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Syria Requests Assistance from EU after Massive Earthquake

Rescuers from the White Helmets group, the Syrian Civil Defense operating in the area, and people look for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building, after an earthquake hit Harem city, Idlib, Syria, 07 February 2023 (issued 08 February 2023). (EPA)
Rescuers from the White Helmets group, the Syrian Civil Defense operating in the area, and people look for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building, after an earthquake hit Harem city, Idlib, Syria, 07 February 2023 (issued 08 February 2023). (EPA)
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Syria Requests Assistance from EU after Massive Earthquake

Rescuers from the White Helmets group, the Syrian Civil Defense operating in the area, and people look for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building, after an earthquake hit Harem city, Idlib, Syria, 07 February 2023 (issued 08 February 2023). (EPA)
Rescuers from the White Helmets group, the Syrian Civil Defense operating in the area, and people look for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building, after an earthquake hit Harem city, Idlib, Syria, 07 February 2023 (issued 08 February 2023). (EPA)

Syria has requested assistance from the European Union, two days after a massive earthquake hit it and neighboring Türkiye, the European Commission said on Wednesday.

"Earlier today, this morning, we have received a request from the government of Syria for assistance through the civil protection mechanism," European Commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic told reporters.

Lenarcic said member states were being encouraged to contribute with assistance as requested.

A country can request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism when the scale of an emergency or disaster overwhelms its response capabilities.

Once activated, the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre coordinates and finances assistance provided by EU member states and eight additional participating nations.

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France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

Paris declined to comment on Algeria’s “strong condemnation” of the French government’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Sahara.

The office of the French Foreign Ministry refused to respond to an AFP request for a comment on the Algeria’s stance.

It did say that further comments could impact the trip Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to make to France in late September or early October.

The visit has been postponed on numerous occasions over disagreements between the two countries.

France had explicitly expressed its constant and clear support for the autonomy rule proposal over the Sahara during Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne’s visit to Morocco in February, reported AFP.

The position has helped improve ties between Rabat and Paris.

On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “great regret and strong denunciation" about the French government's decision to recognize an autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region "within Moroccan sovereignty”.

Algeria was informed of the decision by France in recent days, an Algerian foreign ministry statement added.

The ministry also said Algeria would draw all the consequences from the decision and hold the French government alone completely responsible.