Monday, March 07, 2011
Video: ثورة الشعب في ليبيا .. اليوم التاسع عشر .. د. عزمي بشاره
Al-Qa'ida is Coming....Al-Qa'ida is Coming...Al-Qa'ida..: Gaddafi insists al Qaeda is to blame for chaos and killings
"I AM NO WORSE THAN THE IOF!" ---Gaddafi.
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi repeated his claim that al Qaeda was responsible for plunging the country into chaos and denied media reports of mass killings.
"......In characteristic fashion Gaddafi sprinkled odd comparisons in his responses. He likened the clampdown on dissidents to what he called Israel’s crackdown of al Qaeda terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
“Even the Israelis in Gaza, when they moved into the Gaza strip, they moved in with tanks to fight such extremists. It’s the same thing here! We have small armed groups who are fighting us. We did not use force from the outset… Armed units of the Libyan army have had to fight small armed al Qaeda bands. That is what’s happened.”....."
"......In characteristic fashion Gaddafi sprinkled odd comparisons in his responses. He likened the clampdown on dissidents to what he called Israel’s crackdown of al Qaeda terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
“Even the Israelis in Gaza, when they moved into the Gaza strip, they moved in with tanks to fight such extremists. It’s the same thing here! We have small armed groups who are fighting us. We did not use force from the outset… Armed units of the Libyan army have had to fight small armed al Qaeda bands. That is what’s happened.”....."
Hopes of Peaceful Revolution in Libya End as Opposition Prepares for Long Battle Against Gaddafi Forces
"Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s regime has launched a counter-offensive in the attempt to retake several cities captured by opposition forces in a popular uprising that began Feb. 17. Gaddafi’s forces are attacking opposition fighters with helicopter gunships, fighter planes and tanks in several cities, including Bin Jawad, Tobruk, Ras Lanuf and Misurata. Meanwhile, the United Nations is launching an appeal to help 600,000 people within Libya who are expected to need humanitarian aid. We go to Benghazi to speak with Democracy Now! correspondent Anjali Kamat...."
Thousands of Migrant Workers Stranded at Libyan Borders and Ports as Violent Clashes Spread: Video Report by Anjali Kamat in Benghazi
"Since forces loyal to Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi began violently cracking down on the popular uprising weeks ago, many of Libya’s migrant workforce attempted to flee the country. Of Libya’s estimated 2.5 million foreign workers, the United Nations estimates that at least 200,000 workers have fled the country since the fighting began—and that number is expected to double. Thousands of workers are congregating at Libya’s border with Egypt, Tunisia and along its port towns, creating a humanitarian crisis where shelter, food, sanitation and transportation is desperately needed. Democracy Now! correspondent Anjali Kamat speaks with migrant workers in the port town of Benghazi and to Peter Bouckaert, the emergencies director for Human Right Watch. Special thanks to videographer Yusuf Misdaq, who contributed to this report......"
هزيمة إسرائيل في مصر
هزيمة إسرائيل في مصر
عبد الحليم قنديل
"إسرائيل هي الخاسر الأعظم في مصر بعد ثورتها الشعبية العظمى، فقد كان الرئيس المخلوع مبارك ـ بتعبير بنيامين بن أليعازر ـ أعظم كنز استراتيجي لإسرائيل، وقد فقدت إسرائيل كنزها الاستراتيجي .
لا نعني ـ بالطبع ـ أن مصر الجديدة سوف تحارب إسرائيل في المدى الأقرب، بل نعني ـ بالدقة ـ أن مصر من الآن سوف تكف عن الحرب إلى جوار إسرائيل، وسوف تنهي عار المشاركة المصرية في دعم المجهود الحربي الإسرائيلي، وسوف تدخل علاقات السلام 'إياه' إلى نفق أزمة مستحكمة الحلقات .
لا نهون ـ بالطبع ـ من فداحة ما جرى عبر ثلاثين سنة مضت، ومنذ أن بدأ تنفيذ ما يسمى 'معاهدة السلام المصرية الإسرائيلية'، فقد جرى نزع سلاح سيناء إلى عمق 150 كيلومترا، ثم جاءت المعونة الأمريكية الضامنة، فنزعت سيادة قرار السياسة والاقتصاد في القاهرة، وتكون خطان للحدود المصرية، أحدهما عند خط قناة السويس بسيادة عسكرية كاملة، والآخر عند خط الحدود المصرية مع فلسطين المحتلة، وبسيادة منقوصة ثم منزوعة السلاح، وفي الفراغ الواسع المتدرج بين الخطين، بدت السيادة المصرية اسمية، وبدت سيناء كأنها عادت إلى مصر بطريقة مخاتلة جدا، عادت سيناء لمصر على طريقة الذي أعادوا له قدما وأخذوا عينيه، وبدا كأن الاحتلال العسكري الإسرائيلي لسيناء زال، بينما الاحتلال السياسي الأمريكي للقاهرة بدأ، بدت مصر رهينة لأوامر السياسة الأمريكية في القاهرة، ورهينة لحد السلاح الإسرائيلي بظلاله على سيناء، وبدا الرئيس المصري السابق بإقامته غالب الوقت في شرم الشيخ، أي في المنطقة منزوعة السلاح المصري بالكامل، وكأنه لاجئ لحماية إسرائيل، وهارب من حساب المصريين.
وإلى الآن، وبعد مرور أسابيع على خلع مبارك رجل إسرائيل المفضل، لا يبدو من انقلاب جوهري قد حدث، فلا يزال القيد الموروث في معصم مصر، وربما يظل القيد ضاغطا لمدى مفتوح، وبالتوازي مع ما يجري في القاهرة، فالسلطة الآن للمجلس العسكري، وإلى أن تنتهي فترة الانتقال إلى حكم مدني ديمقراطي، لكن المجلس العسكري ـ رغم ملابسات مقلقة ـ لا يبدو مستعدا لخدمة إسرائيل كما كان مبارك، واستجاب بسرعة لنداءات إعادة فتح معبر رفح لفك حصار الفلسطينيين، وإن كان الفتح لا يزال جزئيا، وليس كاملا ودائما، كما يطالب الوطنيون المصريون، وفي قضية تصدير الغاز المصري لإسرائيل، بدا المجلس العسكري أقل مبالاة بمخاوف إسرائيل، فقد هرب ملياردير تصدير الغاز حسين سالم المقرب من مبارك، وصدر قرار بضبطه وإحضاره وتقديمه للمحاكمة، وأوقف تصدير الغاز لأجل غير مسمى، ثم جرت معركة ذات طابع رمزي لا يخفى، تمثلت في دواعي قرار السماح من عدمه بعبور سفينتين حربيتين إيرانيتين لقناة السويس إلى ميناء طرطوس السوري، وظهرت كثافة الضغوط الأمريكية والإسرائيلية لمنع العبور، لكن المجلس العسكري قرر إعطاء الإذن بالعبور في النهاية، ووضع مبدأ السيادة الوطنية المصرية فوق اعتبارات التجاوب مع رغبات تل أبيب وواشنطن .
نعم، تبدو الخطوات صغيرة من زاوية نظر الوطنية المصرية، وربما تقبل الانتكاس والتعثر، لكن الاتجاه العام لتيار الحوادث في مصر له دلالة لا تخفى، وبالنسبة لإسرائيل بالذات، فإن الخسارة تبدو مؤكدة، والسبب ظاهر، فمع انفتاح الحياة السياسية المصرية، وفسح المجال لحرية تكوين الأحزاب والنقابات والجمعيات، واسترداد حريات التظاهر والاعتصام والإضراب السلمي، والاتجاه لانتخابات حرة بعد نهاية الفترة الانتقالية، فسوف يزيد الالتفات إلى تشوهات العلاقة مع إسرائيل، وسوف تدخل القيود المترتبة على ما يسمى معاهدة السلام إلى ساحة الجدل السياسي والانتخابي الساخن، وبصرف النظر عن وجود اتجاهات ليبرالية 'مارينزية' الهوى، لا تريد فتح ملف العلاقة مع إسرائيل، وتريد أن تتخفى بعداوتها الظاهرة لعروبة مصر، رغم وجود هذه الاتجاهات، وأغلبها مجرد ثمرة مرة للاختراق والتمويل الأجنبي والأمريكي بالذات، ومسنودة بمليارديرات المعونة الأمريكية، رغم وجود هذه الاتجاهات والاختراقات، فإن تأثيرها الإجمالي العام يبدو محدودا، ولا يقارن ـ في الوزن والتأثير ـ بالتيارات الإسلامية والناصرية والقومية واليسارية والليبرالية الوطنية، فثمة إجماع وطني ـ شبه كامل ـ على رفض الآثار المترتبة على كامب ديفيد، وبين المرشحين المحتملين للرئاسة، لا يوجد سوى شخص واحد ـ هو محمد البرادعي ـ تحوطه علامات استفهام بالخصوص، فقد تجنب على الدوام أي سؤال عن مصير ما يسمى معاهدة السلام، وعن علاقات التبعية لأمريكا، ويكتفي بهمهمات وطنية عامة، أو بالحديث عن سلم أولويات ديمقراطي، وصحيح أن قضية الديمقراطية ملحة وعاجلة، لكن الكسب الديمقراطي ـ بذاته ـ يفسح المجال لقضية مصر الوطنية، فمصر بلد عربي وحيد المثال، هي البلد العربي الوحيد الذي تكون قضيته الذاتية هي قضية القومية العربية بامتياز، ولو لم تكن القومية العربية موجودة فرضا، لخلقتها الوطنية المصرية خلقا، وفلسطين ـ في الضمير العام ـ هي قضية وطنية مصرية، ووجود إسرائيل في ذاته أعظم خطر على الوجود المصري في ذاته، وكلما أعادت مصر اكتشاف نفسها، نطقت بالعربية الأفصح، وبالذات مع حوادث التاريخ وقوارعه الكبرى، وقد كانت الثورة الشعبية المصرية المتصلة فصولها هي حادث التاريخ المدوي، بعد ثلاثين سنة من الانحطاط التاريخي، والاغتراب عن مشهد العالم، وعن سباق العصر، وزحام أممه .
والمحصلة تبدو على النحو التالي، فقد افتتحت ثورة مصر عصرا جديدا، أخذت قبسا من الشرارة التونسية، لكن النيران حين سرت في مصر، فقد تحولت إلى زلزال استراتيجي، وتوالت ثورات عربية على 'الموديل' المصري، بشعاره العبقري العفوي 'الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام'، جرى الزلزال في مصر، وتوالت توابعه وأصداؤه مشرقا ومغربا، من اليمن إلى ليبيا، ومن العراق إلى الجزائر، ومن الأردن إلى سلطنة عمان، ومن البحرين إلى المغرب، بدت الثورات ديمقراطية في شعاراتها المباشرة، لكنها ـ تحت السطح المباشر ـ ثورات لاستعادة الكرامة للأوطان، وعلى حساب تفكيك الأوثان، وصحيح أن المخاطر واردة، ومساعي الالتفاف جارية، والمحاولات الأمريكية متصلة للاحتواء بعد المفاجأة الصاعقة، وفي مصر تبذل الإدارة الأمريكية جهودا مضاعفة للاحتواء، وتحاول التخفي بوجهها القبيح، وتمزج إغراءات المعونات مع ادعاءات التعاطف، لكن المجرى الرئيسي لحركة التاريخ يتفهم الحقائق بتلقائية مدهشة، ويدرك أن 'ثورة الكرامة' تتناقض في الجوهر مع الاحتلال الأمريكي للقرار السياسي المصري، وقد تحاول أمريكا أن تخفف من حساب الخسائر، لكنها ـ على الأغلب ـ لن تبلغ المراد بالضبط، فالشعور الشعبي المصري جارف في قضية العداء لإسرائيل، واندماج أمريكا الاستراتيجي مع إسرائيل يرشحها إلى مزيد من الخسارة، وصحيح أن المجلس العسكري أعلن احترامه للاتفاقيات والمعاهدات الدولية، وقصد إرسال إشارة اطمئنان بصدد مصير ما يسمى 'معاهدة السلام' وهو ما يفعله في العادة أي نظام يعقب ثورة، لكن المجلس العسكري مجرد وكيل مؤقت، ونائب مؤقت عن الأصيل الذي هو ثورة الشعب المصري، وحين تنفك مصر من قيودها، وهي تنزعها الآن، فسوف يكون مصير معاهدة السلام على المحك، وبواحد من طريقتين في ما نرجح، إما أن تطرح القيود المترتبة على المعاهدة لاستفتاء شعبي عام، كما يطالب الناصريون والإسلاميون، وإما أن يجري القفز على المعاهدة نفسها، وبناء نسق جديد من التفاعلات في السياسة المصرية، يسقط أولوية إسرائيل في الحساب، ويعيد فلسطين إلى الصدارة كقضية مركزية للأمة، وقضية مركزية للوجود المصري في ذاته .
يبقى أننا لا نغفل خطورة اختراقات أمريكية وإسرائيلية واسعة في مصر عبر ثلاثين سنة، ربما الجديد أن اكتساح الاختراق وارد جدا، وبقوة دفع ثورة شعبية عظمى، تعيد النجوم لمدارتها، وتعيد مصر للمصريين، وتستعيد مصرية مصر التي هي ذاتها عروبة مصر."
عبد الحليم قنديل
"إسرائيل هي الخاسر الأعظم في مصر بعد ثورتها الشعبية العظمى، فقد كان الرئيس المخلوع مبارك ـ بتعبير بنيامين بن أليعازر ـ أعظم كنز استراتيجي لإسرائيل، وقد فقدت إسرائيل كنزها الاستراتيجي .
لا نعني ـ بالطبع ـ أن مصر الجديدة سوف تحارب إسرائيل في المدى الأقرب، بل نعني ـ بالدقة ـ أن مصر من الآن سوف تكف عن الحرب إلى جوار إسرائيل، وسوف تنهي عار المشاركة المصرية في دعم المجهود الحربي الإسرائيلي، وسوف تدخل علاقات السلام 'إياه' إلى نفق أزمة مستحكمة الحلقات .
لا نهون ـ بالطبع ـ من فداحة ما جرى عبر ثلاثين سنة مضت، ومنذ أن بدأ تنفيذ ما يسمى 'معاهدة السلام المصرية الإسرائيلية'، فقد جرى نزع سلاح سيناء إلى عمق 150 كيلومترا، ثم جاءت المعونة الأمريكية الضامنة، فنزعت سيادة قرار السياسة والاقتصاد في القاهرة، وتكون خطان للحدود المصرية، أحدهما عند خط قناة السويس بسيادة عسكرية كاملة، والآخر عند خط الحدود المصرية مع فلسطين المحتلة، وبسيادة منقوصة ثم منزوعة السلاح، وفي الفراغ الواسع المتدرج بين الخطين، بدت السيادة المصرية اسمية، وبدت سيناء كأنها عادت إلى مصر بطريقة مخاتلة جدا، عادت سيناء لمصر على طريقة الذي أعادوا له قدما وأخذوا عينيه، وبدا كأن الاحتلال العسكري الإسرائيلي لسيناء زال، بينما الاحتلال السياسي الأمريكي للقاهرة بدأ، بدت مصر رهينة لأوامر السياسة الأمريكية في القاهرة، ورهينة لحد السلاح الإسرائيلي بظلاله على سيناء، وبدا الرئيس المصري السابق بإقامته غالب الوقت في شرم الشيخ، أي في المنطقة منزوعة السلاح المصري بالكامل، وكأنه لاجئ لحماية إسرائيل، وهارب من حساب المصريين.
