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United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Sergey Lavrov says Russia monitoring Serbian protests, hopes they will be resolved as per law
Moscow/Belgrade, June 30 (UNI) Expressing concern over the massive student-led demonstrations in Serbia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Moscow is monitoring the situation and hopes that the protests in the Slavic country will be resolved on the basis of the country's Constitution and laws. 'We are monitoring the situation. We support calming the unrest, as Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said, in line with the Constitution and laws of this friendly state,' he said, reports Moscow Times. "We note the readiness of the Serbian leadership for dialogue. Dialogue is the way to resolve any issues," Lavrov said, with the Kremlin stating that Serbian authorities would 'no doubt' be able to 'return law and order' to the country, while also suggesting some hand of Western governments behind the unrest. 'We hope Western countries, which often exploit domestic affairs in other states to advance their interests, will refrain from colour revolutions this time,' Lavrov added. This comes as protests across the Central European nation only seem to be intensifying. On Saturday, around 140,000 people took part in protests in central Belgrade, demanding snap elections and an end to Vučić's 12-year rule. Police, who estimated the crowd at 36,000 people, used tear gas and batons to disperse demonstrators, some of whom threw flares and bottles. Serbian authorities said 48 police officers were injured, 22 people sought medical help and 77 were arrested. Eight protesters face charges, including planning to block roads and attack government buildings. Demonstrations intensified further on Sunday, as thousands blocked major roadways in Belgrade and other cities. The demonstrations mark the latest in over six months of public anger, initially sparked by the deadly collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad last November — an incident widely blamed on corruption. The protests have already led to the prime minister's resignation and a cabinet reshuffle. Today, thousands of students staged anti-government protests in the country, and took to the streets in mass demonstrations, blocking roads and traffic points across 18 cities in Serbia. UNI ANV SS
United News of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Syrian President al-Sharaa visits Bahrain, urges for lifting of sanctions
Manama/Damascus, May 11 (UNI) Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Bahrain, days after his trip to France and Turkey. Earlier, he was in the UAE and Qatar in mid-April. Sharaa also travelled to Saudi Arabia, and to Egypt in early March. Sharaa has now been to many important Gulf countries, and has visited countries that do not always agree on regional policy. The visit is seen as part of Damascus' regional strategy, and seeks to balance Saudi Arabia and Turkey, as well as the UAE and Qatar. Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, and other countries are important to Syria. Syria also wants to improve ties with the US and is hoping that the Middle East visit by US President Donald Trump in mid-May could help improve ties with Washington. Sharaa's visit to Bahrain is part of Syria's diplomatic efforts to secure Arab support for the lifting of sanctions and the funding of the country's reconstruction, Syrian officials say. Bahrain is important because it is a close ally of the West, hosts a US naval base, and is also part of the Abraham Accords. Sharaa arrived with an official delegation to the capital Manama on May 10. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the son of the King of Bahrain, received the President al-Sharaa. Later, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain received Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara at Al-Sakhir Palace in the capital, Manama, as part of an official visit, Syria's SANA state media reported. Bahrain and Syria have discussed expanding cooperation in various sectors, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said on Saturday during the first official visit by Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa. At a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Al Zayani said Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had held extensive talks with Al-Sharaa, highlighting the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two nations. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in areas including trade, civil aviation, energy, health, and education. The two sides also reviewed the latest developments in Syria, including national efforts to uphold security, stability, and social unity, said Al Zayani. Syria's foreign affairs chief Asaad Al-Shaibani described the visit as a turning point in bilateral relations, which opens a new chapter based on mutual trust and respect. Al-Shaibani said Syria views Bahrain as an active partner in its reconstruction and a major contributor to efforts aimed at reviving the Syrian economy. He renewed Syria's call for the lifting of economic sanctions, terming it as a humanitarian and regional necessity, as stability in Syria would contribute positively to regional security and reduce risks of migration, poverty, and extremism. UNI ANV RN
