Foreign Ministry in Report to UN Secretary General.. Politicized Decisions Adopted by Human Rights’ Council Gave Green Light to Armed terrorist Groups to Kill Innocents
Jul 17, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Syria underlined that the politicized decisions adopted by the Human Rights’ Council and other organizations against Syria have given the green light to the armed terrorist groups to go ahead in the acts of killing against the Syrian people.
In a detailed report sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to the UN Secretary General, Syria refuted the allegations included in the Human Rights’ Council decision No. 19/22, asserting that the continuation in resorting to a biased, unprecedented approach by the Council will not contribute to achieving a peaceful solution to the crisis led by Syria, but it aims at complicating the situations and covering the support offered by Arab, regional and western states to the armed groups.
“Time has come for the Human Rights’ Council and those who mislead it to abandon the accusations pointed to Syria and to direct these accusations to their right place; the armed terrorist groups which perpetrate acts of killing against the Syrian people, target the national interests in addition to its ignorance to the difficult impacts of 60 bulks of sanctions and coercive measures imposed by states that claim commitment to the Syrian people’s rights,” the Ministry said.
It wondered how would they justify preventing the caner medicines, included in the sanctions, from being exported to Syria.
The report also referred to the Council’s ignorance of the sanctions imposed on a number of Syrian media institutions.
The Ministry expressed the Syrian Government’s hope that Ban Ki-Moon would be neutral and objective when dealing with the situation in Syria in a way that reflects the reality and contributes to reaching a solution based on the national dialogue among the Syrians, away from the foreign intervention in the Syrian internal affairs where some countries seek to prolong the scope of the crisis and destabilize the situation.
The report called for putting an end to the intervention of those countries in the Syrian domestic affairs and stop supplying the armed terrorist groups, which target the Syrians, with money, weapons, media and political coverage.
“What is happening in Syria is terrorist and criminal acts, killing civilians and destroying the private and public properties where the State is implementing its duty in preventing terror acts and protecting the Syrian people,” the report added.
The Ministry concluded its report by saying that Syria has cooperated with the UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan and carried out a lot of the sides enlisted in his 6-point plan at a time when the armed groups and their supporters seek to foil his plan and obstruct the mission of the UN observers.
Decree Granting Families of Military and Security Events Martyrs University Seats
Jul 17, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday issued Decree No. 274 for 2012 on amending paragraph of Article 116 of the executive list of University Regulation Law so as to grant student seats at all faculties, departments and specializations for sons, brothers and spouses of the martyrs and the disabled due to war and military operations and the internal security events.
Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Mohammad Yehia Moalla, said in a statement to SANA that the decree came in honoring of martyrdom and the martyrs who offered their lives in defense of the homeland’s unity, dignity and freedom, as well as for their families.
“They deserve that we all safeguard their principles and be faithful to their families through at least helping them continue education,” the Minister added.
Terrorists Attack Al-Qaboun Electricity Station, Authorities Clash with Armed Groups in Damascus and Aleppo
Jul 18, 2012
DAMASCUS/ALEPPO,(SANA) – An armed terrorist group Tuesday at dawn attacked al-Qaboun third electricity converter station, causing big financial loss and breaking down three converters.
An official source at Ministry of Electricity said that an armed terrorist group attacked the station with mortar and RPG shells, leaving material damages estimated at SYP 300 million due to the harm caused to three converters and maintenance levers, in addition to the burning of the station.
The source pointed out that maintenance workshops restored the voltage and replaced the damaged parts to re-operate the station in two days.
The authorities are hunting the terrorist group in the neighboring area to the station, the sources pointed out.
Authorities Confront and Chase down Terrorist Groups in Neighborhoods in Damascus
The authorities confronted an armed terrorist group that was opening fire and attempting to block roads in Naher Aisha area in Damascus.
An official source told SANA that the authorities managed to deal with the terrorists and cleared the roads in the area.
The source added that the authorities continue to chase down an armed terrorist group in the outskirts of al-Midan neighborhood in Damascus, inflicting heavy losses in the terrorists’ ranks.
