July 24, 2015
BEIRUT (AP) " The U.N. envoy for Syria is in Damascus (click here) to press efforts to find a political solution to the country's long-running conflict.
Staffan de Mistura, who arrived Thursday in the Syrian capital, has been meeting with Syrian politicians and regional stakeholders.
His office says he is working to finalize his proposals to the U.N. chief, Ban Ki-moon, on a way forward to support Syrian parties in their search of a political solution.
De Mistura also held talks with Syria's foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, who said his country supports a regional effort to eliminate "terrorism."
Al-Moallem said Syria considers eradicating terrorism a "fundamental priority." The Syrian government considers all armed groups fighting to topple President Bashar Assad as terrorist groups.
Israel isn't interested in peace.
July 24, 2015
JERUSALEM (AP) " An Israeli settlement watchdog group says Israel has advanced plans to build or retroactively approve 1,065 housing units in West Bank Jewish settlements.
The settlements are built on land the Palestinians claim for a future state. Most countries consider them illegitimate.
Peace Now said on Thursday that an Israeli military committee retroactively approved 24 housing units in the Beit El settlement, though Israel's Supreme Court ordered them demolished by the end of July because they were built on private Palestinian lands.
In total, the group said, the Israeli military Wednesday approved 541 new housing units, retroactively legalized 228 existing housing units, and approved infrastructure for a plan that includes 296 housing units. The military also approved the construction of two industrial structures, a Jewish religious school and a winery.
BEIRUT (AP) " The U.N. envoy for Syria is in Damascus (click here) to press efforts to find a political solution to the country's long-running conflict.
Staffan de Mistura, who arrived Thursday in the Syrian capital, has been meeting with Syrian politicians and regional stakeholders.
His office says he is working to finalize his proposals to the U.N. chief, Ban Ki-moon, on a way forward to support Syrian parties in their search of a political solution.
De Mistura also held talks with Syria's foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, who said his country supports a regional effort to eliminate "terrorism."
Al-Moallem said Syria considers eradicating terrorism a "fundamental priority." The Syrian government considers all armed groups fighting to topple President Bashar Assad as terrorist groups.
Israel isn't interested in peace.
July 24, 2015
JERUSALEM (AP) " An Israeli settlement watchdog group says Israel has advanced plans to build or retroactively approve 1,065 housing units in West Bank Jewish settlements.
The settlements are built on land the Palestinians claim for a future state. Most countries consider them illegitimate.
Peace Now said on Thursday that an Israeli military committee retroactively approved 24 housing units in the Beit El settlement, though Israel's Supreme Court ordered them demolished by the end of July because they were built on private Palestinian lands.
In total, the group said, the Israeli military Wednesday approved 541 new housing units, retroactively legalized 228 existing housing units, and approved infrastructure for a plan that includes 296 housing units. The military also approved the construction of two industrial structures, a Jewish religious school and a winery.
