The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously condemned the recent massacres of civilians and widespread violence in the Syrian cities of Latakia and Tartus that have particularly targeted the Alawite community.
In a so-called presidential statement, co-authored by Russia and the US, members called on authorities to safeguard “the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity and religion”.
It expressed grave concern over the “impact of this violence on escalating tensions among communities in Syria” and called on all parties to “immediately cease all violence and inflammatory activities”.
Violence broke out last week after Syria's Sunni-led government said its security forces had come under attack by militants loyal to the ousted president, Bashar Al Assad, whose Alawite family come from the coastal region.
The attack unleashed widespread targeting Alawites in the worst bloodshed since Mr Al Assad was toppled in December after 14 years of war. Hundreds of Alawites have fled to neighbouring Lebanon. More than 1,000 people have been killed, many of them believed to be civilians.
Interim President Ahmad Al Shara, a former Islamist militant group leader, has said those responsible will be punished, including his own allies.
Last weekend, Mr Al Shara announced the formation of an independent fact-finding committee tasked with identifying those responsible for the mass killings and bringing them to justice. He also announced the formation of an additional committee to maintain peace and promote reconciliation.
The Security Council statement further underlines the “importance and urgency of inclusive and transparent justice and reconciliation processes for sustainable peace in Syria”, and calls for the implementation of an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the UN and based on the key principles listed in Resolution 2254.
“This political process should meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians, protect all of them and enable them to peacefully, independently and democratically determine their futures,” the statement said.
UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen emphasised the need for a “genuine, credible, and inclusive transitional government” in Syria, following the recent constitutional declaration by the caretaker authorities.
Mr Pedersen expressed hope that the declaration “will move Syria towards restoring the rule of law and promoting an orderly, inclusive transition”.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
