Mass protest drags on in Egypt as military rulers seek way out of crisis
Egypt's military rulers held talks with political groups on Tuesday to seek the way out of the worst crisis since the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak in February, as mass protest continued in Cairo's symbolic Tahrir Square.
Latest reports from local media said shortly before that the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has just agreed to transfer power to a civilian government before July 1 of 2012, bowing to the demands of protesters who have gathered in Cairo and other cities for several days.
But at the same time, different views exist on the fate of the upcoming elections slated for next week. While the Muslim Brotherhood insisted on holding elections on time, the liberal Wafd party wanted the polls to be delayed two weeks until security is restored.
Hussein Tantawi, head of the SCAF, is expected to address the nation some time on Tuesday. Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, whose cabinet tendered resignation to the military council, called on all Egyptian people to put the national interest first and work on calming down the situation in the street. Latest reports from local media are suggesting that the resignation has been just accepted by the ruling military council.
The SCAF has asked the justice ministry to investigate the violence which has raged on for four days. The council is reportedly approaching Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog IAEA, for the prime minister's position.
Sharaf's cabinet spokesman Mohamed Hegazy indicated earlier that the government would continue to discharge its duties until the SCAF decides on the matter.
''We were so close to achieving the most important goal in the political transformation by holding the parliamentary elections,'' Sharaf told reporters. ''We worked hard and did everything we could in favor of this country.''
As Egyptians await a way out of the current crisis, massive protests are continuing at central Cairo's Tahrir Square for the fifth day. Footage of local TV channels showed that a funeral for one of the protesters killed in recent violence was held at the square Tuesday morning.
According to the health ministry, 28 people died and more than 2,000 were injured in the clashes over the past four days. Protests and clashes also erupted in other Egyptian cities including Alexandria, Suez and Ismailia, which casualties were also caused.
In response to a Million-Man-March call, tens of thousands of people gathered in Tahrir Square on Tuesday. The number of the protesters was growing as more and more people joined their ranks after work.
Among their top demands are sacking the current Sharaf-led government, withdrawing the constitutional principles, setting a date for transferring power from the military council to a civilian government, in addition to holding presidential elections before mid-2012.
The protests, first starting on Friday, are one of the largest in the country since the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak.
Saed Lawendy, a researcher with the Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said that no one knows where Egypt is going to go.
"All what is happening now is to postpone the elections," he told Xinhua. "The political forces became sure of the Muslim Brotherhood's domination over the parliament elections and that nothing were changed in the procedures of the parliament elections. "
"It is necessary for the Sharaf government to resign, but if the supreme military council left the country now, the matter will be worse and worse, as the rescue government formation will cause disputes among political forces," he said.
Egypt is planned to start a historic parliamentary elections on Nov. 28. But the current crisis cast doubts on the polls.
The latest round of violence has started to cause a toll on the country's economy. For the ninth day in a row, Egyptian shares Monday plunged more than 4 percent. Non-Arabs were taken by bearish sentiment, pulling down the bourse's main index EXG 30 4. 04 percent, to a three-year low of 3,860.99 points.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-23 01:50:41
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Iran says Western sanctions aim at "propagandistic, psychological war"
Iran says Western sanctions aim at "propagandistic, psychological war"
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that latest Western sanctions against the country aim at propagandistic and psychological war.
The recent move by certain Western countries to put sanctions on Iran shows their hostility toward the Iranian nation and is an "experienced and futile act," said the spokesman at his weekly press briefing.
On Monday, the United States and its allies Britain and Canada announced new sanctions against Iran, in the wake of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that expressed concern over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
"Everybody knows that our trade exchange with the U.S. and UK is at its lowest level," said Mehmanparast.
In the meantime, Iran has increased the volume of its trade ties with other countries and the volume of Iran's trade exchanges with other countries shows a 36 percent rise in the past 12 months in comparison with the same period last year, he added.
"In the eyes of our nations Western sanctions are condemned and fruitless," said the spokesman.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced in Washington on Monday that President Barack Obama signed an executive order that for the first time specifically targets Iran's petrochemical industry, and also expanded sanctions on Iran's oil and gas business.
Alongside Clinton, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner warned the financial institutions around the world of the serious risks of "doing business with Iran."