In al-Maysat neighborhood, the authorities chased a group of three terrorist who opened fire on an ambulance, injuring the ambulance driver and the accompanying medic.
An official source told SANA that two of the terrorists have been arrested and that the authorities are still searching for the third.
In Bab Sereijeh area, the security personnel confronted a number of terrorists who opened fire randomly at the citizens and shops and killed them.
Two Citizens Injured in Booby-trapped Car Blast in al-Midan Neighborhood
After being hardly hit by the authorities, members of the armed terrorist groups blew up a booby-trapped car in al-Midan injuring two people, according to the source.
The terrorist attack resulted in injuring two citizens and caused great damage to the buildings, shops and cars in the site of the blast.
Some residents of al-Midan neighborhood said that the neighborhood is one of the most densely populated areas in Damascus that is why the gunmen wanted to use the innocent Syrian citizens as human shields.
The residents hailed the efforts of the Syrian Army members who evacuated the citizens and helped them flee away from the explosive devices and bombings carried out by the terrorist gunmen.
Some citizens said that the gunmen entered the neighborhood and opened fire randomly using different types of weapons then the Syrian army forces interfered, clashed with the terrorists and released the detained citizens.
They expressed gratitude for the Syrian army, stressing their cooperation with authorities in chasing the terrorists, pointing out that the terrorist acts will not undermine their determination or unity.
Terrorists Attack General Establishment for Printing in Barzeh, Damascus
An armed terrorist group attacked the building of the General Establishment for Printing in Barzeh with RPGs and machineguns.
Director of the Establishment Zouhir Suleiman told SANA reporter that the attack caused big material damage to the building, in addition to damaging printing equipment and the building’s doors and glass facades.
8 Terrorists Killed Tens Others Injured While Making Explosive Devices in Yabroud, Damascus Countryside
In Yabroud region in Damascus Countryside, 8 terrorists were killed and tens others were injured when a workshop for making explosive devices exploded while they were inside.
SANA reporter quoted a source at the Police Command in the province as saying that the place where the terrorists were making explosive charges was in a farm, noting that among the killed was Ousama al-Assali, who was a leader of an armed terrorist group and had been wanted for crimes of murder and abduction.
Traffic Police Wound and Arrest Terrorists in Daraa countryside
In Daraa countryside, members of Traffic Police in Bakhbab repelled an armed terrorist group driving a car and heading to Damascus.
A source at the Police Department told SANA reporter that the clash resulted in the injury of two terrorists, Hatem al-Abd and Abdul-Rahman al-Azzawi.
The source added that the driver Mohammad Abdul-Karim al-Mahamid and another terrorist was arrested in the clash and three Russian rifles were seized by the police members.
Authorities Clash with Terrorist Groups in Aleppo Destroying 14 Vehicles
Authorities on Monday clashed with armed terrorist groups riding in ten vehicles and attacking residents and law enforcement members in Bethraton and Bayanon in Aleppo.
An official source told SANA reporter that the clash caused heavy losses among the terrorists and destroyed the ten cars with the terrorists inside.
The source added that the authorities also clashed with armed terrorist groups in Aazaz area in the Province, adding that they were blocking roads, stealing and attacking citizens.
The authorities destroyed four cars supplied with machine guns and caused heavy losses among the terrorists.
The bodies of the terrorists Mohammad Fawzi Hafez, Ghazi Mohammad al-Ezzo, Ismail Hamandoush, Omar Qadour al-Sayyed Ali and Mohammad Akkash were identified, according to the source.
Authorities Storm dens used by terrorists in Hama, confiscate weapons
Following information by families and investigations, the competent authorities in Hama stormed yesterday a number of dens used by terrorists in al-Hamediya and al-Hader neighborhoods.
A source in Hama told SANA reporter that the authorities clashed with the terrorists, causing big losses among them and arresting many others.
It added that the authorities confiscated big quantities of weapons and ammunitions including 37 rifles, 5 snipers, 3 machine guns, 11 hand-made bombs, 23 RPGs, 3 pistols and hundreds of bullets.
