Syria Today | March 2009

Brand Syria

"My gallery is a lab, a space for people to try new things" - Abeer Boukhari, founder of All Art Now gallery...

Kerry in Damascus: “real cooperation” be tween Syria and the US possible

US Senator John Kerry said there are possibilities for “real cooperation” between Syria and the US following a “frank and open” meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on February 21.

No hope for peace under Netanyahu

Following parliamentary elections in Israel on February 10, Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing Likud party, was asked to form a national coalition government by Israel’s President Shimon Peres on February 20. Syria Today hit the streets of Damascus to gauge local reaction to the news and its implications for a Syrian-Israeli peace deal.

Saudi intelligence chief visits Damascus

Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz made a rare visit to Damascus to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on February 15, a move that signals relations between the Arab rivals are thawing.

Golan apples arrive in Syria 

Syrian farmers living in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights resumed the exportation of apples to Syria on February 17, after Israel halted the annual project last year.

Bunni commends release of Nour

Imprisoned Syrian human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni has commended Egypt’s decision to free Egyptian opposition leader Ayman Nour after three years in jail, the Italian press agency Adnkronos International reported on February 19.

Syria: IAEA analysis faulty, no graphite found

Syrian Ambassador to the United States Imad Moustapha said Syria is “not afraid” of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) investigation into its alleged nuclear programme and criticised media leaks of the nuclear watchdog’s ongoing work related to the country.

UNHCR funding cut in half

UN Hariri probe visits Damascus

A delegation from the UN International Independent Investigating Commission (IIIC) probing the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri visited Damascus on February 13, Lebanese media sources reported.

IUST university hosts US academic staff

Professors from America’s University of Utah began the first phase of an academic staff training programme on class management at the International University for Science and Technology (IUST) on February 23. The joint initiative is the first of its kind to take place between a Syrian private university and a US tertiary institution.