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                      Japan Hosts Friends of Syria Meeting

   by VOA News

   Diplomats from more than 60 countries have gathered in Tokyo for a
   "Friends of Syria" meeting to discuss further economic sanctions and
   other measures needed to curb the violence that has killed tens of
   thousands since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
   began.
   Japanese Foreign Minster Koichiro Gemba hosted Friday's meeting. He
   said he hoped the international discussion would send a "strong
   political message."
   "Furthering the support for unification efforts by the Syrian
   opposition and for the national reconstruction efforts that look ahead
   to post-Assad is essential," said Gembe.
   The one-day meeting is the fifth of its kind and the first "Friends of
   Syria" meeting held in Asia. Countries and organizations attending
   include the U.S., EU and the Arab League.
   A day earlier in Syria, military forces launched a major offensive in
   Damascus near the country's international airport. The government shut
   down Internet access across the country and slashed cell phone services
   in selected areas.
   The Internet blackout, confirmed by two U.S.-based companies that
   monitor online connectivity, is unprecedented in the 20-month-long
   uprising against Syria's President Assad. Authorities often cut phone
   lines and Internet access in areas where government forces are
   conducting major military operations.
   A pro-government television station quoted Syria's minister of
   information as saying "terrorists," not state agents, were responsible
   for the countrywide outage.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/japan-hosts-friends-of-syria-meeting/1555791.html