Syrian protest
Winter brings more troubles for displaced Syrians
By AP | 13 Dec 2012
This tent camp sheltering Syrians uprooted by their country’s brutal civil war has lost the race against winter: The ground under white tents is soaked in mud, fights erupt over scarce blankets and volunteer doctors routinely run out of medicine for coughing, runny-nosed children.
The 21-month-old battle to bring down President Bashar Assad has already forced some 3 million Syrians from their homes, according to a new estimate, and cold, wet winter weather is making life increasingly unbearable for the displaced.
World powers recognize Syrian opposition coalition
By Reuters | 12 Dec 2012
World powers meeting in Marrakech recognized Syria’s new opposition coalition as “the legitimate representative of the Syrian people” and called on President Bashar Assad to “stand aside,” according to a draft declaration obtained on Wednesday.
The declaration by 130 international representatives comprising the “Friends of Syria” group of nations warned that any use by Assad’s government of chemical or biological weapons would be met by a “serious response.”
For Iran, Unrest in Syria Is Noise, Not Brutal War
By Thomas Erdbrink | The New York Times | 11 Dec 2012
Syrian FM spokesman Jihad Makdissi defects: diplomatic source
Source : Agencies | 04 Dec 2012
Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi has defected and has left Beirut to settle in London, diplomatic sources said on Monday.
“He defected. All I can say is that he is out of Syria,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Reuters.
Lebanon's al-Manar Television said on Monday earlier reported that Makdissi has been sacked for making statements which did not reflect official government positions.
Makdissi’s mobile telephone was switched off on Monday evening and there was no immediate comment on Syrian state media.
Russia’s Putin to meet Turkey’s Erdogan in Istanbul to discuss Syria
Source : Agencies | 03 Dec 2012
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a landmark visit to Istanbul on Monday to discuss their differences over the crisis in Syria.
The visit follows a delay because of tensions between the two countries over the 20-month-old Syrian conflict and speculation that the Russian president might postpone his long-awaited trip due to a back injury.
