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| Syria crisis: Assad regrets downing of Turkish jet - Tuesday 3 July 2012 | Syria crisis: Assad regrets downing of Turkish jet - Tuesday 3 July 2012 |
| (30 days later) | |
| 4.40pm: Here's a roundup of the main developments relevant to the Syria crisis today: | 4.40pm: Here's a roundup of the main developments relevant to the Syria crisis today: |
| • President Bashar al-Assad claimed the shooting down of a Turkish jet by Syria last month was a mistake, blamed in part of poor communication with the Turkish military. "The Syrian side had no knowledge of the identity of the aircraft before downing it," he claimed in an interview with the Turkish daily Cumhuriyet. | • President Bashar al-Assad claimed the shooting down of a Turkish jet by Syria last month was a mistake, blamed in part of poor communication with the Turkish military. "The Syrian side had no knowledge of the identity of the aircraft before downing it," he claimed in an interview with the Turkish daily Cumhuriyet. |
| • Turkey has announced that it scrambled F-16 fighters on Monday after Syrian helicopters flew near its border. Syria is reported to have used helicopters and tanks again today in Izzaz, close to the Turkish border (see 2.41pm). | • Turkey has announced that it scrambled F-16 fighters on Monday after Syrian helicopters flew near its border. Syria is reported to have used helicopters and tanks again today in Izzaz, close to the Turkish border (see 2.41pm). |
| • Suburbs around the capital Damascus have come under continued attack by government forces. ITV reporter Bill Neely said UN observers were turning a blind eye to the bombardment of the suburbs including Douma. | • Suburbs around the capital Damascus have come under continued attack by government forces. ITV reporter Bill Neely said UN observers were turning a blind eye to the bombardment of the suburbs including Douma. |
| • Russia has announced that it will hold talks in Moscow with Syrian opposition leaders. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was not hinting that Assad should stand aside by backing a transition plan in Syria. | • Russia has announced that it will hold talks in Moscow with Syrian opposition leaders. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was not hinting that Assad should stand aside by backing a transition plan in Syria. |
| • More divisions in the Syrian opposition have been exposed after the Syrian General Revolution Commission pulled out of opposition talks in Cairo. The moderate internal opposition group, Building a Syrian State, also made clear that it is staying away from the talks. | • More divisions in the Syrian opposition have been exposed after the Syrian General Revolution Commission pulled out of opposition talks in Cairo. The moderate internal opposition group, Building a Syrian State, also made clear that it is staying away from the talks. |
| • The Syrian intelligence agencies systematically use torture in 27 detention facilities, according to research by Human Rights Watch based on more than 200 interview with former detainees and defectors. Ole Solvang, HRW emergencies researcher, said: "The intelligence agencies are running an archipelago of torture centres scattered across the country. By publishing their locations, describing the torture methods, and identifying those in charge we are putting those responsible on notice that they will have to answer for these horrific crimes." | • The Syrian intelligence agencies systematically use torture in 27 detention facilities, according to research by Human Rights Watch based on more than 200 interview with former detainees and defectors. Ole Solvang, HRW emergencies researcher, said: "The intelligence agencies are running an archipelago of torture centres scattered across the country. By publishing their locations, describing the torture methods, and identifying those in charge we are putting those responsible on notice that they will have to answer for these horrific crimes." |
| 4.28pm: Syria/Turkey: Turkish politicians and commentators don't believe Assad's claim that the Turkish jet was shot down by mistake, amid rising cross-border tension, says Turkish journalist Mahir Zeynalov. | 4.28pm: Syria/Turkey: Turkish politicians and commentators don't believe Assad's claim that the Turkish jet was shot down by mistake, amid rising cross-border tension, says Turkish journalist Mahir Zeynalov. |
| The Turkish government has accused Assad of trying to deceive Turkish opinion by blaming a rogue gunner and a lack of communication, Mahir reports from Istanbul. And the leader of the nationalist party described Assad's comments as "psychological warfare", he said. | The Turkish government has accused Assad of trying to deceive Turkish opinion by blaming a rogue gunner and a lack of communication, Mahir reports from Istanbul. And the leader of the nationalist party described Assad's comments as "psychological warfare", he said. |
| Turkish people, intellectuals, journalists and politicians totally dismissed his claims and his appeals. | Turkish people, intellectuals, journalists and politicians totally dismissed his claims and his appeals. |
