Armenia’s ARFD endorses ruling RPA in Yerevan elections

May 7, 2017 By administrator

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) in a statement issued on Saturday, May 6 called on the residents of Yerevan to vote for Taron Margaryan from the ruling Republican Party (RPA).

“The ARFD Yerevan city committee endorses the Republican Party of Armenia in the upcoming elections to the City Council,” the statement said.

“The decision stems from the two parties’ joint commitment to making qualitative changes.”

“We call on our friends and supporters to vote for the team headed by Taron Margaryan on May 14,” the statement added.

Three parties participate in elections. RPA’s proportional list is headed by Margaryan; Nikol Pashinyan, who was recently re-elected to the National Assembly, tops the list of YELQ bloc; while 5th Convocation National Assembly lawmaker Zaruhi Postanjyan, who recently announced the Yerkir Tsirani (Land of Apricot) party, will head its list. Municipal elections are slated for May 14.

Lebanese parliament endorses new government led by Hariri

December 28, 2016 By administrator

Members of the new Lebanese government pose for a picture at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, on December 21, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

A national unity government headed by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has won a vote of confidence in the parliament.

On Wednesday, the 128-member legislature voted 87 to 4, with one abstention, in support of Hariri’s 30-member cabinet.

The vote of confidence came after Lebanese lawmakers debated the new government’s policy statement that outlined its priorities.

The cabinet, which includes most of the country’s political groups, has the slogan of “restoring confidence.”

In an address to the parliament on Wednesday, Hariri underlined the need for a new electoral law that will replace the 1960s legislation.

“There’s a role that should be played by the cabinet and another by the parliament… All political factions are seeking to endorse a new electoral law,” he said.

Touching on the issue of corruption at state institutions, the Lebanese premier further said that his administration had set a precedent in establishing a ministerial portfolio to tackle graft in the Middle Eastern country.

The new cabinet was announced on December 18, less than two months after the country’s parliament elected Michel Aoun, a Christian leader and strong ally of the Hezbollah resistance movement, as president. Aoun’s election ended a 29-month-long political stalemate in the country.

Lebanon is expected to hold parliamentary elections in May 2017, the first legislative vote in eight years.

Congressman Engel endorses Armenian for Assembly

May 25, 2016 By administrator

Ardy Kassakhian announced on May 23 that Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-16) has endorsed his campaign for Assembly District 43, Asbarez reports.
A member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1989, Engel has served as the Ranking Member of the powerful Committee on Foreign Affairs and is a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in endorsing Ardy Kassakhian for California State Assembly,” stated Congressman Eliot Engel. “Ardy stands out for his extraordinary commitment to public service. I particularly value his strong understanding of critical issues not only at the local and state levels but also at the national level.”

Engel is the fourth member of Congress to endorse Ardy Kassakhian, joining Congressman Brad Sherman, who sits on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who serves as a Senior Whip in the Democratic Caucus, and Congressman Frank Pallone, who is the Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The official candidate of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, Ardy Kassakhian has demonstrated broad community support. Since launching his campaign last year, he has raised more than $600,000 and received endorsements from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, State Treasurer John Chiang, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, State Superintendent of Instruction Tom Torlakson, and a broad coalition of labor unions, including the California Labor Federation, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, IATSE Local 80, Teamsters Joint Council 42, Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36, and the Glendale City Employees Association.

Ardy Kassakhian grew up and attended public schools in Glendale. He was first elected Glendale City Clerk in 2005. As Clerk, he has reduced government waste by introducing environmentally sound practices, made election information easier to access and worked to increase voter participation. Ardy graduated from UCLA and the Executive Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He lives with his wife Courtney and their young son in Glendale.

Ardy Kassakhian is running to represent Assembly District 43, which includes the communities of Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz and Silver Lake. The primary election will be held on June 7, 2016. To learn more about ArdyKassakhian, visit his website at www.ArdyforAssembly.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

UN Security Council unanimously endorses Iran nuclear deal

July 20, 2015 By administrator

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously endorsed the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.

The resolution, co-sponsored by all 15 council members and adopted Monday morning, also authorizes a series of measures leading to the end of U.N. sanctions that have hurt Iran’s economy, Associated Press said.

But the measure also provides a mechanism for U.N. sanctions to “snap back” in place if Iran fails to meet its obligations.
The resolution had been agreed to by the five veto-wielding council members, who along with Germany negotiated the nuclear deal with Iran.

Source: Panorama.am

Hamas leader Mashaal endorses Turkish leaders in surprise speech

December 27, 2014 By administrator

Khaled Mashaal, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, has made a surprise appearance at an event of Turkey’s ruling party, endorsing the Turkish leaders and voicing his hope to “liberate Palestine and Jerusalem” together with them in the future.

“A strong Turkey means a strong Palestine … Inshallah, God is with us and with you on the road to victory,” Mashaal said in his address to the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) annual congress in the Konya province on Dec. 27.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, whose hometown is Konya, personally presented Mashaal to the audience. “Konya, the city of heroes! You give birth to your leaders,” Mashaal said, congratulating the Turkish people “for having Davutoğlu and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.”

Mashaal’s brief speech was interrupted by slogans including “God is great” and “Down with Israel” several times by AKP supporters in the sports hall who waved Turkish and Palestinian flags.

After thanking the Turkish government for inviting him to party events in Istanbul, Ankara and Konya, Mashaal said that “A democratic, stable and developed Turkey is a source of power for all Muslims.”

“Inshallah we will liberate Palestine and Jerusalem again in the future,” Mashaal added, noting that “all people of Konya had hit the streets” to protest Israel in the past.

Davutoğlu also touched upon the issue in his speech, praising the Konya locals who took to the streets in September 1980 to protest when Israel unilaterally declared Jerusalem as its capital.

“I greet all the brave people who claim Jerusalem … Our flag is the symbol of all the oppressed in the world,” he said.

Turkish PM also condemned the international media for supporting the “plot” of Gezi Park protests, vowing that “everyone who wants to block Turkey’s rise will be brought to account.”

December/27/2014