Syria ceasefire plan falling apart
A troop pullout which the Syrian government had committed itself to carry out by yesterday under a UN-brokered truce has failed to materialise, drawing criticism from Syrian activists and foreign governments alike. Under the deal drawn up by UN-Arab League envoy and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, the Syrian regime was to withdraw its troops from population centres by yesterday, while both government and rebel forces have to stop all hostilities by tomorrow morning. The next step would be talks aiming to lead to a political solution to a conflict which has dragged on for over a year. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem claimed that the regime was complying with the deal, stating that “we have already withdrawn forces and army units from several Syrian provinces.” But his claim was contradicted by Syrian activists, who reported attacks in a number of population centres and who even claimed that reinforcements were being sent. Activists reported shelling and raids in opposition strongholds across the country, including the city of Homs, which has played a central role in the uprising and which has been under siege for months on end. They also reported that fighting yesterday claimed the lives of at least 29 civilians and 11 members of the Syrian army.(independent.com.mt) This plan was destined to failure.
Oncology centre funding given EU go ahead
The European Commission has approved support by the European Regional Development Fund for the major Oncology Centre project, which involves the investment of almost €60 million in EU and national contributions. The government aims to eventually transfer all the cancer treatment facilities from Boffa Hospital to the new Oncology Centre, but it has also been investing in infrastructure and equipment at Boffa to ensure that all cancer patients receive the treatment they need. The centre will be equipped with three linear accelerators, one of which is a new one that was set up at Boffa last year. This will ensure that while any of the machines are undergoing maintenance checks, there will always be at least one machine available. While Boffa is equipped with 27 beds, the new centre will have 96 beds – 74 in-patient beds and 22 day-care beds. The national cancer plan, which the government presented last year, says: “Work on this (oncology) facility has already commenced. It is estimated that the total cost for this project will be around 60 million euros, for which cost Government is seeking assistance from the European Regional Development Fund”. Work on the centre started in August 2010. The project falls under the ‘Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life EU regional policy programme.(independent.com.mt) There are more and more EU funding in Malta.
Malta returning Libyan money
Malta has released some €300 million belonging to Libyan companies which had been frozen in Malta in line with EU and United Nations sanctions. The sanctions were lifted some weeks ago, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said. However €86 million which are believed to have belonged to members of the Gaddafi family are still frozen. The funds were frozen soon after the uprising in Libya started last year. The release of the funds had been the subject of talks between Maltese and Libyan government officials over the past few months.(timesofmalta.com) Only Malta has succeeded to keep their hands clean in Lybia.
A troop pullout which the Syrian government had committed itself to carry out by yesterday under a UN-brokered truce has failed to materialise, drawing criticism from Syrian activists and foreign governments alike. Under the deal drawn up by UN-Arab League envoy and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, the Syrian regime was to withdraw its troops from population centres by yesterday, while both government and rebel forces have to stop all hostilities by tomorrow morning. The next step would be talks aiming to lead to a political solution to a conflict which has dragged on for over a year. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem claimed that the regime was complying with the deal, stating that “we have already withdrawn forces and army units from several Syrian provinces.” But his claim was contradicted by Syrian activists, who reported attacks in a number of population centres and who even claimed that reinforcements were being sent. Activists reported shelling and raids in opposition strongholds across the country, including the city of Homs, which has played a central role in the uprising and which has been under siege for months on end. They also reported that fighting yesterday claimed the lives of at least 29 civilians and 11 members of the Syrian army.(independent.com.mt) This plan was destined to failure.
Oncology centre funding given EU go ahead
The European Commission has approved support by the European Regional Development Fund for the major Oncology Centre project, which involves the investment of almost €60 million in EU and national contributions. The government aims to eventually transfer all the cancer treatment facilities from Boffa Hospital to the new Oncology Centre, but it has also been investing in infrastructure and equipment at Boffa to ensure that all cancer patients receive the treatment they need. The centre will be equipped with three linear accelerators, one of which is a new one that was set up at Boffa last year. This will ensure that while any of the machines are undergoing maintenance checks, there will always be at least one machine available. While Boffa is equipped with 27 beds, the new centre will have 96 beds – 74 in-patient beds and 22 day-care beds. The national cancer plan, which the government presented last year, says: “Work on this (oncology) facility has already commenced. It is estimated that the total cost for this project will be around 60 million euros, for which cost Government is seeking assistance from the European Regional Development Fund”. Work on the centre started in August 2010. The project falls under the ‘Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life EU regional policy programme.(independent.com.mt) There are more and more EU funding in Malta.
Malta returning Libyan money
Malta has released some €300 million belonging to Libyan companies which had been frozen in Malta in line with EU and United Nations sanctions. The sanctions were lifted some weeks ago, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said. However €86 million which are believed to have belonged to members of the Gaddafi family are still frozen. The funds were frozen soon after the uprising in Libya started last year. The release of the funds had been the subject of talks between Maltese and Libyan government officials over the past few months.(timesofmalta.com) Only Malta has succeeded to keep their hands clean in Lybia.