Albania Refuses Request To Destroy Syria's Chemical Weapons

Albania Rejects Request to Host Destruction of Syrian Chemical Weapons -- New York Times

LONDON — Albania became the second nation after Norway on Friday to turn down an American request to host facilities for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons, dealing a blow to Washington’s efforts to find a country prepared to undertake the politically sensitive disarmament project.

But officials at the international chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague, debating a Syrian blueprint for the destruction of 1,300 tons of toxic munitions, said the decision by the authorities in Tirana, the Albanian capital, would not directly derail their efforts to meet a deadline on Friday to endorse the plan.

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More News On Albania Refusing A Request To Destroy Syrian Chemical Weapons

Albanian 'No' deals blow to Syria chemical weapons plan -- Reuters
Albania will not destroy Syria chemical arms -- Al Jazeera
Albania shuns Syria chemical weapons destruction -- BBC
Albania Rejects US Request to Destroy Syria's Chemical Weapons -- Voice of America
Albania Rejects U.S. Proposal to Destroy Syria’s Chemical Weapons -- Time
Albania refuses to host Syria arsenal destruction -- AFP
Albania Rejects U.S. Request To Destroy Syrian Chemical Weapons -- Radio Free Europe

Albania Is Peaceful Now, But More Unrest And Anti-Government Protests Are Being Predicted

After Albania Violence, A Fragile Calm -- Christian Science Monitor

Albania was quiet Monday after deadly protests Friday. Prime Minister Sali Berisha last week accused Socialist opposition leader Edvin Rama of attempting a 'Tunisian-style' coup.

International calls for calm and suspension of protest took fragile hold in Albania today – after the latest chapter in an ugly cat fight between Tirana’s two most charismatic political figures put Albania in turmoil after three protesters were shot Friday outside the prime minister’s office.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha last week accused Socialist opposition leader Edvin Rama of attempting a “Tunisian-style” coup by massing protest at his office. Crowds swelled to more than 100,000 before two dozen were injured Jan. 21 in a melée that started with egg- and rock-throwing.

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More News On The Unrest In Albania

Tension Builds Beneath Calm After Violence in Albania -- New York Times
Albania's parliament votes for probe into anti-government protests -- Deutsche Welle
Albania's parliament launches probe into violence, more rallies planned -- Xinhuanet
Leaders trade blame for Albania’s strife -- Financial Times
Albania parties urged to resolve differences -- Reuters
Threats fly, tensions escalate between political rivals in Albania -- CNN
Opinion: Albania needs reforms, not rhetoric -- Deutsche Welle

Protests Continue To Grow In Albania

Albanian Opposition To Hold Anti-Gov't Rally Again -- Washington Post

TIRANA, Albania -- In a further escalation of the political crisis in Albania, the opposition on Sunday called for a fresh protest next week, only two days after the governing Democratic Party plans a similar rally.

Opposition Socialist Party leader Edi Rama urged people to come to a peaceful demonstration on Friday afternoon, a week after three people died and more than 150 were injured in clashes with police at a rally against the government they accuse of deeply rooted corruption.

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More News On The Unrest In Albania

Arrests, strong rhetoric in Albania despite calls for compromise -- CNN
Tension continues in Albania -- Hurriyet Daily News
Albania opposition calls for further protests after fatal clashes -- Xinhuanet
Albanian PM Berisha defiant after three die in clashes -- BBC
Albanian PM Accuses Opposition of Coup Attempt -- Novinite
Albania's political sides trade accusations over protesters' deaths -- Deutsche Welle
Blame traded over Albania casualty -- Al Jazeera
Shocking footage of Albania unrest -- Euronews
Albania reflects on anti-Berisha riots -- Euronews
International Community Expresses Concern Over Deadly Protests in Albania -- Voice of America

Anti-Government Riots Sweep Albania Resulting In 3 Deaths And Numerous Wounded

A protester throws stones at a water cannon in Tirana, Albania, Jan. 21, 2011. Two people were killed from firearms after a protest rally by Albania's opposition Socialist Party turned into a riot in front of the government building for three hours before the protesters disbanded. (Xinhua/Yang Ke)

Three Dead As Albanian Protesters Clash With Police Amid Calls For Early Election Over Government Corruption Claims -- The Daily Mail

* Hospital: 'The dead appear to have been shot at close range'
* Officials say 22 civilians and 17 policemen have been injured in the unrest
* Cars firebombed and shattered paving stones hurled at riot squad
* Police return fire with rubber bullets, tear gas and a water cannon
* Political leaders on both sides appeal for calm

Three people were killed today when a protest calling for the resignation of Albania's government boiled into violence.

Hundreds of rioters clashed with police outside the government's headquarters in capital Tirana demanding that the conservative government call an early election.

The ruling Democratic Party has been rocked in recent months by a corruption scandal engulfing Albania's deputy Prime Minister.

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More News On The Riots In Albania Today

Protesters Clash With Police In Albania, 3 Killed -- NPR/AP
Three shot dead at Albania anti-government protest -- Reuters
Three dead as Albanian protesters clash with police -- AFP
Three shot dead in Albania clashes -- Al Jazeera
Three killed as Albanian police clash with protesters -- BBC
3 anti-government protesters killed in clash with police in Albania -- CNN
Three killed at Albanian protest rally -- Xinhuanet
EU calls for calm as three die in Albanian protests -- Deutsche Welle
US condemns Albania violence -- AFP
In pictures: Albania unrest -- BBC