| Twelve Turkish F-16 were scrambled near the border as tension between the two countries mounts. At one point a Turkish jet was only 1.7 miles from the Syria border, Mahir said. Two jets were sent to intercept six Syrian helicopters, he reports. | Twelve Turkish F-16 were scrambled near the border as tension between the two countries mounts. At one point a Turkish jet was only 1.7 miles from the Syria border, Mahir said. Two jets were sent to intercept six Syrian helicopters, he reports. |
| I'm sure there will be a mistake by the Syrian side. And I'm sure the Turkish jets will not hesitate in shooting down one of those aircraft. That would amount to an escalation so it depends on how the Syrian side will react. | I'm sure there will be a mistake by the Syrian side. And I'm sure the Turkish jets will not hesitate in shooting down one of those aircraft. That would amount to an escalation so it depends on how the Syrian side will react. |
| Mahir claims that a de facto buffer zone up three miles into Syrian territory has been created by Turkey. | Mahir claims that a de facto buffer zone up three miles into Syrian territory has been created by Turkey. |
| Helicopters will be regarded as threats if they fire within two or three miles of the border he said. Syrian rebels control two border crossing points in Hatay province, Mahir pointed out. The border area has become a safe haven for rebels in the last week, he said. | Helicopters will be regarded as threats if they fire within two or three miles of the border he said. Syrian rebels control two border crossing points in Hatay province, Mahir pointed out. The border area has become a safe haven for rebels in the last week, he said. |
| If there is any provocation from Syria, it could prove to be a turning point in the uprising, Mahir predicts. | If there is any provocation from Syria, it could prove to be a turning point in the uprising, Mahir predicts. |
| For the third day in a round there have been kind of dog fights between the Syrian helicopters and Turkish jets. I'm sure there will be a mistake by the Syrian helicopters, and there will be shooting by Turkish fighter jets. I hope not. [But] it seems like it is unavoidable right now. | For the third day in a round there have been kind of dog fights between the Syrian helicopters and Turkish jets. I'm sure there will be a mistake by the Syrian helicopters, and there will be shooting by Turkish fighter jets. I hope not. [But] it seems like it is unavoidable right now. |
| Turkey's reaction is key. But tension is mounting. Turkey is deploying troops along the Syrian border and stinger aircraft barriers. These are all omens of the impending military confrontation. | Turkey's reaction is key. But tension is mounting. Turkey is deploying troops along the Syrian border and stinger aircraft barriers. These are all omens of the impending military confrontation. |
| 3.24pm: Syria: ITV's Bill Neely, who is just back from the close to besieged town of Douma north of Damacus, reports intense shelling in the area. And he claims UN observers are turning a blind eye. | 3.24pm: Syria: ITV's Bill Neely, who is just back from the close to besieged town of Douma north of Damacus, reports intense shelling in the area. And he claims UN observers are turning a blind eye. |
| Video shows #Syria army bombarding #Damascus suburb youtube.com/watch?v=iFFupm…#Douma | Video shows #Syria army bombarding #Damascus suburb youtube.com/watch?v=iFFupm…#Douma |
| — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 | — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 |
| Just back from edge of #Douma which #Syria army continue 2 bombard.Regular loud explosions,thick smoke plumes from 2 sites.Tanks moving fwd. | Just back from edge of #Douma which #Syria army continue 2 bombard.Regular loud explosions,thick smoke plumes from 2 sites.Tanks moving fwd. |
| — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 | — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 |
| It would be very simple for UN 2 observe shelling in #Douma from a distance,quite safely,if they chose to.They did not.Why not? | It would be very simple for UN 2 observe shelling in #Douma from a distance,quite safely,if they chose to.They did not.Why not? |
| — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 | — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 |
| One UN observer told us of his suspended mission in #Syria "it's like being in prison". Morale is low,frustration high among the observers. | One UN observer told us of his suspended mission in #Syria "it's like being in prison". Morale is low,frustration high among the observers. |
| — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 | — Bill Neely (@billneelyitv) July 3, 2012 |
| The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims 34 people have been killed across Syria so far today, including 10 in the suburbs of Damascus. Two of those were rebels killed in fighting around the capital, it said. | The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims 34 people have been killed across Syria so far today, including 10 in the suburbs of Damascus. Two of those were rebels killed in fighting around the capital, it said. |
