tass--2020-01-18--Haftar arrives in Berlin for Libya conference - Al-Hadath TV

MOSCOW , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar arrived in Berlin on Saturday to attend a conference seeking peace for Libya , which was scheduled for Sunday in the German capital , Al-Hadath television channel said on Saturday .
In the meantime , according to the channel , a delegation of the Government of National Accord led by Fayez al-Sarraj has also headed for Berlin to take part in the conference .
Germany is hosting an international conference on Libya in Berlin on January 19 .
After the killing of Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Libya plunged into chaos followed by a period of de facto diarchy .
Currently , Libya has two supreme executive authorities , namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj , and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani , seated in the east of the country , alongside the parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
Russia , Algeria , the United Kingdom , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates , China , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited to participate in the Berlin conference .

MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar arrived in Berlin on Saturday to attend a conference seeking peace for Libya, which was scheduled for Sunday in the German capital, Al-Hadath television channel said on Saturday.
In the meantime, according to the channel, a delegation of the Government of National Accord led by Fayez al-Sarraj has also headed for Berlin to take part in the conference.
Germany is hosting an international conference on Libya in Berlin on January 19. After the killing of Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya plunged into chaos followed by a period of de facto diarchy. Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani, seated in the east of the country, alongside the parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, the United States, Turkey and France have been invited to participate in the Berlin conference.


tass--2020-01-18--Erdogan, Merkel discuss Libya by phone ahead of Berlin conference

ANKARA , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks by phone ahead of the international conference on Libya scheduled for Sunday in Berlin , the Turkish leader ’ s office told reporters on Saturday .
`` At the talks , [ they ] focused on regional issues , primarily Libya , '' Erdogan ’ s office said .
Germany plans to host an international conference on Libya in Berlin on January 19 .
After the killing of Libya ’ s leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 , Libya plunged into chaos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diarchy .
The Libya conference is expected to be attended by delegations , including heads of state and government , from Russia , Algeria , the United Kingdom , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates , China , the United States , Turkey and France .
Fayez al-Sarraj , the prime minister of the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar , the commander of the Libyan National Army , are reported to attend the conference .
Currently , Libya has two supreme executive authorities , namely the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj , and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani , seated in the east of the country , alongside the parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
On December 12 , 2019 Haftar announced the launch of a win-the-war offensive against Tripoli , aiming to eradicate terrorist groups operating there .

ANKARA, January 18. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks by phone ahead of the international conference on Libya scheduled for Sunday in Berlin, the Turkish leader’s office told reporters on Saturday.
"At the talks, [they] focused on regional issues, primarily Libya," Erdogan’s office said.
Germany plans to host an international conference on Libya in Berlin on January 19. After the killing of Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya plunged into chaos followed by a period of de facto diarchy. The Libya conference is expected to be attended by delegations, including heads of state and government, from Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, the United States, Turkey and France. Fayez al-Sarraj, the prime minister of the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army, are reported to attend the conference.
Libya crisis
Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani, seated in the east of the country, alongside the parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. On December 12, 2019 Haftar announced the launch of a win-the-war offensive against Tripoli, aiming to eradicate terrorist groups operating there.


tass--2020-01-18--Putin pledges to open center of Second World War archival records

ST. PETERSBURG , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to open a center with archival documents of Second World War .
`` We will put a sock in the rotten mouths which some guys abroad keep open to achieve immediate political goals .
We will shut them up with true fundamental information , '' Putin said at a meeting with veterans and representatives of patriotic organizations in St. Petersburg on Saturday .
The president referred to Israel that does not even for a second allow forgetting about the Holocaust , the World War II genocide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in the coming days he would be visiting Israel to unveil a monument to victims of the Siege of Leningrad .
`` I say thank you for this initiative to the Israeli leadership and to all those who initiated this event .
It is a good event .
It reminds [ us ] of the victims of Second World War and of all those who made a significant contribution to the Nazis ’ eradication , '' the president stressed .
Putin stressed , `` Jewish public organizations and Israel ’ s leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letting the world forget about the victims of the Holocaust . ''
`` By the way , among the Holocaust victims were very many Jews from the Soviet Union .
And we must not allow forgetting about the victims of other ethnic groups of the Soviet Union , and of the Russian people , '' Putin added , noting that `` nearly 70 % of the Soviet Union ’ s losses in Second World War were documented in the RSFSR [ the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic - TASS ] , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection , Putin announced that `` we will set up a center of archival documents . ''
`` We will put a sock in the mouths of all those who are trying to twist history , to misrepresent it , to belittle the role of our fathers and grandfathers , of our heroes who fell dead defending their Motherland and actually the whole world from the Brown Plague , '' the president said .
The website and the center `` will be open both for our citizens and the entire world . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ present history in an absolutely evil light .
We will shut those rotten mouths forever with those documents , in order to teach them a lesson , '' he said again .

ST. PETERSBURG, January 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to open a center containing archival documents of the Second World War.
"We will shut the dirty mouths of some public figures from overseas who open theirs to achieve spur-of-the-moment political goals. We will shut them up with factual and fundamental information," Putin vowed at a meeting with veterans and representatives of patriotic organizations in St. Petersburg on Saturday.
The president noted that he would be visiting Israel, which does not permit the Holocaust - the World War II genocide of the Jews - to be forgotten not even for a moment.
Putin recalled that in the coming days he would be visiting Israel to unveil a monument to victims of the Siege of Leningrad.
"I say thank you for this initiative to the Israeli leadership and to all those who initiated this event. It is a good event. It reminds [us] of the victims of the Second World War and of all those who made a significant contribution to the eradication of the Nazis," the president emphasized.
Putin stressed, "Jewish public organizations and Israel’s leadership do a very good job, not letting the world forget about the victims of the Holocaust."
"By the way, among the Holocaust victims were very many Jews from the Soviet Union. And we must not forget about the victims of other ethnic groups of the Soviet Union, and about the Russian people," Putin added, noting that "nearly 70% of the Soviet Union’s losses in the Second World War were documented in the RSFSR [the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic - TASS], which is now modern-day Russia."
In this connection, Putin announced, "we will set up a center of archival documents."
"We will shut the mouths of all those who are trying to distort history, to misrepresent it, to belittle the role of our fathers and grandfathers, of our heroes who laid down their lives defending their Motherland and in fact the whole world from the brown plague," the president said.
The website and the center "will be open both to our citizens and to the entire world."
"We will foil any attempts to present history in an absolutely sinister light. We will shut those filthy mouths forever with those documents, in order to teach them a lesson," he vowed.


tass--2020-01-18--WWII veterans to receive 75,000 rubles by 75th anniversary of Victory - Putin

ST. PETERSBURG , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Each World War Two veteran in Russia will receive 75,000 rubles ( about $ 1,218 ) and each war worker will be paid 50,000 rubles ( about $ 812 ) by the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory in World War Two , Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with veterans and public activists on Saturday .
Putin recalled that payments , which used to coincide with the Victory anniversaries , stood at 10,000 rubles ( about $ 162 ) for veterans and at 5,000 rubles ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` However , you know , I got up today contemplating about that and while I was on my way here , a simple and straightforward thought came to my mind .
We are marking the 75th anniversary of Victory [ this year ] , so I think it will be fair and people will understand , that we will provide help linked to the date .
We will give 75,000 rubles to each veteran of the Great Patriotic War ( WWII in Russia ) … and 50,000 rubles to each worker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state said .
Putin was hopeful that during preparations for celebrations of the Victory anniversary nationwide , the veterans would receive support both at the federal and regional levels .
`` I count very much on the work of volunteers .
We have young , interesting and very talented guys who are looking for various forms of support to veterans , '' the president said .

