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Showing posts with label Armenia. Show all posts

Niger Delta Group Seeks EFCC’s Intervention in Tackling Oil Theft

Niger Delta Group Seeks EFCC’s Intervention in Tackling Oil Theft

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The Community Development Committees (CDC) of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas have called for a more direct intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tackling the scourge of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.


The group made the call on Tuesday, February 13 when its Board of Trustees, led by the Chairman, Joseph Ambakederimo paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.


Ambakederimo noted that oil theft in the Niger Delta has caused huge disruption to the country’s economic forecasts and negatively impacted the national economy.


“Oil theft and vandalization of oil infrastructure are issues of economic sabotage and a threat to national security. The EFCC is empowered by law to deal with economic saboteurs. We urge the Commission to give adequate attention to this threat to our environment in the Niger Delta and the economic sabotage of our country by adopting preventive measures and diligent prosecution of culprits”,  he said.


 He decried the involvement of oil-producing communities in oil theft, stressing that a national conference may be needed to address the issue. “Community involvement in oil theft should be a cause for worry to every patriotic Nigerian. The complicity and conspiracy of silence by well-meaning individuals is even more troubling. This menace at some point affects everyone. We advocate for a more robust national discourse on this existential threat of our time,” he said.


Responding, the EFCC boss who spoke through the Commission’s Secretary, Mr Mohammad Hammajoda praised the initiative of the group and assured the delegation of the Commission’s collaboration with all relevant agencies of government and non-state actors to bring the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism to an end.


“We highly appreciate your presence. This is an important engagement towards finding a solution to the scourge of oil theft and vandalization of oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region. Apart from the fact that oil theft has made it difficult over the years for us as a country to meet up with our OPEC production quota, and by extension diminish the revenue we ought to make from crude oil sales for national development, the menace often comes with the evil of pipeline vandalism, which in several cases leaves a huge toll of environmental pollution, manifesting in the destruction of marine economy, farmlands and everything in the ecosystem, including human lives”, he said.


He further stated that, “arresting the tide of oil theft is at the core of what we do in the Commission in nearly all the zonal commands in the southern part of the country, particularly in the Niger Delta. I give you my assurance that we will collaborate with your organization for the sake of our country, our generation and posterity”.


Source; EFCC






The Community Development Committees (CDC) of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas have called for a more direct intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tackling the scourge of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.


The group made the call on Tuesday, February 13 when its Board of Trustees, led by the Chairman, Joseph Ambakederimo paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.


Ambakederimo noted that oil theft in the Niger Delta has caused huge disruption to the country’s economic forecasts and negatively impacted the national economy.


“Oil theft and vandalization of oil infrastructure are issues of economic sabotage and a threat to national security. The EFCC is empowered by law to deal with economic saboteurs. We urge the Commission to give adequate attention to this threat to our environment in the Niger Delta and the economic sabotage of our country by adopting preventive measures and diligent prosecution of culprits”,  he said.


 He decried the involvement of oil-producing communities in oil theft, stressing that a national conference may be needed to address the issue. “Community involvement in oil theft should be a cause for worry to every patriotic Nigerian. The complicity and conspiracy of silence by well-meaning individuals is even more troubling. This menace at some point affects everyone. We advocate for a more robust national discourse on this existential threat of our time,” he said.


Responding, the EFCC boss who spoke through the Commission’s Secretary, Mr Mohammad Hammajoda praised the initiative of the group and assured the delegation of the Commission’s collaboration with all relevant agencies of government and non-state actors to bring the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism to an end.


“We highly appreciate your presence. This is an important engagement towards finding a solution to the scourge of oil theft and vandalization of oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region. Apart from the fact that oil theft has made it difficult over the years for us as a country to meet up with our OPEC production quota, and by extension diminish the revenue we ought to make from crude oil sales for national development, the menace often comes with the evil of pipeline vandalism, which in several cases leaves a huge toll of environmental pollution, manifesting in the destruction of marine economy, farmlands and everything in the ecosystem, including human lives”, he said.


He further stated that, “arresting the tide of oil theft is at the core of what we do in the Commission in nearly all the zonal commands in the southern part of the country, particularly in the Niger Delta. I give you my assurance that we will collaborate with your organization for the sake of our country, our generation and posterity”.


Source; EFCC

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Armenian PM Pashinyan claims Army insisted on striking ceasefire as 'all resources exhausted'

Armenian PM Pashinyan claims Army insisted on striking ceasefire as 'all resources exhausted'

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Turkey allegedly bans Armenian gov’t sites over Karabakh dispute

Turkey allegedly bans Armenian gov’t sites over Karabakh dispute

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Russia disagrees with Turkey's position on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian foreign minister says


The Turkish Zaman newspaper reported that the authorities in Ankara took a new measure against Armenia within the framework of their support for Azerbaijan in Karabakh.

The report confirmed that Turkey has recently banned the official websites of the Armenian government and its ministries on the Internet.

The Agos news site issued in the Turkish and Armenian languages ​​in Turkey, stated that it is no longer possible to access the websites of the official Armenian authorities in Turkey.

Turkey has not commented on these allegations.



Sources: RT, Zaman

Russia disagrees with Turkey's position on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian foreign minister says


The Turkish Zaman newspaper reported that the authorities in Ankara took a new measure against Armenia within the framework of their support for Azerbaijan in Karabakh.

The report confirmed that Turkey has recently banned the official websites of the Armenian government and its ministries on the Internet.

The Agos news site issued in the Turkish and Armenian languages ​​in Turkey, stated that it is no longer possible to access the websites of the official Armenian authorities in Turkey.

Turkey has not commented on these allegations.



Sources: RT, Zaman
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Russian Lavrov Calls for Deployment of Russian Peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh as Tensions Escalate

Russian Lavrov Calls for Deployment of Russian Peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh as Tensions Escalate

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday announced that it would be right to put Russian military observers along the line of control in Karabakh in order to ensure a ceasefire. 

