New US ambassador to Syria announced as top American diplomat touches down in Damascus
US President Barack Obama nominated career diplomat Robert Ford as the country’s new ambassador to Damascus on February 16. The nomination coincided with a visit by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns to Syria’s capital for talks with President Bashar al-Assad.
The UNHCR closed the Al-Tanf refugee camp located between the Syrian and Iraqi borders on February 1. The closure follows the transfer of the last Palestinian refugees stranded at the makeshift camp to the Al-Hol camp in the north-east of Syria.
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he held “frank and direct talks” with Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad on human rights during a two-day visit to Syria from February 19 to 20.
Al-Mabara organisation to house impoverished one-parent families
The Al-Mabara Organisation for Social Development and Orphan Sponsorship launched a new project titled ‘Ewa’a’ (Giving Shelter) in Damascus on February 15.
Syria introduces new law to protect domestic workers
Syria moved to improve conditions for foreign workers in the country by introducing a more stringent labour law last month. The move has been hailed as an effort to give domestic workers added protection against abusive employers.
Syria is a founding member of the Arab League, officially formed in Egypt on March 22, 1945. As the league gathers for its summit in Libya this month, Syria Today hit the streets to ask if the Arab League serves any useful purpose in the modern Middle East.
BASMA, a children’s cancer support NGO, ran a campaign in February with daily events and activities to raise awareness and funds for children with cancer and their families. It was the third time BASMA, which formally began operating in 2006, has run such a campaign.
Syria to help UNRWA lobby international donors for extra funding
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filipo Grandi announced that the Syrian government had committed itself to helping the agency lobby regional and international donors for funding during a three-day visit to Damascus from February 20 to 23.
Most of the problems plaguing the Arab world are rooted in the region’s dependency on external powers. This will clearly be on show at this month’s Arab Summit.
The UNHCR closed the Al-Tanf refugee camp located between the Syrian and Iraqi borders on February 1. The closure follows the transfer of the last Palestinian refugees stranded at the makeshift camp to the Al-Hol camp in the north-east of Syria.
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he held “frank and direct talks” with Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad on human rights during a two-day visit to Syria from February 19 to 20.
The Al-Mabara Organisation for Social Development and Orphan Sponsorship launched a new project titled ‘Ewa’a’ (Giving Shelter) in Damascus on February 15.
Syria moved to improve conditions for foreign workers in the country by introducing a more stringent labour law last month. The move has been hailed as an effort to give domestic workers added protection against abusive employers.
Syria is a founding member of the Arab League, officially formed in Egypt on March 22, 1945. As the league gathers for its summit in Libya this month, 
Most of the problems plaguing the Arab world are rooted in the region’s dependency on external powers. This will clearly be on show at this month’s Arab Summit.