Clinton described the new sanctions as "a significant ratcheting up of pressure on Iran, its sources of income and its illegal activities."
Meanwhile, Britain on Monday severed all links with Iranian banks as part of the country's new financial sanctions against Tehran.
From 1500 GMT Monday, all Britain credit and financial institutions are required to cease business relationships and transactions with all Iranian banks, including the Central Bank of Iran, and their branches and subsidiaries.
This is the first time for Britain to cut off an entire country 's banking sector from its financial business.
According to a statement from the British Treasury, Iranian banks played a crucial role in providing financial services to individuals and entities within Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Canada's new sanctions against Iran, announced by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, prohibit financial transactions with Iran, subject to certain exceptions; expand the list of prohibited goods to include all goods used in the petrochemical, oil and gas industry in Iran; amend the list of prohibited goods to include additional items that could be used in Iran's nuclear program.
Canada also added new individuals and entities to the list of designated persons under sanctions, and removed certain entities that no longer present a proliferation concern.
In June last year, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions against Iran. Soon afterward, the United States, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Canada and several other countries also placed unilateral sanctions on the Islamic republic. Large amounts of foreign investments left the country after these sanctions were imposed.
Mehdi Ghazanfari, Iran's minister of Industry, Mine and Commerce, said Monday that the West's sanctions on Iran has a two- way impact and is a lose-lose strategy where both sides will suffer.
Responding to a reporter's question concerning the impact of potential U.S. sanctions against Iran, especially in the energy sector, Ghazanfari said that this is a lose-lose scenario, that is, Iran will be under the sanction pressures, the outcome of sanctions will be costly for the country and money transfer will be harder.
Adopting sanctions will not be for the good of the West either and it will harm their interests too, Ghazanfari stressed.
If they do not invest in Iran's energy sector, they will lose Iran's energy industry market for at least 20 years, the Iranian minister said, adding that in the face of sanctions from Western countries, Iran will think of other substitutes.
There are other ways for cooperation and investments, and there are several ways for Iran to connect to the world, he said, pointing out that local producers and investors can step in and offset the impact of sanctions.
On Monday, Ghazanfari said that sanctions will further create distance between the sides and will not help settle the problems, adding that it is better to think of reasonable and logical ways to solve the issues.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 21:39:23
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that latest Western sanctions against the country aim at propagandistic and psychological war.
The recent move by certain Western countries to put sanctions on Iran shows their hostility toward the Iranian nation and is an "experienced and futile act," said the spokesman at his weekly press briefing.
On Monday, the United States and its allies Britain and Canada announced new sanctions against Iran, in the wake of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that expressed concern over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
"Everybody knows that our trade exchange with the U.S. and UK is at its lowest level," said Mehmanparast.
In the meantime, Iran has increased the volume of its trade ties with other countries and the volume of Iran's trade exchanges with other countries shows a 36 percent rise in the past 12 months in comparison with the same period last year, he added.
"In the eyes of our nations Western sanctions are condemned and fruitless," said the spokesman.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced in Washington on Monday that President Barack Obama signed an executive order that for the first time specifically targets Iran's petrochemical industry, and also expanded sanctions on Iran's oil and gas business.
Alongside Clinton, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner warned the financial institutions around the world of the serious risks of "doing business with Iran."
Clinton described the new sanctions as "a significant ratcheting up of pressure on Iran, its sources of income and its illegal activities."
Meanwhile, Britain on Monday severed all links with Iranian banks as part of the country's new financial sanctions against Tehran.
From 1500 GMT Monday, all Britain credit and financial institutions are required to cease business relationships and transactions with all Iranian banks, including the Central Bank of Iran, and their branches and subsidiaries.
This is the first time for Britain to cut off an entire country 's banking sector from its financial business.
According to a statement from the British Treasury, Iranian banks played a crucial role in providing financial services to individuals and entities within Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Canada's new sanctions against Iran, announced by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, prohibit financial transactions with Iran, subject to certain exceptions; expand the list of prohibited goods to include all goods used in the petrochemical, oil and gas industry in Iran; amend the list of prohibited goods to include additional items that could be used in Iran's nuclear program.
Canada also added new individuals and entities to the list of designated persons under sanctions, and removed certain entities that no longer present a proliferation concern.