وإلى الآن، وبعد مرور أسابيع على خلع مبارك رجل إسرائيل المفضل، لا يبدو من انقلاب جوهري قد حدث، فلا يزال القيد الموروث في معصم مصر، وربما يظل القيد ضاغطا لمدى مفتوح، وبالتوازي مع ما يجري في القاهرة، فالسلطة الآن للمجلس العسكري، وإلى أن تنتهي فترة الانتقال إلى حكم مدني ديمقراطي، لكن المجلس العسكري ـ رغم ملابسات مقلقة ـ لا يبدو مستعدا لخدمة إسرائيل كما كان مبارك، واستجاب بسرعة لنداءات إعادة فتح معبر رفح لفك حصار الفلسطينيين، وإن كان الفتح لا يزال جزئيا، وليس كاملا ودائما، كما يطالب الوطنيون المصريون، وفي قضية تصدير الغاز المصري لإسرائيل، بدا المجلس العسكري أقل مبالاة بمخاوف إسرائيل، فقد هرب ملياردير تصدير الغاز حسين سالم المقرب من مبارك، وصدر قرار بضبطه وإحضاره وتقديمه للمحاكمة، وأوقف تصدير الغاز لأجل غير مسمى، ثم جرت معركة ذات طابع رمزي لا يخفى، تمثلت في دواعي قرار السماح من عدمه بعبور سفينتين حربيتين إيرانيتين لقناة السويس إلى ميناء طرطوس السوري، وظهرت كثافة الضغوط الأمريكية والإسرائيلية لمنع العبور، لكن المجلس العسكري قرر إعطاء الإذن بالعبور في النهاية، ووضع مبدأ السيادة الوطنية المصرية فوق اعتبارات التجاوب مع رغبات تل أبيب وواشنطن .
نعم، تبدو الخطوات صغيرة من زاوية نظر الوطنية المصرية، وربما تقبل الانتكاس والتعثر، لكن الاتجاه العام لتيار الحوادث في مصر له دلالة لا تخفى، وبالنسبة لإسرائيل بالذات، فإن الخسارة تبدو مؤكدة، والسبب ظاهر، فمع انفتاح الحياة السياسية المصرية، وفسح المجال لحرية تكوين الأحزاب والنقابات والجمعيات، واسترداد حريات التظاهر والاعتصام والإضراب السلمي، والاتجاه لانتخابات حرة بعد نهاية الفترة الانتقالية، فسوف يزيد الالتفات إلى تشوهات العلاقة مع إسرائيل، وسوف تدخل القيود المترتبة على ما يسمى معاهدة السلام إلى ساحة الجدل السياسي والانتخابي الساخن، وبصرف النظر عن وجود اتجاهات ليبرالية 'مارينزية' الهوى، لا تريد فتح ملف العلاقة مع إسرائيل، وتريد أن تتخفى بعداوتها الظاهرة لعروبة مصر، رغم وجود هذه الاتجاهات، وأغلبها مجرد ثمرة مرة للاختراق والتمويل الأجنبي والأمريكي بالذات، ومسنودة بمليارديرات المعونة الأمريكية، رغم وجود هذه الاتجاهات والاختراقات، فإن تأثيرها الإجمالي العام يبدو محدودا، ولا يقارن ـ في الوزن والتأثير ـ بالتيارات الإسلامية والناصرية والقومية واليسارية والليبرالية الوطنية، فثمة إجماع وطني ـ شبه كامل ـ على رفض الآثار المترتبة على كامب ديفيد، وبين المرشحين المحتملين للرئاسة، لا يوجد سوى شخص واحد ـ هو محمد البرادعي ـ تحوطه علامات استفهام بالخصوص، فقد تجنب على الدوام أي سؤال عن مصير ما يسمى معاهدة السلام، وعن علاقات التبعية لأمريكا، ويكتفي بهمهمات وطنية عامة، أو بالحديث عن سلم أولويات ديمقراطي، وصحيح أن قضية الديمقراطية ملحة وعاجلة، لكن الكسب الديمقراطي ـ بذاته ـ يفسح المجال لقضية مصر الوطنية، فمصر بلد عربي وحيد المثال، هي البلد العربي الوحيد الذي تكون قضيته الذاتية هي قضية القومية العربية بامتياز، ولو لم تكن القومية العربية موجودة فرضا، لخلقتها الوطنية المصرية خلقا، وفلسطين ـ في الضمير العام ـ هي قضية وطنية مصرية، ووجود إسرائيل في ذاته أعظم خطر على الوجود المصري في ذاته، وكلما أعادت مصر اكتشاف نفسها، نطقت بالعربية الأفصح، وبالذات مع حوادث التاريخ وقوارعه الكبرى، وقد كانت الثورة الشعبية المصرية المتصلة فصولها هي حادث التاريخ المدوي، بعد ثلاثين سنة من الانحطاط التاريخي، والاغتراب عن مشهد العالم، وعن سباق العصر، وزحام أممه .
والمحصلة تبدو على النحو التالي، فقد افتتحت ثورة مصر عصرا جديدا، أخذت قبسا من الشرارة التونسية، لكن النيران حين سرت في مصر، فقد تحولت إلى زلزال استراتيجي، وتوالت ثورات عربية على 'الموديل' المصري، بشعاره العبقري العفوي 'الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام'، جرى الزلزال في مصر، وتوالت توابعه وأصداؤه مشرقا ومغربا، من اليمن إلى ليبيا، ومن العراق إلى الجزائر، ومن الأردن إلى سلطنة عمان، ومن البحرين إلى المغرب، بدت الثورات ديمقراطية في شعاراتها المباشرة، لكنها ـ تحت السطح المباشر ـ ثورات لاستعادة الكرامة للأوطان، وعلى حساب تفكيك الأوثان، وصحيح أن المخاطر واردة، ومساعي الالتفاف جارية، والمحاولات الأمريكية متصلة للاحتواء بعد المفاجأة الصاعقة، وفي مصر تبذل الإدارة الأمريكية جهودا مضاعفة للاحتواء، وتحاول التخفي بوجهها القبيح، وتمزج إغراءات المعونات مع ادعاءات التعاطف، لكن المجرى الرئيسي لحركة التاريخ يتفهم الحقائق بتلقائية مدهشة، ويدرك أن 'ثورة الكرامة' تتناقض في الجوهر مع الاحتلال الأمريكي للقرار السياسي المصري، وقد تحاول أمريكا أن تخفف من حساب الخسائر، لكنها ـ على الأغلب ـ لن تبلغ المراد بالضبط، فالشعور الشعبي المصري جارف في قضية العداء لإسرائيل، واندماج أمريكا الاستراتيجي مع إسرائيل يرشحها إلى مزيد من الخسارة، وصحيح أن المجلس العسكري أعلن احترامه للاتفاقيات والمعاهدات الدولية، وقصد إرسال إشارة اطمئنان بصدد مصير ما يسمى 'معاهدة السلام' وهو ما يفعله في العادة أي نظام يعقب ثورة، لكن المجلس العسكري مجرد وكيل مؤقت، ونائب مؤقت عن الأصيل الذي هو ثورة الشعب المصري، وحين تنفك مصر من قيودها، وهي تنزعها الآن، فسوف يكون مصير معاهدة السلام على المحك، وبواحد من طريقتين في ما نرجح، إما أن تطرح القيود المترتبة على المعاهدة لاستفتاء شعبي عام، كما يطالب الناصريون والإسلاميون، وإما أن يجري القفز على المعاهدة نفسها، وبناء نسق جديد من التفاعلات في السياسة المصرية، يسقط أولوية إسرائيل في الحساب، ويعيد فلسطين إلى الصدارة كقضية مركزية للأمة، وقضية مركزية للوجود المصري في ذاته .
يبقى أننا لا نغفل خطورة اختراقات أمريكية وإسرائيلية واسعة في مصر عبر ثلاثين سنة، ربما الجديد أن اكتساح الاختراق وارد جدا، وبقوة دفع ثورة شعبية عظمى، تعيد النجوم لمدارتها، وتعيد مصر للمصريين، وتستعيد مصرية مصر التي هي ذاتها عروبة مصر."
Brits Bollix Benghazi Caper
'Diplomacy' or deception in the desert?
by Justin Raimondo, March 07, 2011
"As the usual suspects started howling for Western intervention in the Libyan revolution – in the name of “humanitarianism,” of course – the objects of their concern made it clear they didn’t want or need any such “help.”
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates was right on the mark when he described this howling as nothing but “loose talk” – and just how loose was dramatized by the dispatch of a British Special Forces team to Eastern Libya, a move that backfired badly. The Libyan rebels made their point by detaining the team, whose ostensible mission, as described by Western media, was to “escort a junior diplomat” to “reach out” to the Libyan rebels. They were discovered in the Eastern part of the country, which is held by the rebels, and brought to Benghazi – where they were promptly clapped in jail. After holding them for some 24 hours, the rebels sent them packing.
As the embarrassing incident came to light, British Foreign Secretary William Hague sought to rationalize his government’s rash action....
The hilarity ends, however, with the realization that this dubious “diplomatic” mission will have some real-world consequences, the first being that Gadhafi will use this incident to do what all tyrants do when their rule is challenged: point to a dreaded foreign threat to justify the continuation of their onerous rule. The Gadhafi clique has maintained from the very beginning that the rebellion is the result of a foreign “conspiracy” consisting of Washington, Al-Qaeda, and the purveyors of “hallucinogenic drugs.” To this rather disparate rogues gallery they can now add the Brits, giving the germ of credibility to Gadhafi’s somewhat LaRouchian paranoia – and prolonging the civil war that is tearing the country apart......"
by Justin Raimondo, March 07, 2011
"As the usual suspects started howling for Western intervention in the Libyan revolution – in the name of “humanitarianism,” of course – the objects of their concern made it clear they didn’t want or need any such “help.”
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates was right on the mark when he described this howling as nothing but “loose talk” – and just how loose was dramatized by the dispatch of a British Special Forces team to Eastern Libya, a move that backfired badly. The Libyan rebels made their point by detaining the team, whose ostensible mission, as described by Western media, was to “escort a junior diplomat” to “reach out” to the Libyan rebels. They were discovered in the Eastern part of the country, which is held by the rebels, and brought to Benghazi – where they were promptly clapped in jail. After holding them for some 24 hours, the rebels sent them packing.
As the embarrassing incident came to light, British Foreign Secretary William Hague sought to rationalize his government’s rash action....
The hilarity ends, however, with the realization that this dubious “diplomatic” mission will have some real-world consequences, the first being that Gadhafi will use this incident to do what all tyrants do when their rule is challenged: point to a dreaded foreign threat to justify the continuation of their onerous rule. The Gadhafi clique has maintained from the very beginning that the rebellion is the result of a foreign “conspiracy” consisting of Washington, Al-Qaeda, and the purveyors of “hallucinogenic drugs.” To this rather disparate rogues gallery they can now add the Brits, giving the germ of credibility to Gadhafi’s somewhat LaRouchian paranoia – and prolonging the civil war that is tearing the country apart......"
Fly me a Tuareg on time
By Pepe Escobar
Asia Times
"With most of Libya's tribes united against Muammar Gaddafi, Algeria is reportedly instrumental in getting mercenaries from Niger and Chad to his side. After Gaddafi propped up their rebellions for decades, nomadic Tuaregs appear to be making the grueling trip overland, organized by a former rebel commander now in Libya and lured by petrodollar-fueled pay....."
Asia Times
"With most of Libya's tribes united against Muammar Gaddafi, Algeria is reportedly instrumental in getting mercenaries from Niger and Chad to his side. After Gaddafi propped up their rebellions for decades, nomadic Tuaregs appear to be making the grueling trip overland, organized by a former rebel commander now in Libya and lured by petrodollar-fueled pay....."
Will Saudi be the next to rise up?
By Jody McIntyre
The Independent
"It is strange to read in the news that the Saudi monarchy has “banned” demonstrations; as if such demonstrations were allowed in the first place. Nevertheless, small protests in the east of Saudi Arabia do signal a change. With March 11th being ear-marked as a ‘day of rage’, thousands of security forces are being sent to the region to suppress any potential uprising.
The focus has shifted away from Egypt since the fall of ex-President Hosni Mubarak, but, from yesterday’s events, it is clear that his toppling was only the beginning of an Egyptian revolution. On Saturday, Egyptian activists stormed state security buildings in Cairo and Alexandria, including the secret police’s main headquarters in northern Cairo’s Nasr City neighbourhood, in a bid to recover documents detailing torture, interrogation and human rights abuses of all manners under thirty years of the Mubarak regime.
The people in Egypt have lost their fear. The army tried to get them to leave the buildings, but did not use force; they know that a change has happened in their country, and they cannot suppress the people’s will any longer.....
We should take inspiration from the determination and directness of the Egyptian demonstrators. They protested for hours outside the headquarters, before taking matters into their own hands and storming the building. They found huge bags full of shredded documents; evidence of an attempted cover-up by the remnants of the regime.
Mubarak’s fall must set a precedent, not count as an exception. All sections of the regime guilty of committing crimes must be brought to justice. And the Egyptian activists must send a message to regimes across the region; you will not get away with oppressing us, the people, forever.......
It is difficult to be optimistic, especially when the Saudi monarchy can fall back on handing out $37 billion in “benefits” to citizens in an attempt to appease unrest, but then again, I would not have imagined seeing a day when the headquarters of the secret police in Cairo were taken over by ordinary people. Stranger things have happened."
The Independent
"It is strange to read in the news that the Saudi monarchy has “banned” demonstrations; as if such demonstrations were allowed in the first place. Nevertheless, small protests in the east of Saudi Arabia do signal a change. With March 11th being ear-marked as a ‘day of rage’, thousands of security forces are being sent to the region to suppress any potential uprising.
The focus has shifted away from Egypt since the fall of ex-President Hosni Mubarak, but, from yesterday’s events, it is clear that his toppling was only the beginning of an Egyptian revolution. On Saturday, Egyptian activists stormed state security buildings in Cairo and Alexandria, including the secret police’s main headquarters in northern Cairo’s Nasr City neighbourhood, in a bid to recover documents detailing torture, interrogation and human rights abuses of all manners under thirty years of the Mubarak regime.
The people in Egypt have lost their fear. The army tried to get them to leave the buildings, but did not use force; they know that a change has happened in their country, and they cannot suppress the people’s will any longer.....
We should take inspiration from the determination and directness of the Egyptian demonstrators. They protested for hours outside the headquarters, before taking matters into their own hands and storming the building. They found huge bags full of shredded documents; evidence of an attempted cover-up by the remnants of the regime.