| 3.06pm: Syria/Turkey: A Turkish journalist based in the border area says the town of Izzaz has been under attack for five days. | 3.06pm: Syria/Turkey: A Turkish journalist based in the border area says the town of Izzaz has been under attack for five days. |
| Al Izzaz town is under attack since 5 days, today we heard many explosion and smoke raising from the town. Smoke can be seen in Kilis too | Al Izzaz town is under attack since 5 days, today we heard many explosion and smoke raising from the town. Smoke can be seen in Kilis too |
| — Fixer, Syrian border (@Fixer_Turkey) July 3, 2012 | — Fixer, Syrian border (@Fixer_Turkey) July 3, 2012 |
| Yesterday he claimed Turkey does not let Syrian helicopters come within four miles of the border. | Yesterday he claimed Turkey does not let Syrian helicopters come within four miles of the border. |
| Turkey dont let Syrian helicopters to get closer than 4 miles to Turkish border + | Turkey dont let Syrian helicopters to get closer than 4 miles to Turkish border + |
| — Fixer, Syrian border (@Fixer_Turkey) July 2, 2012 | — Fixer, Syrian border (@Fixer_Turkey) July 2, 2012 |
| 2.41pm: Syria: Turkey has announced that it had scrambled F-16 fighters on Monday after Syrian helicopters flew near its border, according to Reuters. | 2.41pm: Syria: Turkey has announced that it had scrambled F-16 fighters on Monday after Syrian helicopters flew near its border, according to Reuters. |
| Turkey's armed forces command said the jets took off on Monday when Syrian transport helicopters were spotted flying near the frontier, without entering Turkish air space. It was the third day in a row that Turkey had scrambled its F-16s. | Turkey's armed forces command said the jets took off on Monday when Syrian transport helicopters were spotted flying near the frontier, without entering Turkish air space. It was the third day in a row that Turkey had scrambled its F-16s. |
| Activists have circulated video purporting to show Syrian attack helicopters firing above Izzaz, which is close to the Turkish border. | Activists have circulated video purporting to show Syrian attack helicopters firing above Izzaz, which is close to the Turkish border. |
| The activist group the Local Co-ordination Committee in Syria, reported military aircraft attacking the area. | The activist group the Local Co-ordination Committee in Syria, reported military aircraft attacking the area. |
| 1.31pm: Syria: Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has made clear that his support for Kofi Annan's plan for political transition in Syria did not imply that he backed the removal of Bashar al-Assad. | 1.31pm: Syria: Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has made clear that his support for Kofi Annan's plan for political transition in Syria did not imply that he backed the removal of Bashar al-Assad. |
| Reuters quoted him saying: | Reuters quoted him saying: |
| Unfortunately, some representatives of the Syrian opposition started saying the Geneva decision was not acceptable to them, while some of the participants of the Geneva meeting distorted the agreements we had come to. | Unfortunately, some representatives of the Syrian opposition started saying the Geneva decision was not acceptable to them, while some of the participants of the Geneva meeting distorted the agreements we had come to. |
| Our position is honest, we are not trying to hint at anything more than what is written down in the text | Our position is honest, we are not trying to hint at anything more than what is written down in the text |
| Who could he possibly mean? After the Geneva meeting US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Assad would have to leave for the transition plan to work. | Who could he possibly mean? After the Geneva meeting US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Assad would have to leave for the transition plan to work. |
| She said: | She said: |
Now, in deciding to accept the minor textual changes, we and our partners made absolutely clear to Russia and China that it is now incumbent upon them to show Assad the writing on the wall. I do not believe that anyone in the Assad regime ever thought we could come out with a unified statement today expressing not only the concerns but a path forward that would include Russia and China. And he needs to hear loudly and clearly that his days are numbered. | Now, in deciding to accept the minor textual changes, we and our partners made absolutely clear to Russia and China that it is now incumbent upon them to show Assad the writing on the wall. I do not believe that anyone in the Assad regime ever thought we could come out with a unified statement today expressing not only the concerns but a path forward that would include Russia and China. And he needs to hear loudly and clearly that his days are numbered. |
