Syrian rebels capture oil field

Activists have claimed that Syrian rebels have captured an oil field in eastern Syria. Al-Ward oil field was captured by the rebels after several days of fighting, reported the Syrian Human Rights Observatory. Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the UK-based Observatory, said: "Rebels in the Jaafar Tayyar Brigade took control of al-Ward oilfield, east of the town of Mayadin, after a siege that lasted several days." Around 40 troops were killed in the attack, according to Mr Rahman.

Palestinian anger on Abbas remarks

The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has sparked widespread anger and condemnation within the Palestinian territories and abroad for publicly waiving his right to return to live in his town of birth. Talking to Israeli Channel 2 about Safed, his town of birth from which his family fled in 1948, Abbas said: "I visited Safed before once, he said. "But I want to see Safed. It's my right to see it, but not to live there." "Palestine now for me is '67 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is now and forever ... This is Palestine for me. I am a refugee, but I am living in Ramallah...

Syrian opposition hold talks to strengthen cooperation

The Syria National Council held talks on Sunday in Doha in an effort to form a more united coalition, and consider the possibility of transforming it into a government in exile. Set to take place over four days, the talks are to include younger voices with a view to forming a stronger united leadership for the anti-Assad force. The meeting comes after the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, called for a reshaping of the SNC, saying , “There has to be representation of those who are on the front lines fighting and dying in Syria today to obtain their freedom,” “This cannot be an opposition...

Police fired teargas at protestors in Kuwait

Security forces in Kuwait have fired tear gas, stun grenades and smoke bombs at protestors who were demonstrating against new electoral laws due to be enforced in December. The protestors organized via Twitter, after the planned demonstration was declared illegal by the government with police sealing off the original protest site. Despite many roads being blocked, around 2,000 protestors were thought to have demonstrated and several dozens thought to have been arrested. On a Twitter account named "The Dignity of a Nation", the organizers said , "After we have expressed our message of...

Gbagbo declared fit to stand war crimes trial

The former president of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, has been declared healthy enough to stand trial at the International Criminal Court, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity, stated judges on Friday. Judges noted that Gbagbo was well enough to take part in the proceedings against him and found that he was fit enough to stand trial, after complaints from the defendant over his health. Gbagbo faces four charges of crimes against humanity, including murder and rape after some 3,000 people were killed in violence following the Ivory Coasts’s 2010 Presidential elections. He was...

Cyrenaica Libyans call for autonomy

Thousands of Libiyans flooded central Benghazi today to rally for autonomy of the eastern region of Libya, Cyrenica. Staging a pro-federalism rally, the activists called for the creation of a semi-autonomous region of Cyrenaica, which contains almost three quarters of Libya’s accessible oil reserves. “Ignoring our demands for federalism has dire consequences on the future of Libiya, “ proclaimed an activist. The movement released an official declaration, which stated their “full support for the elected government, which won the confidence of the General National Congress, in order to draft a...

EU offers development aid to Burma

The European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has offered Burma over £62 million in development aid. The chief met President Thein Sein to discuss plans to boost trade after ending of decades of sanctions. The European Commission President’s visit is one of many visits to Burma by Western officials since the beginning of the reforms. The Burmese government also published details of a new foreign investment law which will look to encourage investment from overseas companies. Trade links with the EU that have, over past decades, been unsubstantial are now beginning to regenerate.

China must address 'deep-rooted frustrations' in Tibet says Pillay

The Chinsese authorities must address the " deep-rooted frustrations with human rights " in Tibetan areas, said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, which have led to "desperate forms of protest, including self-immolations". Speaking on Friday, Pillay said : “I have had several exchanges with the Chinese Government on these issues. But more needs to be done to protect human rights and prevent violations,” “I call on the Government to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and to release all individuals detained for merely exercising these universal rights.” “ I recognise Tibetans’ intense sense of frustration and despair which has led them to resort to such extreme means, but there are other ways to make those feelings clear. The Government also needs to recognise this, and permit Tibetans to express their feelings without fear of retribution .” “ Social stability in Tibet will never be achieved through heavy security measures and suppression of human rights ,”

Syrian rebels accused of war crimes

The UN has said that Syrian opposition fighters may have committed war crimes. A video, which appears to show the execution of Syrian soldiers, surfaced after rebels seized army checkpoints all over Syria. The video shows rebels assaulting captured soldiers, before shooting at the cowering group. The spokesperson of the UN High Commission for Human Rights, Rupert Colville, said on Friday that it looked like the victims "were no longer combatants and therefore, at this point, it looks very like a war crime". "Unfortunately this could be the latest in a string of documented summary executions...

Uganda threatens peacekeeping pull out

Uganda has outlined its intentions of withdrawing its peacekeeping forces from conflict hotspots, following UN allegations that suggested it was supporting the Congolese rebels. The security minister, Wilson Mukasa, described the decision as “irreversible” and said another cabinet minister was travelling to New York to explain Uganda’s position. Describing Uganda’s intentions, Mukasa stated , “What we’ve said and what we’re proposing to the UN.. is that we are going to withdraw from our engagements in Somalia, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo to concentrate on our own...

Pages