He noted that the final decision is up to Yerevan and Baku, adding, however, that without a political settlement between the two countries any military solution to the conflict won't work.


"Now, not even peacekeepers [should participate in the verification mechanism], but military observers that would be sufficient."

"We believe that it would be perfectly correct if these were our military observers, but the final word should be with the sides [of the conflict]. Of course, we proceed from the fact that both Yerevan and Baku will take into account our amicable relations, relations of strategic partnership", the minister said.

In the meantime, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has noted that peacekeepers might be sent to the area only if Baku and Yerevan both greenlight the decision. He also claimed that Turkey has to participate in the negotiations in some way.

Previously, Yerevan stated that the Azerbaijani military had attacked Armenian military equipment situated on Armenian soil, and that Armenian forces reserved the right to attack any military object on Azerbaijani territory. At the same time, Baku stressed that the destroyed units were targeting Azerbaijani military objects, adding that any strike on Azerbaijani civilian objects will result in retaliation.

The decades-old conflict flared up again on 27 September, when Azerbaijan and Armenia accused each other of carrying out provocations along the line of contact.

Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh, an Armenian-majority region, proclaimed independence from Azerbaijan in 1991 after Baku revoked its autonomous status. The move resulted in a major military conflict between Baku and Yerevan that ravaged the area for two years, claiming at least 40,000 lives. However, in 1994 the sides agreed to start peace talks on the dispute mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, headed by Russia, the US, and France.

The conflict has since remained frozen, with Nagorno-Karabakh continuing to be an unrecognised state.


Sputnik


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday announced that it would be right to put Russian military observers along the line of control in Karabakh in order to ensure a ceasefire. 

He noted that the final decision is up to Yerevan and Baku, adding, however, that without a political settlement between the two countries any military solution to the conflict won't work.


"Now, not even peacekeepers [should participate in the verification mechanism], but military observers that would be sufficient."

"We believe that it would be perfectly correct if these were our military observers, but the final word should be with the sides [of the conflict]. Of course, we proceed from the fact that both Yerevan and Baku will take into account our amicable relations, relations of strategic partnership", the minister said.

In the meantime, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has noted that peacekeepers might be sent to the area only if Baku and Yerevan both greenlight the decision. He also claimed that Turkey has to participate in the negotiations in some way.

Previously, Yerevan stated that the Azerbaijani military had attacked Armenian military equipment situated on Armenian soil, and that Armenian forces reserved the right to attack any military object on Azerbaijani territory. At the same time, Baku stressed that the destroyed units were targeting Azerbaijani military objects, adding that any strike on Azerbaijani civilian objects will result in retaliation.

The decades-old conflict flared up again on 27 September, when Azerbaijan and Armenia accused each other of carrying out provocations along the line of contact.

Nagorno-Karabakh, or Artsakh, an Armenian-majority region, proclaimed independence from Azerbaijan in 1991 after Baku revoked its autonomous status. The move resulted in a major military conflict between Baku and Yerevan that ravaged the area for two years, claiming at least 40,000 lives. However, in 1994 the sides agreed to start peace talks on the dispute mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, headed by Russia, the US, and France.

The conflict has since remained frozen, with Nagorno-Karabakh continuing to be an unrecognised state.


Sputnik
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Russian FM Lavrov Says Karabakh Ceasefire Isn't Fully Complied With

Russian FM Lavrov Says Karabakh Ceasefire Isn't Fully Complied With

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"We spent last Friday and Saturday, at least part of Saturday, in this building, together with your Azerbaijani counterpart. 

An important agreement was reached at the initiative of [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin. We see that this agreement is not yet fully implemented, as combat activities continue," Lavrov told Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.


"We spent last Friday and Saturday, at least part of Saturday, in this building, together with your Azerbaijani counterpart. 

An important agreement was reached at the initiative of [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin. We see that this agreement is not yet fully implemented, as combat activities continue," Lavrov told Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.


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Azerbaijani President Claims Baku Has Seized Control Over Several Karabakh Settlements

Azerbaijani President Claims Baku Has Seized Control Over Several Karabakh Settlements

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The president of the self-proclaimed republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Arayik Harutyunyan, said that the ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan that took effect at noon on Saturday was not fully observed over the weekend.

No shelling occurred in the capital of the unrecognised Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) overnight from Sunday to Monday, a Sputnik correspondent reports.

On Monday morning, air raid sirens went off in Stepanakert for about five minutes, starting from around 7:27 a.m. local time (3:27 GMT), according to a Sputnik correspondent, who says that it was likely that a reconnaissance drone was spotted by the radars. Local eyewitnesses said that two or three explosions were heard somewhere far from the city.

Over the weekend, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said that two towns had been shelled by Azerbaijan despite the active ceasefire brokered by Russia, while Baku claimed that the city of Ganja was attacked with missiles from the territory of Armenia, an accusation that has strongly been denied by Yerevan.

Clashes along the contact line of the disputed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh erupted in late September abd have been ongoing since then, leaving hundreds dead on the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. During the Friday talks in Moscow, foreign ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire, however, the parties to the conflict have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.

Armenian MoD Says Karabakh Forces Have Destroyed Azerbaijan's Su-25


The Karabakh military's anti-air defense units have destroyed an Azerbaijani Su-25 fighter, the Armenian Defense Ministry's spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanyan, said on Monday.

"The Azerbaijan Air Forces are using Su-25 fighters, covered by Turkey's F-16, along the entire line of contact. The anti-air defense units of the Artsakh [Karabakh] Defense Army have downed a Su-25 of the adversary in the north-east," Stepanyan wrote on Facebook.

Azerbaijani President Says Baku Committed to Ceasefire Regime at Contact Line in Karabakh


"We have been committed to the ceasefire since it entered force," Aliyev said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster Haber Global.