ST. PETERSBURG, January 18. /TASS/. Each World War Two veteran in Russia will receive 75,000 rubles (about $1,218) and each war worker will be paid 50,000 rubles (about $812) by the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War Two, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with veterans and public activists on Saturday.
Putin recalled that payments, which used to coincide with the Victory anniversaries, stood at 10,000 rubles (about $162) for veterans and at 5,000 rubles (about $81) for war workers.
"However, you know, I got up today contemplating about that and while I was on my way here, a simple and straightforward thought came to my mind. We are marking the 75th anniversary of Victory [this year], so I think it will be fair and people will understand, that we will provide help linked to the date. We will give 75,000 rubles to each veteran of the Great Patriotic War (WWII in Russia) … and 50,000 rubles to each worker of home front," the head of state said.
Putin was hopeful that during preparations for celebrations of the Victory anniversary nationwide, the veterans would receive support both at the federal and regional levels.
"I count very much on the work of volunteers. We have young, interesting and very talented guys who are looking for various forms of support to veterans," the president said.


tass--2020-01-18--Putin against revival of Soviet practice of unlimited stay in power

ST. PETERSBURG , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
The practice of giving lifelong rule , which was common in the late-Soviet era , can not solve a task of transition of power and of stability of the country , Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with World War Two veterans in St. Petersburg on Saturday .
At the meeting , a veteran asked Putin `` to solve some problems related to our constitution '' so that the presidential power can not be `` contained by a real term . ''
`` In order the people can later decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or they should be dismissed after being thanked for their work , '' the veteran said adding the president had managed to bolster the country ’ s defense capabilities , so he could start solving other tasks .
Putin thanked the veteran for his assessment of achievements .
`` As for the terms for stay in power , I understand that many of our people are concerned about stability in society , about stability of the state , both external and domestic stability .
Along with that , it would be very alarming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 1980s , when the leaders stayed in power one after another until their last day , then they were gone from power without providing conditions necessary for transition of power .
So thank you , but I think we would rather not get back to the situation common for the middle of the 1980s , '' Putin concluded .
On Wednesday , Putin said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly that he agrees the same person should not take the post of the head of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although this question is of no fundamental importance to him .
Speaking at the year-end news conference in December 2019 Putin said it might be possible to cancel the constitutional provision the same person should not take the presidential seat for more than two terms in a row .
He said that `` some political scientists and public figures '' found this formula confusing .

ST. PETERSBURG, January 18. /TASS/. The practice of giving lifelong rule, which was common in the late-Soviet era, cannot solve a task of transition of power and of stability of the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with World War Two veterans in St. Petersburg on Saturday.
At the meeting, a veteran asked Putin "to solve some problems related to our constitution" so that the presidential power cannot be "contained by a real term."
"In order the people can later decide whether the presidential work should be extended or they should be dismissed after being thanked for their work," the veteran said adding the president had managed to bolster the country’s defense capabilities, so he could start solving other tasks.
Putin thanked the veteran for his assessment of achievements.
"As for the terms for stay in power, I understand that many of our people are concerned about stability in society, about stability of the state, both external and domestic stability. Along with that, it would be very alarming to get back to the situation typical of the 1980s, when the leaders stayed in power one after another until their last day, then they were gone from power without providing conditions necessary for transition of power. So thank you, but I think we would rather not get back to the situation common for the middle of the 1980s," Putin concluded.
On Wednesday, Putin said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly that he agrees the same person should not take the post of the head of state for more than two terms in row, although this question is of no fundamental importance to him.
Speaking at the year-end news conference in December 2019 Putin said it might be possible to cancel the constitutional provision the same person should not take the presidential seat for more than two terms in a row. He said that "some political scientists and public figures" found this formula confusing.


tass--2020-01-18--Authorities to do utmost to increase real incomes of Russians - Putin

ST. PETERSBURG , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
The authorities will work to make higher the real incomes of the @ @ @ @ @ Putin said at a meeting with World War Two veterans in St. Petersburg on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ almost doubled and our incomes have substantially increased .
However , there are some difficulties @ @ @ @ @ linked to recent years ’ fluctuations .
In the past five years real incomes have @ @ @ @ @ see that and will be working , '' said the president .
Putin pointed out @ @ @ @ @ his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly did not highlight everything that @ @ @ @ @ We have enormous plans on the development of so-called national projects and the achievement of @ @ @ @ @ It is a real plan that we must implement , '' the Russian leader concluded @

ST. PETERSBURG, January 18. /TASS/. The authorities will work to make higher the real incomes of the population, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with World War Two veterans in St. Petersburg on Saturday.
"Our economy has almost doubled and our incomes have substantially increased. However, there are some difficulties, there are some problems linked to recent years’ fluctuations. In the past five years real incomes have frozen, but we can see that and will be working," said the president.
Putin pointed out that the proposals voiced in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly did not highlight everything that had been planned.
"We have enormous plans on the development of so-called national projects and the achievement of national targets of growth. It is a real plan that we must implement," the Russian leader concluded.


tass--2020-01-18--Iran to hand black boxes of downed plane to Ukraine - Iranian official

TEHRAN , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Flight data recorders of the Ukrainian passenger plane , which was accidentally downed outside Tehran , will be sent to Kiev , Hassan Rezaifar , head of the accidents investigation commission at Iran ’ s Civil Aviation Organization , said on Saturday .
`` We have once more consulted with Ukrainian experts and [ confirmed ] that it is impossible to decode black boxes in Iran '' he said quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency .
`` At the request of the Ukrainian authorities , the black boxes of the Ukrainian downed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but instead will be transferred to Ukraine for analysis and reading , '' the official added .
Rezaifar noted that `` with the use of the expertise of the countries of France , Canada and America we will try to read the [ flight data recorders ] in Kiev . ''
`` If this effort is unsuccessful then the black box will be sent to France , '' he added .
On Friday , the office of Ukraine ’ s prosecutor general filed another request to Iran asking to hand Kiev the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ukraine had submitted a previous request to Iran on January 15 .
On the same day , head of the Kiev Research Institute of Forensic Studies Alexander Ruvin said that an international team of experts would start reading the black boxes in Kiev on January 20 .
On January 8 , a Boeing-737 of the Ukrainian International Airlines bound for Kiev crashed minutes after takeoff from Tehran ’ s Imam Khomeini Airport .
The crash killed all 176 people on board - citizens of Afghanistan , Germany , Iran , Canada and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On January 11 , Iran ’ s Armed Forces General Staff released a statement admitting the plane had been mistakenly shot down .
According to Iranian Brigadier-General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh , the plane was misidentified as a cruise missile by the air defense force .

TEHRAN, January 18. /TASS/. Flight data recorders of the Ukrainian passenger plane, which was accidentally downed outside Tehran, will be sent to Kiev, Hassan Rezaifar, head of the accidents investigation commission at Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, said on Saturday.
"We have once more consulted with Ukrainian experts and [confirmed] that it is impossible to decode black boxes in Iran" he said quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.
"At the request of the Ukrainian authorities, the black boxes of the Ukrainian downed jet will not be read in Iran, but instead will be transferred to Ukraine for analysis and reading," the official added.
Rezaifar noted that "with the use of the expertise of the countries of France, Canada and America we will try to read the [flight data recorders] in Kiev."
"If this effort is unsuccessful then the black box will be sent to France," he added.
On Friday, the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general filed another request to Iran asking to hand Kiev the flight data recorders of the downed plane. Ukraine had submitted a previous request to Iran on January 15. On the same day, head of the Kiev Research Institute of Forensic Studies Alexander Ruvin said that an international team of experts would start reading the black boxes in Kiev on January 20.
On January 8, a Boeing-737 of the Ukrainian International Airlines bound for Kiev crashed minutes after takeoff from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport. The crash killed all 176 people on board - citizens of Afghanistan, Germany, Iran, Canada and Ukraine and also British and Swedish subjects. On January 11, Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff released a statement admitting the plane had been mistakenly shot down. According to Iranian Brigadier-General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the plane was misidentified as a cruise missile by the air defense force.


tass--2020-01-18--Putin lays flowers at St Petersburg’s WWII Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery

ST. PETERSBURG , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at the Mother Motherland monument at the Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg on Saturday to commemorate the 77th anniversary since the Soviet Army opened a narrow land corridor into Leningrad ( the city 's name in 1924-1991 ) , which had been besieged by Nazi forces since the autumn of 1941 .
Having laid the wreath at the foot of the monument , the head of state approached the monument and adjusted the tricolor ribbons on the wreath .
On his way to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at one of the mass graves , where his little brother Viktor , who died in the besieged city in the winter of 1942 , was buried .
In the mourning procession at the Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery , Putin was accompanied by St. Petersburg ’ s Governor Alexander Beglov , Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative to the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan , as well as some people who lived through the siege in Leningrad and the veterans who defended the city during World War Two .
Alongside Putin , they walked along a 300-meter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eternal flame to the monument .
The Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery is believed to be the largest mass burial site of World War Two .
Mass burials were carried out on the northern outskirts of Leningrad , the area called Piskarevka , during the harshest winter of 1941-1942 , when several thousand civilians daily died in the besieged city of famine , freezing cold and bombardments .
Up to now , just 150,000 people buried then at the Piskarevskoe cemetery have been identified .
Searches are still ongoing .
The memorial was opened on @ @ @ @ @