In June last year, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions against Iran. Soon afterward, the United States, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Canada and several other countries also placed unilateral sanctions on the Islamic republic. Large amounts of foreign investments left the country after these sanctions were imposed.
Mehdi Ghazanfari, Iran's minister of Industry, Mine and Commerce, said Monday that the West's sanctions on Iran has a two- way impact and is a lose-lose strategy where both sides will suffer.
Responding to a reporter's question concerning the impact of potential U.S. sanctions against Iran, especially in the energy sector, Ghazanfari said that this is a lose-lose scenario, that is, Iran will be under the sanction pressures, the outcome of sanctions will be costly for the country and money transfer will be harder.
Adopting sanctions will not be for the good of the West either and it will harm their interests too, Ghazanfari stressed.
If they do not invest in Iran's energy sector, they will lose Iran's energy industry market for at least 20 years, the Iranian minister said, adding that in the face of sanctions from Western countries, Iran will think of other substitutes.
There are other ways for cooperation and investments, and there are several ways for Iran to connect to the world, he said, pointing out that local producers and investors can step in and offset the impact of sanctions.
On Monday, Ghazanfari said that sanctions will further create distance between the sides and will not help settle the problems, adding that it is better to think of reasonable and logical ways to solve the issues.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 21:39:23
Bahraini rights groups release "shadow report" on right violations
Bahraini rights groups release "shadow report" on right violations
Bahraini human rights groups released a report Tuesday on the right violations during the country's unrest, a so-called "shadow report" before the much- anticipated issue of an official report by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).
The 84-page report, compiled by the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), now-defunct Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and some other local nongovernmental organizations, was issued at a press conference at the BHRS premises in Manama's Adliya district.
"Our investigative report supports the rights of victims, no matter their political or religious background. It is unaffiliated with the Bahraini government or any foreign government, and is firmly centered on domestic civil society advocacy of human rights, " the report said.
According to the report, the BCHR have documented 45 deaths, 1, 500 cases of arbitrary arrest, 1,866 cases of torture, 500 prisoners of conscience, the destruction of over 40 places of worship, 2,710 sackings, 500 people in exile, three men on death row and 477 students expelled.
It said that the National Safety Court have sentenced 208 civilians to long-year imprisonment, including 20 doctors sentenced to up to 15 years of imprisonment.
"We have collected the names of at least 50 security officials who were identified by the victims as either carrying out the act of torture directly or who oversaw authorized ordered the act of torture," it said.
The report called the Bahraini government to immediately end the violent repression of protests, to release political prisoners, to ease the tension by removing checkpoints from villages, hospitals and schools, to reinstate all workers dismissed from their jobs during the unrest, and to end the impunity of those in power.
The BICI is expected to issue a report on right violations on Wednesday. The report will be submitted by the commission head, Mahmoud Bassiouni, to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at a ceremony to be held on Wednesday at the Al Safriya palace.
The Bahraini government said in a statement Monday that it had started investigations into the "excessive force and mistreatment of detainees" during the unrest.
"The government expects such criticism. There will be no impunity. All those responsible for abuses will be held accountable," it said.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 21:37:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANAMA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Bahraini human rights groups released a report Tuesday on the right violations during the country's unrest, a so-called "shadow report" before the much- anticipated issue of an official report by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).
The 84-page report, compiled by the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), now-defunct Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and some other local nongovernmental organizations, was issued at a press conference at the BHRS premises in Manama's Adliya district.
"Our investigative report supports the rights of victims, no matter their political or religious background. It is unaffiliated with the Bahraini government or any foreign government, and is firmly centered on domestic civil society advocacy of human rights, " the report said.
According to the report, the BCHR have documented 45 deaths, 1, 500 cases of arbitrary arrest, 1,866 cases of torture, 500 prisoners of conscience, the destruction of over 40 places of worship, 2,710 sackings, 500 people in exile, three men on death row and 477 students expelled.
It said that the National Safety Court have sentenced 208 civilians to long-year imprisonment, including 20 doctors sentenced to up to 15 years of imprisonment.
"We have collected the names of at least 50 security officials who were identified by the victims as either carrying out the act of torture directly or who oversaw authorized ordered the act of torture," it said.
The report called the Bahraini government to immediately end the violent repression of protests, to release political prisoners, to ease the tension by removing checkpoints from villages, hospitals and schools, to reinstate all workers dismissed from their jobs during the unrest, and to end the impunity of those in power.