Mubarak’s fall must set a precedent, not count as an exception. All sections of the regime guilty of committing crimes must be brought to justice. And the Egyptian activists must send a message to regimes across the region; you will not get away with oppressing us, the people, forever.......
It is difficult to be optimistic, especially when the Saudi monarchy can fall back on handing out $37 billion in “benefits” to citizens in an attempt to appease unrest, but then again, I would not have imagined seeing a day when the headquarters of the secret police in Cairo were taken over by ordinary people. Stranger things have happened."
UK and Libya: Fumbling in the desert
Britain is misjudging what is unfolding in the Middle East
A GOOD Editorial
The Guardian, Monday 7 March 2011
"David Cameron is not having a good Arab revolution. He was the first world leader to visit Egypt and Tahrir Square after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, which is good. But on the same Middle Eastern tour he took with him eight defence firms peddling military equipment, which is to misjudge the nature of events in the region badly....Then came his comments about a no-fly zone over Libya, which were initially greeted with less than the customary enthusiasm by people – such as the US defence secretary, Robert Gates....
And now there is another fiasco which highlights this government's fumbling in the desert. Hardly had news come out that Britain was to send experts into eastern Libya, to give military advice and make contact with opposition leaders, than it emerged that a British intelligence and special forces unit had been caught by the opposition with espionage equipment, multiple passports and weapons. As a senior member of Benghazi's revolutionary council told this newspaper: "This is no way to conduct yourself during an uprising.".........
.....The moral strength of the Libyan rebels and their political claim to represent the true voice of the people both rest partly on the fact that, like the Egyptians and the Tunisians, they have come this far alone. The revolt is theirs, they are no one else's proxy, and the struggle is about ending tyranny rather than searching for new masters. Even if Gaddafi's forces succeed in checking the advance of rebel forces, and the civil war becomes protracted, it is the home-grown nature of this revolt that contains the ultimate seeds of the destruction of Gaddafi's regime. Thus far, it is Gaddafi and his sons who have had to import hired guns from abroad.
In Egypt, events are happening which in the long run are just as important as the battles taking place in Libya. The revolution is deepening. It has succeeded in ousting first Mubarak, then the prime minister appointed as a transition figure, and installing one of their own, Essam Sharaf, to the post. The ruling military council yesterday replaced the ministers of the interior, foreign affairs and justice. The reform of the interior ministry's hated security services was one of the major demands of the protesters, and the release of their secret files will be just as important as the Stasi files were in the dismantling of that organisation. The revolution in Tahrir Square may now have reached a point of no return, where it can not be undone. This is a real achievement which will empower a new generation of Arabs. This, too, requires western recognition and support."
A GOOD Editorial
The Guardian, Monday 7 March 2011
"David Cameron is not having a good Arab revolution. He was the first world leader to visit Egypt and Tahrir Square after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, which is good. But on the same Middle Eastern tour he took with him eight defence firms peddling military equipment, which is to misjudge the nature of events in the region badly....Then came his comments about a no-fly zone over Libya, which were initially greeted with less than the customary enthusiasm by people – such as the US defence secretary, Robert Gates....
And now there is another fiasco which highlights this government's fumbling in the desert. Hardly had news come out that Britain was to send experts into eastern Libya, to give military advice and make contact with opposition leaders, than it emerged that a British intelligence and special forces unit had been caught by the opposition with espionage equipment, multiple passports and weapons. As a senior member of Benghazi's revolutionary council told this newspaper: "This is no way to conduct yourself during an uprising.".........
.....The moral strength of the Libyan rebels and their political claim to represent the true voice of the people both rest partly on the fact that, like the Egyptians and the Tunisians, they have come this far alone. The revolt is theirs, they are no one else's proxy, and the struggle is about ending tyranny rather than searching for new masters. Even if Gaddafi's forces succeed in checking the advance of rebel forces, and the civil war becomes protracted, it is the home-grown nature of this revolt that contains the ultimate seeds of the destruction of Gaddafi's regime. Thus far, it is Gaddafi and his sons who have had to import hired guns from abroad.
In Egypt, events are happening which in the long run are just as important as the battles taking place in Libya. The revolution is deepening. It has succeeded in ousting first Mubarak, then the prime minister appointed as a transition figure, and installing one of their own, Essam Sharaf, to the post. The ruling military council yesterday replaced the ministers of the interior, foreign affairs and justice. The reform of the interior ministry's hated security services was one of the major demands of the protesters, and the release of their secret files will be just as important as the Stasi files were in the dismantling of that organisation. The revolution in Tahrir Square may now have reached a point of no return, where it can not be undone. This is a real achievement which will empower a new generation of Arabs. This, too, requires western recognition and support."
Libya and the folly of intervention
After turning a blind eye to Gaddafi's violent rule, the West has no legitimacy to enforce a no-fly zone.
Sami Hermez
Al-Jazeera
"Calls for international intervention to end the conflict in Libya have come from across the political spectrum and have even included Libyan voices, such as the country's delegation to the United Nations.
These calls, especially on the part of Libyans, are surely motivated by a belief that the international community, with all its power, must have some tools at its disposal to put real pressure on Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi to cease the bloodshed and step down as the country's leader.
However, some calls for international engagement with the Libyan conflict have also been motivated by a disingenuous desire to reassert US leadership in the world.
To the extent that these intentions are the guiding light, the international community’s interventionist policy, including the recently passed UN Security Council Resolution 1970 imposing sanctions on Libya, is dangerous, misguided and irresponsible.....
Conclusion
Unfortunately, it appears that national interests and opportunism, rather than altruism and humanitarianism, are guiding Western governments and the international community's response to the conflict inside Libya.
Under the guise of protecting human rights, the international community, with the United States at its helm, seems eager to redeem its image by capitalising on the revolutionary spirit now sweeping the Arab world, and to position itself as the savior of Libya in the hopes of securing the allegiance of any future government.
Yet, the major global powers dominating the UN Security Council have spent years delegitimising the role of the international community, thereby foreclosing effective forms of intervention at the Libyan people’s hour of need.
At the same time, there are influential voices from inside Libya who have warned against international intervention, such as the former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul-Jalil who has been appointed to lead an interim national government out of Benghazi.
As such, the Libyan opposition seems quite aware of the politics behind the international community’s interventionism, and one can only hope that it is able to reject any Western or international interference that may co-opt the people’s power."
Sami Hermez
Al-Jazeera
"Calls for international intervention to end the conflict in Libya have come from across the political spectrum and have even included Libyan voices, such as the country's delegation to the United Nations.
These calls, especially on the part of Libyans, are surely motivated by a belief that the international community, with all its power, must have some tools at its disposal to put real pressure on Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi to cease the bloodshed and step down as the country's leader.
However, some calls for international engagement with the Libyan conflict have also been motivated by a disingenuous desire to reassert US leadership in the world.
To the extent that these intentions are the guiding light, the international community’s interventionist policy, including the recently passed UN Security Council Resolution 1970 imposing sanctions on Libya, is dangerous, misguided and irresponsible.....
Conclusion
Unfortunately, it appears that national interests and opportunism, rather than altruism and humanitarianism, are guiding Western governments and the international community's response to the conflict inside Libya.
Under the guise of protecting human rights, the international community, with the United States at its helm, seems eager to redeem its image by capitalising on the revolutionary spirit now sweeping the Arab world, and to position itself as the savior of Libya in the hopes of securing the allegiance of any future government.
Yet, the major global powers dominating the UN Security Council have spent years delegitimising the role of the international community, thereby foreclosing effective forms of intervention at the Libyan people’s hour of need.
At the same time, there are influential voices from inside Libya who have warned against international intervention, such as the former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul-Jalil who has been appointed to lead an interim national government out of Benghazi.
As such, the Libyan opposition seems quite aware of the politics behind the international community’s interventionism, and one can only hope that it is able to reject any Western or international interference that may co-opt the people’s power."
The most relevant poem of our times! Abul Qasem Ash Shabi's 'If, one day, the people wanted to live' beautifully sung
نشيد إذا الشعبُ - اهداء لكل شعوب العالم الحره.. " جديد "
للمنشد السعودي
صالح اليامي
كلمات :
الشاعر التونسي أبو القاسم الشابي
- بتصرف -
ألحان :
صالح اليامي
للمنشد السعودي
صالح اليامي
كلمات :
الشاعر التونسي أبو القاسم الشابي
- بتصرف -
ألحان :
صالح اليامي
Al-Jazeera Video: Inside Story - Egypt's state security
With Hossam El-Hamalawy
Hossam, as usual, is great in this program.
"Three weeks after President Hosni Mubarak's ousting, Egyptians are turning their anger towards his internal security apparatus. Why is the Egyptian security apparatus so feared and hated? And what role could it play in the new post-revolution Egypt?"
Hossam, as usual, is great in this program.
"Three weeks after President Hosni Mubarak's ousting, Egyptians are turning their anger towards his internal security apparatus. Why is the Egyptian security apparatus so feared and hated? And what role could it play in the new post-revolution Egypt?"
Al-Jazeera Video: Rebels fight for Libya's Ras Lanuf
"Libyan troops troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi launched counteroffensive attacks against a number of rebel-held towns yesterday as the uprising intensified into open warfare.
In Libya's Ras Lanuf, which is home to an important oil refinery, the fighting has been particularly heavy, rebels there say the town remains in their hands.
Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland is there and has been talking to the rebels."
Al-Jazeera Video: "Non-stop" gunfire in Libya's capital
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Israel To Sue Bedouin Villagers For Cost Of Demolition
The Alternative Information Center reports that Israel plans to sue the residents of al-Arakib, a Bedouin village in the Negev desert, for the costs of demolishing their homes.
Al-Arakib has been demolished 18 times in the past year by the JNF and security forces. It is reported that the State Attorney's Office is preparing to sue the residents for the costs of these demolitions, which are estimated to exceed NIS 1 million. The village is not recognized by the Israeli state and has been fighting an ongoing battle for recognition since the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Mubarak regime Saved Israel Billions of dollars
America's secret plan to arm Libya's rebels
Obama asks Saudis to airlift weapons into Benghazi
AN EXPLOSIVE STORY!!!
By Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent
"Desperate to avoid US military involvement in Libya in the event of a prolonged struggle between the Gaddafi regime and its opponents, the Americans have asked Saudi Arabia if it can supply weapons to the rebels in Benghazi. The Saudi Kingdom, already facing a "day of rage" from its 10 per cent Shia Muslim community on Friday, with a ban on all demonstrations, has so far failed to respond to Washington's highly classified request, although King Abdullah personally loathes the Libyan leader, who tried to assassinate him just over a year ago.
Washington's request is in line with other US military co-operation with the Saudis. The royal family in Jeddah, which was deeply involved in the Contra scandal during the Reagan administration, gave immediate support to American efforts to arm guerrillas fighting the Soviet army in Afghanistan in 1980 and later – to America's chagrin – also funded and armed the Taliban.
But the Saudis remain the only US Arab ally strategically placed and capable of furnishing weapons to the guerrillas of Libya. Their assistance would allow Washington to disclaim any military involvement in the supply chain – even though the arms would be American and paid for by the Saudis.
The Saudis have been told that opponents of Gaddafi need anti-tank rockets and mortars as a first priority to hold off attacks by Gaddafi's armour, and ground-to-air missiles to shoot down his fighter-bombers.
Supplies could reach Benghazi within 48 hours but they would need to be delivered to air bases in Libya or to Benghazi airport. If the guerrillas can then go on to the offensive and assault Gaddafi's strongholds in western Libya, the political pressure on America and Nato – not least from Republican members of Congress – to establish a no-fly zone would be reduced.......
If the Saudi government accedes to America's request to send guns and missiles to Libyan rebels, however, it would be almost impossible for President Barack Obama to condemn the kingdom for any violence against the Shias of the north-east provinces.
Thus has the Arab awakening, the demand for democracy in North Africa, the Shia revolt and the rising against Gaddafi become entangled in the space of just a few hours with US military priorities in the region."
AN EXPLOSIVE STORY!!!
By Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent
"Desperate to avoid US military involvement in Libya in the event of a prolonged struggle between the Gaddafi regime and its opponents, the Americans have asked Saudi Arabia if it can supply weapons to the rebels in Benghazi. The Saudi Kingdom, already facing a "day of rage" from its 10 per cent Shia Muslim community on Friday, with a ban on all demonstrations, has so far failed to respond to Washington's highly classified request, although King Abdullah personally loathes the Libyan leader, who tried to assassinate him just over a year ago.
Washington's request is in line with other US military co-operation with the Saudis. The royal family in Jeddah, which was deeply involved in the Contra scandal during the Reagan administration, gave immediate support to American efforts to arm guerrillas fighting the Soviet army in Afghanistan in 1980 and later – to America's chagrin – also funded and armed the Taliban.
But the Saudis remain the only US Arab ally strategically placed and capable of furnishing weapons to the guerrillas of Libya. Their assistance would allow Washington to disclaim any military involvement in the supply chain – even though the arms would be American and paid for by the Saudis.
The Saudis have been told that opponents of Gaddafi need anti-tank rockets and mortars as a first priority to hold off attacks by Gaddafi's armour, and ground-to-air missiles to shoot down his fighter-bombers.
Supplies could reach Benghazi within 48 hours but they would need to be delivered to air bases in Libya or to Benghazi airport. If the guerrillas can then go on to the offensive and assault Gaddafi's strongholds in western Libya, the political pressure on America and Nato – not least from Republican members of Congress – to establish a no-fly zone would be reduced.......
If the Saudi government accedes to America's request to send guns and missiles to Libyan rebels, however, it would be almost impossible for President Barack Obama to condemn the kingdom for any violence against the Shias of the north-east provinces.
Thus has the Arab awakening, the demand for democracy in North Africa, the Shia revolt and the rising against Gaddafi become entangled in the space of just a few hours with US military priorities in the region."
A New Egypt, a New Me
By Khaled Beydoun
We are not your terrorists – we are revolutionaries. Children of modest means who circulate in squares, chanting in unison for a dream deferred. Youth marching in concert, a human spectrum vibrant with hues of poor and rich, Muslim and Christian, man and woman.
We are not your terrorists – we are revolutionaries. Mothers yearning for their rights while their sons burn, and ignite, a rebellion of jasmine felt beyond their sight. Christians standing as Mosque sentries assuring prayers’ not harmed, and denying evil an entry.
We are not your terrorists – we are revolutionaries. Waving banners of dignity and our flags of hope. Dodging stones of oppression, bullets coated with fear, while dangers still looms, our freedom is near.
We are not your terrorists – we are revolutionaries. A Diaspora of dreamers, my liberty your efforts will earn. You lived vicariously through me, today it is my turn.
We are not your terrorists – we are democracy.
