The difference between Egypt and Iran
by Justin Raimondo, February 21, 2011
"The revolutionary wave sweeping through the Middle East promises to topple sclerotic Arab regimes throughout the region, but there is a marked difference between, say, Egypt and Iran – and the difference is the nationalist factor.
In Egypt, the people rose up against a US-supported dictatorship which had ridden on their backs for 30 years. It’s interesting to note that the regime, in the latter stages of the revolt, resorted to dark hints that the protesters were being run by mysterious “foreign elements.” And, indeed, there was a foreign element that played a key role – I would argue the key role – in Egyptian politics, and had been doing so for the past 30 years, albeit not on the side of the pro-democracy forces: namely, the US government. Washington gave over $60 billion in mostly military aid to the regime of Hosni Mubarak, enabling him to stay in power far longer than he would have otherwise managed.....
UPDATE: As events in Libya continue to race forward, I think my initial analysis is roughly accurate: while the Eastern provinces have rid themselves of Gadhafi, in Tripoli pro-government mobs are taking to the streets, and the dictator and his equally daffy son seem to be digging in for a protracted conflict. I see the son is taking his clues from Glenn Beck and David Horowitz, babbling about how the rebels are trying to restore the "Caliphate" or "Emirate." I didn’t know they got Fox News in Libya, but I guess being the son of a dictator affords one certain privileges."
Monday, February 21, 2011
American Zionism against the Egyptian Pro-Democracy Movement
by Prof James Petras
Global Research
"One of the least analyzed aspects of the Egyptian pro-democracy movement and US policy toward it, is the role of the influential Zionist power configuration (ZPC) including the leading umbrella organization – the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CPMAJO) – Congressional Middle East committee members, officials occupying strategic positions in the Obama Administration’s Middle East bureaus, as well as prominent editors, publicists and journalists who play a major role in the prestigious newspapers and popular weekly magazines. This essay is based on a survey of every issue of the Daily Alert (propaganda bulletin of the CPMAJO), the NY Times and the Washington Post between January 25 – February 17, 2011.....
The same prominent US Zionist scribes who, at first, defended US support for the dictatorial Mubarak regime and then supported the military takeover in Cairo, have now become born-again backers of anti-regime democrats in Iran. This is not inconsistent: the issue for US Zionists is how might pro-democracy movements affect Israel’s colonial policies in Palestine and Israel’s expanding power in the Middle East? In other words, the ZPC in Congress and the White House are not concerned about promoting democracy through American foreign policy, but only about harnessing US diplomacy and military leverage to serve Israel.
What is striking about Obama’s twist and turns in policy toward the mass popular struggles in Egypt is how closely it repeats and implements the policy positions of the US Zionist power configuration clearly presented in the ‘52 organizations’ propaganda organ, the Daily Alert. "
Global Research
"One of the least analyzed aspects of the Egyptian pro-democracy movement and US policy toward it, is the role of the influential Zionist power configuration (ZPC) including the leading umbrella organization – the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CPMAJO) – Congressional Middle East committee members, officials occupying strategic positions in the Obama Administration’s Middle East bureaus, as well as prominent editors, publicists and journalists who play a major role in the prestigious newspapers and popular weekly magazines. This essay is based on a survey of every issue of the Daily Alert (propaganda bulletin of the CPMAJO), the NY Times and the Washington Post between January 25 – February 17, 2011.....
The same prominent US Zionist scribes who, at first, defended US support for the dictatorial Mubarak regime and then supported the military takeover in Cairo, have now become born-again backers of anti-regime democrats in Iran. This is not inconsistent: the issue for US Zionists is how might pro-democracy movements affect Israel’s colonial policies in Palestine and Israel’s expanding power in the Middle East? In other words, the ZPC in Congress and the White House are not concerned about promoting democracy through American foreign policy, but only about harnessing US diplomacy and military leverage to serve Israel.
What is striking about Obama’s twist and turns in policy toward the mass popular struggles in Egypt is how closely it repeats and implements the policy positions of the US Zionist power configuration clearly presented in the ‘52 organizations’ propaganda organ, the Daily Alert. "
Robert Fisk in Manama: Bahrain – an uprising on the verge of revolution
The protesters who are calling for an end to royal rule are in no mood to compromise
"Bahrain is not Egypt. Bahrain is not Tunisia. And Bahrain is not Libya or Algeria or Yemen. True, the tens of thousands gathering again yesterday at the Pearl roundabout – most of them Shia but some of them Sunni Muslims – dressed themselves in Bahraini flags, just as the Cairo millions wore Egyptian flags in Tahrir Square.
