Belkhadem: The Syrians Alone Decide Their Own Future, AL Stance towards Syria Needs Reconsideration
ALGIERS, (SANA) – The Algerian State Minister and the Secretary General of the National Liberation Front Party Abdelaziz Belkhadem on Sunday criticized the Arab League (AL) stance towards what is taking place in Syria, saying that it needs deep reconsideration.
“The Arab League is no longer a league and it is so far from being Arab as its name indicates since it asks the Security Council to interfere against one of its founding members and calls upon the NATO to destroy the resources of Arab countries,” Belkhadem, who is the personal representative of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was quoted by the AFP as saying in an interview with an Algerian French-speaking radio station.
He stressed the need for putting an end to what is happening in Syria and for leaving the Syrians decide their future by themselves.
The Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci, during a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo last Wednesday, pointed out that Algeria reserved on the seven point of the Arab League’s decision issued on January 22nd, which calls for referring the Syrian file to the Security Council.
Medelci expressed hope that the Arab initiative will remain the main reference for resolving the crisis in Syria and the Arab League will stay a mediator between the Syrian authorities and the opposition.
Twelve Army, Customs, Law-enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest
DAMASCUS/ LATTAKIA, (SANA) – The bodies of 12 army, customs and law enforcement martyrs were escorted from Tishreen and Zahi Azraq Military Hospitals in Damascus and Lattakia to their final resting place.
Official funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs, who were killed by the gunfire of armed terrorist groups while on duty in Homs, Damascus Countryside and Daraa, as they were carried up on shoulders while the music of “The Martyr” and “The Farewell” was played.
The martyrs are:
Lieutenant Colonel Fayez Ali Taleb, from Lattakia.
Major Basel Abdullah Mansoura, from Lattakia.
Major Rafi Najdat Sha’abo, from Lattakia.
First Lieutenant Saleh Ali Hermez, from Tartous.
Chief Warrant Officer Aziz Ali Shamma, from Hama.
Segeant Major Majd Ali Asa’ad, from Hama.
Conscript Mohsen Suleiman Abdullah, from Deir Ezzor.
Conscript Bilal Jume’ al-Hussein, from Aleppo.
Conscript Abdullah Mustafa Ismael, from Aleppo.
Conscript Elias Nazeer Sino, from Homs.
Conscript Ammar Akram al-Ghoutani, from Sweida.
Customs Guard Rami Mohammad al-Hammoud, from Homs.
The martyrs’ families stressed their confidence in the Syrian people’s ability to overcome the crisis through adherence to national unity, affirming their belief that the martyrs’ blood that was shed while defending the homeland will fortify Syria and make it stronger and more steadfast against the challenges.
Terrorists Assassinate Attorney General and Judge in Idleb…4 Civilians, 2 Security Members Martyred in Hama
IDLEB/ HAMA,(SANA)- In the framework of targeting the national expertise, an armed terrorist group on Sunday assassinated General Attorney in Idleb Nidal Ghazal, Judge Mohammed Ziyadeh and their driver while they were heading for their job at the Palace of Justice in the city.
SANA correspondent said that the armed terrorist group opened fire at the car of the General Attorney and the Judge near Hussam Hijazi School at al-Dabeitt Neighborhood causing their martyrdom with their driver.
Earlier on Saturday, an armed terrorist group assassinated member of Council of Aleppo City Jamal al-Bish at As-Safirah District in Aleppo.
Four Civilians Martyred, Three Others Injured by Fire of Gunmen in Hama
In Hama, four civilians, including a student and three employees on Sunday were martyred and three others injured by the fire of an armed terrorist group after targeting a bus carrying passengers between Kafer At-Ton and Tal Sikkin villages in Hama countryside.
A source at Hama Governorate told SANA reporter that the armed terrorist group opened the fire on the bus while it was heading from Kafer At-Ton to Tal Sikkin, causing the martyrdom of student Ali Wannous and employees Ibrahim al-Na’am, Mohammed Diyab al-Na’am and Mohammed Ghanem al-Na’am.
Maher al-Na’am, Naser Ghanem al-Na’am and Ibrahim Alloush were injured and hospitalized, some in critical condition.
Authorities Kill 3 Terrorists, Injure 2 Others and Seize Weapons in Hama
Meanwhile, the authorities in Hama killed three terrorists, injured two others and seized their weapons while pursuing an armed terrorist group in Bab Qebli neighborhood in Hama City.
Four Explosive Devices Dismantled in Hama
In another context, the military engineering units in Hama dismantled 4 explosive devices planted by armed groups to target citizens and a railway.
SANA reporter said that one of the explosive devices was planted on a railway while the others were planted on Hama-Khattab road, noting that there were no injuries during the dismantling operation.
Two Law-enforcement Members Martyred in Hama on Saturday
On Saturday, two law-enforcement members were martyred by the gunfire of an armed terrorist group that targeted a passenger microbus in Mourk region in Hama.
SANA reporter said that the two martyrs are Sergeant Mouein Mahmoud Ibrahim and Hassan Hilal al-Saleh.
Gunmen Burglarize Three Grain Cars in Hama
An armed terrorist group burglarized three cars loaded with grain near Eqeirbat town in Hama.
An official source told SANA reporter that a group of masked gunmen in three Toyota cars without license plates blocked the first car which was carrying 32 tons of grain belonging to Tartous Cereals Establishment.