ST. PETERSBURG, January 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at the Mother Motherland monument at the Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery in St. Petersburg on Saturday to commemorate the 77th anniversary since the Soviet Army opened a narrow land corridor into Leningrad (the city's name in 1924-1991), which had been besieged by Nazi forces since the autumn of 1941.
Having laid the wreath at the foot of the monument, the head of state approached the monument and adjusted the tricolor ribbons on the wreath. On his way to the monument, the president also laid flowers at one of the mass graves, where his little brother Viktor, who died in the besieged city in the winter of 1942, was buried.
In the mourning procession at the Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery, Putin was accompanied by St. Petersburg’s Governor Alexander Beglov, Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative to the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan, as well as some people who lived through the siege in Leningrad and the veterans who defended the city during World War Two. Alongside Putin, they walked along a 300-meter alley past the mass graves from the eternal flame to the monument.
The Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery is believed to be the largest mass burial site of World War Two. Mass burials were carried out on the northern outskirts of Leningrad, the area called Piskarevka, during the harshest winter of 1941-1942, when several thousand civilians daily died in the besieged city of famine, freezing cold and bombardments. Up to now, just 150,000 people buried then at the Piskarevskoe cemetery have been identified. Searches are still ongoing. The memorial was opened on that site in 1960.


tass--2020-01-18--Duma speaker expects Russian industry to become competitive when sanctions removed

PSKOV , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Amid the current sanctions imposed by the US and EU Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ its market positions , State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin @ @ @ @ @ a special economic zone located in Russia 's Pskov Region , on Saturday .
He @ @ @ @ @ are lifted local producers would be ready to compete , including overseas supplies of their @ @ @ @ @ is to create conditions for you , whereas yours is to employ technologies and become @ @ @ @ @ Currently you enjoy preferential taxation within the special economic zone , '' he said addressing @ @ @ @ @ s administration .
`` If you use the opportunities of the environment amid sanctions and @ @ @ @ @ of the EU and US you can tap the market now , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ are gone our domestic industry will be competitive enough to solve the issues , including @ @ @ @ @ added .

PSKOV, January 18. /TASS/. Amid the current sanctions imposed by the US and EU Russia’s industry is able to strengthen its market positions, State Duma (lower house of parliament) Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said when visiting Moglino, a special economic zone located in Russia's Pskov Region, on Saturday. He added that when the restrictions are lifted local producers would be ready to compete, including overseas supplies of their products.
"Our task is to create conditions for you, whereas yours is to employ technologies and become competitive on the market. Currently you enjoy preferential taxation within the special economic zone," he said addressing businessmen and the region’s administration.
"If you use the opportunities of the environment amid sanctions and challenges related to political decisions of the EU and US you can tap the market now," he said. "Once those restrictions are gone our domestic industry will be competitive enough to solve the issues, including export supplies," Volodin added.


tass--2020-01-18--Eleven Islamic State terror cells busted in Dagestan - committee

MAKAHCHKALA , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s law enforcement agencies eradicated 11 sleeper cells of the Islamic State terrorist group ( outlawed in Russia ) in the North Caucasus region of Dagestan in 2019 , Igor Sirotkin , the head of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee ( NAC ) Central Office , said on Saturday at a meeting of the counterterrorism commission in Dagestan .
`` Despite substantial results , prerequisites are still in place in the republic for the establishment of new terror groups by supporters to radical religious spheres .
It can be confirmed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells of the international terrorist organization Islamic State , with a total number of 30 members , was eradicated in 2019 , '' he said .
Those underground cells had operated in some areas of Dagestan , including its major cities and the capital of Makhachkala .
Along with this , Sirokin mentioned the encouraging results of preventive efforts .
`` The measures taken by law enforcement agencies helped to prevent acts of terror in the region in 2019 along with terror-related crimes and helped largely to disunite accomplices to terrorism ideology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman and Director of the Russian FSB Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov said that a total of 15 terror-related crimes had been prevented in the North Caucasus in 2019 .

MAKAHCHKALA, January 18. /TASS/. Russia’s law enforcement agencies eradicated 11 sleeper cells of the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) in the North Caucasus region of Dagestan in 2019, Igor Sirotkin, the head of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) Central Office, said on Saturday at a meeting of the counterterrorism commission in Dagestan.
"Despite substantial results, prerequisites are still in place in the republic for the establishment of new terror groups by supporters to radical religious spheres. It can be confirmed by the fact that the activity of eleven conspiratorial cells of the international terrorist organization Islamic State, with a total number of 30 members, was eradicated in 2019," he said.
Those underground cells had operated in some areas of Dagestan, including its major cities and the capital of Makhachkala.
Along with this, Sirokin mentioned the encouraging results of preventive efforts.
"The measures taken by law enforcement agencies helped to prevent acts of terror in the region in 2019 along with terror-related crimes and helped largely to disunite accomplices to terrorism ideology," he stressed.
Earlier, NAC Chairman and Director of the Russian FSB Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov said that a total of 15 terror-related crimes had been prevented in the North Caucasus in 2019.


tass--2020-01-18--Bill on investment protection in Russia to attract 33 trillion rubles

PSKOV , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
The bill on protection and promotion of investment that has passed the State Duma ’ s ( lower house ) first reading , can attract about 33 trillion rubles ( $ 535 bln ) , State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Saturday , adding that the document would be considered in the second reading only after consultations with experts .
`` We are currently discussing a very important bill ( 'On protection of investments and promotion of investment activity ' - TASS ) .
Business representatives are waiting for it .
Hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attracted through that instrument .
< ... > According to Russia ’ s Finance Ministry , the issue is about 33 trillion rubles .
The bill on protection and promotion of investment needs refining , '' he said , adding that `` the second reading will only be held after consultations with representatives of the expert community . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the government and lawmakers to speed up the adoption of a package of draft laws on protection and promotion of investments .
He noted that the tax conditions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 20 years , while the requirements and standards for construction of production facilities should be set for three years .
The State Duma adopted the bill on protection and promotion of investments in the first reading on December 10 , 2019 .
The bill provides for two investment regimes : general and project .
The general investment regime implies a three-year postponement for enactment of any norms that worsen the terms of investment activities in the country .
The project regime is focused on large investment projects and guarantees stable tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax , transport and land taxes , terms of payment , and the VAT refund procedure ) for a period of 6 to 20 years .
The project regime has an access threshold .
For example , the minimum amount of own investments is set at 250 mln rubles ( $ 4 mln ) for healthcare , education , culture and sports projects with a total budget of at least 1 billion rubles ( $ 16 bln ) .
For projects in industrial sector , agriculture and the digital economy , the minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubles ( $ 24.4 mln ) ( if the total budget is at least 7 bln rubles , or $ 113 mln ) .
For projects in other sectors of the economy , it is at least 5 bln rubles ( $ 81 mln ) ( with a total budget of 25 bln rubles , or $ 406 mln ) .

PSKOV, January 18. /TASS/. The bill on protection and promotion of investment that has passed the State Duma’s (lower house) first reading, can attract about 33 trillion rubles ($535 bln), State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Saturday, adding that the document would be considered in the second reading only after consultations with experts.
"We are currently discussing a very important bill ('On protection of investments and promotion of investment activity' - TASS). Business representatives are waiting for it. Hopefully tens of trillions of rubles will be attracted through that instrument. <...> According to Russia’s Finance Ministry, the issue is about 33 trillion rubles. The bill on protection and promotion of investment needs refining," he said, adding that "the second reading will only be held after consultations with representatives of the expert community."
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the government and lawmakers to speed up the adoption of a package of draft laws on protection and promotion of investments. He noted that the tax conditions for large significant projects should be unchanged for up to 20 years, while the requirements and standards for construction of production facilities should be set for three years.
The State Duma adopted the bill on protection and promotion of investments in the first reading on December 10, 2019. The bill provides for two investment regimes: general and project. The general investment regime implies a three-year postponement for enactment of any norms that worsen the terms of investment activities in the country.
The project regime is focused on large investment projects and guarantees stable tax conditions (on income tax, property tax, transport and land taxes, terms of payment, and the VAT refund procedure) for a period of 6 to 20 years.
The project regime has an access threshold. For example, the minimum amount of own investments is set at 250 mln rubles ($4 mln) for healthcare, education, culture and sports projects with a total budget of at least 1 billion rubles ($16 bln).
For projects in industrial sector, agriculture and the digital economy, the minimum amount of own investments is 1.5 bln rubles ($24.4 mln) (if the total budget is at least 7 bln rubles, or $113 mln). For projects in other sectors of the economy, it is at least 5 bln rubles ($ 81 mln) (with a total budget of 25 bln rubles, or $406 mln).


tass--2020-01-18--Germany to involve Sarraj, Haftar to Libyan summit after summary document approved

BERLIN , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
The German side is considering the option of involving the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar and the head of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez Sarraj to the work of the international conference on the Libyan issue in Berlin after the remaining participants approve the final document , Der Spiegel magazine reported on Saturday .
The organizers do not rule out that Sarraj and Haftar will remain at their hotels during the main discussions , the publication said .
It is suggested that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only after the remaining participants of the summit approve the final version of communique .
Initially the participation of Haftar and Sarraj in the summit in Berlin was not planned , though Germany changed its decision after `` Russia and other players insisted on that , '' Der Spiegel said .
Germany plans to hold an international conference on the Libyan crisis settlement in Berlin on January 19 .
The event will involve representatives of a number of countries , including heads of Russia , Algeria , the United Kingdom , Egypt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US , Turkey , and France .
Press service of the Kremlin reported earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin would arrive in Berlin .