The Azeri president said Armenia had breached the truce, but Baku was "showing restraint."

"First of all, it [the agreement] expects the sides to exchange bodies of the military personnel, exchange the wounded based on humanitarian ideals. We have wanted to do this from day one, but Armenia did not want to," Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan prefers to resolve the issue peacefully but is determined to see the matter through, Aliyev said.

Armenian FM Says Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire Verification Mechanisms Needed


"We keep receiving information that Azerbaijan is not complying with its obligations regarding the ceasefire. With that in mind, I would like to stress the importance of introducing verification mechanisms that will help ensure that the ceasefire is being upheld," the Armenian minister said at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

According to Mnatsakanyan, the Azeri air force has attacked more than 120 towns and villages in the Karabakh, including the region's largest city — Stepanakert.

Russia's role is very important with regard to the ceasefire in Karabakh, the Armenian minister said.


Source: Sputnik 

The president of the self-proclaimed republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Arayik Harutyunyan, said that the ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan that took effect at noon on Saturday was not fully observed over the weekend.

No shelling occurred in the capital of the unrecognised Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) overnight from Sunday to Monday, a Sputnik correspondent reports.

On Monday morning, air raid sirens went off in Stepanakert for about five minutes, starting from around 7:27 a.m. local time (3:27 GMT), according to a Sputnik correspondent, who says that it was likely that a reconnaissance drone was spotted by the radars. Local eyewitnesses said that two or three explosions were heard somewhere far from the city.

Over the weekend, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said that two towns had been shelled by Azerbaijan despite the active ceasefire brokered by Russia, while Baku claimed that the city of Ganja was attacked with missiles from the territory of Armenia, an accusation that has strongly been denied by Yerevan.

Clashes along the contact line of the disputed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh erupted in late September abd have been ongoing since then, leaving hundreds dead on the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. During the Friday talks in Moscow, foreign ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire, however, the parties to the conflict have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.

Armenian MoD Says Karabakh Forces Have Destroyed Azerbaijan's Su-25


The Karabakh military's anti-air defense units have destroyed an Azerbaijani Su-25 fighter, the Armenian Defense Ministry's spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanyan, said on Monday.

"The Azerbaijan Air Forces are using Su-25 fighters, covered by Turkey's F-16, along the entire line of contact. The anti-air defense units of the Artsakh [Karabakh] Defense Army have downed a Su-25 of the adversary in the north-east," Stepanyan wrote on Facebook.

Azerbaijani President Says Baku Committed to Ceasefire Regime at Contact Line in Karabakh


"We have been committed to the ceasefire since it entered force," Aliyev said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster Haber Global.

The Azeri president said Armenia had breached the truce, but Baku was "showing restraint."

"First of all, it [the agreement] expects the sides to exchange bodies of the military personnel, exchange the wounded based on humanitarian ideals. We have wanted to do this from day one, but Armenia did not want to," Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan prefers to resolve the issue peacefully but is determined to see the matter through, Aliyev said.

Armenian FM Says Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire Verification Mechanisms Needed


"We keep receiving information that Azerbaijan is not complying with its obligations regarding the ceasefire. With that in mind, I would like to stress the importance of introducing verification mechanisms that will help ensure that the ceasefire is being upheld," the Armenian minister said at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

According to Mnatsakanyan, the Azeri air force has attacked more than 120 towns and villages in the Karabakh, including the region's largest city — Stepanakert.

Russia's role is very important with regard to the ceasefire in Karabakh, the Armenian minister said.


Source: Sputnik 
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Armenia PM says 'ready' to resume peace process with Baku

Armenia PM says 'ready' to resume peace process with Baku

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Armenia is ready to resume internationally-mediated talks with Azerbaijan to resolve their decades-long conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Friday, ahead of ceasefire talks in Moscow.

"We are ready for the resumption of the peace process in accordance with the recent statements of presidents and foreign ministers of the Minsk Group," Pashinyan said, referring to mediation efforts chaired by France, Russia and the United States.

Armenia and Azerbaijan were moving "towards a truce" to end fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, the French presidency told AFP, with a deal expected late Friday or on Saturday.

Senior diplomats from the warring parties were meeting in Moscow even as clashes over the disputed region showed no sign of abating.

"We are moving towards a truce tonight or tomorrow but it's still fragile," President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement to AFP.

Macron spoke by telephone with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan late on Thursday and with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Friday.

The French presidency said the talks were part of a "coordinated process" with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the start of the week.

A resumption of peace talks would be negotiated over the coming days in the framework of the so-called Minsk group, which spearheads efforts by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to bring an end to the long-running Karabakh conflict.

France chairs the group jointly with Russia and the United States.

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are expected in Moscow on Friday at Putin's invitation.


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Armenia is ready to resume internationally-mediated talks with Azerbaijan to resolve their decades-long conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Friday, ahead of ceasefire talks in Moscow.

"We are ready for the resumption of the peace process in accordance with the recent statements of presidents and foreign ministers of the Minsk Group," Pashinyan said, referring to mediation efforts chaired by France, Russia and the United States.

Armenia and Azerbaijan were moving "towards a truce" to end fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, the French presidency told AFP, with a deal expected late Friday or on Saturday.

Senior diplomats from the warring parties were meeting in Moscow even as clashes over the disputed region showed no sign of abating.

"We are moving towards a truce tonight or tomorrow but it's still fragile," President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement to AFP.

Macron spoke by telephone with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan late on Thursday and with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Friday.

The French presidency said the talks were part of a "coordinated process" with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the start of the week.

A resumption of peace talks would be negotiated over the coming days in the framework of the so-called Minsk group, which spearheads efforts by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to bring an end to the long-running Karabakh conflict.

France chairs the group jointly with Russia and the United States.

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are expected in Moscow on Friday at Putin's invitation.


