Middle Orient

Russia and the US agreed plan to eliminate Syrian stockpile

Russia and the United States agreed on how to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday after meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry. “We have a common understanding of what needs to be done and how. I am very glad that President (Barack) Obama …

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John Kerry welcomes destruction of Syria’s chemical arsenal

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad could take credit for quickly starting the process of destroying his government’s chemical weapons arsenal, and thanked Russia for its help. “The process has begun in record time and we are appreciative for the Russian cooperationand 

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Turkey rejects Syrian claims of helping armed groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda

Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu Tuesday rejected Syrian claims that Ankara was supporting armed groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda, and allowing them to use Turkish territories to launch attacks on the Syrian regime. “Turkey has never provided any kind of support for these groups, and we do not allow our borders …

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UN chief reveals plan to destroy Syria’s chemical arms

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday night outlined his plan for the establishment of a chemical weapons mission with about 100 experts to destroy Syria’s chemical arsenal. The plan would mark the first time that the UN has carried out such a task in the midst of a civil …

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OPCW chief to hold press conference on Syria’s chemical weapons

The Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ahmet Uzumcu, is expected to give a press conference on Wednesday on the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. “We had planned to organise this press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, but the event has now been moved back to …

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At least 38 people killed by explosions in Iraq

Bombs exploded across the Iraqi capital on Oct. 7, killing at least 38 people, police said, as suspected Sunni Islamist militants pursued a campaign to provoke intercommunal conflict. Eight of the 10 blasts in Baghdad were in mainly Shi’ite districts, but there was also an explosion in a mixed area and another …

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NATO chief worried over Turkey’s missile deal with China

The head of NATO expressed concern Oct.7 over Turkey’s decision to co-produce a missile defense system with a Chinese firm, saying he expected Ankara to choose a system that was compatible with those of other allies. Turkey has said it is likely to sign a $3.4 billion missile defense deal with a Chinese firm …

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