March 2010Issue No. 59
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.
UNHCR closes Al-Tanf refugee camp
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 PM meets with President Assad in Damascus
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.
Still backing the Arab League
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.
Children’s cancer month a success
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.
Local News
TV drama pioneer dies Prominent actor and director Hani al-Romani passed away on February 8, Syria’s state-run news agency SANA reported.
Syria mulls renewed Turkey-brokered peace talks: President Bashar al-Assad and visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu discussed the prospects of resuming indirect talks between Syria and Israel.
Iraqi refugees vote in Syria: Twenty-three stations set up in Syria for the Iraqi election.
Iraqi VP in Damascus: Iraqi Vice President has arrived in Damascus for a 3-day visit ahead of the March 7 elections.
Iran and Syria warn of colonialism: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said US policy on Iran was a new form of colonialism in the Middle East during his meeting with the Iranian president.
US lifts travel advisory: US lifts travel advisory warning citizens about security concerns in Syria.
Syria dismisses IAEA calls: Syria has dismissed an IAEA recommendation to allow its inspectors unrestrained access, days after the agency said a bombed Syrian complex could have been a nuclear site.
Syrian bans activists from leaving: Number of activists banned from leaving the country has risen in the past couple of month.
French PM raises human rights concerns:French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he held "frank and direct" talks with Syria's president on the issue of human rights.
Possible nuclear activity at bombed site: Uranium particles found at a Syrian desert complex bombed by Israel in 2007 point to possible covert nuclear activity at the site, the IAEA said.
Top US officials visit Syria: Syrian president meets with Under Secretary of State William Burns while senior US counter terrorism official Daniel Benjamin holds talks with local counterparts.
Turkey and Iraq restart rail link:The first passenger train from Iraq, running through Syria and into Turkey, arrives in Gaziantep.
Obama nominates Ford as ambassador: US Senate must now approve nomination.
Syria shuts down fake drug ring: Some 65 people arrested in counterfeit pharmaceutical ring.
Syria approves US ambassador: Deputy US ambassador to Iraq Robert Stephen Ford to take up post.
New regulations for domestic workers: The Syrian government has released a directive regulating the employment of foreign workers.
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, 
