http://www.mail.com/organizations/1317006-syria-government.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/1317006-syria-government.html http://www.mail.com/news/world/2092520-report-torture-evidence-syrian-prisons.html BEIRUT (AP) — Rights activists visiting abandoned government prisons in the first Syrian city to come under rebel control have found torture devices and other evidence that detainees were abused there, Human Rights Watch said in a report Friday. Raqqa, in eastern Syria, was overrun in late February by rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad. The ... Fri, 17 May 2013 18:31:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2092520-report-torture-evidence-syrian-prisons.html 2013-05-17T18:31:02Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2092478-syria-ex-minister-leads-rebuilding-plan.html BEIRUT (AP) — A six-member U.N. team led by a former Syrian planning minister is drawing up a comprehensive postwar reconstruction plan even as the country's civil war rages on with no apparent end in sight. A joint U.S.-Russian push to bring together Syria's political opposition and representatives of President Bashar Assad's regime to negotiate a peacef... Fri, 17 May 2013 07:08:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2092478-syria-ex-minister-leads-rebuilding-plan.html 2013-05-17T07:08:53Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091852-syrian-troops-flush-rebels-prison.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian government troops on Thursday flushed out rebels who had stormed a prison compound in the northern city of Aleppo in a bid to free hundreds of political prisoners inside. The forced retreat was the latest setback for fighters seeking to topple President Bashar Assad, whose forces have been gaining ground in the country's civil war. In... Thu, 16 May 2013 22:25:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091852-syrian-troops-flush-rebels-prison.html 2013-05-16T22:25:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091626-us-turkey-project-united-front-syria.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan projected a united front Thursday on Syria, keeping stark differences about how much the U.S. should intervene behind closed doors as they looked to Russia and the global community to close ranks behind efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad. Under a pair of um... Thu, 16 May 2013 21:43:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091626-us-turkey-project-united-front-syria.html 2013-05-16T21:43:50Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091426-us-sanctions-4-syrian-ministers-rebel-leader.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration has added four Syrian government ministers to a U.S. terror blacklist as well as the leader of an al-Qaida-linked organization fighting President Bashar Assad's (bah-SHAR' AH'-sahd) regime. Thursday's actions highlight America's twin goals in Syria: It wants the Assad regime to end but doesn't want extremists tak... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:43:52 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091426-us-sanctions-4-syrian-ministers-rebel-leader.html 2013-05-16T19:43:52Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2090910-turkish-pm-talks-syria-with-obama-white-house.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and Turkey will keep ramping up pressure to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad from power, but there's "no magic formula" to stop his violence. At a news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the White House Rose Garden, Obama says the only way to resolve the cri... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:30:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2090910-turkish-pm-talks-syria-with-obama-white-house.html 2013-05-16T19:30:50Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2086564-un-general-assembly-approves-syria-resolution.html UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly approved an Arab-backed resolution Wednesday calling for a political transition in Syria, but more than 70 countries refused to vote "yes" because of its support for the main opposition group and fears the resolution could torpedo a new U.S.-Russia effort to end the escalating conflict. The United States co-... Wed, 15 May 2013 23:13:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2086564-un-general-assembly-approves-syria-resolution.html 2013-05-15T23:13:21Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2085584-attacks-lebanese-alawites-deepen-fears.html TRIPOLI, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanese members of the Syrian leader's Alawite sect fear their tiny community will be a casualty of the civil war raging in the neighboring country. Already, Sunni Muslim extremists have stoned a school bus, vandalized stores and beaten or stabbed a number of men in a wave of attacks against Lebanese Alawites, stoking fears of eve... Tue, 14 May 2013 20:04:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2085584-attacks-lebanese-alawites-deepen-fears.html 2013-05-14T20:04:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2084084-kerry-expects-syrians-to-attend-transition-talks.html STOCKHOLM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a stern warning Tuesday to Syria's government, saying that new help will be given to opposition forces should President Bashar Assad's regime decide to back out of upcoming negotiations aimed at ending Syria's two-year war. Kerry said he has every expectation that both sides in the conflict, which... Tue, 14 May 2013 15:20:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2084084-kerry-expects-syrians-to-attend-transition-talks.html 2013-05-14T15:20:57Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2081188-obama-uk-seek-eu-changes-break-ties.