| Russia and China have also pledged to start helping Kofi Annan find a way forward and work to use their leverage in order to establish the transitional governing body. We, of course, will do our part as well, because this transitional governing body will only succeed if it is composed of men and women who are beyond reproach. | Russia and China have also pledged to start helping Kofi Annan find a way forward and work to use their leverage in order to establish the transitional governing body. We, of course, will do our part as well, because this transitional governing body will only succeed if it is composed of men and women who are beyond reproach. |
| 12.16pm: Syria: Kofi Annan's team is staying upbeat despite the failure of diplomatic efforts to try to persuade China and Russia to back a unity government without president Assad. | 12.16pm: Syria: Kofi Annan's team is staying upbeat despite the failure of diplomatic efforts to try to persuade China and Russia to back a unity government without president Assad. |
| Annan's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi, insisted that China and Russia had shifted position on Syria by backing some form of transition government. | Annan's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi, insisted that China and Russia had shifted position on Syria by backing some form of transition government. |
| Reuters quoted him saying: | Reuters quoted him saying: |
| It's going to be a long, bumpy road. But we believe sincerely that the commitments made in Geneva on Saturday were genuine and if applied as promised - if applied as promised - will have an effect on the dynamics on the ground. | It's going to be a long, bumpy road. But we believe sincerely that the commitments made in Geneva on Saturday were genuine and if applied as promised - if applied as promised - will have an effect on the dynamics on the ground. |
| Don't forget that many forces have joined hands here on Saturday ... Don't underestimate the degree of a shift that happened here on Saturday, especially in the Russian and Chinese positions, to accept the principle of a policy change. | Don't forget that many forces have joined hands here on Saturday ... Don't underestimate the degree of a shift that happened here on Saturday, especially in the Russian and Chinese positions, to accept the principle of a policy change. |
| Don't underestimate the fact that there is agreement in principle on a political transition. | Don't underestimate the fact that there is agreement in principle on a political transition. |
| Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said he would meet Syrian opposition leaders in Moscow next week. | Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said he would meet Syrian opposition leaders in Moscow next week. |
| "We will use this coming meeting with yet another Syrian opposition group to continue work to end violence and start Syrian dialogue between the government and all groups of the Syrian opposition as soon as possible," he said. | "We will use this coming meeting with yet another Syrian opposition group to continue work to end violence and start Syrian dialogue between the government and all groups of the Syrian opposition as soon as possible," he said. |
| 11.46am: Syria: In his interview with Cumhuriyet, Assad claimed that all communications between Syria and Turkey has been broken for almost a year. | 11.46am: Syria: In his interview with Cumhuriyet, Assad claimed that all communications between Syria and Turkey has been broken for almost a year. |
| Serhat Güvenç, lecturer in international relations at the Kadir Has University in Istanbul, said Assad's comments underlined the need for states to maintain back-channel communication even at times of crisis, writes Constanze Letsch in Istanbul. | Serhat Güvenç, lecturer in international relations at the Kadir Has University in Istanbul, said Assad's comments underlined the need for states to maintain back-channel communication even at times of crisis, writes Constanze Letsch in Istanbul. |
| Arguing that countries should keep some channels of communication open at all times, he added: "There is not a single Turkish commander we could call in moments of crisis." | Arguing that countries should keep some channels of communication open at all times, he added: "There is not a single Turkish commander we could call in moments of crisis." |
| "Communication and trust are the basis of international relations. A lack of communication escalates rather than de-escalates tension and might in fact be the reason for more unfortunate events in the future. It is very dangerous." | "Communication and trust are the basis of international relations. A lack of communication escalates rather than de-escalates tension and might in fact be the reason for more unfortunate events in the future. It is very dangerous." |