But this miniature sultanist kingdom is not yet experiencing a revolution. The uprising of the country's 70 per cent – or is it 80 per cent? – Shia population is more a civil rights movement than a mass of republican rebels, but Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa had better meet their demands quickly if he doesn't want an insurrection.
Indeed, the calls for an end to the entire 200-year-old Khalifa family rule in Bahrain are growing way ahead of the original aims of this explosion of anger: an elected prime minister, a constitutional monarchy, an end to discrimination. The cries of disgust at the Khalifas are much louder, the slogans more incendiary; and the vast array of supposedly opposition personalities talking to the Crown Prince is far behind the mood of the crowds who were yesterday erecting makeshift homes – tented, fully carpeted, complete with tea stalls and portable lavatories – in the very centre of Manama. The royal family would like them to leave but they have no intention of doing so...."
"Bahrain is not Egypt. Bahrain is not Tunisia. And Bahrain is not Libya or Algeria or Yemen. True, the tens of thousands gathering again yesterday at the Pearl roundabout – most of them Shia but some of them Sunni Muslims – dressed themselves in Bahraini flags, just as the Cairo millions wore Egyptian flags in Tahrir Square.
But this miniature sultanist kingdom is not yet experiencing a revolution. The uprising of the country's 70 per cent – or is it 80 per cent? – Shia population is more a civil rights movement than a mass of republican rebels, but Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa had better meet their demands quickly if he doesn't want an insurrection.
Indeed, the calls for an end to the entire 200-year-old Khalifa family rule in Bahrain are growing way ahead of the original aims of this explosion of anger: an elected prime minister, a constitutional monarchy, an end to discrimination. The cries of disgust at the Khalifas are much louder, the slogans more incendiary; and the vast array of supposedly opposition personalities talking to the Crown Prince is far behind the mood of the crowds who were yesterday erecting makeshift homes – tented, fully carpeted, complete with tea stalls and portable lavatories – in the very centre of Manama. The royal family would like them to leave but they have no intention of doing so...."
Gaddafi cruelly resists, but this Arab democratic revolution is far from over
The burning question is, where next? After Ben Ali and Mubarak, others may not fall so easily – but most regimes are candidates
A GREAT COMMENT
David Hirst
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 20 February 2011
"The world has yet to settle on an agreed term for the great events unfolding across the Middle East. I was in the depths of the French countryside – out of touch, and with a BBC World Service that could only fade in and out of hearing late at night and early morning – during their latest, awe-inspiring Egypt phase. But I was soon persuaded that the designation which, in an article in Le Monde, Gilles Kepel, the noted expert on Islamic fundamentalism, assigned them would prove as accurately encapsulating as any. He dubbed them the "Arab democratic revolution".
It is definitely, all-encompassingly Arab. The moment one Arab country, Tunisia, lit the spark, it ignited a fire, a contagion, which all Arabs instantly hoped – and its initially mysterious begetters seem to have envisaged or even planned – would spread to the whole "Arab nation". They all recognised themselves in the aspirations of the Tunisian people, and most appeared to be seized with the belief that if one Arab people could achieve what all had long craved, so could the others.
It is self-evidently democratic. To be sure, other factors, above all the socio-economic, greatly fuelled it, but the concentration on this single aspect of it, the virtual absence of other factional or ideological slogans has been striking. Indeed, so striking that, some now say, this emergence of democracy as an ideal and politically mobilising force amounts to nothing less than a "third way" in modern Arab history. The first was nationalism, nourished by the experience of European colonial rule and all its works, from the initial great carve-up of the "Arab nation" to the creation of Israel, and the west's subsequent, continued will to dominate and shape the region. The second, which only achieved real power in non-Arab Iran, was "political Islam", nourished by the failure of nationalism.
And it is doubly revolutionary. First, in the very conduct of the revolution itself, and the sheer novelty and creativity of the educated and widely apolitical youth who, with the internet as their tool, kindled it. Second, and more conventionally, in the depth, scale and suddenness of the transformation in a vast existing order that it seems manifestly bound to wreak......"