اسرار 'امن الدولة': تنسيق بين النظام والاخوان.. وتكليف عمرو موسى بفض الثورة
اسرار 'امن الدولة': تنسيق بين النظام والاخوان.. وتكليف عمرو موسى بفض الثورة
"القاهرة ـ 'القدس العربي': استمرت الاحد لليوم الثالث على التوالي عمليات اقتحام المواطنين الغاضبين لمقرات جهاز امن الدولة في عدد من المحافظات المصرية، منها مقر للجهاز بمدينة ملوي بمحافظة المنيا، جنوب القاهرة، وبمدينة مرسى مطروح، شمال غرب البلاد، وفي مدينة شبين الكوم بمحافظة المنوفية بدلتا النيل.
'القدس العربي' دخلت السبت مع الثوار الى المعقل الرئيسي للجهاز بحي مدينة نصر، حيث التف المئات أمام الجهاز وسط ترديد للهتافات المنددة بالجهاز، ومنها 'لا اله الا الله، أمن الدولة عدو الله' و'الشعب يريد اسقاط أمن الدولة'، وبعد مناوشات مع رجال الجيش والشرطة العسكرية الذي استلموا المقر استطاع المئات الدخول، وداخل المقر ذي التصميم الهندسي الفريد والشبيه بالمتاهات، والذي يعد مدينة سكنية في حد ذاته، وقف المصريون وجها لوجه امام تاريخ من التجسس والظلم والفضائح والسياسات، لأول مرة في تاريخهم، وامام الاف الملفات لكل ما يجري على أرض مصر، بداية من غرف النوم وحتى صنع القرار، ملفات عن السياسيين والفنانين والقضاة ورجال الاعمال والطلبة، ملفات عن فلسطين وليبيا والولايات المتحدة، الهدف منها جميعا ليس مكافحة الفساد وانما حماية النظام ورئيسه، التوصيات التي كانت تكتب على الوثائق من قبل المسؤولين تفيد بكيفية التعامل مع المواقف لصالح النظام، اضافة الى ان هناك معلومات يتم جمعها عن اشخاص لا يعرف أحد لماذا.
ومن بين الوثائق التي عثر عليها وثيقة تؤكد استعانة الجهاز بعمرو موسى الأمين العامة لجامعة الدولة العربية لفض المتظاهرين في ميدان التحرير، وقبوله رئيسا للجنة الحكماء مع بعض الرموز لإنهاء الاعتصام، وهو ما ذكر في هذه الوثيقة المؤرخة بتاريخ 7 شباط/فبراير 2011 الساعة السادسة مساء من مباحث أمن الدولة (أ.م للتنظيمات)، كما قال موقع تلفزيون 'العربية'.
وكشفت وثائق اخرى عن اجتماع للتنسيق بين عميد في جهاز امن الدولة وقياديين بجماعة الاخوان هما خيرت الشاطر ومحمد مرسي قبيل الانتخابات التشريعية في العام 2005، وتضمن تعهدان من الاخوان بالتعاون مع الجهاز في اخلاء دوائر انتخابية معينة وعدم مساندة مرشحين.
وحذر المجلس الأعلى للقوات المسلحة المصري الأحد من نشر الوثائق المسربة من مقرات جهاز أمن الدولة، التي تم اقتحامها في القاهرة والاسكندرية وعدد من المدن الأخرى، عبر وسائل الإعلام.
وقال المجلس في بيان نشره على صفحته الرسمية على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي (فيسبوك): 'يهيب المجلس بجميع المواطنين تسليم ما بحوزتهم من وثائق ومستندات تخص جهاز مباحث أمن الدولة إلى القوات المسلحة فورا، لاتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة حيالها'.
وتحوي الوثائق التي تم نشرها حتى الآن أسماء سياسيين ورجال أعمال وإعلاميين معروفين، كما تؤكد وجود علاقات وثيقة لأمن الدولة بجهات عدة بينها القنوات التلفزيونية والمؤسسة القضائية والإدارات المحلية، إلى جانب تأكيد وجود تنصت على شخصيات بارزة.
وكشفت وثيقة موقعة من الإدارة العامة لمباحث أمن الدولة بالجيزة تحت بند 'سري للغاية' أن أنس الفقي وزير الإعلام السابق تلقى اتصالاً هاتفياً من الرئيس مبارك كلفه خلاله بدعم حسام بدراوي مرشح الحزب الوطني في دائرة قصر النيل.
وأوضحت الوثيقة انه تنفيذاً للتوجيه السابق تم عقد اجتماع لكافة قطاعات الإذاعة والتلفزيون، وكلفهم الفقي بحشد المراسلين والمذيعين والبرامج لدعم بدراوي. وذكرت أن التلفزيون قام بإذاعة لقاء مع نعمان جمعة رئيس حزب الوفد الأسبق ودار الحوار حول الانتخابات البرلمانية.
وأضافت أن جمعة وجّه انتقاداً حاداً لجمال مبارك، وقام الفقي بالاتصال هاتفياً بمبارك الأب وأخبره بمضمون الحلقة، وأبدى الرئيس السابق انزعاجه من الأمر، فقام أنس الفقي بعمل مونتاج للحلقة وحذف الجزء الخاص بالأمر قبل إذاعتها.
جاء ذلك في الوقت الذي اعلن فيه السفير المصري السابق في الامم المتحدة نبيل العربي الاحد انه قبل تولي حقيبة الخارجية في الحكومة المصرية الجديدة التي كلف عصام شرف بتشكيلها.
وقال العربي في تصريح للصحافيين بعد مقابلته رئيس الوزراء الجديد انه 'قبل تولي حقيبة الخارجية في هذه المرحلة الحرجة من تاريخ مصر'. وكان نبيل العربي، وهو دبلوماسي محنك، شارك في مفاوضات كامب ديفيد في العام 1978، التي افضت الى ابرام معاهدة السلام المصرية - الاسرائيلية في اذار (مارس) 1979، بصفته رئيسا للادارة القانونية بوزارة الخارجية المصرية في ذلك الحين.
كما أفاد التلفزيون الرسمي المصري أنه تم ترشيح محمد عبد العزيز الجندي وزيرا للعدل في الحكومة الجديدة التي يرأسها عصام شرف. وسيخلف الجندي، وهو نائب عام سابق، وزير العدل السابق ممدوح مرعي. وكانت وزارة العدل إحدى الحقائب الرئيسية التي طالب أيضا المحتجون بتطهيرها من العناصر التي كانت مقربة من النظام السابق للرئيس مبارك. يذكر أن رئيس الوزراء المعين حديثا عصام شرف كان قد رشح بالفعل وزيرا جديدا للداخلية خلفا للوزير السابق محمود وجدي.
واعلن مكتب رئيس الوزراء المصري تعيين اللواء منصور العيسوي وزيرا للداخلية في حكومة عصام شرف، بعد مهاجمة محتجين مقار امن الدولة في عدد من المدن لمصادرة اوراق تثبت حصول تجاوزات.
واكد العيسوي الاحد قبوله للمنصب في تصريح نقلته وكالة انباء الشرق الاوسط، مؤكدا انه سيتخذ كل التدابير الضرورية من اجل اعادة الثقة بين المواطنين والشرطة. ولقيت التعيينات الجديدة ارتياحا في الاوساط السياسية بسبب ما يتمتع به الوزراء الجدد من كفاءة وسمعة طيبة.
"
"القاهرة ـ 'القدس العربي': استمرت الاحد لليوم الثالث على التوالي عمليات اقتحام المواطنين الغاضبين لمقرات جهاز امن الدولة في عدد من المحافظات المصرية، منها مقر للجهاز بمدينة ملوي بمحافظة المنيا، جنوب القاهرة، وبمدينة مرسى مطروح، شمال غرب البلاد، وفي مدينة شبين الكوم بمحافظة المنوفية بدلتا النيل.
'القدس العربي' دخلت السبت مع الثوار الى المعقل الرئيسي للجهاز بحي مدينة نصر، حيث التف المئات أمام الجهاز وسط ترديد للهتافات المنددة بالجهاز، ومنها 'لا اله الا الله، أمن الدولة عدو الله' و'الشعب يريد اسقاط أمن الدولة'، وبعد مناوشات مع رجال الجيش والشرطة العسكرية الذي استلموا المقر استطاع المئات الدخول، وداخل المقر ذي التصميم الهندسي الفريد والشبيه بالمتاهات، والذي يعد مدينة سكنية في حد ذاته، وقف المصريون وجها لوجه امام تاريخ من التجسس والظلم والفضائح والسياسات، لأول مرة في تاريخهم، وامام الاف الملفات لكل ما يجري على أرض مصر، بداية من غرف النوم وحتى صنع القرار، ملفات عن السياسيين والفنانين والقضاة ورجال الاعمال والطلبة، ملفات عن فلسطين وليبيا والولايات المتحدة، الهدف منها جميعا ليس مكافحة الفساد وانما حماية النظام ورئيسه، التوصيات التي كانت تكتب على الوثائق من قبل المسؤولين تفيد بكيفية التعامل مع المواقف لصالح النظام، اضافة الى ان هناك معلومات يتم جمعها عن اشخاص لا يعرف أحد لماذا.
ومن بين الوثائق التي عثر عليها وثيقة تؤكد استعانة الجهاز بعمرو موسى الأمين العامة لجامعة الدولة العربية لفض المتظاهرين في ميدان التحرير، وقبوله رئيسا للجنة الحكماء مع بعض الرموز لإنهاء الاعتصام، وهو ما ذكر في هذه الوثيقة المؤرخة بتاريخ 7 شباط/فبراير 2011 الساعة السادسة مساء من مباحث أمن الدولة (أ.م للتنظيمات)، كما قال موقع تلفزيون 'العربية'.
وكشفت وثائق اخرى عن اجتماع للتنسيق بين عميد في جهاز امن الدولة وقياديين بجماعة الاخوان هما خيرت الشاطر ومحمد مرسي قبيل الانتخابات التشريعية في العام 2005، وتضمن تعهدان من الاخوان بالتعاون مع الجهاز في اخلاء دوائر انتخابية معينة وعدم مساندة مرشحين.
وحذر المجلس الأعلى للقوات المسلحة المصري الأحد من نشر الوثائق المسربة من مقرات جهاز أمن الدولة، التي تم اقتحامها في القاهرة والاسكندرية وعدد من المدن الأخرى، عبر وسائل الإعلام.
وقال المجلس في بيان نشره على صفحته الرسمية على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي (فيسبوك): 'يهيب المجلس بجميع المواطنين تسليم ما بحوزتهم من وثائق ومستندات تخص جهاز مباحث أمن الدولة إلى القوات المسلحة فورا، لاتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة حيالها'.
وتحوي الوثائق التي تم نشرها حتى الآن أسماء سياسيين ورجال أعمال وإعلاميين معروفين، كما تؤكد وجود علاقات وثيقة لأمن الدولة بجهات عدة بينها القنوات التلفزيونية والمؤسسة القضائية والإدارات المحلية، إلى جانب تأكيد وجود تنصت على شخصيات بارزة.
وكشفت وثيقة موقعة من الإدارة العامة لمباحث أمن الدولة بالجيزة تحت بند 'سري للغاية' أن أنس الفقي وزير الإعلام السابق تلقى اتصالاً هاتفياً من الرئيس مبارك كلفه خلاله بدعم حسام بدراوي مرشح الحزب الوطني في دائرة قصر النيل.
وأوضحت الوثيقة انه تنفيذاً للتوجيه السابق تم عقد اجتماع لكافة قطاعات الإذاعة والتلفزيون، وكلفهم الفقي بحشد المراسلين والمذيعين والبرامج لدعم بدراوي. وذكرت أن التلفزيون قام بإذاعة لقاء مع نعمان جمعة رئيس حزب الوفد الأسبق ودار الحوار حول الانتخابات البرلمانية.
وأضافت أن جمعة وجّه انتقاداً حاداً لجمال مبارك، وقام الفقي بالاتصال هاتفياً بمبارك الأب وأخبره بمضمون الحلقة، وأبدى الرئيس السابق انزعاجه من الأمر، فقام أنس الفقي بعمل مونتاج للحلقة وحذف الجزء الخاص بالأمر قبل إذاعتها.
جاء ذلك في الوقت الذي اعلن فيه السفير المصري السابق في الامم المتحدة نبيل العربي الاحد انه قبل تولي حقيبة الخارجية في الحكومة المصرية الجديدة التي كلف عصام شرف بتشكيلها.
وقال العربي في تصريح للصحافيين بعد مقابلته رئيس الوزراء الجديد انه 'قبل تولي حقيبة الخارجية في هذه المرحلة الحرجة من تاريخ مصر'. وكان نبيل العربي، وهو دبلوماسي محنك، شارك في مفاوضات كامب ديفيد في العام 1978، التي افضت الى ابرام معاهدة السلام المصرية - الاسرائيلية في اذار (مارس) 1979، بصفته رئيسا للادارة القانونية بوزارة الخارجية المصرية في ذلك الحين.
كما أفاد التلفزيون الرسمي المصري أنه تم ترشيح محمد عبد العزيز الجندي وزيرا للعدل في الحكومة الجديدة التي يرأسها عصام شرف. وسيخلف الجندي، وهو نائب عام سابق، وزير العدل السابق ممدوح مرعي. وكانت وزارة العدل إحدى الحقائب الرئيسية التي طالب أيضا المحتجون بتطهيرها من العناصر التي كانت مقربة من النظام السابق للرئيس مبارك. يذكر أن رئيس الوزراء المعين حديثا عصام شرف كان قد رشح بالفعل وزيرا جديدا للداخلية خلفا للوزير السابق محمود وجدي.
واعلن مكتب رئيس الوزراء المصري تعيين اللواء منصور العيسوي وزيرا للداخلية في حكومة عصام شرف، بعد مهاجمة محتجين مقار امن الدولة في عدد من المدن لمصادرة اوراق تثبت حصول تجاوزات.
واكد العيسوي الاحد قبوله للمنصب في تصريح نقلته وكالة انباء الشرق الاوسط، مؤكدا انه سيتخذ كل التدابير الضرورية من اجل اعادة الثقة بين المواطنين والشرطة. ولقيت التعيينات الجديدة ارتياحا في الاوساط السياسية بسبب ما يتمتع به الوزراء الجدد من كفاءة وسمعة طيبة.
"
SAS-backed Libyan diplomatic mission ends in humiliation
British special forces and intelligence agents leave Libya on HMS Cumberland after being released by anti-Gaddafi rebels
Martin Chulov, Mark Tran, Amy Fallon and Polly Curtis
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 6 March 2011
"A British diplomatic effort to reach out to Libyan rebels has ended in humiliation as a team of British special forces and intelligence agents left Benghazi after being briefly detained.
The six SAS troops and two MI6 officers were seized by Libyan rebels in the eastern part of the country after arriving by helicopter four days ago. They left on HMS Cumberland, the frigate that had docked in Benghazi to evacuate British and other EU nationals as Libya lurched deeper into conflict. The diplomatic team's departure marked a perfunctory end to a bizarre and botched venture....."
Martin Chulov, Mark Tran, Amy Fallon and Polly Curtis
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 6 March 2011
"A British diplomatic effort to reach out to Libyan rebels has ended in humiliation as a team of British special forces and intelligence agents left Benghazi after being briefly detained.