| He said that one reason for this was the increasing personalisation of Turkish foreign policy under the prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the past five years: "Relations with other countries are increasingly shaped along personal relations between Erdoğan and other country's leaders, for better or for worse." Pointing out that this left little to no space for lower level communication, he added: "Even during the cold war, opponents tried to keep back channels open. But with [Syrian – Turkish] relations completely severed at the highest level, actors on lower levels have no room for manoeuvre." | He said that one reason for this was the increasing personalisation of Turkish foreign policy under the prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the past five years: "Relations with other countries are increasingly shaped along personal relations between Erdoğan and other country's leaders, for better or for worse." Pointing out that this left little to no space for lower level communication, he added: "Even during the cold war, opponents tried to keep back channels open. But with [Syrian – Turkish] relations completely severed at the highest level, actors on lower levels have no room for manoeuvre." |
| This is not the first time that tensions between Turkey and Syria have edged towards crisis. In 1957, Turkey mobilised its army on the Syrian border and in 1998, Turkey threatened to invade Syria to force its government to expel Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Öcalan. | This is not the first time that tensions between Turkey and Syria have edged towards crisis. In 1957, Turkey mobilised its army on the Syrian border and in 1998, Turkey threatened to invade Syria to force its government to expel Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Öcalan. |
| "But this is the first time that Turkey has so openly pursued regime change," Güvenç said. "It is also the first time in Turkish history that a group of armed rebels wanting to overthrow another government is hosted on Turkish soil." | "But this is the first time that Turkey has so openly pursued regime change," Güvenç said. "It is also the first time in Turkish history that a group of armed rebels wanting to overthrow another government is hosted on Turkish soil." |
| 11.30am: Bahrain: Forensic experts from the Metropolitan police have arrived in the capital to investigate what the authorities claim is a large bomb-making factory on the outskirts of the city, according to the Kingdom's Information Authority. | 11.30am: Bahrain: Forensic experts from the Metropolitan police have arrived in the capital to investigate what the authorities claim is a large bomb-making factory on the outskirts of the city, according to the Kingdom's Information Authority. |
| It also appears to be delighted with aspects of the way the BBC's Frank Gardner reported the story. | It also appears to be delighted with aspects of the way the BBC's Frank Gardner reported the story. |
| It notes that Gardner quoted a counter-terrorism stating that this bomb factory operation "is very serious indeed; this is almost at the level and style of the dissident IRA." | It notes that Gardner quoted a counter-terrorism stating that this bomb factory operation "is very serious indeed; this is almost at the level and style of the dissident IRA." |
| The information authority says "Bahraini officials have stated that the level of sophistication of the bomb-making operation suggests foreign involvement and may indicate a connection with Hezbollah." | The information authority says "Bahraini officials have stated that the level of sophistication of the bomb-making operation suggests foreign involvement and may indicate a connection with Hezbollah." |
| It does not mention that an independent investigation into last year's unrest found no evidence that Iran was involved, as Gardner pointed out. | It does not mention that an independent investigation into last year's unrest found no evidence that Iran was involved, as Gardner pointed out. |
| 11.13am: Syria: Another colonel in the Syrian army has announced his defection to the opposition, according to unverified video from the rebel Free Syrian Army. | 11.13am: Syria: Another colonel in the Syrian army has announced his defection to the opposition, according to unverified video from the rebel Free Syrian Army. |
| The defector is named as Colonel Mamedalamr, and the video was purportedly filmed in the Darat Azzah, north-west of Aleppo. | The defector is named as Colonel Mamedalamr, and the video was purportedly filmed in the Darat Azzah, north-west of Aleppo. |
| 10.35am: Syria: Further divisions in the Syrian opposition have come to a head over the two-day meeting in Cairo. | 10.35am: Syria: Further divisions in the Syrian opposition have come to a head over the two-day meeting in Cairo. |
| The activist group the Syrian General Revolution Commission has pulled out of the talks claiming backing from the Free Syrian Army for the move, al-Arabiya reports. | The activist group the Syrian General Revolution Commission has pulled out of the talks claiming backing from the Free Syrian Army for the move, al-Arabiya reports. |
| In a statement the commission said it was opposed to a political solution to the crisis, while the Assad regime was massacring its own people. | In a statement the commission said it was opposed to a political solution to the crisis, while the Assad regime was massacring its own people. |
| Bassem Jaara, the commission's spokesman in Europe, said that the withdrawal from the Cairo meeting was made in collaboration with the Free Syrian Army. | Bassem Jaara, the commission's spokesman in Europe, said that the withdrawal from the Cairo meeting was made in collaboration with the Free Syrian Army. |