BERLIN, January 18. /TASS/. The German side is considering the option of involving the Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar and the head of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Sarraj to the work of the international conference on the Libyan issue in Berlin after the remaining participants approve the final document, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Saturday.
The organizers do not rule out that Sarraj and Haftar will remain at their hotels during the main discussions, the publication said. It is suggested that they will be involved in discussing the document only after the remaining participants of the summit approve the final version of communique.
Initially the participation of Haftar and Sarraj in the summit in Berlin was not planned, though Germany changed its decision after "Russia and other players insisted on that," Der Spiegel said.
Germany plans to hold an international conference on the Libyan crisis settlement in Berlin on January 19. The event will involve representatives of a number of countries, including heads of Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, the US, Turkey, and France.
Press service of the Kremlin reported earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin would arrive in Berlin.


tass--2020-01-18--Russia to continue boosting investment in US debt securities, say experts

MOSCOW , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian holdings of the US debt started going up in August 2019 after a sell-off of US Treasury securities in the spring of 2018 .
Experts interviewed by TASS expect Russia to keep buying US government securities despite the announced de-dollarization policy .
According to the data provided by the US Department of the Treasury , Russian holdings of the US debt increased by $ 794 mln in November 2019 to $ 11.491 bln , including $ 8.512 bln worth of short-term securities and $ 2.979 bln worth of long-term securities .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US national debt is due to the Central Bank ’ s intention to diversify its international reserves .
Meanwhile , the investment growth remains rather restrained , BCS Premier ’ s chief analyst Anton Pokatovich suggests .
Indeed , Russia is not even among top 30 biggest holders of the US state debt now .
Japan remains the leader on that list followed by China and the UK .
Pokatovich expects Russian investments in US Treasury securities to be cautiously increased in coming months .
`` Those actions continue within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s investment structure .
We believe that the reasons for raising the holdings of the US debt have not changed notably either .
On the other hand , the Federal Reserve may return to the rate reduction in 2020 , which creates the potential for growth of the US debt securities ’ prices and explains the reasonability of the current purchases of US Treasuries , '' he noted .
Freedom Finance ’ s Alexander Osin shares the outlook .
`` I expect further growth of US Treasuries ’ rates in the mid- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gradual formation of the market ’ s pro-inflation response to the super-soft monetary policy of central banks of developed states in 2008-2016 and , to a lesser degree , in 2019 .
Considering the above-mentioned statistics , Russia will continue increasing investments in the US Treasuries amid the growth of their yield and despite de-dollarization announced by Russia ’ s authorities , '' he said .
Osin projects that the share of the dollar in Russia ’ s international reserves will return to the level of 30-40 % if the yield of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % per annum , while the share of the euro , yuan and other currencies will decline .
However , the Bank of Russia will also keep boosting gold purchases `` in response to mounting long-term monetary risks of inflation acceleration and deficit in the segment of non-ferrous metals , '' which many Russian and foreign analysts note now , Osin added .

MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. Russian holdings of the US debt started going up in August 2019 after a sell-off of US Treasury securities in the spring of 2018. Experts interviewed by TASS expect Russia to keep buying US government securities despite the announced de-dollarization policy.
According to the data provided by the US Department of the Treasury, Russian holdings of the US debt increased by $794 mln in November 2019 to $11.491 bln, including $8.512 bln worth of short-term securities and $2.979 bln worth of long-term securities.
The expected increase in Russia’s investments in the US national debt is due to the Central Bank’s intention to diversify its international reserves. Meanwhile, the investment growth remains rather restrained, BCS Premier’s chief analyst Anton Pokatovich suggests.
Indeed, Russia is not even among top 30 biggest holders of the US state debt now. Japan remains the leader on that list followed by China and the UK.
Pokatovich expects Russian investments in US Treasury securities to be cautiously increased in coming months.
"Those actions continue within the framework of diversification of the Central Bank’s investment structure. We believe that the reasons for raising the holdings of the US debt have not changed notably either. On the other hand, the Federal Reserve may return to the rate reduction in 2020, which creates the potential for growth of the US debt securities’ prices and explains the reasonability of the current purchases of US Treasuries," he noted.
Freedom Finance’s Alexander Osin shares the outlook. "I expect further growth of US Treasuries’ rates in the mid- and long-term. The main reason is a gradual formation of the market’s pro-inflation response to the super-soft monetary policy of central banks of developed states in 2008-2016 and, to a lesser degree, in 2019. Considering the above-mentioned statistics, Russia will continue increasing investments in the US Treasuries amid the growth of their yield and despite de-dollarization announced by Russia’s authorities," he said.
Osin projects that the share of the dollar in Russia’s international reserves will return to the level of 30-40% if the yield of ten-year US Treasury securities increases to 3% per annum, while the share of the euro, yuan and other currencies will decline.
However, the Bank of Russia will also keep boosting gold purchases "in response to mounting long-term monetary risks of inflation acceleration and deficit in the segment of non-ferrous metals," which many Russian and foreign analysts note now, Osin added.


tass--2020-01-18--Rosneft completes deal to increase share in Bayernoil refinery to 28.57%

MOSCOW , January 18 .
/TASS/ .
Rosneft Deutschland GmbH , a subsidiary of Rosneft in Germany , has completed @ @ @ @ @ 3.57 % stake in Bayernoil Raffineriegesellschaft mbH from the British BP increasing its shareholding in @ @ @ @ @ from 25 % , Russia ’ s top oil producer said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ share in the refinery capacity of the Bayernoil to almost 3 mln tonnes per year @ @ @ @ @ Increasing share in Bayernoil refinery is a logical step that will contribute to further development @ @ @ @ @ business on the European market , '' Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin was quoted @ @ @ @ @ is located in the cities of Vohburg and Neustadt an der Donau in Bavaria , @ @ @ @ @ products to Bavaria and northern Austria .
The capacity of the refinery amounts to 10.3 @ @ @ @ @ Rosneft , Varo Energy and Eni are shareholders with 28.57 % , 51.43 % and @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. Rosneft Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of Rosneft in Germany, has completed the deal to acquire a 3.57% stake in Bayernoil Raffineriegesellschaft mbH from the British BP increasing its shareholding in the refinery to 28.57% from 25%, Russia’s top oil producer said in a statement.
The company will increase its share in the refinery capacity of the Bayernoil to almost 3 mln tonnes per year following the deal.
"Increasing share in Bayernoil refinery is a logical step that will contribute to further development of the company’s business on the European market," Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin was quoted as saying.
Bayernoil refinery is located in the cities of Vohburg and Neustadt an der Donau in Bavaria, Germany. It supplies oil products to Bavaria and northern Austria. The capacity of the refinery amounts to 10.3 mln tonnes per year. Rosneft, Varo Energy and Eni are shareholders with 28.57%, 51.43% and 20% stakes, respectively.


tass--2020-01-19--Medvedev says will remain ruling party’s leader after appointment to Security Council

MOSCOW , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Dmitry Medvedev , who earlier stepped down as the Russian prime minister and was appointed as deputy chairman of the Security Council , said he would retain the post of the United Russia party ’ s leader .
`` If we speak about a particular new job , this position does not run counter to being engaged in political activity , including in activity related to leading the party .
I remain chairman of the United Russia party , '' Medvedev said in an interview with Channel One .
According to Medvedev , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political force , a ruling party that has huge responsibility to the people and the country for its development . ''
`` Certainly , the party is solving exactly the same tasks that the entire country is facing .
But now vital tasks are related to improving the well-being of people and solving those tasks based on national projects , '' he said .
The party seeks to provide assistance in implementing these tasks and also solves particular issues related to the development of certain regions and cities , Medvedev said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the upcoming election to the State Duma , the lower house of parliament , in 2021 , Medvedev noted .

MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. Dmitry Medvedev, who earlier stepped down as the Russian prime minister and was appointed as deputy chairman of the Security Council, said he would retain the post of the United Russia party’s leader.
"If we speak about a particular new job, this position does not run counter to being engaged in political activity, including in activity related to leading the party. I remain chairman of the United Russia party," Medvedev said in an interview with Channel One.
According to Medvedev, the United Russia is "a leading political force, a ruling party that has huge responsibility to the people and the country for its development." "Certainly, the party is solving exactly the same tasks that the entire country is facing. But now vital tasks are related to improving the well-being of people and solving those tasks based on national projects," he said.
The party seeks to provide assistance in implementing these tasks and also solves particular issues related to the development of certain regions and cities, Medvedev said.
The United Russia party will continue its preparations for the upcoming election to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, in 2021, Medvedev noted.


tass--2020-01-19--Putin to meet with Erdogan in Berlin - Kremlin

MOSCOW , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip @ @ @ @ @ before the international meeting on Libya begins .
`` Such a meeting is planned , @ @ @ @ @ told TASS .
Germany is hosting an international conference on Libya in Berlin on January @ @ @ @ @ of Libya ’ s leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 , Libya plunged into chaos followed @ @ @ @ @ facto diarchy .
Currently , Libya has two supreme executive authorities , namely the internationally @ @ @ @ @ Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj , and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani @ @ @ @ @ of the country , alongside the parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National @ @ @ @ @ Khalifa Haftar .
Russia , Algeria , the United Kingdom , Egypt , the United @ @ @ @ @ the United States , Turkey and France have been invited to participate in the Berlin @ @

MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Berlin on Sunday before the international meeting on Libya begins.
"Such a meeting is planned," the presidential press service told TASS.
Germany is hosting an international conference on Libya in Berlin on January 19. After the killing of Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya plunged into chaos followed by a period of de facto diarchy. Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani, seated in the east of the country, alongside the parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, the United States, Turkey and France have been invited to participate in the Berlin conference.


tass--2020-01-19--Maduro expresses readiness for direct dialogue with US

WASHINGTON , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said in an interview with The Washington Post that he is ready for dialogue with the United States .
In his first interview with a US media outlet since February , Maduro said : `` If there ’ s respect between governments , no matter how big the United States is , and if there ’ s a dialogue , an exchange of truthful information , then be sure we can create a new type of relationship < ... > A relationship of respect and dialogue brings a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lose-lose situation .
That ’ s the formula . ''
Maduro said he had made several attempts to directly contact with US President Donald Trump .
According to the Venezuelan president , the US leader failed to make the right decisions on Venezuela because of his aides and the administration members .
`` I believe [ US Secretary of State ] Mike Pompeo has failed in Venezuela and is responsible for Donald Trump ’ s failure in his policy toward our country < ... > I think Pompeo lives in a fantasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his feet on earth .
I think Trump has had terrible advisers on Venezuela .
[ Former US National Security Adviser ] John Bolton , Mike Pompeo , [ US Special Representative for Venezuela ] Elliott Abrams , have caused him to have a wrong vision , '' Maduro said .
Maduro also said he was ready to negotiate with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido , although stressing that he would not step down .
`` Guaido is responsible for having lost the National Assembly [ unicameral parliament - TASS ] < @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t blame me now .
He ’ s the one that now has to answer to the United States , '' the Venezuelan president said .
In September , Maduro told Rossiya-24 TV channel that he was ready for talks with Trump if the US president changed his `` wrong policy of waging war against Venezuela . ''
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23 , 2019 when Juan Guaido , Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker , whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interim president at a rally in the country ’ s capital of Caracas .
Several countries , including the United States , most of the EU states , Lima Group members ( excluding Mexico ) , Australia , Albania , Georgia and Israel , as well as the Organization of American States , recognized him .
Maduro , in turn , blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington saying that he was severing diplomatic ties with the US .
In contrast , Russia , Belarus , Bolivia , Iran , Cuba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Turkey voiced support for Maduro .
In May 2019 , a few rounds of indirect talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition were held in Oslo , which were organized through the offices of Norway .
On January 13 , President of the Venezuelan Constituent National Assembly Diosdado Cabello told a press conference in Caracas that authorities were willing to return to the negotiating table with opposition members to discuss various stances on the country ’ s future .

WASHINGTON, January 19. /TASS/. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said in an interview with The Washington Post that he is ready for dialogue with the United States.
In his first interview with a US media outlet since February, Maduro said: "If there’s respect between governments, no matter how big the United States is, and if there’s a dialogue, an exchange of truthful information, then be sure we can create a new type of relationship <...>A relationship of respect and dialogue brings a win-win situation. A confrontational relationship brings a lose-lose situation. That’s the formula."
Maduro said he had made several attempts to directly contact with US President Donald Trump. According to the Venezuelan president, the US leader failed to make the right decisions on Venezuela because of his aides and the administration members. "I believe [US Secretary of State] Mike Pompeo has failed in Venezuela and is responsible for Donald Trump’s failure in his policy toward our country <...> I think Pompeo lives in a fantasy. He’s not a man with his feet on earth. I think Trump has had terrible advisers on Venezuela. [Former US National Security Adviser] John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, [US Special Representative for Venezuela] Elliott Abrams, have caused him to have a wrong vision," Maduro said.
Maduro also said he was ready to negotiate with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, although stressing that he would not step down. "Guaido is responsible for having lost the National Assembly [unicameral parliament - TASS] <...>He and his mistakes. Don’t blame me now. He’s the one that now has to answer to the United States," the Venezuelan president said.
In September, Maduro told Rossiya-24 TV channel that he was ready for talks with Trump if the US president changed his "wrong policy of waging war against Venezuela."
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23, 2019 when Juan Guaido, Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker, whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country’s Supreme Court, declared himself interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas. Several countries, including the United States, most of the EU states, Lima Group members (excluding Mexico), Australia, Albania, Georgia and Israel, as well as the Organization of American States, recognized him.
Maduro, in turn, blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington saying that he was severing diplomatic ties with the US. In contrast, Russia, Belarus, Bolivia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro.
In May 2019, a few rounds of indirect talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition were held in Oslo, which were organized through the offices of Norway. On January 13, President of the Venezuelan Constituent National Assembly Diosdado Cabello told a press conference in Caracas that authorities were willing to return to the negotiating table with opposition members to discuss various stances on the country’s future.


tass--2020-01-19--Trophy arts search and return unit established under Russian Exhibition Center

MOSCOW , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
A special structural unit dealing with the search and return of trophy arts was established early this year under the ROSIZO state museum and exhibition center , department head of the Russian Ministry of Culture Vladislav Kononov told TASS .
Acting Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky said on Saturday that Russia will not enter tanks on return of cultural objects .
The Polish Foreign Ministry claimed rights to certain artworks in Russia in its tweet on Saturday .
`` The Russian Ministry of Culture holds to an opinion that trophy arts are property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can say that on the instruction of the acting culture minister of Russia we created a special structural unit in ROSIZO at the very start of the year of 75th anniversary of the Great Victory , which will deal on a systemic basis with the search for cultural objects lost during the Great Patriotic War , '' Kononov said .
`` We will also continue dealing with the issue of systematizing and studying trophy arts in Russian museums , transferred as compensatory restitution .
I will repeat the statement made earlier by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue of their return nor even the possibility of talks on this matter and appearance of any conditions for such talks exist for us , '' the official added .

MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. A special structural unit dealing with the search and return of trophy arts was established early this year under the ROSIZO state museum and exhibition center, department head of the Russian Ministry of Culture Vladislav Kononov told TASS.
Acting Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky said on Saturday that Russia will not enter tanks on return of cultural objects. The Polish Foreign Ministry claimed rights to certain artworks in Russia in its tweet on Saturday.
"The Russian Ministry of Culture holds to an opinion that trophy arts are property of the Russian Federation. Furthermore, I can say that on the instruction of the acting culture minister of Russia we created a special structural unit in ROSIZO at the very start of the year of 75th anniversary of the Great Victory, which will deal on a systemic basis with the search for cultural objects lost during the Great Patriotic War," Kononov said.
"We will also continue dealing with the issue of systematizing and studying trophy arts in Russian museums, transferred as compensatory restitution. I will repeat the statement made earlier by Vladimir Medinsky in this case - neither the issue of their return nor even the possibility of talks on this matter and appearance of any conditions for such talks exist for us," the official added.


tass--2020-01-19--Five states of Venezuela experience electricity problems - monitoring organization

CARACAS , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
At least five Venezuelan states experience problems with electricity supply , the international @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Confirmed : Significant power outage in Venezuela at 9 p.m. local time ( @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ) affecting multiple states including Tachira , Zulia , Merida , Carabobo , Falcon @ @ @ @ @ .
The incident is ongoing , NetBlocks added .
Several large-scale electricity shutdowns occurred in @ @ @ @ @ the capital of the country Caracas and the majority of states were left without electric @ @

CARACAS, January 19. /TASS/. At least five Venezuelan states experience problems with electricity supply, the international nonprofit monitoring organization NetBlocks tweeted.
"Confirmed: Significant power outage in Venezuela at 9 p.m. local time (04.00 am Moscow time on Sunday) affecting multiple states including Tachira, Zulia, Merida, Carabobo, Falcon," the Organization says. The incident is ongoing, NetBlocks added.
Several large-scale electricity shutdowns occurred in Venezuela last March, when the capital of the country Caracas and the majority of states were left without electric power.


tass--2020-01-19--Libya’s NOC declares force majeure after stoppage of port shipments

CAIRO , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
The National Oil Corporation ( NOC ) of Libya declared force majeure after @ @ @ @ @ terminals , the company said on its website .
The management of NOC subsidiaries was @ @ @ @ @ exports from Brega , Ras Lanuf , Hariga , Zueitina , and Sidra ports , @ @ @ @ @ NOC received instructions from the General Command of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) @ @ @ @ @ in a loss of crude oil production of 800,000 barrels/day and daily financial losses of @ @ @ @ @ day , '' NOC said .
Total revenues of the company from sales of oil @ @ @ @ @ equaled $ 22.5 bln , down 8.5 % in annual terms .
Currently , Libya @ @ @ @ @ , namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj @ @ @ @ @ of Abdullah al-Thani , seated in the east of the country , along with the @ @ @ @ @ supported by the Libyan National Army headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .

CAIRO, January 19. /TASS/. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Libya declared force majeure after termination of oil shipments from terminals, the company said on its website.
The management of NOC subsidiaries was instructed "to stop oil exports from Brega, Ras Lanuf, Hariga, Zueitina, and Sidra ports," the company said. NOC received instructions from the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
"This will result in a loss of crude oil production of 800,000 barrels/day and daily financial losses of approximately $55 million per day," NOC said.
Total revenues of the company from sales of oil, gas and oil products equaled $22.5 bln, down 8.5% in annual terms.
Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani, seated in the east of the country, along with the elected parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.


tass--2020-01-19--Russian military handed over food and staged concert for schoolchildren in Latakia

LATAKIA , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian servicemen gave 350 food rations to children in the school of Magrith @ @ @ @ @ and a military orchestra performed national and foreign hits for schoolchildren and residents of the @ @ @ @ @ Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria Yuri Tretyak told reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ the concert came up spontaneously .
The orchestra already has such experience .
We staged @ @ @ @ @ Settlement .
I think this tradition will take root , '' Tretyak said .
Food @ @ @ @ @ comprised rice , tea , sugar , honey and Tula spice cakes .
Children recited @ @ @ @ @ .

LATAKIA, January 19. /TASS/. Russian servicemen gave 350 food rations to children in the school of Magrith Settlement (Latakia Province) and a military orchestra performed national and foreign hits for schoolchildren and residents of the settlement, officer of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria Yuri Tretyak told reporters.
"An idea to stage the concert came up spontaneously. The orchestra already has such experience. We staged the previous event in Masyaf Settlement. I think this tradition will take root," Tretyak said.
Food rations delivered by Russian servicemen comprised rice, tea, sugar, honey and Tula spice cakes. Children recited Arabic poetry in their turn.


tass--2020-01-19--Opening of Russian honorary consulate planned in north Thailand - Russian ambassador

PHUKET , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia plans to open its honorary consulate in the north of Thailand , @ @ @ @ @ Tomikhin said at the third country conference of compatriot organizations .
`` Plans are in @ @ @ @ @ consulate in the north of Thailand , '' the diplomat said .
`` We will @ @ @ @ @ honorary consulate in this part of the country because more and more our nationals and @ @ @ @ @ We hope this [ honorary consulate opening - TASS ] will provide benefits , '' @ @ @ @ @ Russians visited Thailand in 2019 , Tomikhin said .
`` This is actually at the @ @ @ @ @ the ambassador added .
Practical work has started `` on opening of the consulate general @ @ @ @ @ be dealing with certain southern provinces of the Kingdom , '' Tomikhin said .
An @ @ @ @ @ Russian cultural center was not signed in 2019 , the diplomat said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ the agreement ] this year '' .

PHUKET, January 19. /TASS/. Russia plans to open its honorary consulate in the north of Thailand, Russian ambassador to Thailand Evgeni Tomikhin said at the third country conference of compatriot organizations.
"Plans are in place to establish an honorary consulate in the north of Thailand," the diplomat said. "We will be glad to open the honorary consulate in this part of the country because more and more our nationals and tourists are visiting it. We hope this [honorary consulate opening - TASS] will provide benefits," he said.
1.47 mln Russians visited Thailand in 2019, Tomikhin said. "This is actually at the level of 2018," the ambassador added.
Practical work has started "on opening of the consulate general in Phuket, which will be dealing with certain southern provinces of the Kingdom," Tomikhin said.
An agreement on opening of the Russian cultural center was not signed in 2019, the diplomat said. "We will endeavor to sigh [the agreement] this year".


tass--2020-01-19--Riga has all infrastructure to pump oil to Belarus - Latvian Ministry of Transport

MINSK , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Latvia has the technical opportunity and the required infrastructure to pump oil through its ports to Belarus , Latvian Minister of Transport Talis Linkaits said on the air with ONT TV Channel .
`` We have all the required infrastructure in order to pump oil via Latvia to Belarus and back , in both directions .
Such technical opportunity is available ; there is simply a need to discuss capabilities , '' Linkaits said .
`` I believe our enterprises received offers and are working on how to do this in the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government of Latvia is interested in organizing oil carriage to Belarus via Latvian ports , Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said on January 16 .
Belarus sent oil purchase offers to Ukraine , Azerbaijan , Kazakhstan , Poland and the Baltic States , First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Dmitry Krutoi said earlier .
Moscow and Minsk are currently holding challenging talks on supplies of Russian hydrocarbons to Belarus .
Presidents of Russia and Belarus held two telephone talks on December 30 and 31 of the last year , during which supplies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Belneftekhim holding said on January 3 that Russian oil is not supplied .
Supplies to Belarusian refineries resumed on January 4 under one-off contracts .
Minsk expects that refineries would receive about 650,000 tonnes of oil in January 2020 .

MINSK, January 19. /TASS/. Latvia has the technical opportunity and the required infrastructure to pump oil through its ports to Belarus, Latvian Minister of Transport Talis Linkaits said on the air with ONT TV Channel.
"We have all the required infrastructure in order to pump oil via Latvia to Belarus and back, in both directions. Such technical opportunity is available; there is simply a need to discuss capabilities," Linkaits said. "I believe our enterprises received offers and are working on how to do this in the best way," the minister said.
The government of Latvia is interested in organizing oil carriage to Belarus via Latvian ports, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said on January 16.
Belarus sent oil purchase offers to Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Poland and the Baltic States, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Dmitry Krutoi said earlier.
Moscow and Minsk are currently holding challenging talks on supplies of Russian hydrocarbons to Belarus. Presidents of Russia and Belarus held two telephone talks on December 30 and 31 of the last year, during which supplies of Russian oil and gas issues were discussed. Belneftekhim holding said on January 3 that Russian oil is not supplied. Supplies to Belarusian refineries resumed on January 4 under one-off contracts. Minsk expects that refineries would receive about 650,000 tonnes of oil in January 2020.


tass--2020-01-19--Russian Post to allocate about $1.1 bln for offices upgrade

MOSCOW , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Post approved the development strategy , whereby about 68 bln rubles ( $ 1.1 bln ) are planned to be allocated for the upgrade of offices in 2020-2030 , the company said .
`` The approved development strategy of the Russian Post for the period of 2020-2030 provides in particular for the upgrade of the majority of post offices by 2030 .
Up to 68 bln rubles ( $ 1.1 bln ) are planned to be allocated for such goals within the period of 2020-2030 , '' the company said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve working conditions of the staff , optimize service formats and improve efficiency of internal business processes in offices , the Russian Post says .
Furthermore , offices will require less costs as a result of the upgrade .
`` 42,000 stationary post offices are currently opened in Russia , providing services to about 6 mln clients daily .
A significant number of postal communication facilities are obsolete .
Repair works were completed lately in 5,000 offices , '' the Russian post say .
In October 2019 , the Russian Post completed restructuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under full control of the government .

MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. The Russian Post approved the development strategy, whereby about 68 bln rubles ($1.1 bln) are planned to be allocated for the upgrade of offices in 2020-2030, the company said.
"The approved development strategy of the Russian Post for the period of 2020-2030 provides in particular for the upgrade of the majority of post offices by 2030. Up to 68 bln rubles ($1.1 bln) are planned to be allocated for such goals within the period of 2020-2030," the company said.
The upgrade will make it possible to improve working conditions of the staff, optimize service formats and improve efficiency of internal business processes in offices, the Russian Post says. Furthermore, offices will require less costs as a result of the upgrade.
"42,000 stationary post offices are currently opened in Russia, providing services to about 6 mln clients daily. A significant number of postal communication facilities are obsolete. Repair works were completed lately in 5,000 offices," the Russian post say.
In October 2019, the Russian Post completed restructuring into a joint stock company, remaining under full control of the government.


tass--2020-01-20--Drone attack on Russian airbase at Syria’s Hmeymim repelled - Russian defense ministry

MOSCOW , January 20 .
/TASS/ .
Air defense systems of the Russian base at Syria ’ s Hmeymim repelled @ @ @ @ @ , no one was hurt , the Russian defense ministry said .
`` At dark @ @ @ @ @ , Russian air defense systems at the Hmeymim airbase spotted three small aerial targets ( @ @ @ @ @ a long distance approaching the Russia military facility from the northeasterly direction , '' it @ @ @ @ @ airbase ’ s regular missile systems destroyed these targets at a safe distance from the @ @ @ @ @ hurt .
No material damage was done , '' the ministry stressed .
According to @ @ @ @ @ operates routinely .
Earlier , an attempted drone attack on the Russian airbase was reported @ @ @ @ @ news agency .
According to SANA , the drones were launched from the de-escalation zone @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Air defense systems of the Russian base at Syria’s Hmeymim repelled a drone attack on Sunday, no one was hurt, the Russian defense ministry said.
"At dark on January 19, 2020, Russian air defense systems at the Hmeymim airbase spotted three small aerial targets (unmanned aerial vehicles) at a long distance approaching the Russia military facility from the northeasterly direction," it said.
"The Russia airbase’s regular missile systems destroyed these targets at a safe distance from the base. No one was hurt. No material damage was done," the ministry stressed.
According to the ministry, the airbase operates routinely.
Earlier, an attempted drone attack on the Russian airbase was reported by Syria’s SANA news agency. According to SANA, the drones were launched from the de-escalation zone in northern Syria.


tass--2020-01-19--Sarraj and Haftar were invited to Berlin conference at Russia’s request - Lavrov

BERLIN , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
The leaders of Libya ’ s conflicting parties were invited to the international conference in Berlin at Russia ’ s request , Russia ’ s acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday .
`` It was thanks to our insistence that the organizers retreated from their original plan to convene a meeting without the Libyan parties and invited the Libyan leaders to the conference , '' Lavrov said , adding he was speaking about Prime Minister of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj and Commander of the Lybian National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of participants from among Libya ’ s neighbors was increased also at our initiative , '' he said , adding it is important to take into account these nations ’ interests to ensure the sustainability of any agreements .
According to Russia ’ s top diplomat , the five-hour Berlin conference was preceded by four months of preparatory efforts , including five preliminary rounds and consultations of senior officials .
As a result , the conference has yielded a rather detailed final document with recommendations and initiatives on settling the Libyan crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ document has a section dedicated to efforts in the sphere of security , `` including the necessity to ensure a lasting ceasefire . ''
It also has a section on the return to the political process , on resolving Libya ’ s economic problems ensuring access of all Libya ’ s parties - religious , ethnic and political groups - to natural resources .
`` It has a section on humanitarian problems , human rights , and a section about support to all these efforts from the international community under the United Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-level conference on Libya was held on Sunday in the German capital city Berlin .
It was attended by the leaders of ten nations , including Russian , Turkish and French presidents and the UK prime minister .
United Nations secretary general , US secretary of state , representatives from Algeria , Egypt , China and the United Arab Emirates also took part .

BERLIN, January 19. /TASS/. The leaders of Libya’s conflicting parties were invited to the international conference in Berlin at Russia’s request, Russia’s acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday.
"It was thanks to our insistence that the organizers retreated from their original plan to convene a meeting without the Libyan parties and invited the Libyan leaders to the conference," Lavrov said, adding he was speaking about Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj and Commander of the Lybian National Army Khalifa Haftar.
"The number of participants from among Libya’s neighbors was increased also at our initiative," he said, adding it is important to take into account these nations’ interests to ensure the sustainability of any agreements.
According to Russia’s top diplomat, the five-hour Berlin conference was preceded by four months of preparatory efforts, including five preliminary rounds and consultations of senior officials. As a result, the conference has yielded a rather detailed final document with recommendations and initiatives on settling the Libyan crisis.
Thus, in his words, the document has a section dedicated to efforts in the sphere of security, "including the necessity to ensure a lasting ceasefire." It also has a section on the return to the political process, on resolving Libya’s economic problems ensuring access of all Libya’s parties - religious, ethnic and political groups - to natural resources. "It has a section on humanitarian problems, human rights, and a section about support to all these efforts from the international community under the United Nations aegis," he said.
The high-level conference on Libya was held on Sunday in the German capital city Berlin. It was attended by the leaders of ten nations, including Russian, Turkish and French presidents and the UK prime minister. United Nations secretary general, US secretary of state, representatives from Algeria, Egypt, China and the United Arab Emirates also took part.


tass--2020-01-19--Erdogan, Pompeo leave Berlin international conference on Libya - DPA

BERLIN , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo have @ @ @ @ @ Libya currently underway in Berlin , DPA agency reported on Sunday citing its sources .
@ @ @ @ @ Erdogan and a part of the Turkish delegation left the Federal Chancellery .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ role at the summit , '' the source was quoted as saying .
The administration @ @ @ @ @ commented on DPA agency ’ s reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has left the @ @ @ @ @ `` It is not about [ President Erdogan ’ s ] leaving the conference ahead @ @ @ @ @ opted not to stay for the dinner , '' a source in his office told @ @ @ @ @ international high-level conference on Libya is being held in Berlin on Sunday .
At least @ @ @ @ @ government , including Russian President Vladimir Putin , are taking part .

BERLIN, January 19. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo have left the international conference on Libya currently underway in Berlin, DPA agency reported on Sunday citing its sources.
According to the source, Erdogan and a part of the Turkish delegation left the Federal Chancellery. "The Turkish side played a constructive role at the summit," the source was quoted as saying.
The administration of the Turkish president has commented on DPA agency’s reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has left the international conference on Libya.
"It is not about [President Erdogan’s] leaving the conference ahead of time. He just opted not to stay for the dinner," a source in his office told TASS on Sunday.
An international high-level conference on Libya is being held in Berlin on Sunday. At least ten heads of state and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, are taking part.


tass--2020-01-19--Johnson tells Putin normalization of bilateral relations now is impossible

LONDON , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Normalization of relations between the United Kingdom and Russia is impossible as long as Russia threatens the UK and its allies , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Russian President Vladimir Putin during their brief contact on the sidelines of the international conference on Libya in Berlin , as follows from his office ’ s press statement on Sunday .
`` The Prime Minister said there will be no normalisation of our bilateral relationship until Russia ends the destabilising activity that threatens the UK and our allies and undermines the safety of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement says .
Johnson also stressed that his country ’ s position on the Salisbury incident was unchanged .
`` He was clear there had been no change in the UK ’ s position on Salisbury , which was a reckless use of chemical weapons and a brazen attempt to murder innocent people on UK soil .
He said that such an attack must not be repeated , '' it reads .
If the British version of the affair is to be believed , former Russian military intelligence ( GRU ) Colonel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers , and his daughter Yulia , 33 , suffered the effects of a nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury on March 4 , 2018 .
Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a Novichok-class nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union , London rushed to accuse Russia of being involved in the incident .
Moscow rejected all of the United Kingdom ’ s accusations , saying that neither the Soviet Union nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing such an agent .
Notably , Britain ’ s military chemical laboratory at Porton Down near Salisbury said it failed to trace the origin of the substance that poisoned Sergei and Yulia Skripals .
The British prime minister also told the Russian president that `` they both had a responsibility to address issues of international security including Libya , Syria , Iraq and Iran .
`` .

