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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-08-16Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Foreign ministry on possible Greek contribution to UNIFILThe foreign ministry on Wednesday announced that the Greek government is examining prospects for contributing to a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) within the framework of relevant discussions at the United Nations and within the European Union. In the announcement, the ministry reiterates that Athens immediately mobilised to evacuate Greek and third country citizens from Lebanon as well as to dispatch humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people.(ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis) [02] Moscow thanks PM KaramanlisRussia's ambassador to Athens expressed his government's thanks to Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis this week for Athens' efforts at evacuating Russian citizens from Beirut to Cyprus aboard Greek vessels.In a letter, Ambassador Andrey Vdovin conveys Moscow's "sincere gratitude" for the Greek government's effective role in evacuating the 250 Russian nationals from the war-ravaged country. Additionally, the ambassador requested a meeting with Karamanlis. [03] Polydoras on rallies in AthensPublic Order Minister Vyron Polydoras on Wednesday announced that he has invited political parties, local government authorities, trade unions, the mayor of Athens, chambers of commerce and at least four Athens mayoral candidates to join a public debate on formulating a new regime for holding demonstrations and rallies in downtown Athens.Polydoras stressed that such protests, even ones with only a handful of protesters, cause severe inconvenience to residents and visitors because of traffic jams due to closed roadways. While emphasising citizens' right to protest as being absolutely respected, he added that freedom of movement and the exercise of peaceful activities should also be respected. One proposal by the minister is to reserve one traffic lane for small demonstrations in order to prevent traffic chaos. Opposition response In response to Polydoras' call, both leftist parties in Parliament, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), issued a sharp attack against the minister immediately after his announcement. Both parties also flatly ruled out any possibility of participating in such a forum, while warning against any move to curb protest rallies in the Greek capital. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |