Washington, Europe Powers Demand Assad Be Held to Account

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - SANA/Handout via REUTERS
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - SANA/Handout via REUTERS
TT

Washington, Europe Powers Demand Assad Be Held to Account

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - SANA/Handout via REUTERS
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - SANA/Handout via REUTERS

France, Germany, Britain and the United States marked the 12th anniversary of the Syrian uprising with a joint call to hold the Assad regime responsible for atrocities.

The four countries said they would not normalize relations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government nor fund reconstruction in the country "until there is authentic and enduring progress towards a political solution."

Some 500,000 Syrian civilians have been killed since the uprising, and amid widespread suffering and the displacement of millions, another 10,000 died in the massive earthquakes that struck in early February.

"We remain committed to supporting Syrian civil society and ending the human rights violations and abuses the Syrian people have suffered -- from the Assad regime and others -- long before the earthquakes struck," the four countries said in a statement, AFP reported.

"The international community must work together to hold the Assad regime and all perpetrators of abuses, violations, and atrocities accountable," they said.

"The ongoing conflict has created a permissive environment for terrorists and drug traffickers to exploit, further threatening regional stability," they added.



Egypt, Türkiye Agree to Establish Joint University in Cairo

The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
TT

Egypt, Türkiye Agree to Establish Joint University in Cairo

The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X
The Egyptian-Turkish delegations meet at the Egyptian education ministry in Cairo: Photo: President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council account on X

Egypt and Türkiye have agreed to collaborate on the establishment of a joint university in Cairo in implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Ankara on September 4.

President of Türkiye’s Higher Education Council (YOK) Erol Ozvar said Thursday that the two countries are keen to consolidate collaboration in different areas, including education.

During a visit to Cairo, Ozvar described the agreement to establish the university as “one of the most crucial steps taken by both states in recent years.” He indicated that a mutual council will be formed to oversee the process, with the names of the council members to be announced in due course.

Ozvar revealed that he held discussions with the Egyptian education minister, Mohamed Ayman Ashour, to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Ozvar also noted that they discussed the possibility of holding an annual forum between Turkish and Egyptian universities. “By bringing together universities from both countries in both Türkiye and Egypt, these gatherings would provide a platform for rectors and faculty members to share ideas, experiences, and best practices,” he said.