs another party to conduct a national dialogue.
“We tried to do so on April 12th when we withdrew the army and the heavy weapon from the center of the cities, but the armed groups captured new regions and the victims between the civilians and the army members became triple than what were before,” al-Moallem said.
Iranian President Criticizes Some Regional Leaders’ Conduct towards Syria
Aug 16, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA)- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran stressed that the best way for implementing reforms cannot be through encouraging violence, killing and destruction.
Iranian media reported on Thursday that President Ahmadinejad criticized the conduct of some leaders towards Syria, during his meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, on the sidelines of the Islamic countries summit held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Iranian President wondered how some kings criticize Syria while they themselves are rejected by their people.
He said that peoples always call for justice, freedom and respect, but victory cannot be achieved by means of force, adding that a rule which is won by violence and force cannot preserve its independence.
Salehi: Suspension of Syria’s OIC Membership Is Unfair and Contradicts OIC Charter
Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, on Thursday stressed that the decision on suspending Syria’s membership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an “unfair move” which contradicts the Organization’s Charter.
In a statement to the Iranian IRNA news agency, Salehi said that Iran has opposed the suspension of Syria’s membership of the OIC because it contradicts its Charter, stressing that it was supposed to invite the Syrian government to attend the OIC meeting and for the member states to listen to its official stance before such a decision could be taken.
The Iranian Foreign Minister reiterated that Syria should have been invited to the meeting so as to propose a mechanism with the Syrian government and opposition to help get Syria out of the crisis and solve the problems it is currently suffering from.
Salehi voiced at the meeting of the foreign ministers of the OIC member countries Iran’s opposition to suspending Syria’s membership.
Boroujerdi: Suspending Syria’s Membership at OIC Politicized Decision
Chairman of the Iranian Shura Council’s Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security Alaeddin Boroujerdi stressed his country’s rejection of suspending Syria’s membership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as it is a politicized, unacceptable and unwise decision.
In a statement to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA) on Thursday, Boroujerdi said that the decision of suspending Syria’s membership as an Islamic country at the OIC has been taken under the influence of Saudi Arabia.
He stressed that Syria is an Arab and Islamic country and such decision lacks legitimacy and cannot be justified.
Amos: It is Important Humanitarian Aid Not Be Politicized … All Syrian Parties Should Exert more Efforts to Protect Civilians
Aug 16, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valery Amos, called upon all parties in Syria to exert more efforts for the protection of civilians, particularly after what she said the escalation of violence.
Speaking in a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel, Amos underlined the impact of the crisis on the economy and the livelihood of the people in Syria as there are large numbers of people who need urgent humanitarian aid.
Concluding its visit to Damascus, the UN official added that during her visit to the people who are temporarily staying in some public buildings and schools in Damascus she found that these families need more health and food assistance, calling for finding appropriate solutions so as to allow schools to open their doors normally in September.
Amos said that the aid provided by the UN and its partners are not enough, indicating the decline in funding. She noted that there are 8 international humanitarian organizations currently working on the Syrian territories and providing their humanitarian aid after having obtained the approval of the Syrian government.
She added that there are other humanitarian organizations which are ready to provide aid and are waiting for the permission of the Syrian government to establish offices in Syria.
Answering the journalists, Amos said that the talks with the Syrian government focused on a number of issues regarding increasing the capabilities of the UN organizations on the ground, the government’s procedures to meet the citizens’ needs, particularly the displaced.
She added that the discussion also focused on the impact of violence on the infrastructure in the country, the measure taken by the government to rehabilitate damaged infrastructures and the difficulties facing delivering aid to insecure areas.
Amos said that it is very important that the humanitarian aid not be politicized and any help be provided independently, stressing the need to deliver aid to everybody anywhere on the Syrian territories.
She highlighted the Syrian government’s fears that the humanitarian aid might end up in the hands of the armed terrorist groups.
Gatilov: UN Withdrawal from Syria Threatens the Entire Region
Aug 16, 2012
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that the withdrawal of the UN from Syria threatens the entire region with negative repercussions.
During his meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, Gatilov underlined the importance of preserving the UN presence in the country.
He stressed the need that all Syrian parties and foreign players implement the Security Council resolutions and the decisions included in the final document of the action group meeting on Syria.
Gatilov said it is important to activate the work of this group with the aim of coordinating steps to launch a political settlement to the crisis in Syria.
Political Analyst Joseph Abu Fadel Injured by Gunmen’s Fire on His Way to Damascus
Aug 16, 2012
BEIRUT, (SANA) – The Lebanese analyst and journalist Joseph Abu Fadel was injured by the gunfire of gunmen belonging to the militia of the so-called the free army while he was heading to Damascus on al-Masnaa-Ber Elias road.
In a phone call with SANA reporter in Beirut, Abu Fadel said that he was injured in the hand, adding that he did not obey the terrorist gunmen’s orders to stop and returned back to Chtaura despite his injury.
Patriarch al-Rai: International Community Should Exert Efforts to Find Political Solution to Crisis in Syria through Dialogue
Aug 16, 2012
BEIRUT, (SANA) – Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Beshara Al-Rai called upon the international community for sparing no effort to find an appropriate political solution to the crisis in Syria through dialogue and reconciliation.
Visitng Akkar region on Thursday, Patriarch al-Rai said that we join the call made by the Pope Benedict XVI as we call for exerting efforts to achieve peace in Syria through dialogue and reconciliation to find an appropriate political solution to the crisis in the country.