SYRIA: Tank convoys head to rebellious region.
Thousands of elite troops led by President Bashar Assad’s brother converged Wednesday on a restive northern area, according to a Syrian activist and villagers who saw tank convoys approaching.
Syrian forces have lost control of large areas of the northern province, a pro-government newspaper reported.
The separate reports raised the prospect of more bloodshed in Syria’s nationwide crackdown on the 11-week revolt. The region borders Turkey, which said Wednesday it would open the border to Syrians fleeing violence.
NATO: Gates urges allies to join Libya campaign.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday urged more NATO allies to join the air campaign against Libya, arguing that it was inequitable for only seven members of the 28-country alliance to carry the burden in a conflict that shows few signs of ending soon, U.S. officials said.
Gates, who is retiring at the end of the month, called on Germany and Poland, which have refused to participate in the Libya campaign, to contribute. He also urged Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands, which are participating but not in airstrikes, to step up their role, according to officials familiar with the discussion.
SAUDI ARABIA: Cash infusion averts unrest.
As one nation after another has battled uprisings across the Arab world, the one major country spared also is its richest — Saudi Arabia, where a fresh infusion of money has so far bought order.
The kingdom is spending $130 billion to pump up salaries, build housing and finance religious organizations, among other outlays, effectively neutralizing most opposition.
King Abdullah began wielding his checkbook right after leaders in Tunisia and Egypt fell.
The king’s reserves are swollen by more than $214 billion in oil revenue last year.
Denver Post wire services
