The EU Monday decided to appoint an Italian diplomat, Fernando Gentilini, as new special representative for Middle East, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini told a news conference at the end of a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Analysts opine that the re-establishment of the post of the special EU envoy …
Read More »Nigeria army claims liberation of northeastern state of Yobe
Nigeria’s military on Monday said that it had cleared Boko Haram from the northeastern state of Yobe, after reclaiming the town of Goniri. “We announced the reclaiming of Goniri today,” defence spokesman Chris Olukolade said on his Twitter account.
Read More »Serbia welcomes Mali peace agreement
Serbia on Monday welcomed the peace and reconciliation agreement in Mali, signed on 28 February in Algiers following the inter-Malian inclusive negotiations under the auspices of Algeria. “The Republic of Serbia welcomes the peace and reconciliation agreement in Mali, signed on 28 February2015, after inter-Malian inclusive negotiations which lasted eight …
Read More »EU warns of Russian build-up in Crimea
The EU warned Monday of a continued Russian military build-up in Crimea as it condemned Moscow’s “illegal annexation” of the peninsula from Ukraine one year ago. “The EU reaffirms its deep concern at the continuous military build-up and deterioration of the human rights situation in the Crimean peninsula, including the …
Read More »Biden, Poroshenko discuss military aid and ceasefire
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko by phone Saturday to discuss U.S. military aid to Ukrainian fighters and to call on Russian-backed fighters to adhere to a ceasefire agreement, according to U.S.
Read More »US could engage in talks with Assad for peace in Syria
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday said the Obama Administration is willing to engage in talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad towards a peace deal in Syria. Kerry’s comments came on the fourth anniversary of the Syrian uprising. UN figures put the number of dead at more than …
Read More »EU FMs discuss Libya, Syria, CAR situation
EU foreign ministers began a meeting here Monday focussed on Libya, migration and relations with Africa, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini told journalists ahead of the meeting.
Read More »France rules out Al Assad as solution to Syrian conflict
France on Monday again ruled out a role for President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria in finding a solution to the four-year conflict in that country and pointed to his responsibility for 220,000 dead in his country and the sharp growth in terrorism. The French comments from Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain …
Read More »Nigeria: 45 killed by suspected herdsmen
At least 45 villagers were killed in a dawn raid today by suspected herdsmen in Nigeria’s central Benue state, a police spokesman and a legislator said. “I confirm that 45 people, including women and children, were killed this morning in an attack on Egba village… of Benue state by suspected …
Read More »Syria regime air raids kill over 20 near Damascus
At least 26 people including seven children were killed and more than 100 wounded in Syrian government air strikes near the capital Damascus today, a monitor said. The raids on the town of Douma, northeast of the capital, came as the conflict entered its fifth year and the death toll …
Read More »