| The moderate internal opposition group, Building a Syrian State, has made clear that it is staying away from the talks. | The moderate internal opposition group, Building a Syrian State, has made clear that it is staying away from the talks. |
| In a statement it said any conference on the future of Syria should be held inside the country. It also suggested that preventing an all-out civil war was a more important priority. | In a statement it said any conference on the future of Syria should be held inside the country. It also suggested that preventing an all-out civil war was a more important priority. |
| 8.59am: Syria: Nadim Houry, from Human Rights Watch, connects today's two main stories on Syria: | 8.59am: Syria: Nadim Houry, from Human Rights Watch, connects today's two main stories on Syria: |
| I wish Assad was 100% sorry for shooting his country's civilians. Wait, for him, they are all "terrorists" #syria | I wish Assad was 100% sorry for shooting his country's civilians. Wait, for him, they are all "terrorists" #syria |
| — Nadim Houry (@nadimhoury) July 3, 2012 | — Nadim Houry (@nadimhoury) July 3, 2012 |
| Turkish journalist Mahir Zeynalov says the key point about the Assad interview was a claim that he didn't order the shooting, rather than his expression of regret. | Turkish journalist Mahir Zeynalov says the key point about the Assad interview was a claim that he didn't order the shooting, rather than his expression of regret. |
| Dear int'l media, the flash news of Assad interview is not Assad regretting shootdown. They said it earlier. It is that Assad didn't order. | Dear int'l media, the flash news of Assad interview is not Assad regretting shootdown. They said it earlier. It is that Assad didn't order. |
| — Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) July 3, 2012 | — Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) July 3, 2012 |
| Assad: Turkish jet was not downed by a govt decision. We wouldn't shoot it if we knew it was Turkish. But we are at war, every jet is threat | Assad: Turkish jet was not downed by a govt decision. We wouldn't shoot it if we knew it was Turkish. But we are at war, every jet is threat |
| — Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) July 3, 2012 | — Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) July 3, 2012 |
| But the English language-version of Zeynalov's own paper Zaman, goes with a Reuters story with the top line about Assad regretting the shooting down. | But the English language-version of Zeynalov's own paper Zaman, goes with a Reuters story with the top line about Assad regretting the shooting down. |
| The full interview is available in Turkish here. | The full interview is available in Turkish here. |
| Security analyst Bernard Finel says there has been an effort by Nato to persuade the Turks not to over react against the downing of the jet. | Security analyst Bernard Finel says there has been an effort by Nato to persuade the Turks not to over react against the downing of the jet. |
| "Realistically I don't think anything major is going to come out of this. I see it as emblematic of the instability that is being caused by this conflict," he told . | "Realistically I don't think anything major is going to come out of this. I see it as emblematic of the instability that is being caused by this conflict," he told . |
| 8.40am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. | 8.40am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. |
| Here's a roundup of the latest developments: | Here's a roundup of the latest developments: |
| Syria | Syria |
| • President Bashar al-Assad has expressed regret about the shooting down last month of a Turkish jet. In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, he said: "I say 100%, I wish we did not shoot it down." | • President Bashar al-Assad has expressed regret about the shooting down last month of a Turkish jet. In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, he said: "I say 100%, I wish we did not shoot it down." |
| • The Syrian intelligence agencies systematically use torture in 27 detention facilities according to research by Human Rights Watch based on more than 200 interview with former detainees and defectors. Ole Solvang, HRW emergencies researcher, said: "The intelligence agencies are running an archipelago of torture centres scattered across the country. By publishing their locations, describing the torture methods, and identifying those in charge we are putting those responsible on notice that they will have to answer for these horrific crimes." | • The Syrian intelligence agencies systematically use torture in 27 detention facilities according to research by Human Rights Watch based on more than 200 interview with former detainees and defectors. Ole Solvang, HRW emergencies researcher, said: "The intelligence agencies are running an archipelago of torture centres scattered across the country. By publishing their locations, describing the torture methods, and identifying those in charge we are putting those responsible on notice that they will have to answer for these horrific crimes." |