A GREAT COMMENT
David Hirst
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 20 February 2011
"The world has yet to settle on an agreed term for the great events unfolding across the Middle East. I was in the depths of the French countryside – out of touch, and with a BBC World Service that could only fade in and out of hearing late at night and early morning – during their latest, awe-inspiring Egypt phase. But I was soon persuaded that the designation which, in an article in Le Monde, Gilles Kepel, the noted expert on Islamic fundamentalism, assigned them would prove as accurately encapsulating as any. He dubbed them the "Arab democratic revolution".
It is definitely, all-encompassingly Arab. The moment one Arab country, Tunisia, lit the spark, it ignited a fire, a contagion, which all Arabs instantly hoped – and its initially mysterious begetters seem to have envisaged or even planned – would spread to the whole "Arab nation". They all recognised themselves in the aspirations of the Tunisian people, and most appeared to be seized with the belief that if one Arab people could achieve what all had long craved, so could the others.
It is self-evidently democratic. To be sure, other factors, above all the socio-economic, greatly fuelled it, but the concentration on this single aspect of it, the virtual absence of other factional or ideological slogans has been striking. Indeed, so striking that, some now say, this emergence of democracy as an ideal and politically mobilising force amounts to nothing less than a "third way" in modern Arab history. The first was nationalism, nourished by the experience of European colonial rule and all its works, from the initial great carve-up of the "Arab nation" to the creation of Israel, and the west's subsequent, continued will to dominate and shape the region. The second, which only achieved real power in non-Arab Iran, was "political Islam", nourished by the failure of nationalism.
And it is doubly revolutionary. First, in the very conduct of the revolution itself, and the sheer novelty and creativity of the educated and widely apolitical youth who, with the internet as their tool, kindled it. Second, and more conventionally, in the depth, scale and suddenness of the transformation in a vast existing order that it seems manifestly bound to wreak......"
Libya protests analysis: 'For Muammar Gaddafi it's kill or be killed'
Libya's leader faces the worst unrest since he seized power, but no-one expects him to give up peacefully
Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 20 February 2011
".....Now facing the worst unrest since the revolution, Gaddafi's moves are as opaque as ever. Amid feverish speculation about the future, everything he has ever done suggests he will not relinquish power voluntarily. "We will all die on Libyan soil," sources close to his family told the Saudi paper al-Sharq al-Awsat.
According to unconfirmed reports the repression in Benghazi in eastern Libya is being led by his son Khamis, the Russian-trained commander of an elite special forces unit. Another son, Saadi, is there too, with Abdullah al-Senussi, veteran head of military intelligence.
Last Friday Gaddafi appeared briefly in central Tripoli to cheers from supporters but has not spoken in public or left the heavily-guarded Bab al-Aziziya barracks in the centre of the capital – the target of a US bombing raid in 1986.
The crushing of protests in Benghazi and elsewhere bears the hallmark of his instinctive brutality when faced with challenges to his rule, analysts say......"
Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 20 February 2011
".....Now facing the worst unrest since the revolution, Gaddafi's moves are as opaque as ever. Amid feverish speculation about the future, everything he has ever done suggests he will not relinquish power voluntarily. "We will all die on Libyan soil," sources close to his family told the Saudi paper al-Sharq al-Awsat.
According to unconfirmed reports the repression in Benghazi in eastern Libya is being led by his son Khamis, the Russian-trained commander of an elite special forces unit. Another son, Saadi, is there too, with Abdullah al-Senussi, veteran head of military intelligence.
Last Friday Gaddafi appeared briefly in central Tripoli to cheers from supporters but has not spoken in public or left the heavily-guarded Bab al-Aziziya barracks in the centre of the capital – the target of a US bombing raid in 1986.
The crushing of protests in Benghazi and elsewhere bears the hallmark of his instinctive brutality when faced with challenges to his rule, analysts say......"
Gaddafi son: 'We will eradicate them all'
Following are highlights from an address on state TV by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi
Reuters
guardian.co.uk, Monday 21 February 2011
".....
"There are groups that have formed a government in Benghazi and groups that have set up an Islamic emirate in al-Bayda ... and another person who declared himself to be the ruler of the Islamic Republic of Darna.
