Gunmen ambushed and killed a Syrian general inside Damascus, the first such attack in the capital. Syrian army forces launched new tank and rocket attacks on the city of Homs. Saudi Arabia began circulating a new peace resolution, one week after a similar resolution failed in the UN.
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Two car bombs targeting government buildings exploded in Syria’s second largest city, Aleppo, killing 28. Tanks entered the city of Homs. The head of Iran’s Quds Force visited Syria to advise the regime on suppressing the protests.
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Recanting an earlier statement, Hezbollah’s leader said that the group would not support Iran in the case of an Israeli attack.
The Syrian army intensified its artillery bombardment of Homs, causing widespread casualties. Russia said Syria was not bombarding Homs or other urban areas. The opposition claimed Syria’s military is stockpiling chemical weapons near Homs. China met with the Syrian opposition for the first time.
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Heavy shelling continued for the fifth day in the city of Homs; up to 100 people have been killed in the last 24 hours as tanks enter the city. The EU reached an agreement to impose sanctions on Syria’s central bank.
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Amid deepening political infighting, Iran’s parliament summoned President Ahmadinejad to discuss his handling of the economy. Iran and India reached a deal on oil payments. China reduced its purchases of Iranian oil, turning to Saudi Arabia and Russia instead.
The Egyptian military cancelled a meeting with US lawmakers after the US warned that Egypt’s prosecution of nongovernmental groups could threaten $1.3 billion in annual US military aid. The US said it was working “at every level” to resolve the dispute.
Following similar action by the US, Britain, and Belgium, Italy and France recalled their ambassadors to Syria. Six Gulf nations recalled their ambassadors and asked the Arab League to “take decisive action.” Russia criticized the actions and sent a delegation to Syria. Turkey started a new initiative after the failure of the UN resolution.
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China and Russia defended their veto of the UN resolution on Syria. The US, France, Saudi Arabia, and Russia planned their next course of action. The US closed its embassy in Syria due to security concerns. The Syrian army resumed heavy shelling of Homs. Syrian army defectors formed a high-level military council.
Fatah and Hamas reached a reconciliation deal and agreed to form a unity government. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized the deal, saying Palestinian President Abbas must choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas.
Protesters and police clashed for a fifth day outside Cairo’s security headquarters. The head of the ruling military council called for a quick move to presidential elections. Democracy activists reacted to the announcement of criminal trials for NGO workers.
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Arab nations, Turkey, Britain, and the US criticized the veto by Russia and China of the UN’s Syria resolution. A senior Syrian army defector said the Syrian Army was close to collapse.
Russia and China vetoed the UN resolution on Syria. Government forces killed 260 people in a major assault on the city of Homs. The Arab League called on all Arab countries to sever diplomatic relations with Syria. Protesters in Kuwait attacked the Syrian embassy.
In parliamentary elections, the opposition Islamist party won a majority, securing 34 of the 50 seats. The election was held after parliament was dissolved over allegations of corruption in December.
US and European officials called the UN nuclear inspector mission to Iran a failure. Iran’s oil minister said Iran would not retreat from its nuclear program. The US warned there is a growing possibility Israel will attack Iran as early as April. Ayatollah Khamenei said “Iran will help anyone willing to cut out the cancer […]