In Syria news, the online whistleblower WikiLeaks continues to release documents from the Syria Files, more than two million emails said to be from Syrian political figures, ministries and associated companies over a six-year period ending earlier this year. WikiLeaks spokesperson Sarah Harrison said the files would embarrass not only the Syrian government but many of its political foes.

Sarah Harrison: “More than two million emails from Syrian political figures, ministries and associated companies, dating from August 2006 to March 2012. This extraordinary data set derives from 680 Syrian-related entities or domain names, including those of the ministries of presidential affairs, foreign affairs, finance, information, transport and culture. The Syria Files shine a light on the inner workings of the Syrian government and economy. But they also reveal how the West and Western companies say one thing and do another.”

The Syria Files were unveiled without WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who remains in the Ecuadorean embassy in London seeking to avoid extradition to Sweden. Harrison read a statement on Assange’s behalf.

Sarah Harrison: “WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange cannot be with us today but has given this comment on the Syria Files: 'The material is embarrassing to Syria, but it is also embarrassing to Syria's external opponents. It helps us not merely to criticize one group or another but to understand their interests, actions and thoughts. It is only through understanding this conflict that we can hope to resolve it.’”