"They now want to transform Libya into a group of [Islamic] emirates – small states – and even [cause] separatism. They have a plot. Unfortunately, our brother Arabs [allowed] their media, their stations and the inflammatory coverage."
On the dangers facing Libya
"The story is extremely dangerous ... And here I would like to draw to your attention [the fact] that Libya is not Tunisia or Egypt.
"Libya, unlike Tunisia and Egypt, is about tribes, clans and alliances. Libya does not have a civil society or political parties.
....
...."
Reuters
guardian.co.uk, Monday 21 February 2011
".....
"There are groups that have formed a government in Benghazi and groups that have set up an Islamic emirate in al-Bayda ... and another person who declared himself to be the ruler of the Islamic Republic of Darna.
"They now want to transform Libya into a group of [Islamic] emirates – small states – and even [cause] separatism. They have a plot. Unfortunately, our brother Arabs [allowed] their media, their stations and the inflammatory coverage."
On the dangers facing Libya
"The story is extremely dangerous ... And here I would like to draw to your attention [the fact] that Libya is not Tunisia or Egypt.
"Libya, unlike Tunisia and Egypt, is about tribes, clans and alliances. Libya does not have a civil society or political parties.
....
...."
Libya on brink as protests hit Tripoli
Muammar Gaddafi's son warns of civil war in state television address as regime tries to halt uprising
Ian Black, Middle East editor
The Guardian, Monday 21 February 2011
"Muammar Gaddafi's son went on Libyan TV to defend his father's 41-year rule of Libya as protests spread to the capital Tripoli.
The most violent scenes so far of the wave of unrest sweeping the Arab world were seen as Gaddafi relied on brute force to crush what began last week as peaceful protests but now threaten his regime.
After a bloody crackdown that saw troops and mercenaries shooting unarmed demonstrators in the country's second city of Benghazi, the death toll rose to more than 230.
BBC Arabic reported automatic gunfire and teargas in the capital for the first time since the unrest began.
But the regime went on the attack when Saif al-Islam appeared on state TV to say it was a "tragedy" that Libyans had died but warned of "civil war" unless order was restored.
"There is a plot against Libya," said Saif, blaming "an Islamic group with a military agenda" for the bloodshed in Benghazi.
Libya would see "rivers of blood", an exodus of foreign oil companies and occupation by "imperialists" if the violence continued, he said.
In reality, there has been little sign of Islamist involvement in Libya's unprecedented unrest. Nor was there in the uprisings in Tunisia or Egypt.....
The US, Britain and the EU expressed concern at the escalation in violence, but no punitive measures were announced. On Friday the UK revoked licences for the export of riot control equipment. Libya yesterday warned the EU it would halt co-operation over illegal immigration unless the EU stopped supporting protests.
The regime, once treated as a pariah, has been embraced by western countries hungry for oil and lucrative business opportunities since Gaddafi abandoned his support for terrorism but there has been very little easing of domestic repression....."
Ian Black, Middle East editor
The Guardian, Monday 21 February 2011
"Muammar Gaddafi's son went on Libyan TV to defend his father's 41-year rule of Libya as protests spread to the capital Tripoli.
The most violent scenes so far of the wave of unrest sweeping the Arab world were seen as Gaddafi relied on brute force to crush what began last week as peaceful protests but now threaten his regime.
After a bloody crackdown that saw troops and mercenaries shooting unarmed demonstrators in the country's second city of Benghazi, the death toll rose to more than 230.
BBC Arabic reported automatic gunfire and teargas in the capital for the first time since the unrest began.
But the regime went on the attack when Saif al-Islam appeared on state TV to say it was a "tragedy" that Libyans had died but warned of "civil war" unless order was restored.
"There is a plot against Libya," said Saif, blaming "an Islamic group with a military agenda" for the bloodshed in Benghazi.
Libya would see "rivers of blood", an exodus of foreign oil companies and occupation by "imperialists" if the violence continued, he said.
In reality, there has been little sign of Islamist involvement in Libya's unprecedented unrest. Nor was there in the uprisings in Tunisia or Egypt.....
The US, Britain and the EU expressed concern at the escalation in violence, but no punitive measures were announced. On Friday the UK revoked licences for the export of riot control equipment. Libya yesterday warned the EU it would halt co-operation over illegal immigration unless the EU stopped supporting protests.