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PUTI'NS INTERVENTION: Armenia, Azerbaijan confirm they will meet in Moscow for negotiations

PUTI'NS INTERVENTION: Armenia, Azerbaijan confirm they will meet in Moscow for negotiations

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Russian President Putin

Russia said Friday that Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to meet in Moscow for negotiations on ending the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, after President Vladimir Putin called for talks.

"Baku and Yerevan have confirmed their participation in the consultations in Moscow," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP.

 


"Active preparations are underway," she said, with the talks expected to take place later on Friday and involve the two countries' foreign ministers.

Putin's invitation came as there appeared to be no end in sight for nearly two weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and ethic Armenian separatists that has claimed hundreds of lives. "The President of Russia is issuing a call to halt the fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh on humanitarian grounds in order to exchange dead bodies and prisoners," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Yerevan has so far ruled out any talks between the two countries' top diplomats as long as clashes are ongoing.

Earlier talks were held in Geneva but expectations were low and no statements were likely from the negotiations which were being conducted behind closed doors — and without Armenian participation.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov was to meet diplomats from France, Russia and the United States, who make up the "Minsk Group" that has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict since the 1990s.

Armenia on Thursday accused Azerbaijan of shelling a historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia said several journalists were injured in strikes on the cathedral after an initial bombardment left rubble strewn across the floor, pews knocked over and a layer of dust coating the interior from parts of the building's limestone walls that had been hit.

"There is no military, nothing strategic here, how can you target a church?" said local resident Simeon, who lives nearby.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in bitter fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region controlled by Armenians who declared an unrecognized breakaway statelet after the fall of the U.S.S.R. and emerged victorious from the war that followed.

Hundreds including civilians have been killed in the current fighting, the worst since a 1994 ceasefire, with both sides doubling down on entrenched positions over who should control the region.

Defense officials in Azerbaijan and Armenia said fighting continued into Thursday, with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses and accusing the other of shelling civilian areas.

There was a gaping hole in the roof of the Ghazanchetsots (Holy Savior) Cathedral, AFP journalists reported, after Armenia's defense ministry accused Azerbaijan of targeting a cherished site for the Armenian Apostolic Church.


Thousands forced to flee

A section of the cathedral's metal roof collapsed and fell to the ground outside.

Baku denied its forces were behind the first attack, saying that unlike Armenia, "the Azerbaijani army does not target historical, cultural, or especially religious, buildings and monuments."

Explosions and sirens sounded in Nagorno-Karabakh's regional capital Stepanakert as the city continued to face regular shelling early Thursday, AFP journalists said.

Heavy bombardments have levelled many homes since fighting erupted late last month and Stepanakert is pockmarked with unexploded ordnance and wide craters from shelling.

Alongside the new bombardments in Stepanakert, Azerbaijan said Armenian shelling on several villages near the frontline had left people dead and wounded.

Alamshar Hasanov, a resident of Shukurbeyli near the border with Karabakh, said his village was subjected to Armenian shelling on a daily basis.

"See for yourself," he said. "A neighbour's house was destroyed."

"May God grant our soldiers, officers, and commanders health. We rely on them," he told AFP.

Armenia's rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP on Wednesday that the renewed fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh's 140,000 residents and forced some 90% of its women and children from their homes.

The fighting in one of the most combustible frozen conflicts resulting from the fall of the Soviet Union reignited on Sept. 27, with Azerbaijan insisting the region must return to its control.
Threat of international conflict

Dozens of civilians have been confirmed killed in the fighting and the Armenian side has acknowledged more than 300 military deaths. Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops.

International leaders have repeatedly called for an immediate halt to the fighting but there are no signs yet of the conflict abating.

Turkey's strong backing for Azerbaijan has sown fears in the West that the conflict could spiral into a full-blown war embroiling Ankara with Moscow, which has a military treaty with Armenia.

Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the world leaders to denounce the reported deployment of pro-Turkish fighters from Syria and Libya to Karabakh. Iran on Wednesday warned of "terrorists" who had joined the conflict from abroad.

Azerbaijan announced Thursday that it was recalling its ambassador to Athens following reports that Greek citizens were joining Armenian forces in Karabakh.

AFP

Russian President Putin

Russia said Friday that Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to meet in Moscow for negotiations on ending the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, after President Vladimir Putin called for talks.

"Baku and Yerevan have confirmed their participation in the consultations in Moscow," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP.

 


"Active preparations are underway," she said, with the talks expected to take place later on Friday and involve the two countries' foreign ministers.

Putin's invitation came as there appeared to be no end in sight for nearly two weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and ethic Armenian separatists that has claimed hundreds of lives. "The President of Russia is issuing a call to halt the fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh on humanitarian grounds in order to exchange dead bodies and prisoners," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Yerevan has so far ruled out any talks between the two countries' top diplomats as long as clashes are ongoing.

Earlier talks were held in Geneva but expectations were low and no statements were likely from the negotiations which were being conducted behind closed doors — and without Armenian participation.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov was to meet diplomats from France, Russia and the United States, who make up the "Minsk Group" that has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict since the 1990s.

Armenia on Thursday accused Azerbaijan of shelling a historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia said several journalists were injured in strikes on the cathedral after an initial bombardment left rubble strewn across the floor, pews knocked over and a layer of dust coating the interior from parts of the building's limestone walls that had been hit.

"There is no military, nothing strategic here, how can you target a church?" said local resident Simeon, who lives nearby.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in bitter fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region controlled by Armenians who declared an unrecognized breakaway statelet after the fall of the U.S.S.R. and emerged victorious from the war that followed.

Hundreds including civilians have been killed in the current fighting, the worst since a 1994 ceasefire, with both sides doubling down on entrenched positions over who should control the region.

Defense officials in Azerbaijan and Armenia said fighting continued into Thursday, with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses and accusing the other of shelling civilian areas.