The armed terrorist group also stole two other cars, each laden with 33 tons of grain, belonging to al-Salamiyeh Cereals Branch in Hama.
The source said that the gunmen drove the cars to Eqeirbat town accompanied with a Hyundai car without a license plate.
Authorities Storm Hideouts of Armed Groups in Eastern Ghouta, Wanted Men Surrender
Authorities in Damascus Countryside arrested a number of wanted men with their weapons in the process of pursuing armed groups in Eastern Ghouta, mainly in the areas of Saqba, Hammouriyeh, Erbeen, Kafr-batna, Douma and Harasta.
The authorities also stormed one of the terrorist groups’ hideouts in Eastern Ghouta and seized large amounts of weapons of various types and explosive devices.
An official source told SANA reporter that a group of wanted men surrendered to authorities.
President Suleiman: Lebanon Doesn’t Agree on Measures to Isolate any Arab Country
BEIRUT, (SANA)- Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said Lebanon, as a country with peculiarity, does not agree on measures to isolate any Arab country, referring to Lebanon’s special situation with Syria.
In press statements on Sunday, President Suleiman added that the relationship with Syria as Lebanon’s only neighbor has reflected on the nature of social relations between the two countries and on the political stances in Lebanon.
“Therefore, when we objected a previous Arab League’s decision on suspending Syria’s membership, it was natural to reserve on the League’s next decision since it recalls the previous one and stresses on cutting off diplomatic cooperation with Syria,” said the Lebanese President.
“We are against isolating the Arab countries as this will lead to isolating the people, which is why we reserved,” President Suleiman reiterated, recalling his statements expressed recently in his speech at the Lebanese University in Tripoli in northern Lebanon.
He said “As long as the West looks differently at the cause of Palestine compared to its view of Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and Libya, democracy will not be the one we are looking for.”
“Israel occupies, suppresses and prevents Palestine from joining the UN General Assembly…Can’t we ask why is this?” President Suleiman said.
He wondered at the recent resolution adopted against Syria at the UN General Assembly with 137 votes in favor , whereas Palestine has the votes of 131 countries supporting its bid to join the UN GA and is denied this.
“What is this democracy which allows the obliteration of Jerusalem’s identity, the killing and the shelling? What is this democracy which denies a citizen the right to his identity and land?” asked President Suleiman.
He called for ending violence in Syria, going for dialogue and moving ahead with the real reforms under appropriate circumstances. “Let’s leave the Syrians themselves decide their destiny,” said President Suleiman.
As for the deployment of the Lebanese army in some areas on the border with Syria, President Suleiman said it is the duty of the Lebanese army to provide border control when there is tension and in any place it finds necessary.
Iranian FM: UN General Assembly Resolution Shows Double Standards Policy
TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Sunday criticized the resolution of the UN General Assembly on Syria, stressing that the resolution is contradictory and is a result of the double-standard policy adopted by some Arab and western countries.
In a press conference with his Nicaraguan counterpart Samuel Santos, Salehi stressed that the international hegemony countries haven’t yet learned how to deal rationally with other countries.
Turkish Popular and Civil Activities Organize March in Antioch to Support Syria
ANTIOCH, (SANA) – Turkish popular and civil activities on Sunday organized a march in the city of Antioch to show solidarity with Syria and support for President Bashar al-Assad, with around 10,000 people challenging the authorities who tried to prevent the march.
Participants voiced rejection of any foreign interference in Syria’s affairs, denouncing the policies of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan which conspire with the west against Syria.
The participants marched in the city carrying Syrian flags and pictures of President al-Assad, voicing outrage over the Turkish government’s policies regarding Syria and decrying interferences in the region.
They called on their government to not participate in the plots against the region and Syria, lifting banners saying “Syria will not become like Iraq and Libya.”
The Turkish government attempted to prevent this march, demanding that leftist and opposition parties refrain from organizing such activities, but the participants were determined to send a message to their government that they will not allow Turkey to become a platform for conspiring against Syria.
Interior Ministry: 14,600,000 Citizens Eligible to Participate in Referendum on New Constitution
DAMASCUS, SANA_ About 14,600,000 throughout Syrian governorates are eligible to participate in the referendum on the new constitution in Syria, Deputy Minister of Interior for Civil Affairs, General Hassan Jalali said Saturday.
Gen. Jalali added that 13,835 offices were devoted to the referendum, including offices opened on land borders and at airports to enable all citizens to practice their right to referendum.
He said the referendum will be held under the supervision of a central committee chaired by the interior minister and two of his assistants.
Iraq Beefs up Security Measures on Borders with Syria
BAGHDAD, (SANA)_Iraq decided to beef up the security measures on its borders with Syria, in an attempt to prevent cross-border infiltration attempts and smuggling weapons.
An Iraqi official statement said that the decision was taken during a meeting of the ”crisis cell” on Saturday chaired by Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister.
The statement added that senior Iraqi officials and officers in the defense and interior ministries decided to set up a committee tasked with checking borders with Syria and coming up with a vision on the measures to be taken to prevent the smuggling of weapons.
The statement added that necessary measures were taken to tighten control on the borders with Syria where flare –ups take place, allowing infiltration and weapons-smuggling.
Al-Maliki urged the Iraqi security to take security information seriously as the security is a matter of precaution.
The statement said that the measures come in accordance with the government’s policy of preventing interference in the internal affairs of other countries.