UN estimates $8bn needed for Syrian refugees
The United Nations (UN) and about 240 civil society groups on Tuesday called for eight billion dollars funding to assist millions of Syrian refugees and neighbouring countries that host them.
Syria gives Russia ‘new evidence’ rebels behind chem attack
The Syrian regime has handed Russia new materials implicating rebels in a chemical attack outside Damascus on August 21, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday after talks in Damascus.
Saudi urges world action on Syria
International intervention in Syria must go beyond dismantling the regime’s chemical arsenal, Saudi Arabia said Monday, in veiled criticism of a US-Russian deal that prevented Western military strikes against the Damascus.
Obama welcomes Syria deal, expects Assad compliance
US President Barack Obama welcomed the deal reached Saturday to strip Syria of chemical weapons but said much remains to be done and Damascus must comply with the accord.
Assad vows to hand over chemical weapons ahead of US-Russia talks
President Bashar al-Assad vowed to hand over Syria’s chemical weapons Thursday as Moscow and Washington were set to begin high-stakes talks on a Russian plan to avert US-led military action against his regime.
US will strike if Syria not ‘honest’ – Israel
Israel’s President Shimon Peres warned Wednesday that the United States would pursue military action against Syria should its regime fail to destroy its chemical weapons in line with a Russian proposal.
France poised for Syria strikes
France said Wednesday it would remain poised to launch military action against Syria over its use of chemical weapons despite ongoing attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
Jihadists force Syria Christian to ‘convert at gunpoint’
Jihadists who overran Syria’s ancient Christian town of Maalula last week forced at least one person to convert to Islam at gunpoint and executed another one, residents said Tuesday.
When will the Americans learn that a Super-power is no longer Super-powerful?
THE United States still has not got the memo: we are no longer in the “American century.” The United States is no longer what it was, if indeed it ever was what it was supposed to be: the colossus of the international system. There are now small-state actors that exercise significant regional power without reference to American hegemonic pretensions. There is also a new pretender to the American throne in the form of the Peoples Republic of China, a country with 3.4 trillion American dollars in its reserves.
‘Expect everything’ if US attacks Syria, Assad warns
President Bashar al-Assad warned Washington “you can expect everything” in response if US forces attack Syria.
US military strike: Syrian foreign minister to hold talks in Moscow
Syria’s foreign minister will on Monday travel to Moscow to discuss the crisis in his country with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Moscow said.
