REPORT: Russia signals to Syria's Assad to stay silent on re...

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Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faysal Mikdad asserted on Thursday that "no one can prevent Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from running for re-elections in 2014."

"Each Syrian national is entitled to run for presidency," Mikdad added.

This comes as a Russian diplomat signaled that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should refrain from statements suggesting he might seek re-election because it could fuel tension before planned peace talks.

Russia has been Assad's most important international ally during Syria's civil war, but the remarks by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov to Interfax news agency appeared to be a rare public criticism of Assad by Moscow.

Assad told Syria's Al Mayadeen television in October that he had no intention of quitting, despite pressure to do so from the United States and rebels fighting government forces. He also saw no obstacles to being nominated for a new term.

Looking ahead to an international peace conference which is planned on Syria next month in Geneva, he said: "Our position is that ahead of the start of negotiations, there should be no remarks that could displease anyone or provoke emotions and a response. They should rather be avoided."

Bogdanov has been involved in preparations for the peace talks that are due to start in Geneva on Jan 22.

Russia has blocked Western-backed efforts to condemn Assad at the U.N. Security Council or to push him out of power. Moscow says it is not trying to prop up Assad but that his departure cannot be a precondition for peace moves.

Amnesty accuses al-Qaeda group in Syria of torture:

Amnesty International has accused an al-Qaeda-linked group that controls large parts of northern Syria of running secret prisons in which torture and summary killings are common.

The Britain-based watchdog says the rebel group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has "ruthlessly flouted the rights of local people."

Amnesty's findings, released in a report Thursday, were based on interviews with former detainees.

The Islamic rebel group has along with more moderate opposition fighters over the past two years seized much territory in the north from President Bashar Assad's forces.

Amnesty says the ISIL runs seven detention facilities in Syria's Aleppo and Raqqa provinces, often holding people for challenging its rule, petty crimes like theft or for committing purported "crimes against Islam" such as smoking cigarettes.

Denmark approves ships for Syria mission

Danish lawmakers have approved sending a cargo ship and a warship to pick up Syria's most dangerous chemical weapons.

In a 97-14 vote with 68 absentees, parliament decided Thursday to send down the privately owned container ship Ark Futura and Danish frigate HDMS Esbern Snare with their nearly 300 staff.

Parliament also decided to send 19 special forces who will act as bodyguards for Sigrid Kaag, the leader of the team charged with destroying Syria's chemical weapons.

The Danes will work together with Norway, which is sending frigate HNOMS Helge Ingstad and transport vessel MV Taiko. The flotilla will carry the chemicals from Syria to a yet-to-be determined port in Italy where they will be transferred to a U.S. ship for destruction at sea.

REUTERS/AP

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