Law Enforcement members in al-Eremeh, Aleppo, clash with terrorists
Law enforcement members of al-Eremeh neighborhood in Aleppo confronted an armed terrorist group which attacked the police department there.
A police source told SANA reporter that the clash caused big losses among the terrorists, destroying a Pickup car used by them.
Authorities Arrest Terrorist Involved in Bombing a Café in Aleppo
A blast hit Express Café in Bab al-Nasr area in Aleppo on Monday evening.
Authorities in Aleppo arrested Mohammad Walid Aurwa in Bab al-Nirab area in Aleppo with a Czech-made pistol and a cell phone near the site of the blast.
Searching the cell phone, the authorities found a video filming the bombing of Express Café with a voice announcing that Aisha’s Sons Battalion adopts the bombing.
Putin: Russia Will Continue to Support Annan’s Efforts to Settle Crisis in Syria
Jul 17, 2012
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said that since the beginning, Russia supported the efforts of UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan to settle the crisis in Syria, and that it intends to continue to support them in the future.
During his talks with Annan at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin said “since the beginning and since your first steps as a special envoy for the United Nations to Syria, we provided support, and now we support your efforts to restore civil peace in Syria.”
He pointed out that Annan’s visit to Moscow is taking place on the background of tragic events in Syria, stressing that Annan is known to Moscow as a man with integrity who has popularity and trust.
For his part, Annan said that the situation in Syria has reached a turning point and is currently in a critical moment.
Lavrov: There’s No Reason Preventing Agreement in Security Council on Syria
After the conclusion of the talks between President Putin and Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced confidence that the Security Council will reach a consensus on the draft resolution on Syria.
Lavrov said that there was general consensus in the meeting in Geneva which was called for by Annan, and that agreement to the resulting Geneva statement was unanimous, thus he doesn’t see any reason that prevents agreement in the Security Council.
In turn, Annan said that the talks touched on the discussions at the Security Council on Syria, hoping that the Council members will find solutions that are accepted by everyone.
Churkin: Russia will Veto Western Draft Resolution as it is a Preface for Military Intervention in Syria
Jul 17, 2012
MOSCOW,(SANA) – Russia’s Permanent Envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, stressed that his country will veto any western draft resolution that constitutes a preface for military intervention in Syria.
Russia Today TV Channel quoted Churkin as saying, ” Any hint to Chapter VII in Western draft resolution will be totally unacceptable to Moscow”, pledging that Russia will use veto against it.
The Russian Envoy pointed out to a Russian decision prepared by his country to vote for at the Security Council with regard to Russia’s readiness to adopt a draft resolution that would expand the mission of UNSMIS in Syria
Haidar: National Reconciliation Is Only Solution to Crisis in Syria
Jul 17, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Minister of State for National Reconciliation Affairs, Dr. Ali Haidar, stressed that the solution to the crisis in Syria is through national reconciliation that rejects violence and the use of arms and creates the appropriate environment to start the process of national reconciliation on the basis of a compromises that serve the interest of all Syrians.
Haidar was speaking in a statement to the journalists after meeting Swedish Ambassador in Damascus Niklas Kebbon.
The Minister said that the meeting dealt with prospects of cooperation between the ministry and the international community or through the UN Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan and his team or through the European Union and some of its countries which might have effective contributions to solving the crisis in Syria.
He added that the Swedish Ambassador stressed that his country will not cut off its diplomatic relations with Syria and THAT the Embassy will open its door as long as the security situation allows it.
700 Jordanian Figures Condemn Premier’s Statements on Foreign Intervention in Syria
Jul 17, 2012
AMMAN, (SANA)- Hundreds of Jordanian figures condemned the statements made by Jordan’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Tarawneh on international intervention in Syria, stressing support to the Syrian people and their national leadership in the face of the conspiracy hatched against Syria.
Some 700 figures representing various Jordanian unionist, popular, parliamentary and national spectrums signed a statement proclaiming their stance in support of Syria in defending its people’s unity and territorial integrity.
The statement warned that the Jordanian premier’s statement that dialogue in Syria will no longer avail in resolving the crisis in it means that Jordan has officially shifted to the rank of the powers conspiring against Syria.
