The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected and condemned statements made by Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki during a speech delivered to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday. In a statement released on Thursday night, the ministry alleged Marzouki had called on Egyptian authorities to release “what he described …
Read More »United States and Russia reach agreement on Syria U.N. chemical arms measure
Ending weeks of diplomatic deadlock, the United States and Russia reached an agreement on Thursday on a draft U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at ridding Syria of its chemical weapons arsenal. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said a deal was struck with Russia
Read More »John Kerry says Iran sanctions could be eased in months
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that if Iran takes rapid measures to cooperate with international monitoring of its nuclear program, Washington could begin lifting sanctions within months. Speaking to CBS News flagship 60 Minutes he said Iran should, for example, open up its Fordow underground
Read More »NATO chief says KFOR “won’t grow into army”
NATO chief Fogh Rasmussen gave assurances to President Tomislav Nikolić on Thursday that Kosovo security forces would not grow into an army. “Serbia is a key factor of peace and stability in the region,” Rasmussen said during talks with Nikolić on the sidelines of the session of the United Nations …
Read More »UN Chemical experts to finish work in Syria by Monday
A team of UN experts investigating alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria expects to complete its in-country work by Monday, the United Nations said on Friday. In a statement issued from Damascus, the UN said the team would investigate seven alleged attacks and “expects to finalise its activities in the …
Read More »Turkish President, Obama discuss Syria
Turkish President Abdullah Gül said he discussed the ongoing Syria conflict in depth with the United States President Barack Obama while having lunch in New York. Gül told reporters afterwards that Obama was at the same lunch table as he was, which gave the two the opportunity
Read More »Mali rebels suspend peace talks
Tuareg and Arab rebels, who control northern Mali, announced on Thursday the suspension of negotiations with the Bamako government, dealing a blow to hopes of a durable peace. The central issue is the future status of northern Mali, which the Tuareg movements call “Azawad.” The rebels are seeking autonomy, something …
Read More »Kenya buries its victims of mall tragedy
Kenya on Thursday buried victims of a four-day mall massacre by Islamist gunmen as international forensic and security experts scanned the rubble for bodies and clues. Weeping mourners from multiple religions gathered for the latest funerals of the 67 victims whose bodies have so far been recovered from the wreckage …
Read More »China and India to discuss border affairs
China and India will hold a two-day meeting in Beijing to discuss border affairs, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday. The fourth Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination over China-India Border Affairs
Read More »Indian PM to meet US President Barack Obama
US President Barack Obama looks forward to meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Washington tomorrow to discuss a wide range of issues and their shared objectives, the White House has said. “He (Obama) very much looks forward to the meeting,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters ahead …
Read More »