The regime, once treated as a pariah, has been embraced by western countries hungry for oil and lucrative business opportunities since Gaddafi abandoned his support for terrorism but there has been very little easing of domestic repression....."
Libya: Governments Should Demand End to Unlawful Killings
Death Toll Up to at Least 233 Over Four Days
"The estimated death toll from four days of protests in cities across Libya has risen to at least 233 according to information from hospital sources in Libya, Human Rights Watch said today. From Benghazi, staff at Al Jalaa hospital said they recorded 50 dead on February 20, 2011, while the 7 October hospital reported another 10 dead the same day, giving a total of 60 killed in Benghazi on February 20. This raises the overall death toll from protests in five Libyan cities to 233 since February 17. Human Rights Watch was unable to contact two other hospitals in Benghazi.
(New York) - The African Union and African, Western, and Arab countries that have relations with Libya should urge the Libyan government to stop the unlawful killing of protesters, Human Rights Watch said today. In the last three days, the death toll of protesters reported to Human Rights Watch by hospital staff and other sources has reached at least 173.
Accounts of the use of live ammunition by security forces, including machine gun fire, against protesters near the Katiba in Benghazi on February 19, 2011, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries, raise serious concern that the authorities are using unjustified and unlawful force. The government has shut down all internet communications in the country, and arrested Libyans who have given phone interviews to the media, making it extremely difficult to obtain information on developments there.
"A potential human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Libya as protesters brave live gunfire and death for a third day running," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "Libya is trying to impose an information blackout, but it can't hide a massacre."....."
"The estimated death toll from four days of protests in cities across Libya has risen to at least 233 according to information from hospital sources in Libya, Human Rights Watch said today. From Benghazi, staff at Al Jalaa hospital said they recorded 50 dead on February 20, 2011, while the 7 October hospital reported another 10 dead the same day, giving a total of 60 killed in Benghazi on February 20. This raises the overall death toll from protests in five Libyan cities to 233 since February 17. Human Rights Watch was unable to contact two other hospitals in Benghazi.
(New York) - The African Union and African, Western, and Arab countries that have relations with Libya should urge the Libyan government to stop the unlawful killing of protesters, Human Rights Watch said today. In the last three days, the death toll of protesters reported to Human Rights Watch by hospital staff and other sources has reached at least 173.
Accounts of the use of live ammunition by security forces, including machine gun fire, against protesters near the Katiba in Benghazi on February 19, 2011, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries, raise serious concern that the authorities are using unjustified and unlawful force. The government has shut down all internet communications in the country, and arrested Libyans who have given phone interviews to the media, making it extremely difficult to obtain information on developments there.
"A potential human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Libya as protesters brave live gunfire and death for a third day running," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "Libya is trying to impose an information blackout, but it can't hide a massacre."....."
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
This brand new poll asks:
Do you support dialog between Libyan protesters and Gaddafi (as his son demanded last night)?
With over 1,700 responding already, 88% said no.
Do you support dialog between Libyan protesters and Gaddafi (as his son demanded last night)?
With over 1,700 responding already, 88% said no.
Live Blog - Libya
Al Jazeera English: Live Stream
"February 21
12:07 am Reports from news agencies, Twitter and witnesses speaking directly to Al Jazeera are painting a picture of semi-chaos overnight in Tripoli. It appears that some protesters from nearby towns converged on the city, and thousands from the capital itself turned out as well. They were allowed to march to the central Green or Martyrs' Square, which they occupied briefly before being confronted by security forces and pro-Gaddafi protesters, who came out in force after a late-night speech by Saif al-Gaddafi, the leader's son.
During the night, protesters have broken into and burned a number of government buildings, reportedly including: State television; the main courthouse; a large, centrally located bank; an intelligence agency building; at least two police stations - one in Souq Jamaa and one in Zawadahmany.
Here's video, apparently of the police station in Souq Jamaa on fire:
"February 21
12:07 am Reports from news agencies, Twitter and witnesses speaking directly to Al Jazeera are painting a picture of semi-chaos overnight in Tripoli. It appears that some protesters from nearby towns converged on the city, and thousands from the capital itself turned out as well. They were allowed to march to the central Green or Martyrs' Square, which they occupied briefly before being confronted by security forces and pro-Gaddafi protesters, who came out in force after a late-night speech by Saif al-Gaddafi, the leader's son.
