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Saudi Arabia trying to thwart truce in Syria: Damascus

Tuesday, 01 March 2016 2:50 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 01 March 2016 2:50 AM ]

Syrians drive past government billboards in the capital Damascus, on February 27, 2016, as the first major ceasefire of the five-year war takes hold and an international task force prepares to begin monitoring the landmark truce. ©AFP

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

Syria says Saudi Arabia is trying to thwart a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on Saturday. Saudi officials have threatened to resort to an alternate plan if it becomes clear that Syria and Russia are not serious about the truce. Damascus has described such comments as delusional.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for international efforts to block channels for sending weapons to terrorists in Iraq and Syria. He said that an end to the flow of weaponry would help combat terrorist groups including Daesh and Nusra Front.
Car bomb explosions on the western outskirts of Iraqi capital Baghdad have left at least 8 people dead. In a separate bombing in the province of Diyala, at least 40 people have been killed at a funeral hall. Daesh Takfiri terrorists have claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Palestinian Red Crescent says Israeli forces have shot and injured at least two Palestinians in Qalandiya refugee camp north of Jerusalem al-Quds. An Israeli soldier was also reportedly injured in the exchange of fire. Israeli forces have prevented medics from entering the camp.
Clashes have erupted between Macedonian border guards and stranded refugees at the border with Greece. The refugees were trying to break through a border fence. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several people have been injured there.
Hecklers have repeatedly disrupted a campaign rally by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump in the state of Virginia. Protesters criticized Trump for not clearly disavowing support from white supremacist groups. Some of the protesters were escorted away from the raucous rally by security guards.
The leader of Spain’s Podemos party Pablo Iglesias has rejected an offer from the Socialists to form a coalition government. Podemos quit coalition talks with the Socialist party and pledged to vote against the candidacy of its leader Pedro Sanchez for the post of prime minister.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has expressed concern over continued ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier who chairs the organization said that implementing the peace agreement that was signed last year is the only way to a political solution to the crisis.

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