The six SAS troops and two MI6 officers were seized by Libyan rebels in the eastern part of the country after arriving by helicopter four days ago. They left on HMS Cumberland, the frigate that had docked in Benghazi to evacuate British and other EU nationals as Libya lurched deeper into conflict. The diplomatic team's departure marked a perfunctory end to a bizarre and botched venture....."
Libyan loyalists celebrate Muammar Gaddafi's phoney triumphs
"See....My People Love Me!"
Gunshots in Tripoli as Gaddafi's regime claims to have taken back several cities that are still under opposition control
Peter Beaumont in Tripoli
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 6 March 2011
"In Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's Libya, when the little lies aren't working anymore, then it is time to roll out the bigger untruths. On Sunday, the regime effectively claimed to have won the war against the rebels trying to dislodge it.
For those who remain loyal to Gaddafi it was the signal to swamp the streets of Libya's capital Tripoli firing their weapons in the morning air.
Zawiyah, to the west of the capital, and Misrata, down the coast to the east, had fallen, said state television. Ras Lanuf was under government control. A government minder told the Guardian that Tobruk had fallen to forces loyal to Gaddafi....
But on Sunday, parts of Zawiyah, 30 miles west of Tripoli and the most vulnerable of the opposition-held cities, were still under opposition control. Neither had Ras Lanuf, Misrata or Tobruk been taken....
The reality is that the government had not retaken Zawiyah at the time of writing – areas of the city are still in the hands of the opposition forces, who have held off better armed and more numerous opponents.
All of which begs the question of the purpose of Sunday's display.
One theory is that it was designed to bolster the morale of the security forces who are being asked to fire on fellow Libyans – to show them, ahead of any real victories, what victory might look like and how grateful the regime and its supporters will be."
Peter Beaumont in Tripoli
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 6 March 2011
"In Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's Libya, when the little lies aren't working anymore, then it is time to roll out the bigger untruths. On Sunday, the regime effectively claimed to have won the war against the rebels trying to dislodge it.
For those who remain loyal to Gaddafi it was the signal to swamp the streets of Libya's capital Tripoli firing their weapons in the morning air.
Zawiyah, to the west of the capital, and Misrata, down the coast to the east, had fallen, said state television. Ras Lanuf was under government control. A government minder told the Guardian that Tobruk had fallen to forces loyal to Gaddafi....
But on Sunday, parts of Zawiyah, 30 miles west of Tripoli and the most vulnerable of the opposition-held cities, were still under opposition control. Neither had Ras Lanuf, Misrata or Tobruk been taken....
The reality is that the government had not retaken Zawiyah at the time of writing – areas of the city are still in the hands of the opposition forces, who have held off better armed and more numerous opponents.
All of which begs the question of the purpose of Sunday's display.
One theory is that it was designed to bolster the morale of the security forces who are being asked to fire on fellow Libyans – to show them, ahead of any real victories, what victory might look like and how grateful the regime and its supporters will be."
Real News Video with Transcript: Egyptian Protests Force PM Removal
Egyptians discuss continuing fight for more democracy
Army, thugs attack protesters in Lazoughli هجوم من الجيش على المتظاهرين في لاظوغلي
From Hossam El-Hamalawy
"Activists demonstrating in Lazoughli Square today, trying to storm the interior ministry’s compound, were attacked by the army in coordination with plainclothes thugs. The State TV is reporting that 27 protesters were detained…"
"Activists demonstrating in Lazoughli Square today, trying to storm the interior ministry’s compound, were attacked by the army in coordination with plainclothes thugs. The State TV is reporting that 27 protesters were detained…"
انتهاء زمن ابو الغيط وتعيين نبيل العربي خلفا له بوزارة الخارجية المصرية
GOOD RIDDANCE!
BREAK-THEIR-LEGS-ABUL-GHEIT IS GONE!
PUT THE BASTARD ON TRIAL, NOW!
انتهاء زمن ابو الغيط وتعيين نبيل العربي خلفا له بوزارة الخارجية المصرية
"القاهرة - اعلن السفير المصري السابق في الامم المتحدة نبيل العربي الاحد انه قبل تولي حقيبة الخارجية في الحكومة المصرية الجديدة التي كلف عصام شرف بتشكيلها، منهيا بذلك زمن الوزير السابق احمد ابو الغيط المثير للجدل.
وقال العربي في تصريح للصحفيين بعد مقابلته رئيس الوزراء الجديد "قبلت تولي حقيبة الخارجية في هذه المرحلة الحرجة من تاريخ مصر".
وكان
نبيل العربي، وهو دبلوماسي محنك، قاضيا في محكمة العدل الدولية وهو من الشخصيات التي تحظى بالتقدير في مصر بشكل عام.
وكان اسم العربي ضمن قائمة الشخصيات التي اقترح "ائتلاف شباب 25 يناير" ضمها الى حكومة رئيس الوزراء الجديد عصام شرف.
ويخلف العربي في وزارة الخارجية احمد ابو الغيط الذي كان يتولى هذا المنصب منذ العام 1994.
وتدرج العربي (76 عاما) في العمل في وزارة الخارجية المصرية وكان اخر منصب شغله هو سفير مصر في الامم المتحدة.
وبعد احالته الى التقاعد عمل العربي، وهو خبير معروف في القانون الدولي، قاضيا في محكمة العدل الدولية التي تركها في العام 2006.
....
...."
"القاهرة - اعلن السفير المصري السابق في الامم المتحدة نبيل العربي الاحد انه قبل تولي حقيبة الخارجية في الحكومة المصرية الجديدة التي كلف عصام شرف بتشكيلها، منهيا بذلك زمن الوزير السابق احمد ابو الغيط المثير للجدل.
وقال العربي في تصريح للصحفيين بعد مقابلته رئيس الوزراء الجديد "قبلت تولي حقيبة الخارجية في هذه المرحلة الحرجة من تاريخ مصر".
وكان
نبيل العربي، وهو دبلوماسي محنك، قاضيا في محكمة العدل الدولية وهو من الشخصيات التي تحظى بالتقدير في مصر بشكل عام.
وكان اسم العربي ضمن قائمة الشخصيات التي اقترح "ائتلاف شباب 25 يناير" ضمها الى حكومة رئيس الوزراء الجديد عصام شرف.
ويخلف العربي في وزارة الخارجية احمد ابو الغيط الذي كان يتولى هذا المنصب منذ العام 1994.
وتدرج العربي (76 عاما) في العمل في وزارة الخارجية المصرية وكان اخر منصب شغله هو سفير مصر في الامم المتحدة.
وبعد احالته الى التقاعد عمل العربي، وهو خبير معروف في القانون الدولي، قاضيا في محكمة العدل الدولية التي تركها في العام 2006.
....
...."
Yemen: Halt Attacks on Peaceful Protesters
State Officials Facilitate Attacks Outside Capital
"(Sanaa) – Yemeni officials and security forces have facilitated attacks by armed gangs on peaceful anti-government protesters in places away from the capital of Sanaa, or stood by while such attacks occurred, Human Rights Watch said today. Pro-government gangs injured more than 30 protesters in two such attacks on March 2 and 3, 2011.
In al-Baida’, a city in central Yemen, large groups of armed men opened fire on demonstrators seeking the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, injuring at least five people on March 3, witnesses told Human Rights Watch. Some community leaders alleged that local officials had recruited the attackers. In the western port city of al-Hudaida, witnesses said security forces stood by as assailants attacked anti-Saleh protesters with daggers and stones during prayer time on March 2, injuring more than two dozen people.....
In addition to the attacks documented by Human Rights Watch, Yemeni soldiers opened fire on protesters in the northern town of Harf Sufyan on March 4, killing at least two and wounding seven, according to international and Yemeni news reports. The reports said protesters had been throwing rocks at a military post. Human Rights Watch was unable to immediately confirm the information."
"(Sanaa) – Yemeni officials and security forces have facilitated attacks by armed gangs on peaceful anti-government protesters in places away from the capital of Sanaa, or stood by while such attacks occurred, Human Rights Watch said today. Pro-government gangs injured more than 30 protesters in two such attacks on March 2 and 3, 2011.
In al-Baida’, a city in central Yemen, large groups of armed men opened fire on demonstrators seeking the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, injuring at least five people on March 3, witnesses told Human Rights Watch. Some community leaders alleged that local officials had recruited the attackers. In the western port city of al-Hudaida, witnesses said security forces stood by as assailants attacked anti-Saleh protesters with daggers and stones during prayer time on March 2, injuring more than two dozen people.....
In addition to the attacks documented by Human Rights Watch, Yemeni soldiers opened fire on protesters in the northern town of Harf Sufyan on March 4, killing at least two and wounding seven, according to international and Yemeni news reports. The reports said protesters had been throwing rocks at a military post. Human Rights Watch was unable to immediately confirm the information."
Middle East Uprising-Live Update
(Cairo, Egypt, March 5, 2011) - Priyanka Motaparthy, researcher
"Protesters entered the State Security Investigations (SSI) compound in Nasr City, a place they call the “torture center” of Egypt, just before 7 PM. They dragged out as many documents and materials as they could, to protect them from being destroyed. The night before in Alexandria, protesters stormed the state security headquarters on Fara’ana Street, and found “mountains of shredded paper,” one activist who entered the building told Human Rights Watch. “By the time we got inside, there was nothing left [intact].”
Protesters began gathering in front of the Nasr City compound around 4 PM, and by 5:30, we observed a crowd of at least 250. Just before 7, we found a side entrance, where army officers stood by as people entered.
Inside the compound, protesters started a collection point, amassing several large trash bags full of shredded paper, file folders still intact, computer hard drives, and a green metal safe. Others wandered through the halls of the building, shouting “where are the prisoners?” They were searching for the secret detention cells where political prisoners were held and often tortured. Activists have now posted photos of these underground cells [scroll down to watch a video]on Twitter. They also report finding the files of well-known Egyptian activists who faced torture, including Khaled Said and Ahmad Maher.
Around 9:30 p.m., protesters demanded that a representative from the public prosecutor’s office come and oversee safe transport of the documents. The actions today and yesterday at the state security offices show the protesters’ determination to see that the Mubarak government is held accountable for systematic torture and enforced disappearances....."
"Protesters entered the State Security Investigations (SSI) compound in Nasr City, a place they call the “torture center” of Egypt, just before 7 PM. They dragged out as many documents and materials as they could, to protect them from being destroyed. The night before in Alexandria, protesters stormed the state security headquarters on Fara’ana Street, and found “mountains of shredded paper,” one activist who entered the building told Human Rights Watch. “By the time we got inside, there was nothing left [intact].”
Protesters began gathering in front of the Nasr City compound around 4 PM, and by 5:30, we observed a crowd of at least 250. Just before 7, we found a side entrance, where army officers stood by as people entered.
Inside the compound, protesters started a collection point, amassing several large trash bags full of shredded paper, file folders still intact, computer hard drives, and a green metal safe. Others wandered through the halls of the building, shouting “where are the prisoners?” They were searching for the secret detention cells where political prisoners were held and often tortured. Activists have now posted photos of these underground cells [scroll down to watch a video]on Twitter. They also report finding the files of well-known Egyptian activists who faced torture, including Khaled Said and Ahmad Maher.
Around 9:30 p.m., protesters demanded that a representative from the public prosecutor’s office come and oversee safe transport of the documents. The actions today and yesterday at the state security offices show the protesters’ determination to see that the Mubarak government is held accountable for systematic torture and enforced disappearances....."
Al-Jazeera Video: Political prisoners in Tunisia's new era
"Tunisia has ousted Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali, its former president, but shaking off the vestigages of authoratirian rule is proving to be an arduous task.
One of the relics of the old regime that has received particular criticism from human rights groups is the anti-terrorism law under which so many political opponents were convicted under Ben Ali's rule.
In Tunis, Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshri speaks with one former political prisoners, and the family of another young man still serving out his sentence."
Al-Jazeera Video: Inside Story - The information war
""America is facing an information war...and we are losing that war."
That's what US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said as she spoke before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A war she says is being won by networks that offer what she described as "real news".
She praised Al Jazeera, saying it's changing peoples' minds and attitudes. Her comments came as Republicans plan to cut the state department's budget by half.
Is the US really losing the information war? And is public funding the solution?"
Al-Jazeera Video: Libya: A state of terror
"As Muammar Gaddafi wages war against a popular uprising, Libyan exiles explain how terror has long been a tool of the regime."
Al-Jazeera Video: Libya rebels control oil port
Saudi Arabia bans all marches as mass protest is planned for Friday
Extra troops are sent to north-east to quash any Shia protest as King Abdullah's regime gets jittery and oil prices soar in response to the region's continued unrest
By David Randall
The Independent
"Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer and the regional domino whose fall the West fears most, yesterday announced that it would ban all protests and marches. The move – the stick to match the carrot of benefits worth $37bn (£23bn) recently offered citizens in an effort to stave off the unrest that has overtaken nearby states – comes before a "day of rage" threatened for this Friday by opponents of the regime.
The Saudi Interior Ministry said the kingdom has banned all demonstrations because they contradict Islamic laws and social values. The ministry said some people have tried to get around the law to "achieve illegitimate aims" and it warned that security forces were authorised to act against violators. By way of emphasis, a statement broadcast on Saudi television said the authorities would "use all measures" to prevent any attempt to disrupt public order....."
By David Randall
The Independent
"Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer and the regional domino whose fall the West fears most, yesterday announced that it would ban all protests and marches. The move – the stick to match the carrot of benefits worth $37bn (£23bn) recently offered citizens in an effort to stave off the unrest that has overtaken nearby states – comes before a "day of rage" threatened for this Friday by opponents of the regime.
The Saudi Interior Ministry said the kingdom has banned all demonstrations because they contradict Islamic laws and social values. The ministry said some people have tried to get around the law to "achieve illegitimate aims" and it warned that security forces were authorised to act against violators. By way of emphasis, a statement broadcast on Saudi television said the authorities would "use all measures" to prevent any attempt to disrupt public order....."
Video: SS underground detention cells
زنازين سرية داخل مبني أمن الدولة ب٦ أكتوبر بعد إقتحامة
From Hossam El-Hamalawy
"Revolutionaries yesterday stormed the State Security Police compound in the 6th of October City. Above is a video of the underground prison cells."
From Hossam El-Hamalawy
"Revolutionaries yesterday stormed the State Security Police compound in the 6th of October City. Above is a video of the underground prison cells."
Former detainee talks of torture
Is Syria the next domino?
-----------------------The Arab World's Only Republican Monarchy---------------------
With autocratic regimes tumbling around the region, well-educated young Syrians want - and deserve - a taste of freedom.
Ribal al-Assad
(Director of the Organization for Democracy and Freedom in Syria)
Al-Jazeera
"With the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes gone and street protests roiling cities from Algiers to Tehran, many people are now wondering which domino might fall next. Syria, whose secular, militarised dictatorship most closely resembles the fallen regimes of Tunisia and Egypt, may not be next in line - but appears nonetheless to be approaching a tipping point.
Of course, the old "domino theory" of international relations was merely a crude way of emphasising that different parts of any region are linked to each other. For today’s Arab world, a better metaphor might be a chessboard, from which the removal of even a pawn inevitably alters the relationships among all other pieces.
