Walid Muallem

Istanbul's Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall will host a concert by Israeli musician Yinon Muallem on April 8. The concert, titled "Istanbul - Tel Aviv," will feature compositions inspired by the musician's biographical book of the same name, inspired by his memories of two different countries and cities he lived in.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on May 8 his country would reject any United Nations role in monitoring the implementation of four "de-escalation" zones.

"We do not accept a role for the United Nations or international forces to monitor the agreement," Muallem told reporters in Damascus.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on Monday his country would reject any United Nations role in monitoring the implementation of four "de-escalation" zones, AFP reported.

"We do not accept a role for the United Nations or international forces to monitor the agreement," Muallem told reporters in Damascus.

Photo: Reuters

Russia, Syria, and Iran warned the United States against launching new strikes on Syria and called for an international probe into a chemical attack there earlier this month.

Syria's armed forces "did not and will not" use chemical weapons, even against jihadist groups, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on Thursday, AFP reported.

United Nations Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has said he used a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on April 11 to urge Damascus to support Syria's shaky truce and allow more humanitarian aid access. 

Syria's warring sides prepared on March 13 for fresh peace talks after locking horns over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad, with the regime insisting his ouster was a "red line" while the opposition vowed to see him go - dead or alive.

U.N. convoys delivering aid to thousands of besieged Syrians were due to set out on Feb. 17, after  Syria's government approved access to seven besieged areas, including the city of Madaya, U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura's office said on Feb. 16 in Damascus following a meeting with Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.

Russian officials and Russian news outlets have started making a very serious claim that Turkey was preparing a land operation in Syria. Turkey immediately and flatly denied the claim, saying Russia was trying to cover up the crimes it has been committing in Syria with ludicrous charges.

Syria's government told a U.N. envoy on Jan. 9 it was ready to participate in Geneva peace talks later this month but said officials wanted to know who would take part from the opposition. 

Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, who met U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura in Damascus, also demanded a list of groups that would be classified as terrorist, state media reported.