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama waded into British politics Monday, suggesting that the United Kingdom seek to reform its relationship with the European Union before it decides to simply break away from it. The stance put Obama squarely on the side of British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was visiting the United States as he faces growing pre... Mon, 13 May 2013 21:01:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2081188-obama-uk-seek-eu-changes-break-ties.html 2013-05-13T21:01:20Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081728-car-bombs-lead-to-question-turkeys-security.html REYHANLI, Turkey (AP) — Anti-government protests flared for a third day on Monday in Turkish town devastated by two powerful car bombs near the Syrian border, and some Turks accused their leader of putting the nation's security at risk by backing the rebels fighting Syria's government. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey will "not refrain" fro... Mon, 13 May 2013 18:27:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081728-car-bombs-lead-to-question-turkeys-security.html 2013-05-13T18:27:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081724-putin-netanyahu-to-discuss-syrian-conflict.html MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin's talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Russia on Tuesday will focus on the situation in Syria, the Kremlin said, amid growing concerns that Moscow may soon provide Damascus with an advanced anti-aircraft weapon. Israeli officials say Russia is on the verge of selling S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to... Mon, 13 May 2013 18:25:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081724-putin-netanyahu-to-discuss-syrian-conflict.html 2013-05-13T18:25:29Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081136-syria-opposition-consult-allies-peace-push.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's main opposition bloc wants to consult its allies before deciding on joining a U.S.-Russia initiative to negotiate a peaceful transition in Syria, its leader said Monday. The U.S. and Russia called last week for an international conference to start talks that would be accompanied by a cease-fire. The two nations are on opposite sides ... Mon, 13 May 2013 14:50:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081136-syria-opposition-consult-allies-peace-push.html 2013-05-13T14:50:30Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081392-israel-minister-criticizes-russia-syria-arms.html JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli Cabinet minister is accusing Russia of destabilizing the Middle East by selling weapons to Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. Monday's remarks by Tourism Minister Uzi Landau are likely to raise tensions with Russia on the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Moscow. Netanyahu is expected to press President V... Mon, 13 May 2013 10:40:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2081392-israel-minister-criticizes-russia-syria-arms.html 2013-05-13T10:40:32Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2079872-syrian-rebels-release-4-un-filipino-peacekeepers.html DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian rebels on Sunday released four Filipino U.N. peacekeepers they abducted last week in a dramatic incident that prompted warnings from the Philippines that the nation might pull out its contingent from the Golan Heights. Meanwhile, a Syrian official said President Bashar Assad's troops have the right to enter the Israeli-occupi... Sun, 12 May 2013 18:59:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2079872-syrian-rebels-release-4-un-filipino-peacekeepers.html 2013-05-12T18:59:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2080060-gates-to-direct-military-involvement-syria.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he thinks direct U.S. intervention in Syria's civil war — particularly direct military involvement — would be a mistake. Gates, who served both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, says he oversaw wars that began with quick regime change "and we all know what happened after that.... Sun, 12 May 2013 13:03:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2080060-gates-to-direct-military-involvement-syria.html 2013-05-12T13:03:16Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2078664-syrian-rebels-government-fight-key-highways.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels on Saturday cut a newly built bypass road linking the capital Damascus with the northern city of Aleppo, an activist group said, while state media reported that government troops have secured a strategic highway between the capital and the southern city of Daraa. The reported fighting came as an activist group said U.S. ambassa... Sat, 11 May 2013 19:32:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2078664-syrian-rebels-government-fight-key-highways.html 2013-05-11T19:32:31Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073490-hezbollah-syria-to-supply-weapons-to-militia.