Eurasia

Syrian jets launched air strikes on Friday on mountainous areas in Lebanon, activists and the Lebanese National Agency reported. The jets struck areas in the hills of Kherbet Younine near Lebanon’s north-eastern town of Arsal.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed “extreme concern” on Thursday regarding latest situation in Crimea in southern Ukraine. “This morning’s action by an armed group is dangerous and irresponsible. I urge Russia

Ankara supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as this is very important for Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Feb. 27. The minister said Ukraine and Turkey are partners in many areas. Aside from that, the two parties hold regular political consultations.

The U.S. warned Russia Wednesday it would be a “grave mistake” to intervene militarily in Ukraine, after President Vladimir Putin put 150,000 combat troops on high alert for war games near the turmoil-ridden country. “For a country that has spoken out so frequently … against foreign intervention in Libya, in Syria and elsewhere, it …

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a snap military drill in Russia’s western region bordering Ukraine as the war of words between the two countries grows increasingly acrimonious. Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the armed forces of the Western and Central Commands had been put on “combat alert” for …

Fistfights broke out between pro- and anti-Russian demonstrators in Ukraine’s strategic Crimea region on Wednesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly ordered tests of the combat readiness of troops just across the border.

The European Union has re-affirmed commitment to restoration of stability to Ukraine and renewed obligation to continue support for the crisis-stricken nation. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, late on Wednesday, called a high level meeting to mobilise European Union support for Ukraine.

The US revealed that the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria has arrested relatives of opposition members and taken other punitive measures, following the failure of the Geneva II meetings earlier this month.

Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, invited the Bulgarian business to invest in his country at a meeting with President Rosen Plevneliev. The Bulgarian head of state is on an official two day visit to the western Balkan country.

Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin will meet with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu in Sofia on Thursday.