| A video to accompany the report illustrates the torture techniques using sketches based on the testimony of detainees. | A video to accompany the report illustrates the torture techniques using sketches based on the testimony of detainees. |
| It also show the exact location of torture cells was mapped. | It also show the exact location of torture cells was mapped. |
| • A TV presenter, a general from an artillery division and several other officers are the latest high-profile figures to announce their defection from the Assad regime. Ghatan Sleiba, who worked for both the state-owned al-Akhbariya network and the al-Dunya channel, said he had been providing intelligence to the rebels for seven months. "What we were doing was not reporting. It was simply acting as the tongue of the regime. I stayed as long as I could to help the revolutionaries, but I couldn't take it any more.'' | • A TV presenter, a general from an artillery division and several other officers are the latest high-profile figures to announce their defection from the Assad regime. Ghatan Sleiba, who worked for both the state-owned al-Akhbariya network and the al-Dunya channel, said he had been providing intelligence to the rebels for seven months. "What we were doing was not reporting. It was simply acting as the tongue of the regime. I stayed as long as I could to help the revolutionaries, but I couldn't take it any more.'' |
| • Navi Pillay, the UN's human rights chief, told the security council that the suspended observer mission to Syria should be strengthened. The UN is considering scaling back the mission in the face of continuing violence, but Pillay said it was a vital mission and that the number of monitors should be increased. | • Navi Pillay, the UN's human rights chief, told the security council that the suspended observer mission to Syria should be strengthened. The UN is considering scaling back the mission in the face of continuing violence, but Pillay said it was a vital mission and that the number of monitors should be increased. |
| • Russia's ties to Syria are underlined by the marriage of an estimated 20,000 Russian women to Syrian men who studied in the former Soviet Union, the New York Times reports. "They are wives of the elite, who can have some influence, but it's a soft influence," said Nina Sergeyeva, who until recently led an organization of Russian expatriates from her home in Latakia. | • Russia's ties to Syria are underlined by the marriage of an estimated 20,000 Russian women to Syrian men who studied in the former Soviet Union, the New York Times reports. "They are wives of the elite, who can have some influence, but it's a soft influence," said Nina Sergeyeva, who until recently led an organization of Russian expatriates from her home in Latakia. |
| • Divisions within the Syrian opposition have been exposed again after a leading figure in the Free Syrian Army criticised an opposition summit in Cairo, the Independent reports. Colonel Qassim Saadeddine, the FSA group's figurehead claimed the conference played into the hands of regime allies Russia and Iran. "We reject any meetings or conferences that do not embrace the demands of the Syrian people and their revolution without any equivocation or ambiguity," he said. | • Divisions within the Syrian opposition have been exposed again after a leading figure in the Free Syrian Army criticised an opposition summit in Cairo, the Independent reports. Colonel Qassim Saadeddine, the FSA group's figurehead claimed the conference played into the hands of regime allies Russia and Iran. "We reject any meetings or conferences that do not embrace the demands of the Syrian people and their revolution without any equivocation or ambiguity," he said. |
| Libya | Libya |
| • The international criminal court lawyer Melinda Taylor , and three of her colleagues, have been released from Zintan, after a deal brokered by the president of the court Sang-Hyun Song. But Libyan authorities publicly reiterated that Taylor had committed a serious "crime" when the four visited Saif al-Islam Gaddafi on 7 June. | • The international criminal court lawyer Melinda Taylor , and three of her colleagues, have been released from Zintan, after a deal brokered by the president of the court Sang-Hyun Song. But Libyan authorities publicly reiterated that Taylor had committed a serious "crime" when the four visited Saif al-Islam Gaddafi on 7 June. |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| • Members of the Revolutionary Youth Coalition, have announced they are disbanding, claiming many of their goals have been achieved. But the blogger Zeinobia said the group could not reach agreement on common goals, because of the strength of affiliation to the political groups within the coalition. | • Members of the Revolutionary Youth Coalition, have announced they are disbanding, claiming many of their goals have been achieved. But the blogger Zeinobia said the group could not reach agreement on common goals, because of the strength of affiliation to the political groups within the coalition. |
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