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria will supply "game-changing" weapons to Hezbollah, the chief of the Lebanese militant group said Thursday, less than a week after Israeli airstrikes on Damascus targeted alleged shipments of advanced Iranian missiles bound for Hezbollah. Israel has signaled it will respond with airstrikes to any future weapons shipments, meaning it coul... Thu, 09 May 2013 22:18:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073490-hezbollah-syria-to-supply-weapons-to-militia.html 2013-05-09T22:18:27Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2074264-proposed-un-resolution-backs-transition-syria.html UNITED NATIONS (AP) — An Arab-backed resolution calling for a political transition in Syria and strongly condemning the regime's escalating use of heavy weapons and "gross violations" of human rights was circulated Thursday to the U.N. General Assembly, but key Syria ally Russia urged other countries to vote "no." In an important related development, the ... Thu, 09 May 2013 21:35:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2074264-proposed-un-resolution-backs-transition-syria.html 2013-05-09T21:35:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2074140-kerry-hopes-russia-wont-sell-missiles-to-syria.html ROME (AP) — ROME (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday the transfer of advanced missile defense systems from Russia to Syria would be a "destabilizing" factor for Israel's security. Kerry said the U.S. has expressed concerns about what such defensive systems in Syria would mean for Israel's security. He wouldn't address what the missiles migh... Thu, 09 May 2013 17:13:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2074140-kerry-hopes-russia-wont-sell-missiles-to-syria.html 2013-05-09T17:13:06Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2072434-nbcs-richard-engel-to-syria-kidnapping.html NEW YORK (AP) — NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel is back quickly and safely from his first trip to Syria since he and his team were kidnapped and held captive there last December. Engel interviewed rebel fighters who allege the Syrian government used chemical weapons in an attack last month. His reports were airing Wednesday on the "Toda... Wed, 08 May 2013 21:55:52 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2072434-nbcs-richard-engel-to-syria-kidnapping.html 2013-05-08T21:55:52Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2070674-media-internet-service-restored-syria.html BEIRUT (AP) — Internet service was restored in Syria on Wednesday, after a countrywide outage cut off the country from the rest of the world for nearly 20 hours, state media said. The state news agency SANA said a problem with a fiber optics cable was to blame for the second nationwide outage since a two-day blackout in November. There had been speculatio... Wed, 08 May 2013 16:26:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2070674-media-internet-service-restored-syria.html 2013-05-08T16:26:31Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2071458-apnewsbreak-us-to-provide-100m-syria-aid.html ROME (AP) — The Obama administration is providing $100 million in new Syria aid, U.S. officials said Wednesday, but the money is for humanitarian purposes only and not linked to any decision on arming Syrian rebels. The announcement will be made by Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday in Rome, where his diplomacy includes a meeting with Jordan's fore... Wed, 08 May 2013 15:43:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2071458-apnewsbreak-us-to-provide-100m-syria-aid.html 2013-05-08T15:43:59Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2068080-president-assad-syria-to-face-israel.html BEIRUT (AP) — In his first response to Israel's weekend airstrikes, President Bashar Assad said Tuesday that Syria is capable of facing Israel, but stopped short of threatening retaliation for the strikes near the Syrian capital of Damascus. Assad spoke after a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, who paid an unexpected visit to Damascu... Wed, 08 May 2013 02:14:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2068080-president-assad-syria-to-face-israel.html 2013-05-08T02:14:10Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2069302-us-russia-seek-to-revive-peace-plan-syria.html MOSCOW (AP) — The U.S. and Russia agreed Tuesday to try to convene an international conference this month to come to a political solution to end the two-year Syrian civil war but gave no indication how they would convince President Bashar Assad into talks with the rebels seeking to overthrow him. Secretary of State John Kerry said that if such a gambit we... Tue, 07 May 2013 21:56:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2069302-us-russia-seek-to-revive-peace-plan-syria.html 2013-05-07T21:56:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2069642-analysis-syria-limited-response-options.html BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian regime on Tuesday dispatched an obscure proxy, a Damascus-based Palestinian militant group, to threaten retaliation for two Israeli airstrikes over the weekend. The relatively tepid response to Israel's breach of Syrian sovereignty highlighted Syrian President Bashar Assad's limited options as he, along with allies Iran and Lebano... Tue, 07 May 2013 21:18:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2069642-analysis-syria-limited-response-options.html 2013-05-07T21:18:25Z