The statement reiterated the Jordanians’ support to internal national dialogue in Syria as a means for achieving the economic, political and social reforms as this will safeguard Syria and its stance of resisting the Zionist-U.S. and Arab reactionist project.
It affirmed that Jordan’s higher national and pan-Arab interests regarding what is going on in Syria demand that the Jordanians call for a solution in Syria that is through a Syrian internal national dialogue.
“We strongly reject an talk on foreign intervention in Syria under Chapter VII of the UN Charter,” the statement added.
China, Russia Support Extending UNSMIS Mission
Jul 17, 2012
UN, MOSCOW, (SANA) – China’s Representative to the United Nations Li Baodong said that China supports extending the mission of the United Nations Supervision Mission In Syria (UNSMIS).
Xinhua News Agency quoted Baodong as saying that Russia’s draft resolution is in line with China’s point of view in this regard.
He added that it is difficult for China to agree on Britain’s draft resolution as it is under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
“The priority, concerning the crisis in Syria, is that the international community should continue supporting the efforts of the UN Envoy Kofi Annan and the statement of the Geneva meeting with the aim of alleviating tension and pushing forwards the political solution for the crisis,” Baodong said.
He stressed that the political process in Syria should be led by the Syrians themselves, highlighting that all plans should be discussed with all the Syrian sides.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: Annan Supports Extending UNSMIS Mission
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Tuesday said that the UN Envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, supports the Russian suggestion on extending the work of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).
In statements made after the meeting between Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Annan, Gatilov said that “We believe that the mission is playing an important and constructive role in stabilizing the situation, Annan supports us in this regard.”
Gatilov added that Lavrov and Annan stressed that the results of Geneva meeting should be supported.
Mehmanparast : Syria Adopts Reform Steps, Some Countries Seek Inflaming Situation
Jul 17, 2012
TEHRAN,(SANA)- Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast on Tuesday stressed that the Syrian government has adopted constructive steps in reform process and the fulfillment of the Syrian people’s legitimate demands, stressing that since the beginning of the crisis, Iran called for stopping violence, yet some countries seek to stir up internal clashes and supply the terrorist groups with money and weapons.
During his weekly press conference, Mehmanparast reiterated Iran’s readiness to host a dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition to create the convenient environment to solve the Syrian crisis in Syria, stressing that Iran is exerting all possible efforts to restore security and stability to the country.
The Iranian official underlined the importance of cooperation between all countries to bring the views closer to reach a final formula to the crisis in Syria, warning against the danger of the spread of the terrorist operations to other neighboring countries.
Mehmanparast said that Iran sees that the opposition’s demands should be done through dialogue without foreign interference or dictations.
Salehi: Dialogue is the Only Way to Resolve Crisis in Syria
On a relevant note, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi stressed that the only way to resolve the crisis in Syria is through dialogue between the opposition and the government within the framework of the plan of UN Envoy Kofi Annan.
In a statement on the sideline of the 1st Scientific Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Tehran, Salehi said that Iran voiced readiness to receive Syrian opposition representatives to hold dialogue with the Syrian government in Tehran
Two Pioneering Projects to Revive Cultural and Urban Heritage in Syria Launched
Jul 17, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, in cooperation with Aga Khan Network for Cultural Services (AKCS), on Tuesday launched two projects to revive the cultural and urban heritage in Syria.
The first project includes improving Ugarit site and establishing a development, cultural and social center in the region, in addition to studying means of maintaining the archeological ruins in the site.
The second project aims at setting up the framework of cooperation between the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums and the Network to implement the first stage of improving the Old City of Damascus and accomplish the historical study and the urban analysis of the City.
Director General of Antiquities and Museums Bassam Jamous stressed Syria’s archeological importance as it was classified among the World’s richest countries in terms of the number of archeological sites since it embraces more than 10000 archeological sites, seven of which are included in the World Heritage List.
In turn, AKCS Executive Director Ali Ismael reviewed the Network’s activities in Syria since 1991 which included the rehabilitation of Aleppo, Misyaf and Salah Eddin Castles and other archeological sites in the Syrian provinces.