There was a gaping hole in the roof of the Ghazanchetsots (Holy Savior) Cathedral, AFP journalists reported, after Armenia's defense ministry accused Azerbaijan of targeting a cherished site for the Armenian Apostolic Church.


Thousands forced to flee

A section of the cathedral's metal roof collapsed and fell to the ground outside.

Baku denied its forces were behind the first attack, saying that unlike Armenia, "the Azerbaijani army does not target historical, cultural, or especially religious, buildings and monuments."

Explosions and sirens sounded in Nagorno-Karabakh's regional capital Stepanakert as the city continued to face regular shelling early Thursday, AFP journalists said.

Heavy bombardments have levelled many homes since fighting erupted late last month and Stepanakert is pockmarked with unexploded ordnance and wide craters from shelling.

Alongside the new bombardments in Stepanakert, Azerbaijan said Armenian shelling on several villages near the frontline had left people dead and wounded.

Alamshar Hasanov, a resident of Shukurbeyli near the border with Karabakh, said his village was subjected to Armenian shelling on a daily basis.

"See for yourself," he said. "A neighbour's house was destroyed."

"May God grant our soldiers, officers, and commanders health. We rely on them," he told AFP.

Armenia's rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP on Wednesday that the renewed fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh's 140,000 residents and forced some 90% of its women and children from their homes.

The fighting in one of the most combustible frozen conflicts resulting from the fall of the Soviet Union reignited on Sept. 27, with Azerbaijan insisting the region must return to its control.
Threat of international conflict

Dozens of civilians have been confirmed killed in the fighting and the Armenian side has acknowledged more than 300 military deaths. Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops.

International leaders have repeatedly called for an immediate halt to the fighting but there are no signs yet of the conflict abating.

Turkey's strong backing for Azerbaijan has sown fears in the West that the conflict could spiral into a full-blown war embroiling Ankara with Moscow, which has a military treaty with Armenia.

Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the world leaders to denounce the reported deployment of pro-Turkish fighters from Syria and Libya to Karabakh. Iran on Wednesday warned of "terrorists" who had joined the conflict from abroad.

Azerbaijan announced Thursday that it was recalling its ambassador to Athens following reports that Greek citizens were joining Armenian forces in Karabakh.

AFP

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Accusations range on between Armenia, Azerbaijan as German Merkel calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in Karabakh fighting

Accusations range on between Armenia, Azerbaijan as German Merkel calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in Karabakh fighting

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France urges international talks on Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes





Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other on Tuesday of firing into each other’s territory, far from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, as the worst spate of fighting since the 1990s raged for a third day and the civilian death toll mounted.

The forces of the two countries pounded each other with long range rockets and artillery in a new round of the decades-old conflict in the disputed region.

The fierce fighting, which continued for a third day on Tuesday, has killed dozens of soldiers and at least 11 civilians so far.

Dozens have been reported killed and hundreds wounded since the fierce clashes between Azerbaijan and its ethnic Armenian mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh broke out on Sunday in a new eruption of a decades-old conflict.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said 10 civilians had been killed by Armenian shelling since Sunday. There was no official information about casualties among Azeri servicemen.

The Armenian defense ministry said an Armenian civilian bus in Vardenis — a town in Armenia at the border with Azerbaijan and far from Nagorno-Karabakh — caught fire after being hit by an Azeri drone, but no one appeared to be hurt. It said it was making further checks.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a breakaway region that is inside Azerbaijan but is run by ethnic Armenians and is supported by Armenia. It broke away from Azerbaijan in a war in the 1990s, but is not recognized by any country as an independent republic.

Any move to all-out war could drag in major regional powers Russia and Turkey. Moscow has a defense alliance with Armenia, which provides vital support to the enclave and is its lifeline to the outside world, while Ankara backs its own ethnic Turkic kin in Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged an immediate end to the fighting in the region of Nagorny Karabakh in phone calls with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, her spokesman said Tuesday. “The chancellor urgently called for an immediate cease-fire and a return to the negotiating table,” Steffen Seibert said.

Merkel spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday and with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday, he added.

The so-called Minsk Group of mediators, led by France, Russia and the United States, “offers an appropriate forum” for dialogue, Merkel said in the calls.

The UN Security Council is due to hold emergency talks Tuesday behind closed doors on Nagorny Karabakh, diplomats said.

France has also said that it would call for talks among the ‘Minsk Group’ and mediates between Armenia and Azerbaijan – to try to resolve an escalating conflict between the two South Caucasus countries.

“We will trigger in the coming days a co-ordination of the Minsk Group to clear up what happened, who is responsible and find a way out,” an official at Macron’s office told Reuters on Tuesday.

Yerevan and Baku have been locked in a territorial dispute over the ethnic Armenian region of Nagorny Karabakh for decades, with deadly fighting flaring up last July and in 2016.


France urges international talks on Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes





Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other on Tuesday of firing into each other’s territory, far from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, as the worst spate of fighting since the 1990s raged for a third day and the civilian death toll mounted.

The forces of the two countries pounded each other with long range rockets and artillery in a new round of the decades-old conflict in the disputed region.

The fierce fighting, which continued for a third day on Tuesday, has killed dozens of soldiers and at least 11 civilians so far.

Dozens have been reported killed and hundreds wounded since the fierce clashes between Azerbaijan and its ethnic Armenian mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh broke out on Sunday in a new eruption of a decades-old conflict.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said 10 civilians had been killed by Armenian shelling since Sunday. There was no official information about casualties among Azeri servicemen.

The Armenian defense ministry said an Armenian civilian bus in Vardenis — a town in Armenia at the border with Azerbaijan and far from Nagorno-Karabakh — caught fire after being hit by an Azeri drone, but no one appeared to be hurt. It said it was making further checks.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a breakaway region that is inside Azerbaijan but is run by ethnic Armenians and is supported by Armenia. It broke away from Azerbaijan in a war in the 1990s, but is not recognized by any country as an independent republic.