During the night, protesters have broken into and burned a number of government buildings, reportedly including: State television; the main courthouse; a large, centrally located bank; an intelligence agency building; at least two police stations - one in Souq Jamaa and one in Zawadahmany.
Here's video, apparently of the police station in Souq Jamaa on fire:
The Latest From Libya (in Arabic)
الثورة الليبية: المبنى الحكومي في طرابلس يحترق والإذاعة تبث برامج وطنية لا علاقة لها بالقذافي
عــ48ـرب + الجزيرة + وكالات
"قال مراسل رويترز اليوم الاثنين إن المبنى الحكومي الرئيسي في العاصمة الليبية تندلع فيه النيران. وأضاف أنه يمكنه رؤية النيران تندلع في قاعة الشعب، في حين يحاول رجال إطفاء إخماد الحريق.
ووصلت المظاهرات المطالبة بإسقاط نظام العقيد معمر القذافي إلى العاصمة الليبية طرابلس، وتصدت لها بالرصاص قوات الأمن ومن يسميهم المتظاهرون "مرتزقة"، حيث سقط مئات القتلى والجرحى حسب شهود عيان.
في هذه الأثناء أعلنت أكبر قبيلتين في ليبيا، وهما ترهونة وورفلة، اللتين يناهز عدد أفرادهما مليونين، انضمامهما إلى المحتجين ضد القذافي، كما هددت قبيلة الزوية بقطع إمدادات النفط إذا لم يتوقف قتل المتظاهرين.
وأبلغ شهود عيان عن إطلاق نار في شوارع طرابلس، وقالوا إنهم شاهدوا العديد من السيارات تحترق.
وقال الناشط عبد الحكيم من طرابلس إن هناك دعوة إلى تنظيم مسيرة مليونية في المدينة اليوم الاثنين، وأضاف أن الدعوة موجهة إلى باقي المدن والمناطق القريبة من طرابلس للتوجه إليها من أجل المشاركة فيها.
......
ونقلت وكالة قدس برس عن مصادر ليبية قولها إن هناك حراكا داخل الجيش الليبي تقوده شخصية رفيعة المستوى في الجيش، وأضافت أن هذا التحرك قد يؤول إلى تطور مهم وقد يعمل على حسم الموقف.
وأبلغ مصدر سياسي ليبي في بريطانيا الوكالة نفسها أن انقلابا عسكريا يتم تنفيذه على الأرض ويقوده نائب رئيس الأركان المهدي العربي.
وذكر المصدر أن معارك ضارية تدور بين بقايا حرس اللجان الثورية المقربة من القذافي وأنصار المهدي العربي، وأن الإعلان عن الانقلاب ربما يتم بعد حسم الأمور لصالحه.
وأضاف المصدر "هناك أنباء عن أن معارك ضارية تدور الآن بالقرب من مقر القيادة وأن قائد الفرق الخاصة عبد الله السنوسي قد أصيب فيها، وربما يكون قد قُتل".
وأشار إلى أنه تمت السيطرة بالكامل على الإذاعة التي انتقلت إلى بث برامج وطنية لا علاقة لها بالقذافي على الإطلاق."
Bottom Line:
It appears that Gaddafi and his nightmare regime is about to become history!
عــ48ـرب + الجزيرة + وكالات
"قال مراسل رويترز اليوم الاثنين إن المبنى الحكومي الرئيسي في العاصمة الليبية تندلع فيه النيران. وأضاف أنه يمكنه رؤية النيران تندلع في قاعة الشعب، في حين يحاول رجال إطفاء إخماد الحريق.
ووصلت المظاهرات المطالبة بإسقاط نظام العقيد معمر القذافي إلى العاصمة الليبية طرابلس، وتصدت لها بالرصاص قوات الأمن ومن يسميهم المتظاهرون "مرتزقة"، حيث سقط مئات القتلى والجرحى حسب شهود عيان.
في هذه الأثناء أعلنت أكبر قبيلتين في ليبيا، وهما ترهونة وورفلة، اللتين يناهز عدد أفرادهما مليونين، انضمامهما إلى المحتجين ضد القذافي، كما هددت قبيلة الزوية بقطع إمدادات النفط إذا لم يتوقف قتل المتظاهرين.