The BICI is expected to issue a report on right violations on Wednesday. The report will be submitted by the commission head, Mahmoud Bassiouni, to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at a ceremony to be held on Wednesday at the Al Safriya palace.
The Bahraini government said in a statement Monday that it had started investigations into the "excessive force and mistreatment of detainees" during the unrest.
"The government expects such criticism. There will be no impunity. All those responsible for abuses will be held accountable," it said.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 21:37:35 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANAMA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Turkey detains 15 al-Qaida suspects
Turkey detains 15 al-Qaida suspects
Turkish police on Tuesday detained 15 people on suspicion of links to the al-Qaida terror network, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
The suspects were detained in simultaneous police raids in the central Anatolian city of Konya, according to the report.
State-run TRT television said they were suspected al-Qaida members but gave no other details. Police would not comment.
Earlier this year, Turkish police arrested a group accused of planning to attack the US embassy in Ankara and another group in the southern city of Adana, which is home to the Incirlik Air Base used by the United States to transfer noncombat supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan. Authorities have said al-Qaida planned to attack Incirlik in the past but was deterred by high security.
Turkish authorities have said dozens of radical militants have received training in the ranks of al-Qaida in Afghanistan.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 21:09:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Turkish police on Tuesday detained 15 people on suspicion of links to the al-Qaida terror network, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
The suspects were detained in simultaneous police raids in the central Anatolian city of Konya, according to the report.
State-run TRT television said they were suspected al-Qaida members but gave no other details. Police would not comment.
Earlier this year, Turkish police arrested a group accused of planning to attack the US embassy in Ankara and another group in the southern city of Adana, which is home to the Incirlik Air Base used by the United States to transfer noncombat supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan. Authorities have said al-Qaida planned to attack Incirlik in the past but was deterred by high security.
Turkish authorities have said dozens of radical militants have received training in the ranks of al-Qaida in Afghanistan.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 21:09:33 FeedbackPrintRSS
ANKARA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Yemen's rival parties reach compromise for power transfer deal: UN envoy
Yemen's rival parties reach compromise for power transfer deal: UN envoy
The UN envoy Jamal bin Omar said Tuesday in Sanaa that the Yemeni ruling party and the opposition have reached a compromise on Gulf-broked initiative and its implementation mechanism, and are discussing the details of the signing ceremony.
"A political compromise has been reached on the implementation mechanism of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative between the ruling party and the opposition coalition," bin Omar told reporters after meeting with Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the opposition leaders.
"We are now discussing the arrangements for signing theGCC initiative and its agreed implementation mechanism," he added, and congratulated the Yemeni people.
Bin Omar, who has visited Yemen to mediate the political crisis since July, finally declared his achievement during his sixth visit to follow up the implementation of the UN Resolution 2014 that called on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign the GCC initiative and end violence. The UN envoy was scheduled to hold a press release Tuesday morning, which was delayed to evening or Wednesday morning, according to a government official.
Meanwhile, an opposition official told Xinhua that "GCC chief Abdullatif al-Zayani is due to arrive in Sanaa soon to oversee the signing ceremony."
A senior government official ruled out that the signing ceremony will be held Tuesday, but rather within next few days.
On Monday, the Yemeni rival officials said they agreed to sign the UN-mediated GCC initiative on Tuesday to transfer power from President Saleh to his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in return for immunity, and Saleh will retain his title as honorary president until a new leader for the country is elected.
They also said they agreed on the establishment of a mechanism to implement the GCC deal despite small differences.
The GCC initiative stipulates Saleh to hand over power to his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and resign in 30 days in return for immunity from prosecution. Hadi would then form an opposition-led national government and arrange presidential elections in 60 days.
Saleh has backed out of signing the deal for three times in the last minutes.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 19:40:41 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
The UN envoy Jamal bin Omar said Tuesday in Sanaa that the Yemeni ruling party and the opposition have reached a compromise on Gulf-broked initiative and its implementation mechanism, and are discussing the details of the signing ceremony.
"A political compromise has been reached on the implementation mechanism of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative between the ruling party and the opposition coalition," bin Omar told reporters after meeting with Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the opposition leaders.