Any move to all-out war could drag in major regional powers Russia and Turkey. Moscow has a defense alliance with Armenia, which provides vital support to the enclave and is its lifeline to the outside world, while Ankara backs its own ethnic Turkic kin in Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged an immediate end to the fighting in the region of Nagorny Karabakh in phone calls with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, her spokesman said Tuesday. “The chancellor urgently called for an immediate cease-fire and a return to the negotiating table,” Steffen Seibert said.

Merkel spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday and with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday, he added.

The so-called Minsk Group of mediators, led by France, Russia and the United States, “offers an appropriate forum” for dialogue, Merkel said in the calls.

The UN Security Council is due to hold emergency talks Tuesday behind closed doors on Nagorny Karabakh, diplomats said.

France has also said that it would call for talks among the ‘Minsk Group’ and mediates between Armenia and Azerbaijan – to try to resolve an escalating conflict between the two South Caucasus countries.

“We will trigger in the coming days a co-ordination of the Minsk Group to clear up what happened, who is responsible and find a way out,” an official at Macron’s office told Reuters on Tuesday.

Yerevan and Baku have been locked in a territorial dispute over the ethnic Armenian region of Nagorny Karabakh for decades, with deadly fighting flaring up last July and in 2016.


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Armenia shot down multiple Azerbaijani helicopters

Armenia shot down multiple Azerbaijani helicopters

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The Armenia forces have reportedly shot down many of the Azerbaijan's war helicopters in the ongoing full confrontations between the two countries.

This latest incidents followed Azerbaijan’s strike on civilian bus deep into Armenian territory. 

Armenian authorities said it has managed to evacuate all passengers. Injuries unclear but no deaths.

ARMENIA claimed that the “Azerbaijan's actions have leave no other choice but to switch to the use of long-range strike systems and destructive power,” according to the country's Ministry of Defense.

Reports confirmed that “the fights with varying intensity continue with Azerbaijani artillery Armenian units in several directions of the line of contact repulsed the attacks of the Azerbaijani armed forces, taking punitive actions in some parts, causing significant losses of the adversary”

 

 

According to the sources, MoD warns that “Armenian Air Force are compelled to use pieces of equipment and munitions designed to engage wide area targets, intended for large and indiscriminate destruction of manpower, and static and mobile property alike. “ 




 Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia announces the attack by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on a military unit in the city of Vardenis — which is located directly on the territory of the country. Azerbaijan also used their airforce. Armenia promises a FIERCE RESPONSE.

Fighting has erupted anew since Sunday between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh and a top territorial official said 16 people were killed and more than 100 wounded, while Azerbaijan’s president said his military has suffered losses.


Armenia also claimed that two Azerbaijani helicopters were shot down and three Azerbaijani tanks were hit by artillery, but Azerbaijan’s defense ministry rejected that claim.


Armenia also said “accusations of Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan against Armenia on shelling of Dashkesan region of Azerbaijan from Vardenis region of Armenia is absolutely false & is aimed at preparing grounds for expanding geography of hostilities & aggression against Armenia” 

Heavy fighting broke out in the morning in the region that lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since 1994 at the end of a separatist war. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fighting, the heaviest since clashes in July killed 16 people from both sides.

Nagorno-Karabakh authorities reported that shelling hit the region’s capital of Stepanakert and the towns of Martakert and Martuni. Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan also said Azerbaijani shelling hit within Armenian territory near the town of Vardenis.

Artur Sarkisian, deputy head of the Nagorno-Karabakh army, said that 16 people were killed and more than 100 wounded. It wasn’t immediately clear if the figure included both soldiers and civilians. Earlier, the Armenian human rights ombudsman said a woman and child had been killed in the shelling.

Another Armenian Defense Ministry spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanyan, said “the Armenian side” shot down two helicopters and hit three tanks. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ordered martial law be imposed in some regions of the country and called for a curfew in major cities.

In a televised address to the nation, Aliyev said that “there are losses among the Azerbaijani forces and the civilian population as a result of the Armenian bombardment,” but didn’t give further details. 

He also claimed that “many units of the enemy’s military equipment have been destroyed.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “is conducting intensive contacts in order to induce the parties to cease fire and start negotiations to stabilize the situation,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, called on the sides to stop fighting. The long-unsuccessful negotiations for resolving the territory’s status has been conducted under OSCE auspices.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Sunday said the country could reexamine whether to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as independent. Such a move would likely obstruct further negotiations.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif of Iran, which borders both Azerbaijan and Armenia, said “We call for an immediate end to hostilities and urge dialogue to resolve differences. Our neighbours are our priority and we are ready to provide good offices to enable talks.” 

Turkey’s ruling party spokesman Omer Celik tweeted: “We vehemently condemn Armenia’s attack on Azerbaijan. Armenia has once again committed a provocation, ignoring law.” He promised Turkey would stand by Azerbaijan and said, “Armenia is playing with fire and endangering regional peace.” Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also condemned Armenia.

“Armenia has violated the cease-fire by attacking civilian settlements ... the international community must immediately say stop to this dangerous provocation,” Kalin tweeted.

Mostly mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh — a region around 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles) or about the size of the U.S. state of Delaware — lies 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Armenian border.

These are also reported:


The Armenia forces have reportedly shot down many of the Azerbaijan's war helicopters in the ongoing full confrontations between the two countries.

This latest incidents followed Azerbaijan’s strike on civilian bus deep into Armenian territory. 

Armenian authorities said it has managed to evacuate all passengers. Injuries unclear but no deaths.

ARMENIA claimed that the “Azerbaijan's actions have leave no other choice but to switch to the use of long-range strike systems and destructive power,” according to the country's Ministry of Defense.