Today, as protests mount and multiply, the government of every Arab state in the Middle East and North Africa probably believes that, if left to its own devices, it can contain internal dissent.
In Syria, it seems inevitable that protest may soon crack the regime's brittle political immobility. Most ordinary Syrians face extremely difficult economic and social conditions, including high unemployment, rising food prices, constraints on personal freedom, and endemic corruption. These factors are no different from those that brought people to the streets in North Africa and the Middle East. What began as protests over living conditions became full-scale demands for freedom and democracy.......
The regime must appreciate that, despite its best efforts, Syrians have been watching events in the region with as much interest as the rest of the world. Syria's people may have no predilection for violence - but the birth of freedom, once witnessed, is not easily forgotten – or trumped by state handouts and vacuous statements by a distant, self-isolated leadership.
People said the Berlin Wall would not fall. They said that Mubarak would not stand down. And still some say that Syria cannot change. But Syria will change, and I, like my compatriots, pray that when change comes, it is peaceful and harmonious."
Ribal al-Assad
(Director of the Organization for Democracy and Freedom in Syria)
Al-Jazeera
"With the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes gone and street protests roiling cities from Algiers to Tehran, many people are now wondering which domino might fall next. Syria, whose secular, militarised dictatorship most closely resembles the fallen regimes of Tunisia and Egypt, may not be next in line - but appears nonetheless to be approaching a tipping point.
Of course, the old "domino theory" of international relations was merely a crude way of emphasising that different parts of any region are linked to each other. For today’s Arab world, a better metaphor might be a chessboard, from which the removal of even a pawn inevitably alters the relationships among all other pieces.
Today, as protests mount and multiply, the government of every Arab state in the Middle East and North Africa probably believes that, if left to its own devices, it can contain internal dissent.
In Syria, it seems inevitable that protest may soon crack the regime's brittle political immobility. Most ordinary Syrians face extremely difficult economic and social conditions, including high unemployment, rising food prices, constraints on personal freedom, and endemic corruption. These factors are no different from those that brought people to the streets in North Africa and the Middle East. What began as protests over living conditions became full-scale demands for freedom and democracy.......
The regime must appreciate that, despite its best efforts, Syrians have been watching events in the region with as much interest as the rest of the world. Syria's people may have no predilection for violence - but the birth of freedom, once witnessed, is not easily forgotten – or trumped by state handouts and vacuous statements by a distant, self-isolated leadership.
People said the Berlin Wall would not fall. They said that Mubarak would not stand down. And still some say that Syria cannot change. But Syria will change, and I, like my compatriots, pray that when change comes, it is peaceful and harmonious."
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Al-Jazeera Video: On the road to Sirte
Al-Jazeera Video: Libya rebels battle Gaddafi loyalists
The Egyptian Revolution Continues: Egyptians raid state police offices
Protesters storm state security buildings, claiming documents on rights abuses are being destroyed.
Al-Jazeera
"Egyptian protesters have stormed several state security buildings, seizing documents and attempting to retrieve files kept on alleged human rights abuses in the country.
The 500,000-strong internal security services are accused of some of the worst human rights violations while attempting to suppress dissent against former president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.
Protesters stormed inside at least six of the buildings on Saturday, including the agency's main headquarters in Cairo's northern Nasr City neighbourhood, confronting and attacking some officers.
The protesters are demanding the agency be dismantled and its leaders be put on trial.
"We are inside, hundreds of us." Mohammed Abdel-Fattah, one of the protesters who barged into the Nasr City compound on Saturday, told the Associated Press.
"We are fetching documents and we are looking for detainees."
Around 2,500 people swept into the compound, according to state media.
Abdel-Fattah said they barged in from the back doors, and the military, which had cordoned off the building, could not stop them......"
Al-Jazeera
"Egyptian protesters have stormed several state security buildings, seizing documents and attempting to retrieve files kept on alleged human rights abuses in the country.
The 500,000-strong internal security services are accused of some of the worst human rights violations while attempting to suppress dissent against former president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.
Protesters stormed inside at least six of the buildings on Saturday, including the agency's main headquarters in Cairo's northern Nasr City neighbourhood, confronting and attacking some officers.
The protesters are demanding the agency be dismantled and its leaders be put on trial.
"We are inside, hundreds of us." Mohammed Abdel-Fattah, one of the protesters who barged into the Nasr City compound on Saturday, told the Associated Press.
"We are fetching documents and we are looking for detainees."
Around 2,500 people swept into the compound, according to state media.
Abdel-Fattah said they barged in from the back doors, and the military, which had cordoned off the building, could not stop them......"
الثوار يقتحمون مقر أمن الدولة بمدينة نصر
Roger waters of Pink Floyd endorses BDS
Roger Waters, the legendary musician and founder-member of the iconic band Pink Floyd, talks to Al Jazeera about his passionate campaign for the rights of the Palestinian people.
The rockstar is urging the Israeli government to "tear down the wall."More than 30 years after he wrote the globally-acclaimed album The Wall, Waters focuses on another wall - the Israeli separation barrier in the West Bank - which has encroached into Palestinian territory and has caused untold hardships for its people.
Jan25 Storming Mubarak’s Gestapo HQ إقتحام مقر مباحث أمن الدولة بمدينة نصر
From Hossam El-Hamalawy:
"Today we stormed the central office of State Security Police in Nasr City, one of Mubarak’s most notorious torture centers."
"Today we stormed the central office of State Security Police in Nasr City, one of Mubarak’s most notorious torture centers."
From Al-Jazeera:
مخاوف من ضياع مستندات مهمة
اقتحامات لمقرات أمن الدولة بمصر
"اقتحم متظاهرون مساء السبت مقر جهاز أمن الدولة المصري بمدينة نصر شمال القاهرة وصادروا محتوياته، وذلك بعد ساعات من اقتحام آخرين مقر أمن مدينة "6 أكتوبر" إحدى ضواحي العاصمة وطالبوا بالتحفظ على وثائق ومستندات المقر التي أحرق جزء منها، في وقت اعتقل فيه الجيش عددا من ضباط الجهاز في منطقة الفراعنة بالإسكندرية بعد اقتحام مقرهم.
فقد نجح مئات المتظاهرين في دخول مقر جهاز أمن الدولة بمدينة نصر وهو المقر الرئيسي للجهاز، وذلك بهدف حماية الملفات الرسمية من الحرق أو الإتلاف كما حدث في بعض المقرات على حد قولهم.
وقال أحد الشباب المقتحمين لمبنى مدينة نصر إنهم جمعوا كل الملفات وأجهزة الحاسوب والأقراص الممغنطة، داعين عددا من القضاة المستقلين -مثل المستشارين زكريا عبد العزيز ومحمود الخضيري- لاستلام هذه الملفات التي تثبت الظلم والطغيان بحق الشعب، على حد تعبيره.
وأضاف الشاب طارق زيدان أن المقتحمين يبحثون حاليا عن الأماكن السرية التي يوجد بها معتقلون، داعين أهاليهم إلى إبلاغهم بأسمائهم.
وكانت أعداد كبيرة من المصريين قد تظاهروا أمام مقرات عدة تابعة لجهاز أمن الدولة للمطالبة بحل الجهاز، ولدعوة المجلس الأعلى للقوات المسلحة إلى تأمين تلك المقرات خوفا من أن يتلف ضباط الجهاز وثائقها.
وحاصر الجيش في وقت سابق مقر أمن الدولة في مدينة 6 أكتوبر بعدما تدفقت عليه أعداد كبيرة من المتظاهرين، وتحفظ على ضباطه وطلب منهم عدم المغادرة بسياراتهم خشية تهريبهم مستندات وملفات.
وقال شهود إن ضباطا يعملون في المبنى أضرموا النار في المقر، وإن الأمن منع سيارات الإطفاء من الوصول إليه.
وكان مصدر أمني مصري رفيع المستوى قال السبت إن وزارة الداخلية بدأت دراسة لإعادة هيكلة هذا الجهاز الذي يطالب محتجون بحله.
...."
Saudi Arabia bans protest rallies
Interior ministry vows to use all steps "to prevent attempts to disrupt public order" following recent Shia protests.
Al-Jazeera
"Saudi Arabia has banned all protests and marches following recent anti-government protests in the kingdom’s east, reports say.
State television on Saturday quoted the interior ministry as saying that security forces would use all measures to prevent any attempt to disrupt public order.
The ban on public demonstrations comes amid media reports of a huge mobilisation of Saudi troops in Shia-dominated provinces in order to quell any possible uprising.
According to The Independent [See this report by Robert Fisk], a British newspaper, 10,000 security personnel are being sent to the region by road, clogging highways into Dammam and other cities....."
Al-Jazeera
"Saudi Arabia has banned all protests and marches following recent anti-government protests in the kingdom’s east, reports say.
State television on Saturday quoted the interior ministry as saying that security forces would use all measures to prevent any attempt to disrupt public order.
The ban on public demonstrations comes amid media reports of a huge mobilisation of Saudi troops in Shia-dominated provinces in order to quell any possible uprising.
According to The Independent [See this report by Robert Fisk], a British newspaper, 10,000 security personnel are being sent to the region by road, clogging highways into Dammam and other cities....."
A Portrait of a Revolutionary: Hossam El-Hamalawy
A GREAT CONTRIBUTION
By Yasmin
"Jadaliyya is hereby presenting the first installment in a interactive (see below) series called "A Portrait of a Revolutionary," featuring interviews with an Egyptian journalist and activist who was at the forefront of the Egyptian protest movement. Hossam's vantage point is quite unique, and his broad knowledge of the Egyptian political landscape as well as history positions him to provide an unparalleled account of the the context and developments that have led to the resignation of former Egyptian President, Husni Mubarak, and the aftermath.
Below is the second part of the interview. I opted for presenting it first, however, because it is in English (the first part is to be posted soon. Amon other issues, it deals with the role of the Egyptian Labor Unions and their role in tipping the scale during the last days before Mubrak's resignation. It is in Arabic).
This interview deals with the role of the army (then and now) in a quite candid and courageous manner that demystifies the halo that was created around that institution. The details that are brought to bear in the interview, and he analytical context in which they are lodged, are quite valuable for any observer/researcher.
I would like to make this a somewhat interactive interview by asking readers to pose their own questions to Hossam after watching the interview. I will relay the most productive questions, so please feel free to post your (clear/concise) questions under the comments, below).
The third part will be about the role and prospects of the political and economic elite, before, during and after the revolution. "
By Yasmin
"Jadaliyya is hereby presenting the first installment in a interactive (see below) series called "A Portrait of a Revolutionary," featuring interviews with an Egyptian journalist and activist who was at the forefront of the Egyptian protest movement. Hossam's vantage point is quite unique, and his broad knowledge of the Egyptian political landscape as well as history positions him to provide an unparalleled account of the the context and developments that have led to the resignation of former Egyptian President, Husni Mubarak, and the aftermath.
Below is the second part of the interview. I opted for presenting it first, however, because it is in English (the first part is to be posted soon. Amon other issues, it deals with the role of the Egyptian Labor Unions and their role in tipping the scale during the last days before Mubrak's resignation. It is in Arabic).
This interview deals with the role of the army (then and now) in a quite candid and courageous manner that demystifies the halo that was created around that institution. The details that are brought to bear in the interview, and he analytical context in which they are lodged, are quite valuable for any observer/researcher.
I would like to make this a somewhat interactive interview by asking readers to pose their own questions to Hossam after watching the interview. I will relay the most productive questions, so please feel free to post your (clear/concise) questions under the comments, below).
The third part will be about the role and prospects of the political and economic elite, before, during and after the revolution. "
Portrait of a Revolutionary: Hossam El-Hamalawi (Part 2) from Jadaliyya on Vimeo.
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
This new poll asks:
Do you support the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Jordan?
With over 2,400 responding so far, 81% said yes.
Do you support the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Jordan?
With over 2,400 responding so far, 81% said yes.
The Egyptian Revolution Has a Long Way to Become a Reality: عودة التصنيع المصري الإسرائيلي المشترك
Al-Jazeera
The economic integration is with Israel, not among Arab states! This is the Imperial diktat!
"قال مسؤول إسرائيلي اليوم السبت إن المصانع المصرية التي تستخدم منتجات إسرائيلية بموجب اتفاق تجارة برعاية أميركية، استأنفت عملها بعد تعطيلات أثناء الثورة التي أدت إلى إسقاط نظام الرئيس حسني مبارك.
وقال مدير قسم الشرق الأوسط بوزارة الصناعة والتجارة الإسرائيلية غابي بار "إن الإمدادات المتجهة إلى المصانع المصرية توقفت خلال الاضطرابات التي شهدتها الشهر الماضي والتي تخللها فرض حظر تجول وإضرابات عمالية وإغلاقات للبنوك والموانئ، وإن كل شيء عاد إلى مساره".
وأضاف "نلحظ بالفعل حاليا رغبة من جانب الشركات المصرية المهتمة جدا بمواصلة العمل على هذا النحو الذي يسمح لهم بالمنافسة في السوق الأميركية لأنهم يبيعون بإعفاء جمركي كامل".
وقال بار إن العمليات المصرفية لم تستأنف بعد بالكامل في مصر، وإنه ما زال هناك عمال مضربون في بعض المصانع.
وبدأ التعاون المصري الإسرائيلي المعروف باتفاقية المناطق الصناعية الموهلة (الكويز) عام 2005، وهو على غرار اتفاق مماثل بين إسرائيل والأردن يعود إلى أواخر تسعينيات القرن الماضي.
وتخشى إسرائيل أن تتأثر معاهدة السلام الموقعة بين البلدين منذ عام 1979 بعد سقوط الرئيس حسني مبارك، وكانت واشنطن قد دعمتها بإعفاء المنسوجات المصنعة في مصر بمكون إسرائيلي من رسوم الاستيراد الأميركية، إضافة إلى صفقة للتزود بالغاز الطبيعي المصري.
وتستورد إسرائيل سنويا نحو 1.5 مليار متر مكعب من الغاز الطبيعي المصري، وتقول المعارضة المصرية إن الغاز يباع بأسعار مخفضة بموجب عقد وقع عام 2005 بين الشركة المصرية وشركات الطاقة الإسرائيلية.
ويغطي الغاز المصري 40% من حاجة السوق الإسرائيلي منذ توقيع الصفقة بين البلدين عام 2005 والتي تقضي بتصدير غاز لإسرائيل بقيمة 2.5 مليار دولار طيلة 15 عاما قابلة للتجديد لخمس سنوات أخرى."
The economic integration is with Israel, not among Arab states! This is the Imperial diktat!
"قال مسؤول إسرائيلي اليوم السبت إن المصانع المصرية التي تستخدم منتجات إسرائيلية بموجب اتفاق تجارة برعاية أميركية، استأنفت عملها بعد تعطيلات أثناء الثورة التي أدت إلى إسقاط نظام الرئيس حسني مبارك.
