Iran to continue support for Syria if truce fails: Leader’s adviser
Mon Apr 25, 2016 9:56AM
Here is a round-up of global news developments:
- A top adviser to the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Tehran will continue to support the Syrian government and nation if the ceasefire breaks down there. Ali Akbar Velayati, however, noted that the Syrian people would like to see peace and security take hold in their country.
- Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized a US court ruling that calls for the disbursement of a part of Iran’s frozen assets to families of Americans killed in the 1983 Beirut bombing. Addressing a joint news conference with his Macedonian counterpart, Zarif said Tehran doesn’t recognize the politically motivated verdict.
- Americans have marched through the city of Baltimore, Maryland to commemorate a black man who died in police custody last year. Hundreds of local residents, clergy, politicians and media attended the march. Freddie Gray’s death last April sparked days of clashes, arson and looting in Baltimore.
- Britain is considering a plan to send ground combat troops to Libya. The Foreign Secretary says the deployment will be necessary, considering Libya’s proximity to Europe. Philip Hammond says the southern Mediterranean is an important security interest as terrorists operating there would be a threat to all of Europe.
- The United States is planning to send more troops to Syria under the pretext of fighting terrorism. A Wall Street Journal report says Washington will send 250 personnel to join 50 American forces already deployed in the war-torn Arab country. President Barak Obama will reportedly make the announcement on Monday.
- Yemenis have rallied in the port city of Hudaydah to call for an end to Saudi Arabia’s naval blockade. Chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, the protesters pledged to resist the military aggression that has caused huge damage to their city. The blockade has pushed Yemen to the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe.
- Serbia’s pro-Western Prime Minister Aleksandar Vouchich has claimed victory in general elections. Initial projections show Vouchich’s Progressive Party has won more than 50-percent of the vote. The premier called for an early poll in order to get a mandate to continue with reforms required to join the European Union.
- Brazilians in Sao Paulo have held yet another rally in support of embattled President Dilma Rousseff, who’s facing a possible impeachment. The protesters pledged to continue their rallies until the Senate votes against the impeachment. Last week, Rousseff lost an impeachment vote in the lower house.