Reports confirmed that “the fights with varying intensity continue with Azerbaijani artillery Armenian units in several directions of the line of contact repulsed the attacks of the Azerbaijani armed forces, taking punitive actions in some parts, causing significant losses of the adversary”

 

 

According to the sources, MoD warns that “Armenian Air Force are compelled to use pieces of equipment and munitions designed to engage wide area targets, intended for large and indiscriminate destruction of manpower, and static and mobile property alike. “ 




 Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia announces the attack by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on a military unit in the city of Vardenis — which is located directly on the territory of the country. Azerbaijan also used their airforce. Armenia promises a FIERCE RESPONSE.

Fighting has erupted anew since Sunday between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh and a top territorial official said 16 people were killed and more than 100 wounded, while Azerbaijan’s president said his military has suffered losses.


Armenia also claimed that two Azerbaijani helicopters were shot down and three Azerbaijani tanks were hit by artillery, but Azerbaijan’s defense ministry rejected that claim.


Armenia also said “accusations of Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan against Armenia on shelling of Dashkesan region of Azerbaijan from Vardenis region of Armenia is absolutely false & is aimed at preparing grounds for expanding geography of hostilities & aggression against Armenia” 

Heavy fighting broke out in the morning in the region that lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since 1994 at the end of a separatist war. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fighting, the heaviest since clashes in July killed 16 people from both sides.

Nagorno-Karabakh authorities reported that shelling hit the region’s capital of Stepanakert and the towns of Martakert and Martuni. Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan also said Azerbaijani shelling hit within Armenian territory near the town of Vardenis.

Artur Sarkisian, deputy head of the Nagorno-Karabakh army, said that 16 people were killed and more than 100 wounded. It wasn’t immediately clear if the figure included both soldiers and civilians. Earlier, the Armenian human rights ombudsman said a woman and child had been killed in the shelling.

Another Armenian Defense Ministry spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanyan, said “the Armenian side” shot down two helicopters and hit three tanks. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ordered martial law be imposed in some regions of the country and called for a curfew in major cities.

In a televised address to the nation, Aliyev said that “there are losses among the Azerbaijani forces and the civilian population as a result of the Armenian bombardment,” but didn’t give further details. 

He also claimed that “many units of the enemy’s military equipment have been destroyed.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “is conducting intensive contacts in order to induce the parties to cease fire and start negotiations to stabilize the situation,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, called on the sides to stop fighting. The long-unsuccessful negotiations for resolving the territory’s status has been conducted under OSCE auspices.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Sunday said the country could reexamine whether to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as independent. Such a move would likely obstruct further negotiations.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif of Iran, which borders both Azerbaijan and Armenia, said “We call for an immediate end to hostilities and urge dialogue to resolve differences. Our neighbours are our priority and we are ready to provide good offices to enable talks.” 

Turkey’s ruling party spokesman Omer Celik tweeted: “We vehemently condemn Armenia’s attack on Azerbaijan. Armenia has once again committed a provocation, ignoring law.” He promised Turkey would stand by Azerbaijan and said, “Armenia is playing with fire and endangering regional peace.” Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also condemned Armenia.

“Armenia has violated the cease-fire by attacking civilian settlements ... the international community must immediately say stop to this dangerous provocation,” Kalin tweeted.

Mostly mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh — a region around 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles) or about the size of the U.S. state of Delaware — lies 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Armenian border.

These are also reported:


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COVID-19: Armenia, Russia to impose 14-day ban on passenger air service over coronavirus

COVID-19: Armenia, Russia to impose 14-day ban on passenger air service over coronavirus

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Belarus registers 36 coronavirus cases, health ministry says

Russia and Armenia have agreed to ban passenger air service for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the press service of the Armenian government said on Monday after a telephone conversation between the two countries’ prime ministers, Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and Mikhail Mishustin of Russia.

"The sides discussed steps aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Pashinyan and Mishustin agreed to restrict passenger air service between the two countries for a period of two weeks. At the same time, the sides agreed to ensure the return of the countries’ nationals. Cargo traffic will not be restricted," the press service said.

By today, Armenia has 30 confirmed coronavirus cases. More than 300 people are under quarantine.

Meanwhile, the number of patients in Belarus, who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, has risen to 36, the country’s health ministry said on Monday. Earlier reports said 27 coronavirus cases had been confirmed.

"Thirty-six patients have been registered in Belarus who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2," the ministry informed.

Five students of the Belarusian State University have twice tested positive for COVID-19 without showing any symptoms of the disease. Four other coronavirus patients had arrived from Munich, Amsterdam and Moscow. "All patients have been quarantined since returning from abroad. Their close contacts have been also hospitalized," according to the ministry.

Three patients have been discharged while three others are preparing to leave hospitals soon. Eight patients have mild symptoms of infection and one is in moderately severe condition with positive dynamics. Other patients don’t have any symptoms of infection.

Since early February, specialists of the Republican and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology have carried out more than 16,000 tests for COVID-19. Some 2,583 people remain under medical control, but none of them have any symptoms of infection.

A SARS-like virus outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019.

Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 63 coronavirus cases. 

The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 160,000, with about 6,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.

Belarus registers 36 coronavirus cases, health ministry says

Russia and Armenia have agreed to ban passenger air service for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the press service of the Armenian government said on Monday after a telephone conversation between the two countries’ prime ministers, Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and Mikhail Mishustin of Russia.

"The sides discussed steps aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Pashinyan and Mishustin agreed to restrict passenger air service between the two countries for a period of two weeks. At the same time, the sides agreed to ensure the return of the countries’ nationals. Cargo traffic will not be restricted," the press service said.

By today, Armenia has 30 confirmed coronavirus cases. More than 300 people are under quarantine.

Meanwhile, the number of patients in Belarus, who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, has risen to 36, the country’s health ministry said on Monday. Earlier reports said 27 coronavirus cases had been confirmed.