وقال مدير قسم الشرق الأوسط بوزارة الصناعة والتجارة الإسرائيلية غابي بار "إن الإمدادات المتجهة إلى المصانع المصرية توقفت خلال الاضطرابات التي شهدتها الشهر الماضي والتي تخللها فرض حظر تجول وإضرابات عمالية وإغلاقات للبنوك والموانئ، وإن كل شيء عاد إلى مساره".
وأضاف "نلحظ بالفعل حاليا رغبة من جانب الشركات المصرية المهتمة جدا بمواصلة العمل على هذا النحو الذي يسمح لهم بالمنافسة في السوق الأميركية لأنهم يبيعون بإعفاء جمركي كامل".
وقال بار إن العمليات المصرفية لم تستأنف بعد بالكامل في مصر، وإنه ما زال هناك عمال مضربون في بعض المصانع.
وبدأ التعاون المصري الإسرائيلي المعروف باتفاقية المناطق الصناعية الموهلة (الكويز) عام 2005، وهو على غرار اتفاق مماثل بين إسرائيل والأردن يعود إلى أواخر تسعينيات القرن الماضي.
وتخشى إسرائيل أن تتأثر معاهدة السلام الموقعة بين البلدين منذ عام 1979 بعد سقوط الرئيس حسني مبارك، وكانت واشنطن قد دعمتها بإعفاء المنسوجات المصنعة في مصر بمكون إسرائيلي من رسوم الاستيراد الأميركية، إضافة إلى صفقة للتزود بالغاز الطبيعي المصري.
وتستورد إسرائيل سنويا نحو 1.5 مليار متر مكعب من الغاز الطبيعي المصري، وتقول المعارضة المصرية إن الغاز يباع بأسعار مخفضة بموجب عقد وقع عام 2005 بين الشركة المصرية وشركات الطاقة الإسرائيلية.
ويغطي الغاز المصري 40% من حاجة السوق الإسرائيلي منذ توقيع الصفقة بين البلدين عام 2005 والتي تقضي بتصدير غاز لإسرائيل بقيمة 2.5 مليار دولار طيلة 15 عاما قابلة للتجديد لخمس سنوات أخرى."
A Middle East without borders?
The nation state is ripe for change and people power offers new opportunities for mapping the future of the region.
Mohammed Khan
Al-Jazeera
"The modern geography of the Middle East was carved out by British and French colonialists whose sole interest was in sharing the spoils of war between themselves and in maintaining their supremacy over the region in the early part of the 20th century.
The contours of the region, with its immaculately straight lines (see maps of Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Sudan) are much the same today as when they were first drawn up, despite decades of cross-border encroachment and conflict.
Never has an imported concept been so jealously guarded by ruling families and political elites in the Middle East as that of the nation state, together with the holy grail of international relations theory, state sovereignty.
The artificialness of the borders in question is not in doubt. Take a look at any map of the Middle East prior to the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement between Britain and France (when the division of the region was finalised with no consideration for the thoughts of the people that lived in it) and you will be hard pressed to find many physical boundaries between, say, Syria to the north-east and Morocco to the west.
What you may find, however, are free-flowing train routes spanning the region. A relic of the old Hejaz Railway, which connected Damascus to Medina, still stands (dilapidated) in the centre of the Syrian capital. It once transported pilgrims to the Muslim holy city in modern-day Saudi Arabia without the need for cumbersome visas and frustrating bureaucrats. But that was obviously some time ago.....
More precisely, the political convulsions that the region is undergoing right now have revealed glaringly the extent to which the problems and, potentially, the solutions to the Arab world's ills are remarkably similar. The political, economic and social suffocation that the people of Tunisia and Egypt have endured, before popular revolutions swept the countries' dictators from power, were near identical. The political, economic and social ailments suffered in Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen and now Oman are of the same vein.
Obviously, the causes of political unrest across these states are much more nuanced and cannot be reduced to generalisations. However, the future, unsurprisingly, is with the youth, the very demographic that is taking the lead in battling corruption and autocracy and one that is communicating, encouraging and helping others across borders in the spirit and language of togetherness.
Sure, this does not by itself denote that borders are now irrelevant. What it does suggest, however, is that political and economic issues and opportunities cannot be dealt with simply within the confines of borders any longer. The pent-up frustrations of the Arab youth, the economic inequalities, the demands for better representation extend across the entire region. A single voice is emerging in search of a single value: Freedom......
But, this would be to dismiss the thrust towards a common set of goals in the Arab world. Borders are increasingly irrelevant in this new equation. The means of mass communication, interdependency, pan-regional media, ease of access through improved infrastructure, the identification with a cause rather than a country, all suggest that the political awakening in the region may be conducive to a completely different set of political and economic realities.
The nation state as we know it, as it was imposed on the region by colonial powers, is ripe for change. The unleashing of people power has now opened up new possibilities for mapping the Arab world's future. While protesters across the region have been waving their respective national flags, the cause for which they are fighting and risking their lives extends well beyond their immediate borders."
Mohammed Khan
Al-Jazeera
"The modern geography of the Middle East was carved out by British and French colonialists whose sole interest was in sharing the spoils of war between themselves and in maintaining their supremacy over the region in the early part of the 20th century.
The contours of the region, with its immaculately straight lines (see maps of Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Sudan) are much the same today as when they were first drawn up, despite decades of cross-border encroachment and conflict.
Never has an imported concept been so jealously guarded by ruling families and political elites in the Middle East as that of the nation state, together with the holy grail of international relations theory, state sovereignty.
The artificialness of the borders in question is not in doubt. Take a look at any map of the Middle East prior to the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement between Britain and France (when the division of the region was finalised with no consideration for the thoughts of the people that lived in it) and you will be hard pressed to find many physical boundaries between, say, Syria to the north-east and Morocco to the west.
What you may find, however, are free-flowing train routes spanning the region. A relic of the old Hejaz Railway, which connected Damascus to Medina, still stands (dilapidated) in the centre of the Syrian capital. It once transported pilgrims to the Muslim holy city in modern-day Saudi Arabia without the need for cumbersome visas and frustrating bureaucrats. But that was obviously some time ago.....
More precisely, the political convulsions that the region is undergoing right now have revealed glaringly the extent to which the problems and, potentially, the solutions to the Arab world's ills are remarkably similar. The political, economic and social suffocation that the people of Tunisia and Egypt have endured, before popular revolutions swept the countries' dictators from power, were near identical. The political, economic and social ailments suffered in Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen and now Oman are of the same vein.
Obviously, the causes of political unrest across these states are much more nuanced and cannot be reduced to generalisations. However, the future, unsurprisingly, is with the youth, the very demographic that is taking the lead in battling corruption and autocracy and one that is communicating, encouraging and helping others across borders in the spirit and language of togetherness.
Sure, this does not by itself denote that borders are now irrelevant. What it does suggest, however, is that political and economic issues and opportunities cannot be dealt with simply within the confines of borders any longer. The pent-up frustrations of the Arab youth, the economic inequalities, the demands for better representation extend across the entire region. A single voice is emerging in search of a single value: Freedom......
But, this would be to dismiss the thrust towards a common set of goals in the Arab world. Borders are increasingly irrelevant in this new equation. The means of mass communication, interdependency, pan-regional media, ease of access through improved infrastructure, the identification with a cause rather than a country, all suggest that the political awakening in the region may be conducive to a completely different set of political and economic realities.
The nation state as we know it, as it was imposed on the region by colonial powers, is ripe for change. The unleashing of people power has now opened up new possibilities for mapping the Arab world's future. While protesters across the region have been waving their respective national flags, the cause for which they are fighting and risking their lives extends well beyond their immediate borders."
Libya rebels repel Gaddafi forces
More than 30 people killed as opposition fighters force back government troops in western town of Az Zawiyah.
Al-Jazeera
"Anti-government fighters in the western Libyan town of Az Zawiyah have pushed back forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan president, following a fierce assault on the town.
Gaddafi's forces on Saturday encircled Az Zawiyah, which lies just 50km west of the capital Tripoli, manning checkpoints about 3km from the centre, according to reports....
National council
Elsewhere, following heavy fighting on Friday, anti-government forces were said to be in control of Ras Lanuf, a pipeline hub on the Mediterranean coast that houses a major refinery and petrochemical complex, according to reports form the AFP news agency.
The nearby town of Bin Jawad was also under anti-government control on Saturday, sources told Al Jazeera.
In Benghazi, Libya's second city which is in the hands of anti-government forces, the self-declared opposition national council, held their first meeting on Saturday.
"The national council's first formal meeting is starting this morning," Mustafa Gheriani, a spokesman for group, said.
The 30-member body is headed by Mustafa Abdel Jalil, a former justice minister who defected from Gaddafi's camp after protests against the Libyan leader's rule erupted two weeks ago. The meeting was held in secret.
"It's a safety issue," Gheriani said. "This guy [Gadaffi] still assassinates people."
'Call to arms'
Tony Birtley, Al Jazeera's correspondent reporting from Benghazi, said that resistance to Gadaffi's rule was strengthening.
"I think they're coming to the realisation that the outcome is in their own hands. They did think that Gaddafi would leave peacefully, they then thought that the international community would take steps and force him out," he said.
"I think the pendulum has swung now and they believe it is in their own hands.
"They are answering the call to arms, they are coming from all over eastern Libya, bringing their weapons, getting whatever training they can and moving on."....."
Al-Jazeera
"Anti-government fighters in the western Libyan town of Az Zawiyah have pushed back forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan president, following a fierce assault on the town.
Gaddafi's forces on Saturday encircled Az Zawiyah, which lies just 50km west of the capital Tripoli, manning checkpoints about 3km from the centre, according to reports....
National council
Elsewhere, following heavy fighting on Friday, anti-government forces were said to be in control of Ras Lanuf, a pipeline hub on the Mediterranean coast that houses a major refinery and petrochemical complex, according to reports form the AFP news agency.
The nearby town of Bin Jawad was also under anti-government control on Saturday, sources told Al Jazeera.
In Benghazi, Libya's second city which is in the hands of anti-government forces, the self-declared opposition national council, held their first meeting on Saturday.
"The national council's first formal meeting is starting this morning," Mustafa Gheriani, a spokesman for group, said.
The 30-member body is headed by Mustafa Abdel Jalil, a former justice minister who defected from Gaddafi's camp after protests against the Libyan leader's rule erupted two weeks ago. The meeting was held in secret.
"It's a safety issue," Gheriani said. "This guy [Gadaffi] still assassinates people."
'Call to arms'
Tony Birtley, Al Jazeera's correspondent reporting from Benghazi, said that resistance to Gadaffi's rule was strengthening.
"I think they're coming to the realisation that the outcome is in their own hands. They did think that Gaddafi would leave peacefully, they then thought that the international community would take steps and force him out," he said.
"I think the pendulum has swung now and they believe it is in their own hands.
"They are answering the call to arms, they are coming from all over eastern Libya, bringing their weapons, getting whatever training they can and moving on."....."
Real News Video: TRNN EXCLUSIVE: Pro-Gaddafi Forces Attack Brega
Jihan Hafiz speaks to resistance fighters in Brega, Libya
Al-Jazeera Video: Oman protesters call for reform
Al-Jazeera Video: Libyan rebels vow to repel assault
Al-Jazeera Video: Zbigniew Brzezinski on Al Jazeera
Gaddafi fights to regain control
Forces loyal to embattled Libyan leader launch fresh attack on Az Zawiyah, close to Tripoli, but opposition fights back.
Al-Jazeera
"....By Saturday morning, his forces broke through opposition defences in the city of Az Zawiyah after they began renewed attacks at 6am local time, eyewitnesses told Al Jazeera.
The loyalist forces attacked residential areas in the city, firing heavy artillery from all sides, including from the sea. Tanks and armoured vehicles had broken through defences into Martyrs' Square, in the heart of the town, early in the day.
By 10am, the people of the town had retaken Martyrs' Square, after hours of intense fighting and a high number of casualties. At least 30 people were killed in fierce clashes in the town the previous day, but the death toll from the assault on Saturday morning was unclear.....
Dr Hamdi estimated more than 150 people had been injured on Saturday morning.
"A large number of people are gathered in the centre of the square after they pushed forces out of the city," Dr Hamdi told Al Jazeera.
Thousands of people were assembled at the square, he added, preparing to defend it from any further assaults by Gaddafi's forces....
"They have no mercy on civilians; the regime is attacking everything indiscriminately," Ahmed said.
Gaddafi's security forces were using ambulances to kidnap wounded people, Human Rights Solidarity, a Geneva-based organisation, told Al Jazeera.
"Now with all the artillery, tanks and armored vehicles, the fierce fighting is ongoing and people are massacred in a way that we didn't see in Iraq,” Abdul-Fatah Az-Zawi, another local, told Al Jazeera......"
Al-Jazeera
"....By Saturday morning, his forces broke through opposition defences in the city of Az Zawiyah after they began renewed attacks at 6am local time, eyewitnesses told Al Jazeera.
The loyalist forces attacked residential areas in the city, firing heavy artillery from all sides, including from the sea. Tanks and armoured vehicles had broken through defences into Martyrs' Square, in the heart of the town, early in the day.
By 10am, the people of the town had retaken Martyrs' Square, after hours of intense fighting and a high number of casualties. At least 30 people were killed in fierce clashes in the town the previous day, but the death toll from the assault on Saturday morning was unclear.....
Dr Hamdi estimated more than 150 people had been injured on Saturday morning.
"A large number of people are gathered in the centre of the square after they pushed forces out of the city," Dr Hamdi told Al Jazeera.
Thousands of people were assembled at the square, he added, preparing to defend it from any further assaults by Gaddafi's forces....
"They have no mercy on civilians; the regime is attacking everything indiscriminately," Ahmed said.
Gaddafi's security forces were using ambulances to kidnap wounded people, Human Rights Solidarity, a Geneva-based organisation, told Al Jazeera.
"Now with all the artillery, tanks and armored vehicles, the fierce fighting is ongoing and people are massacred in a way that we didn't see in Iraq,” Abdul-Fatah Az-Zawi, another local, told Al Jazeera......"
سيف الإسلام يزور إسرائيل
EXPLOSIVE STORY!!!!!
From Al-Akhbar
"خاص بالموقع - نيويورك افادت مصادر دبلوماسية وثيقة الإطلاع على الجانب الحكومي الليبي أن سيف الإسلام، نجل العقيد معمر القذافي، قام قبل يومين بزيارة خاطفة إلى إسرائيل لطلب المساعدة لإنقاذ النظام. وحسب المصدر الذي تحدث إلى "الأخبار" شريطة عدم كشف هويته، فإن العلاقة بين سيف الإسلام وإسرائيل تطورت كثيراً خلال الأزمة الحالية وسط أنباء عن تولي شركات أمنية إسرائيلية نشطة في التشاد تجنيد مرتزقة وإرسالهم إلى ليبيا محققة مكاسب بمليارات الدولارات.
