From Washington, this is VOA News. Syrian gunmen assassinate army general. And thousands rally in Iran, marking an historic anniversary. I’m Carol Van Dam, reporting from Washington.
Syria's state-run news agency says gunmen have (shot and killed) a high ranking Syrian military officer in the capital, Damascus. The SANA news agency says three gunmen opened fire on Brigadier-General Issa al-Khouli Saturday morning as he left his home. One Syrian captured the sound of fighting in the capital between rebels from the Free Syrian Army and government troops. (Tensions) are high as security forces tighten their grip on opposition neighborhoods. Recently released satellite images from the U.S.-based digitalglobe.com are said to show Syrian army tanks and other armored vehicles near opposition neighborhoods in the flashpoint city of Homs. Rights groups say more than (300) people have been killed in the past week alone.
In Iran, tens of thousands converged on the streets of Tehran to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. It happened in 1979. The Western-backed Shah of Iran was ousted from power. Hardline Islamic clerics have been ruling the country ever since. At Tehran’s (Freedom) square Saturday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran will unveil more nuclear projects in the coming days.
Egyptian protesters are marking the one-year anniversary of the day President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, following weeks of massive demonstrations against the leader’s authoritative rule. The military leaders that resumed power since Mubarak stepped down vowed not to bow to threats to accelerate (civilian rule). Elections are scheduled for later this year. For more on this story, visit our website voanews.com.
Greek leaders are issuing new pleas and warnings ahead of a crucial vote that will determine whether Europe comes to the rescue with yet another bailout loan package. Socialist party leader George Papandreou and New Democracy Party leader Antonis Samaras Saturday urged lawmakers to back the latest round of (budget cuts), saying there is no other viable alternative. Papandreou warned any failure to pass the austerity measures would lead to the country's doom. A vote on the austerity measures is expected on Sunday. European Union members have demanded the additional cuts (in exchange for) a new $172 billion bailout loan.
The website for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency was apparently hacked on Friday. Internet hacking group Anonymous claimed to have taken it down. The site CIA.gov became (unresponsive) Friday afternoon. An Anonymous-linked Twitter account posted the message "CIA TANGO DOWN." "Tango down" is a military expression for eliminating the enemy. Anonymous has a history of attacking official websites.
I’m Carol Van Dam. And this is VOA News.