"Thirty-six patients have been registered in Belarus who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2," the ministry informed.

Five students of the Belarusian State University have twice tested positive for COVID-19 without showing any symptoms of the disease. Four other coronavirus patients had arrived from Munich, Amsterdam and Moscow. "All patients have been quarantined since returning from abroad. Their close contacts have been also hospitalized," according to the ministry.

Three patients have been discharged while three others are preparing to leave hospitals soon. Eight patients have mild symptoms of infection and one is in moderately severe condition with positive dynamics. Other patients don’t have any symptoms of infection.

Since early February, specialists of the Republican and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology have carried out more than 16,000 tests for COVID-19. Some 2,583 people remain under medical control, but none of them have any symptoms of infection.

A SARS-like virus outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019.

Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 63 coronavirus cases. 

The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 160,000, with about 6,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.

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Eight Death toll, 43 cases, Pakistan, Turkey, others close border with Iran

Eight Death toll, 43 cases, Pakistan, Turkey, others close border with Iran

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Afghanistan bans travel to and from Iran

Armenia to 'suspend communication' with Iran for two weeks

Jordan bars entry to citizens from China, Iran, South Korea


Countries in Asian and middle east have reacted to the China's coronavirus outbreake in Iran by taken precautionary measures to contain further spread of the deadly mysterious virus in the region

Jordan has said it would bar citizens from China, Iran and South Korea from entering the kingdom in a bid to prevent the outbreak spreading. The minister of state for media affairs, Amjad Adayleh, said the decision was part of "preemptive measures ... following the rise in cases of coronavirus in South Korea, Iran" and China.

Turkey on Sunday announced it will "temporarily" close its land border with neighbouring Iran as alarm grows over a spike in new coronavirus infections.

"We have decided to shut the land border temporarily after an increase in the number of cases in our neighbour Iran," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters.

He added that air traffic would be unilaterally halted from 20:00 (1700GMT).

Also Pakistan has announced it is closing its border with neighbouring Iran after Tehran announced eight deaths from the coronavirus.

"We have closed our border with Iran because of the reports of coronavirus there," said Ayesha Zehri, a senior government official in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan's province, which borders Iran.

Afghanistan has also suspended air and ground travel to neighbouring Iran, where millions of Afghan refugees live, as fears grow across the region over a jump in new coronavirus infections.

"To prevent the spread of the novel #coronavirus and protect the public, Afghanistan suspends all passenger movement (air and ground) to and from Iran," the office of the National Security Council of Afghanistan said in a statement on Twitter.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the country will "suspend communication" with Iran for two weeks in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

In a post on Facebook, Pashinyan said Armenia would close its border with Iran and halt air transport.

He added that Armenia's Coronavirus Prevention Commission would meet on Monday.

Iran has confirmed at least 15 new cases of the new coronavirus, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on state TV, adding that the death toll has reached eight in the country.

"So far, we have 43 infected cases and the death toll is eight," said Kianush Jahanpur.

Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday accused foreign media of trying to use a deadly outbreak of coronavirus in Iran to "discourage" people from voting in a general election.

"This negative propaganda began a few months ago and grew larger approaching the election and in the past two days, under the pretext of an illness and a virus, their media did not miss the slightest opportunity to discourage people from voting," said Khamenei on his official website. "(Our enemies) are even opposed to any election by the Iranian people".


More: Iraq Extends Ban On Iran Arrivals Amid Coronavirus Fears

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Afghanistan bans travel to and from Iran

Armenia to 'suspend communication' with Iran for two weeks

Jordan bars entry to citizens from China, Iran, South Korea


Countries in Asian and middle east have reacted to the China's coronavirus outbreake in Iran by taken precautionary measures to contain further spread of the deadly mysterious virus in the region

Jordan has said it would bar citizens from China, Iran and South Korea from entering the kingdom in a bid to prevent the outbreak spreading. The minister of state for media affairs, Amjad Adayleh, said the decision was part of "preemptive measures ... following the rise in cases of coronavirus in South Korea, Iran" and China.

Turkey on Sunday announced it will "temporarily" close its land border with neighbouring Iran as alarm grows over a spike in new coronavirus infections.

"We have decided to shut the land border temporarily after an increase in the number of cases in our neighbour Iran," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters.

He added that air traffic would be unilaterally halted from 20:00 (1700GMT).

Also Pakistan has announced it is closing its border with neighbouring Iran after Tehran announced eight deaths from the coronavirus.

"We have closed our border with Iran because of the reports of coronavirus there," said Ayesha Zehri, a senior government official in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan's province, which borders Iran.

Afghanistan has also suspended air and ground travel to neighbouring Iran, where millions of Afghan refugees live, as fears grow across the region over a jump in new coronavirus infections.

"To prevent the spread of the novel #coronavirus and protect the public, Afghanistan suspends all passenger movement (air and ground) to and from Iran," the office of the National Security Council of Afghanistan said in a statement on Twitter.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the country will "suspend communication" with Iran for two weeks in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

In a post on Facebook, Pashinyan said Armenia would close its border with Iran and halt air transport.

He added that Armenia's Coronavirus Prevention Commission would meet on Monday.

Iran has confirmed at least 15 new cases of the new coronavirus, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on state TV, adding that the death toll has reached eight in the country.

"So far, we have 43 infected cases and the death toll is eight," said Kianush Jahanpur.

Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday accused foreign media of trying to use a deadly outbreak of coronavirus in Iran to "discourage" people from voting in a general election.

"This negative propaganda began a few months ago and grew larger approaching the election and in the past two days, under the pretext of an illness and a virus, their media did not miss the slightest opportunity to discourage people from voting," said Khamenei on his official website. "(Our enemies) are even opposed to any election by the Iranian people".


More: Iraq Extends Ban On Iran Arrivals Amid Coronavirus Fears

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