وطلب سيف الإسلام من قيادات أمنية إسرائيلية رفيعة مساعدات عسكرية في ميادين الذخائر وأجهزة المراقبة الليلية فضلا عن صور بالأقمار الصناعية. وفي المقابل، تعهد بتطوير العلاقات بين ليبيا أو ما قد يبقى منها تحت سلطته مع الكيان الإسرائيلي في المجالات السياسية والاقتصادية. وعرض مقابل إنقاذ ثرواته في الخارج صفقة بالتقاسم باستخدام النفوذ الإسرائيلي في الولايات المتحدة.
"
From Al-Akhbar
"خاص بالموقع - نيويورك افادت مصادر دبلوماسية وثيقة الإطلاع على الجانب الحكومي الليبي أن سيف الإسلام، نجل العقيد معمر القذافي، قام قبل يومين بزيارة خاطفة إلى إسرائيل لطلب المساعدة لإنقاذ النظام. وحسب المصدر الذي تحدث إلى "الأخبار" شريطة عدم كشف هويته، فإن العلاقة بين سيف الإسلام وإسرائيل تطورت كثيراً خلال الأزمة الحالية وسط أنباء عن تولي شركات أمنية إسرائيلية نشطة في التشاد تجنيد مرتزقة وإرسالهم إلى ليبيا محققة مكاسب بمليارات الدولارات.
وطلب سيف الإسلام من قيادات أمنية إسرائيلية رفيعة مساعدات عسكرية في ميادين الذخائر وأجهزة المراقبة الليلية فضلا عن صور بالأقمار الصناعية. وفي المقابل، تعهد بتطوير العلاقات بين ليبيا أو ما قد يبقى منها تحت سلطته مع الكيان الإسرائيلي في المجالات السياسية والاقتصادية. وعرض مقابل إنقاذ ثرواته في الخارج صفقة بالتقاسم باستخدام النفوذ الإسرائيلي في الولايات المتحدة.
"
WHICH ARAB DICTATOR......
IS GOING TO BE NEXT??
The Martyr Mehdi Mohammed Zeyo.....
Who Blew Up His Car at the Gate of the Libyan Military Base in Benghazi....
He Made the Liberation of Benghazi Possible....
And Lit the Revolution.
SALUTATIONS!
TO THE BRAVE LIBYAN PEOPLE.
The Martyr Khalid Sa'id
Young Activist Brutally Murdered...
By Egyptian Police in Alexandria.
Lighting the Way for Change.
IS GOING TO BE NEXT??
The Martyr Mehdi Mohammed Zeyo.....Who Blew Up His Car at the Gate of the Libyan Military Base in Benghazi....
He Made the Liberation of Benghazi Possible....
And Lit the Revolution.
SALUTATIONS!
TO THE BRAVE LIBYAN PEOPLE.
The Martyr Khalid Sa'id
Young Activist Brutally Murdered...
By Egyptian Police in Alexandria.
Lighting the Way for Change.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Saudis mobilise thousands of troops to quell growing revolt
By Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent
"Saudi Arabia was yesterday drafting up to 10,000 security personnel into its north-eastern Shia Muslim provinces, clogging the highways into Dammam and other cities with busloads of troops in fear of next week's "day of rage" by what is now called the "Hunayn Revolution".
Saudi Arabia's worst nightmare – the arrival of the new Arab awakening of rebellion and insurrection in the kingdom – is now casting its long shadow over the House of Saud. Provoked by the Shia majority uprising in the neighbouring Sunni-dominated island of Bahrain, where protesters are calling for the overthrow of the ruling al-Khalifa family, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is widely reported to have told the Bahraini authorities that if they do not crush their Shia revolt, his own forces will.....
Like almost every other Arab potentate over the past three months, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia suddenly produced economic bribes and promised reforms when his enemy was at the gates. Can the Arabs be bribed? Their leaders can, perhaps, especially when, in the case of Egypt, Washington was offering it the largest handout of dollars – $1.5bn (£800m) – after Israel. But when the money rarely trickles down to impoverished and increasingly educated youth, past promises are recalled and mocked. With oil prices touching $120 a barrel and the Libyan debacle lowering its production by up to 75 per cent, the serious economic – and moral, should this interest the Western powers – question, is how long the "civilised world" can go on supporting the nation whose citizens made up almost all of the suicide killers of 9/11?
The Arabian peninsula gave the world the Prophet and the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans and the Taliban and 9/11 and – let us speak the truth – al-Qa'ida. This week's protests in the kingdom will therefore affect us all – but none more so than the supposedly conservative and definitely hypocritical pseudo-state, run by a company without shareholders called the House of Saud."
"Saudi Arabia was yesterday drafting up to 10,000 security personnel into its north-eastern Shia Muslim provinces, clogging the highways into Dammam and other cities with busloads of troops in fear of next week's "day of rage" by what is now called the "Hunayn Revolution".
Saudi Arabia's worst nightmare – the arrival of the new Arab awakening of rebellion and insurrection in the kingdom – is now casting its long shadow over the House of Saud. Provoked by the Shia majority uprising in the neighbouring Sunni-dominated island of Bahrain, where protesters are calling for the overthrow of the ruling al-Khalifa family, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is widely reported to have told the Bahraini authorities that if they do not crush their Shia revolt, his own forces will.....
Like almost every other Arab potentate over the past three months, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia suddenly produced economic bribes and promised reforms when his enemy was at the gates. Can the Arabs be bribed? Their leaders can, perhaps, especially when, in the case of Egypt, Washington was offering it the largest handout of dollars – $1.5bn (£800m) – after Israel. But when the money rarely trickles down to impoverished and increasingly educated youth, past promises are recalled and mocked. With oil prices touching $120 a barrel and the Libyan debacle lowering its production by up to 75 per cent, the serious economic – and moral, should this interest the Western powers – question, is how long the "civilised world" can go on supporting the nation whose citizens made up almost all of the suicide killers of 9/11?
The Arabian peninsula gave the world the Prophet and the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans and the Taliban and 9/11 and – let us speak the truth – al-Qa'ida. This week's protests in the kingdom will therefore affect us all – but none more so than the supposedly conservative and definitely hypocritical pseudo-state, run by a company without shareholders called the House of Saud."
The Revolution is Far From Over: Violent clashes in Alexandria
Protesters lay siege to state security building, leading to violent standoff in which police fire on demonstrators.
Al-Jazeera
"Around 1,500 protesters have stormed Alexandria's state security headquarters after earlier clashes with police, gaining control of its lower floors and driving police officers to hide in the upper floors of the building, witnesses and protesters told Al Jazeera.
Hundreds of the protesters stormed the building on Friday night, after petrol bombs and gunfire were reported as emanating from within the building.
One witness said that demonstrators had smashed pieces of furniture on the ground floor of the building, adding that army troops were guarding the upper floors of the four-storey building.
Ahmed Hatem, a protester on the scene, said that the army had told demonstrators that they had orders to arrest the members of the state security agency, but that they would not do so unless they could guarantee that the arrests could be made safely.
Hatem said the army had been "rather cooperative with the demonstrators".
He said that security officers had used live ammunition and petrol bombs to try and disperse protesters, seriously injuring at least two people. The Associated Press, quoting a medic, put that number at three....."
Al-Jazeera
"Around 1,500 protesters have stormed Alexandria's state security headquarters after earlier clashes with police, gaining control of its lower floors and driving police officers to hide in the upper floors of the building, witnesses and protesters told Al Jazeera.
Hundreds of the protesters stormed the building on Friday night, after petrol bombs and gunfire were reported as emanating from within the building.
One witness said that demonstrators had smashed pieces of furniture on the ground floor of the building, adding that army troops were guarding the upper floors of the four-storey building.
Ahmed Hatem, a protester on the scene, said that the army had told demonstrators that they had orders to arrest the members of the state security agency, but that they would not do so unless they could guarantee that the arrests could be made safely.
Hatem said the army had been "rather cooperative with the demonstrators".
He said that security officers had used live ammunition and petrol bombs to try and disperse protesters, seriously injuring at least two people. The Associated Press, quoting a medic, put that number at three....."
The Lara Logan story. We've been manipulated! A witness account
Rape? Women? Stripped? What really happened to Lara Logan?
By Témoris Grecko
I witnessed part of the mob attack against CBS’s Lara Logan at Cairo’s Tahrir square on the evening of Friday, February 11th. I was struck when I read CBS’s February 15th communiqué describing the attack as a “brutal and sustained sexual attack”, and attributing her rescue to “a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers.” This account does not fit with what I, and others, witnessed.
The TV network’s communiqué, which came rather late, as noted by Richard Cohen in The Washington Post, was promptly interpreted by many in the international media to mean rape, and in these terms it became a debate that soon adopted racist and sexist overtones. Egyptian and Muslim men are portrayed as wild beasts and Islam as an inherently violent religion. Attractive women, many commentators have said, should avoid taking on risky tasks, and if they insist, then they had it coming.
I was buying tea from a vendor in Tahrir with two friends, Amr Fekry, a 26 year old Egyptian call center agent, and Andi Walden, a San Francisco political science student. Then we heard the noise and saw the mob coming. A blonde woman, neatly dressed with a white coat, was being dragged and pushed. It didn’t seem to me she was panicking, but rather trying to control the situation. They passed us in an moment. They were yelling “agent!, agent!”
I tried to run to intervene, but some Egyptians I didn’t know prevented me from doing it. There was nothing I could do and, as a foreign journalist, I’d surely end up being accused of being an agent too, and attacked. Fekry did go there and dissapeared into the crowd, 50 or 100 people strong.
By Témoris Grecko
I witnessed part of the mob attack against CBS’s Lara Logan at Cairo’s Tahrir square on the evening of Friday, February 11th. I was struck when I read CBS’s February 15th communiqué describing the attack as a “brutal and sustained sexual attack”, and attributing her rescue to “a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers.” This account does not fit with what I, and others, witnessed.
The TV network’s communiqué, which came rather late, as noted by Richard Cohen in The Washington Post, was promptly interpreted by many in the international media to mean rape, and in these terms it became a debate that soon adopted racist and sexist overtones. Egyptian and Muslim men are portrayed as wild beasts and Islam as an inherently violent religion. Attractive women, many commentators have said, should avoid taking on risky tasks, and if they insist, then they had it coming.
I was buying tea from a vendor in Tahrir with two friends, Amr Fekry, a 26 year old Egyptian call center agent, and Andi Walden, a San Francisco political science student. Then we heard the noise and saw the mob coming. A blonde woman, neatly dressed with a white coat, was being dragged and pushed. It didn’t seem to me she was panicking, but rather trying to control the situation. They passed us in an moment. They were yelling “agent!, agent!”
I tried to run to intervene, but some Egyptians I didn’t know prevented me from doing it. There was nothing I could do and, as a foreign journalist, I’d surely end up being accused of being an agent too, and attacked. Fekry did go there and dissapeared into the crowd, 50 or 100 people strong.
Venezuela and Libya: it is not an April 11 coup, it is a February 27 Caracazo
by Jorge Martín
Marxist.com
"There has been a lot of discussion in Latin America about the events unfolding in Libya. This article explains the position of the IMT, which is one of support for the uprising of the Libyan people, while at the same time condemns any imperialist intervention. We also critically examine the position adopted by Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro....
....However, the case that is being made by both countries, and most prominently by Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro, is undermined by the fact that they are perceived as being supportive of Gaddafi, instead of supporting the masses of the Libyan people who have risen up against his regime....
However, in the case of Libya, the situation is completely different. In Venezuela what we had was a reactionary movement against a democratically elected government attempting to implement progressive reforms and standing up against imperialism. In Libya we have a popular uprising against an oppressive regime which had made all sorts of deals with imperialism.
To a certain extent, it can be understood why there is confusion in Venezuela about the real nature of what is really happening in Libya. The Venezuelan people no longer trust the capitalist media, completely discredited by the role they played in the coup in 2002. Furthermore, the Venezuelan counter-revolutionary opposition is attempting to jump on the bandwagon of the Arab revolution, saying that "the next dictator to fall will be Hugo Chavez".
It is a matter of public record that the Venezuelan counter-revolutionary opposition receives funding, training and support of all kinds from Washington....
The only base of support on which the Venezuelan revolution can count are the masses of workers and youth in the Middle East and North Africa, and throughout the world, who feel sympathy and solidarity with the Bolivarian revolution because they would like a similar revolution to take place in their own countries. Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian revolution should come out clearly in favour of the revolutionary wave sweeping the Arab world, because it is part of the world revolution of which Latin America was for some years the advanced guard. This includes giving support to the Libyan people rising up against Gaddafi, while at the same time opposing any imperialist intervention.....
The only position a revolutionary can take in a situation like this is one of support for the revolutionary uprising of the Libyan people. If Hugo Chavez does not come out clearly in favour of the revolutionary masses of the Arab world then he would be making a serious mistake, one for which the Venezuelan revolution can pay dearly. Hugo Chavez is looking at the Libyan situation through Venezuelan lenses, making the wrong comparisons. The Libyan rebels cannot be compared to the Venezuelan opposition and the position that regime of Gaddafi finds itself in cannot in any way be compared to that facing Chavez......"
Marxist.com
"There has been a lot of discussion in Latin America about the events unfolding in Libya. This article explains the position of the IMT, which is one of support for the uprising of the Libyan people, while at the same time condemns any imperialist intervention. We also critically examine the position adopted by Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro....
....However, the case that is being made by both countries, and most prominently by Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro, is undermined by the fact that they are perceived as being supportive of Gaddafi, instead of supporting the masses of the Libyan people who have risen up against his regime....
However, in the case of Libya, the situation is completely different. In Venezuela what we had was a reactionary movement against a democratically elected government attempting to implement progressive reforms and standing up against imperialism. In Libya we have a popular uprising against an oppressive regime which had made all sorts of deals with imperialism.
To a certain extent, it can be understood why there is confusion in Venezuela about the real nature of what is really happening in Libya. The Venezuelan people no longer trust the capitalist media, completely discredited by the role they played in the coup in 2002. Furthermore, the Venezuelan counter-revolutionary opposition is attempting to jump on the bandwagon of the Arab revolution, saying that "the next dictator to fall will be Hugo Chavez".
It is a matter of public record that the Venezuelan counter-revolutionary opposition receives funding, training and support of all kinds from Washington....
The only base of support on which the Venezuelan revolution can count are the masses of workers and youth in the Middle East and North Africa, and throughout the world, who feel sympathy and solidarity with the Bolivarian revolution because they would like a similar revolution to take place in their own countries. Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian revolution should come out clearly in favour of the revolutionary wave sweeping the Arab world, because it is part of the world revolution of which Latin America was for some years the advanced guard. This includes giving support to the Libyan people rising up against Gaddafi, while at the same time opposing any imperialist intervention.....
The only position a revolutionary can take in a situation like this is one of support for the revolutionary uprising of the Libyan people. If Hugo Chavez does not come out clearly in favour of the revolutionary masses of the Arab world then he would be making a serious mistake, one for which the Venezuelan revolution can pay dearly. Hugo Chavez is looking at the Libyan situation through Venezuelan lenses, making the wrong comparisons. The Libyan rebels cannot be compared to the Venezuelan opposition and the position that regime of Gaddafi finds itself in cannot in any way be compared to that facing Chavez......"
