It was, of course, a moment of pure theatre, apparently stage-managed by Russia. But the handshake on the tarmac at Damascus airport between Bashar Al Assad of Syria and Omar Al Bashir, the president of Sudan, offered a glimpse of the political manoeuvring taking place behind the scenes as Syria's bloody war nears its final act. Mr Al Bashir's visit to Syria is the first by the leader of a member of the 22-state Arab League since 2011, when the organisation recognised the opposition national coalition as the legitimate representative of the people and suspended Syria's membership.
Sudan is not a major regional player. It is, however, one of a number of African states coming increasingly into Russia’s orbit, as Moscow extends its influence in the region through arms and trade deals. The world has reluctantly accepted that Mr Al Assad has a role to play in Syria’s future. This is a reality reflected in the UN’s faltering attempts to engage the regime in the establishment of a constitutional committee to lay the groundwork for democratic post-war Syria. The UN’s peace plan makes clear that, unlike his father, Mr Al Assad should not imagine that he has a job for life. The vision is for free, fair and independently administered elections that will lead to “credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance”.
The sudden and unannounced appearance on Syrian soil of Mr Al Bashir, however, appears to be part of a Russian attempt to re-establish Mr Al Assad's legitimacy on the world stage. If so, Moscow's choice of actor for its photo opportunity with the Syrian leader – a man guilty of numerous crimes against his own people – is an unedifying piece of casting. Mr Al Bashir himself is wanted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court for war crimes committed in his own country.
It is clear that the Arab League does need to be involved in Syria’s future, if only to counterbalance Iran’s influence. As things stand, the league has no voice in next week’s scheduled talks in Geneva between the UN special envoy and high-level officials from Iran, Russia and Turkey, a last-ditch attempt to form Syria’s constitutional committee. Quite what Mr Al Assad hoped to gain by posing alongside another leader ostracised by the international community for crimes against his own people remains unclear. But whatever the true significance of the meeting, no amount of clumsily stage-managed handshakes can erase the memory of the atrocities committed by Mr Al Assad in a bitter conflict that has created millions of refugees and killed more than half a million Syrians.
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
MATCH INFO
Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)
Delhi won the match by 11 runs
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE
Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
No.6 Collaborations Project
Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)