Nach der Volksabstimmung über die neue Verfassung hat der ägyptische Präsident Mohammed Mursi das Oberhaus des Parlaments für kommenden Mittwoch zusammengerufen. Zuvor muss noch das offizielle Ergebnis des Referendums bekanntgegeben werden.

Die Verfassung ist die Vorraussetzung für Neuwahlen. Sollte die Zustimmung bestätigt werden, finden diese in rund zwei Monaten statt.

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The Syrian government‘s former spokesman, Jihad Makdissi, is co-operating with US intelligence officials who helped him flee to Washington almost one month ago, the Guardian understands.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin trumpeted their countries‘ strategic partnership at the summit in New Delhi, and in a joint statement agreed on global issues from Syria‘s unrest to Iran‘s nuclear ambitions.

“Terrorists committed crimes against civilians yesterday, and the army intervened in support of the population,“ the broadcaster said

In a reference to the war-torn west Asian country, Moscow and New Delhi called for an end to violence. The sides “expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation and continued violence in Syria and called upon all the parties to stop violence and engage in all inclusive national dialogue in order to resolve the conflict through peaceful political means,” according to the joint statement.

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The General Command of The Army and The Armed Forces stressed that the terrorist groups have hysterically intensified lately their attacks on the economic institutions and infrastructure with the aim of sabotaging the achievements established throughout decades, in a hopeless attempt to suppress the Syrian people and dissuade them from their national stance in rejecting terrorism and rallying around the Syrian Arab Army in confronting the aggression that targets Syria‘s role and stance.

Es seien auch keine Luftabwehr-Fachleute nach Syrien geschickt worden, ergänzte er.

Sie würden zusehen, dass die Lager mit chemischen und biologischen Waffen nicht von Rebellen geplündert werden, zitiert Focus einen Nato-Offizier.

Die israelische Sondereinheit Sayeret Matkal sei zudem offenbar längst nach Syrien eingesickert, schreibt „Focus“ unter Berufung auf Militärquellen in Jerusalem.

It is estimated that the Orthodox community in Syria numbers some 1.8 million people.

(24.12.) „Bennett‘s statement is very serious in my opinion,“ he added. „I think the idea of ​​refusal, even as a natural inclination, is something which is simply not acceptable. If every soldier decides that he likes or dislikes certain orders, we won‘t have an IDF and we won‘t have a state. I am not willing to accept such a thing.“

(21.12.) Bennett, who served in elite IDF units including the Sayeret Matkal commando unit and continues to serve to this day as a reservist, said during an interview with the „Mishal Cham“ program on Channel 2 that if he ever receives an order to evict Jews, he would ask his commander to release him from his position.

Assad sagte laut einem Bericht der Nachrichtenagentur SANA, seine Regierung unterstütze alle Bemühungen, die die Souveränität und Unabhängigkeit Syriens schütze.

(03.12.) The letter came after a series of exposés about the elite unit in Israeli media. Channel 2‘s „Uvda“ („Fact,“ an investigative reporting show) aired an episode about a 1992 training accident at the Tze‘elim army base in which five Sayeret Matkal soldiers died while reportedly training to assassinate then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Lawrow wirft dem Westen Heuchelei vor. „Wenn sie alle bei der Behauptung, dass die Beendigung des Blutvergießens und die Rettung möglichst vieler Menschenleben an vorderster Stelle stehen, die Wahrheit sagen würden, dann sollten sie eigentlich die Assad-Frage beiseite schieben und einen Waffenstillstand ausrufen.“

The depth and complexity of Syria‘s anti-aircraft defences mean that any direct western campaign, in support of a no-fly zone or in the form of punitive air strikes against the leadership, would be costly, protracted and risky. The possibility of Russian military casualties in such a campaign could have unpredictable geopolitical consequences.

Helping oust Mr. Assad is an important American objective, but it pales in comparison with preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Indeed, removing Mr. Assad in a manner that alienates China and Russia, both of which are critical in dealing with Iran, would be a Pyrrhic victory.

Die Patriot-Raketen seien auf eine etwas andere Art stationiert, als für eine Abwehr gegen syrischen Beschuss nötig sei, sagte Lawrow Montag in einem Interview mit dem TV-Sender Russia Today unter Berufung auf Experten. Die geplanten Aufstellungsorte sind ihm zufolge ein Beweis dafür, dass diese Waffen dem Schutz einer US-Radaranlage, eines Teils des US- Abwehrraketenschildes, dienen sollen.