"We are now discussing the arrangements for signing theGCC initiative and its agreed implementation mechanism," he added, and congratulated the Yemeni people.
Bin Omar, who has visited Yemen to mediate the political crisis since July, finally declared his achievement during his sixth visit to follow up the implementation of the UN Resolution 2014 that called on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign the GCC initiative and end violence. The UN envoy was scheduled to hold a press release Tuesday morning, which was delayed to evening or Wednesday morning, according to a government official.
Meanwhile, an opposition official told Xinhua that "GCC chief Abdullatif al-Zayani is due to arrive in Sanaa soon to oversee the signing ceremony."
A senior government official ruled out that the signing ceremony will be held Tuesday, but rather within next few days.
On Monday, the Yemeni rival officials said they agreed to sign the UN-mediated GCC initiative on Tuesday to transfer power from President Saleh to his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in return for immunity, and Saleh will retain his title as honorary president until a new leader for the country is elected.
They also said they agreed on the establishment of a mechanism to implement the GCC deal despite small differences.
The GCC initiative stipulates Saleh to hand over power to his deputy Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and resign in 30 days in return for immunity from prosecution. Hadi would then form an opposition-led national government and arrange presidential elections in 60 days.
Saleh has backed out of signing the deal for three times in the last minutes.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 19:40:41 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Bahraini MP suspended for verbally abusing colleagues
Bahraini MP suspended for verbally abusing colleagues
Bahrain MPs on Tuesday voted in majority to suspend one of their colleagues after he verbally abused two MPs during a weekly parliament session.
The lawmakers agreed to suspend newly-elected MP Osama Al Tamimi for the coming 20 parliament sessions as a punishment for violating norms.
The parliament's legal affairs committee on Tuesday approved the suspension.
This is the first time an MP is dismissed or suspended since the Bahraini parliament was formed in 2002.
Al Tamimi, a former boxer, exchanged words with Ghanim Al Buainin, a senior MP from the Al Asala (Conservative Sunni) bloc at a parliament session last month, causing furore among the fellow MPs.
Later on the same day, Al Tamimi picked another fight during the lunch break with female MP Sawsan Taqawi, head of the parliament's foreign affairs, defense and national security committee.
Al Tamimi was elected during the recent parliamentary by- election along with Taqawi, the country's second female MP.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 19:29:04 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANAMA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Bahrain MPs on Tuesday voted in majority to suspend one of their colleagues after he verbally abused two MPs during a weekly parliament session.
The lawmakers agreed to suspend newly-elected MP Osama Al Tamimi for the coming 20 parliament sessions as a punishment for violating norms.
The parliament's legal affairs committee on Tuesday approved the suspension.
This is the first time an MP is dismissed or suspended since the Bahraini parliament was formed in 2002.
Al Tamimi, a former boxer, exchanged words with Ghanim Al Buainin, a senior MP from the Al Asala (Conservative Sunni) bloc at a parliament session last month, causing furore among the fellow MPs.
Later on the same day, Al Tamimi picked another fight during the lunch break with female MP Sawsan Taqawi, head of the parliament's foreign affairs, defense and national security committee.
Al Tamimi was elected during the recent parliamentary by- election along with Taqawi, the country's second female MP.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 19:29:04 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANAMA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Israeli army arrests 17 members of Palestinian faction
Israeli army arrests 17 members of Palestinian faction
Israeli troops raided several West Bank cities early Tuesday and arrested 17 members and supporters of a leftist Palestinian faction, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.
The Israeli army "concentrated its detention campaign on followers" of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP) in the cities of Ramallah, Jenin and Nablus, said Zaher Al- Shashtari, a member of the PFLP's politburo.
He noted that the PFLP members were arrested from their houses, adding that the PFLP was targeted "due to its position that rejects (peace) projects and sticks by resistance."
However, Israeli media quoted an army spokesperson as saying that the PFLP members were wanted for being involved in attacks against Israeli targets.
The Israeli army cracks down on what it calls wanted Palestinians on a daily basis.
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 17:56:27 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Israeli troops raided several West Bank cities early Tuesday and arrested 17 members and supporters of a leftist Palestinian faction, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.
The Israeli army "concentrated its detention campaign on followers" of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP) in the cities of Ramallah, Jenin and Nablus, said Zaher Al- Shashtari, a member of the PFLP's politburo.
