CAIRO // Syria promised yesterday to withdraw its tanks and troops from the streets and free political prisoners in an Arab League initiative to end seven months of violence.
"We are happy to have reached this agreement and we will be even happier when it is implemented immediately," the Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, said after a ministerial meeting at the league's headquarters in Cairo.
The blueprint requires President Bashar Al Assad's regime to allow Arab League representatives and foreign journalists to monitor the situation.
The league would continue to act as a go-between for the Syrian government and the opposition "in preparation for a national dialogue within two weeks", Mr Al Thani said.
Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary general, said Mr Assad's government must swiftly put the deal into action. "He must implement the agreement as soon as possible, as agreed," Mr Ban said in Tripoli on his first visit to Libya since the eruption in February of the conflict that toppled the dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
"People have suffered too much for too long and it's an unacceptable situation. Killing civilians must stop immediately in Syria."
The United Nations says more than 3,000 people have been killed since the revolt began in March.
Damascus had come under mounting pressure to agree to the Arab League peace plan, with western governments calling for a renewed attempt to push through a sanctions resolution at the UN Security Council after a first bid was vetoed by China and Russia early last month.
On Sunday, China warned Syria its crackdown on dissent "cannot continue" and that it must agree to talk with the opposition.
"Syria has to show some flexibility in that regard in order to help the Arab League implement its proposal," China's Middle East envoy, Wu Sike, said in Cairo.
A league official said Syria had accepted the detailed road map without reservation or changes, but it was not immediately clear what impact the move would have on the ground.
Mr Al Assad's response to the movement against him has strained relations with neighbouring Turkey and Lebanon.
The Arab League plan was submitted on Sunday to the Syrian foreign minister, Walid Muallem, at a meeting in Doha. A reply had been initially due on Monday but Syria asked for a delay to allow its leadership to consider the proposals.
The text does not specify a venue for the dialogue between the government, which insists on Damascus, and the opposition, which says it must be outside Syria.
More than 30 people were killed in violence yesterday, most of them security force personnel killed in clashes with troops who had mutinied rather than follow orders to shoot civilians, a human-rights group said.
Deserters killed 15 members of the security forces in two operations in the flashpoint central province of Hama. "A group of deserters blew up a device as a military van and a vehicle passed by in Al Madiq area, killing seven soldiers," the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Eight more were killed in a similar attack on a convoy carrying security agents and pro-regime militiamen on the road between Qaalet Al Madiq and Sqailbiyeh.
The Observatory said the attacks were carried out "in response to the massacre of 11 workers" earlier in the day by a pro-Assad group in Homs, another province in central Syria that has been a centre of dissent.
The gunmen stormed a factory in the province, killing the 11, while security forces shot dead eight civilians in several Homs neighbourhoods, the rights watchdog said.
The Syrian regime has repeatedly said it is fighting "armed terrorists" and Mr Al Assad pledged to carry out reforms but stressed he would not make changes amid chaos.
Before the Arab ministers' meeting, the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) had urged the League to "freeze Syria's membership, ensure the protection of civilians and recognise the SNC as the representative of the Syrian revolution".
The statement followed a similar call on Sunday by Facebook activists, after almost 100 people died on Friday and Saturday in the bloodiest two days of the uprising.
* Agence France-Presse, Reuters and the Associated Press
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
Results
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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