Briefly

RUSSIA

Moscow, Minsk regret US exit from key pact

Russia and Belarus expressed regret over a decision by the United States to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, the two countries said in a joint statement on Monday. "This step can seriously damage the architecture of pan-European security and the arms control system," read the statement issued as the treaty's signatories met in Vienna on Monday to assess the consequences of the US' flagged pullout. Russia and Belarus, as parties to the treaty, are ready for equal and mutually respectful dialogue aimed at finding a comprehensive solution to the problems of fulfilling the agreement, with no ultimatums and taking into account all parties' interests and concerns, the statement said.

DPRK

Pyongyang reiterates stance against US talks

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is unwilling for its officials to talk face to face with those of the United States and urged the Republic of Korea to stop meddling in Pyongyang's affairs, a senior DPRK diplomat reaffirmed on Tuesday. "Explicitly speaking once again, we have no intention to sit face to face with the US," Kwon Jong-gun, director-general of the department of US affairs of the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. Kwon was reaffirming a statement issued by Choe Son-hui, first vice-minister of foreign affairs of the DPRK, who said last weekend that the DPRK had no interest in holding another DPRK-US summit before the US election in November. The summit had been proposed by ROK President Moon Jae-in last week.

IRAQ

Expert on armed groups shot dead

An Iraqi analyst who was a leading expert on the Islamic State terror group and other armed groups was shot dead in Baghdad on Monday after receiving threats from an outlawed militant group. Gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on Hisham al-Hashimi, 47, outside his home in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad, a family member said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The family member heard five shots fired. Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said he was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Hashimi was a well-connected security analyst who appeared regularly on Iraqi television and whose expertise was sought out by government officials, journalists and researchers. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi pledged on Monday to pursue the assassins.

Xinhua - Agencies