He noted that the PFLP members were arrested from their houses, adding that the PFLP was targeted "due to its position that rejects (peace) projects and sticks by resistance."
However, Israeli media quoted an army spokesperson as saying that the PFLP members were wanted for being involved in attacks against Israeli targets.
The Israeli army cracks down on what it calls wanted Palestinians on a daily basis.
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 17:56:27 FeedbackPrintRSS
RAMALLAH, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Syria's constitution committee set basic principles for final formulation
Syria's constitution committee set basic principles for final formulation
The committee charged with drafting a new constitution has already put the basic principles for the suggested constitution and has founded a mini committee for final formulation, private al-Watan newspaper said Tuesday.
Quoting a source in the committee, al-Watan said the mini committee will complete its mission next week and a press conference will be held to clarify the new basic principles for the constitution.
The source said the new constitution will be devised on the basis of a democratic and civil state, noting that the committee has reviewed a number of constitutions including the French and Moroccan, and is working on a daily basis to complete its mission.
In mid October, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced the formation of the committee to prepare a new constitution that still needs to be ratified by the parliament before being put for a general referendum.
The part of the constitution that many Syrians want amended is section 8 which states that the Baath party is the leader of the nation and the society.
The source stressed that the proposed constitution would cancel the monopoly of the ruling Baath party and open the door for all political parties to compete.
It said election of the president will be by direct voting, thus cancelling the currently-underway system of referendum, pointing out that the new constitution will extremely exceed the demands of a number of opposition figures and is almost in tune with the French constitution without neglecting the cultural diversity in Syria.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 17:30:55 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
The committee charged with drafting a new constitution has already put the basic principles for the suggested constitution and has founded a mini committee for final formulation, private al-Watan newspaper said Tuesday.
Quoting a source in the committee, al-Watan said the mini committee will complete its mission next week and a press conference will be held to clarify the new basic principles for the constitution.
The source said the new constitution will be devised on the basis of a democratic and civil state, noting that the committee has reviewed a number of constitutions including the French and Moroccan, and is working on a daily basis to complete its mission.
In mid October, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced the formation of the committee to prepare a new constitution that still needs to be ratified by the parliament before being put for a general referendum.
The part of the constitution that many Syrians want amended is section 8 which states that the Baath party is the leader of the nation and the society.
The source stressed that the proposed constitution would cancel the monopoly of the ruling Baath party and open the door for all political parties to compete.
It said election of the president will be by direct voting, thus cancelling the currently-underway system of referendum, pointing out that the new constitution will extremely exceed the demands of a number of opposition figures and is almost in tune with the French constitution without neglecting the cultural diversity in Syria.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 17:30:55 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
Syria's security launches "qualitative" operation, 17 gunmen killed
Syria's security launches "qualitative" operation, 17 gunmen killed
About 17 gunmen, including a Saudi, were killed by security agents in two "qualitative" operations in Syria's central province of Homs, the private al- Watan daily said.
It said the Saudi is of a Syrian origin, dismissing media claims that the Saudi, called Bandar, was killed while on a visit to his friends in Homs.
The paper said that 57 wanted have been arrested in Homs.
The authorities have rounded up dozens of wanted people over the past week during its manhunt for those who have attacked governmental establishment and army bases.
Central Syria, mainly Homs province, has emerged as a hub of armed insurrection against the government forces. The protests there have even turned to be violent and deadly and have claimed the lives of a number of civilians and security agents and policemen in a revenge-related killings.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 17:30:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
About 17 gunmen, including a Saudi, were killed by security agents in two "qualitative" operations in Syria's central province of Homs, the private al- Watan daily said.
It said the Saudi is of a Syrian origin, dismissing media claims that the Saudi, called Bandar, was killed while on a visit to his friends in Homs.
The paper said that 57 wanted have been arrested in Homs.
The authorities have rounded up dozens of wanted people over the past week during its manhunt for those who have attacked governmental establishment and army bases.
Central Syria, mainly Homs province, has emerged as a hub of armed insurrection against the government forces. The protests there have even turned to be violent and deadly and have claimed the lives of a number of civilians and security agents and policemen in a revenge-related killings.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-11-22 17:30:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAMASCUS, Nov. 22 (Xinhua)
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