LONDON, January 19. /TASS/. Normalization of relations between the United Kingdom and Russia is impossible as long as Russia threatens the UK and its allies, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Russian President Vladimir Putin during their brief contact on the sidelines of the international conference on Libya in Berlin, as follows from his office’s press statement on Sunday.
"The Prime Minister said there will be no normalisation of our bilateral relationship until Russia ends the destabilising activity that threatens the UK and our allies and undermines the safety of our citizens and our collective security," the statement says.
Johnson also stressed that his country’s position on the Salisbury incident was unchanged. "He was clear there had been no change in the UK’s position on Salisbury, which was a reckless use of chemical weapons and a brazen attempt to murder innocent people on UK soil. He said that such an attack must not be repeated," it reads.
If the British version of the affair is to be believed, former Russian military intelligence (GRU) Colonel Sergei Skripal, 66, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia, 33, suffered the effects of a nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury on March 4, 2018. Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a Novichok-class nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union, London rushed to accuse Russia of being involved in the incident. Moscow rejected all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that neither the Soviet Union nor Russia ever had any program aimed at developing such an agent. Notably, Britain’s military chemical laboratory at Porton Down near Salisbury said it failed to trace the origin of the substance that poisoned Sergei and Yulia Skripals.
The British prime minister also told the Russian president that "they both had a responsibility to address issues of international security including Libya, Syria, Iraq and Iran.".


tass--2020-01-19--About 100 Syrian soldiers and civilians killed in militants’ attacks since January 16

MOSCOW , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
More than 50 civilians and about 50 Syrian soldiers have been killed in militants ’ attacks since January 16 , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , Yuri Borenkov , said on Sunday .
`` Since January 16 , 2020 , as many as 47 Syrian soldiers have been killed and 77 more have been wounded in attacks staged by militants .
A total of 51 civilians have been killed and 166 have been injured , '' he said .
According to Borenkov , militants in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of NATO member nations .
`` Whereas previously , illegal armed groups used mostly self-made weapons and munitions , now they are making a wide use of regular munitions and weapons of NATO countries , '' he said .
He also said that since January 16 Syrian government troops had come under militants ’ attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone 16 times .
`` Over this period , terrorist groups have staged as many as 253 shelling attacks on populated localities .
This is the most serious outburst of tensions after May 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zones were established in Syria under as agreement reached by the three Syrian ceasefire guarantor nations , namely Russia , Iran and Turkey , in May 2017 .
Three of them are now controlled by Damascus while the fourth one located in the Idlib governorate and partially in the neighboring Latakia , Hama and Aleppo governorates is still outside Damascus ’ control , with a larger part of it being seized by Jabhat al-Nusra ( a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia ) militants .

MOSCOW, January 19. /TASS/. More than 50 civilians and about 50 Syrian soldiers have been killed in militants’ attacks since January 16, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, Yuri Borenkov, said on Sunday.
"Since January 16, 2020, as many as 47 Syrian soldiers have been killed and 77 more have been wounded in attacks staged by militants. A total of 51 civilians have been killed and 166 have been injured," he said.
According to Borenkov, militants in Syria are using regular weapons and munitions of NATO member nations. "Whereas previously, illegal armed groups used mostly self-made weapons and munitions, now they are making a wide use of regular munitions and weapons of NATO countries," he said.
He also said that since January 16 Syrian government troops had come under militants’ attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone 16 times. "Over this period, terrorist groups have staged as many as 253 shelling attacks on populated localities. This is the most serious outburst of tensions after May 2019," he stressed.
Four de-escalation zones were established in Syria under as agreement reached by the three Syrian ceasefire guarantor nations, namely Russia, Iran and Turkey, in May 2017. Three of them are now controlled by Damascus while the fourth one located in the Idlib governorate and partially in the neighboring Latakia, Hama and Aleppo governorates is still outside Damascus’ control, with a larger part of it being seized by Jabhat al-Nusra (a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia) militants.


tass--2020-01-19--Participants in Berlin conference on Libya have agreed text of final document — source

BERLIN , January 19 .
/TASS/ .
Participants in the international conference on Libya in Berlin have agreed the text of the conference ’ s final document , several diplomatic sources told TASS on Sunday .
`` The text has been agreed , '' a source said .
As follows from the draft available to TASS , the settlement process will be divided into six ‘ baskets , ’ namely ceasefire , arms embargo , political process , security sector reform , economic and financial reform , respect for international humanitarian law and human rights .
It also calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and urges the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on countries violating the arms embargo .
When the statement is adopted , a special International Follow-Up committee will be established to oversee the implementation of the Berlin summit ’ s decisions .
A high-level international conference on Libya is underway on Sunday in the German capital city Berlin .
Along with Russian President Vladimir Putin , the conference is attended by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , German Chancellor Angela Merkel , Egyptian President Abdel Fatah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso , Crown Prince Of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyan , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , French President Emmanuel Macron , US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo , Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit , United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres , President of the European Council Charles Michel .
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles , director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat .
Leaders of Libya ’ s conflicting parties , Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez al-Sarraj and Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar also arrived in Berlin .

BERLIN, January 19. /TASS/. Participants in the international conference on Libya in Berlin have agreed the text of the conference’s final document, several diplomatic sources told TASS on Sunday.
"The text has been agreed," a source said.
As follows from the draft available to TASS, the settlement process will be divided into six ‘baskets,’ namely ceasefire, arms embargo, political process, security sector reform, economic and financial reform, respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.
It also calls for noninterference into the armed conflict in that country and urges the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on countries violating the arms embargo.
When the statement is adopted, a special International Follow-Up committee will be established to oversee the implementation of the Berlin summit’s decisions.
A high-level international conference on Libya is underway on Sunday in the German capital city Berlin. Along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the conference is attended by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisis, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, Crown Prince Of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President of the European Council Charles Michel. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles, director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China Yang Jeichi, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat. Leaders of Libya’s conflicting parties, Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar also arrived in Berlin.


tass--2020-01-19--At least 100 Yemeni soldiers in Houthi attack in Marib

TASS , January 19 .
At least 100 Yemeni soldiers were killed in an attacks staged by militants of the @ @ @ @ @ rebel movement on an army training camp north of the city of Marib , Al @ @ @ @ @ the Yemeni foreign ministry .
Earlier reports said 80 soldiers had been killed and 150 @ @ @ @ @ Armed confrontation between government forces and Houthi rebels from the Ansar Allah movement has been @ @ @ @ @ August 2014 , reaching the most active phase in March 2015 after the Saudi-led coalition @ @ @ @ @ with Saudi Arabia , the coalition includes Bahrain , Qatar , Kuwait , the United @ @ @ @ @ Jordan , Morocco , Pakistan and Sudan .
The conflict has entailed the most severe @ @ @ @ @ with more than 24 million Yemenis , or about 80 % of the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ need of humanitarian assistance and the number of internally displaced people exceeding three million , @ @ @ @ @ data .

TASS, January 19. At least 100 Yemeni soldiers were killed in an attacks staged by militants of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebel movement on an army training camp north of the city of Marib, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday citing the Yemeni foreign ministry.
Earlier reports said 80 soldiers had been killed and 150 more had been wounded.
Armed confrontation between government forces and Houthi rebels from the Ansar Allah movement has been going on in Yemen since August 2014, reaching the most active phase in March 2015 after the Saudi-led coalition invaded the country. Along with Saudi Arabia, the coalition includes Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan and Sudan.
The conflict has entailed the most severe humanitarian crisis of today, with more than 24 million Yemenis, or about 80% of the country’s population, being in need of humanitarian assistance and the number of internally displaced people exceeding three million, according to the United Nations data.