وأبلغ شهود عيان عن إطلاق نار في شوارع طرابلس، وقالوا إنهم شاهدوا العديد من السيارات تحترق.
وقال الناشط عبد الحكيم من طرابلس إن هناك دعوة إلى تنظيم مسيرة مليونية في المدينة اليوم الاثنين، وأضاف أن الدعوة موجهة إلى باقي المدن والمناطق القريبة من طرابلس للتوجه إليها من أجل المشاركة فيها.
......
ونقلت وكالة قدس برس عن مصادر ليبية قولها إن هناك حراكا داخل الجيش الليبي تقوده شخصية رفيعة المستوى في الجيش، وأضافت أن هذا التحرك قد يؤول إلى تطور مهم وقد يعمل على حسم الموقف.
وأبلغ مصدر سياسي ليبي في بريطانيا الوكالة نفسها أن انقلابا عسكريا يتم تنفيذه على الأرض ويقوده نائب رئيس الأركان المهدي العربي.
وذكر المصدر أن معارك ضارية تدور بين بقايا حرس اللجان الثورية المقربة من القذافي وأنصار المهدي العربي، وأن الإعلان عن الانقلاب ربما يتم بعد حسم الأمور لصالحه.
وأضاف المصدر "هناك أنباء عن أن معارك ضارية تدور الآن بالقرب من مقر القيادة وأن قائد الفرق الخاصة عبد الله السنوسي قد أصيب فيها، وربما يكون قد قُتل".
وأشار إلى أنه تمت السيطرة بالكامل على الإذاعة التي انتقلت إلى بث برامج وطنية لا علاقة لها بالقذافي على الإطلاق."
Bottom Line:
It appears that Gaddafi and his nightmare regime is about to become history!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Help! A Naked Stooge is Looking for Cover!
Where is the Pharaoh When he Needs Him?
A COMMENT
By Tony Sayegh
It was all very predictable. In the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution, and with more uprisings in just about every Arab country, the puppet Abbas had to at least appear to distance himself from his paymaster, the US, and the "peace process."
So, last week he sacrificed his chief buffoon Saeb Erikat, the author of "Life is Negotiations," who has been "negotiating" until the end of his political life. That was just the opening act in an effort to appear as if the stooge is really about to chart a new course.
The next act was to support a draft Security Council resolution declaring Israeli colonies in the West Bank as illegal. Our new Palestinian hero was not even swayed by a 50-minute phone call from Obama and Clinton. According to Arabs48.com, Obama asked the puppet to withdraw the draft resolution and instead accept some non-binding and a watered down statement. But our Palestinian hero would have none of that! Even after Obama assured him that he (Obama) guarantees that not one Arab "leader" would criticize Abbas if he reversed course.
Clinton was even nastier to her puppet. She, and Obama, threatened him with cutting off the aid to the PA and other unspecified measures. But our hero stood fast!
But now, after Obama's Veto of the draft resolution, Abbas needs more than a fig leaf to cover his nakedness. So, the shameless puppet, who just about a week ago prevented a demonstration in support of the Egyptian revolution, has called for a demonstration in Ramallah, and you guessed it, it is going to be next Friday. It will be called the DAY OF RAGE! But rage against who?
Believe it or not, it is rage against his paymaster, Uncle Sam! Rage because Obama and Clinton Vetoed the draft Security Council resolution. Abbas is furious about his latest discovery! He has just discovered that the US has been leading him on with empty words for 17 years. He has just realized that his paymaster is actually not only not against the Israeli colonies, but that it actually finances the construction of those colonies. You can't say that our hero is the dumbest kid on the block.
And just listen to this trainee of General Keith Dayton, who used to be Abbas' intelligence official, Tirawi:
"A top Fatah leader and former Palestinian intelligence official called Saturday for a "day of rage" against America after the Obama administration blocked a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements.
Tawfik Tirawi said Palestinians would protest next Friday, a week after the US directed its UN ambassador to kill the draft Security Council resolution even though the 14 other members of the 15-nation council voted in favor.
Tirawi told Ma’an that the move amounted to "blackmail" and exposed the true face of America as well as the extent to which its role in the Middle East peace process harmed Palestinian interests."
I can just see it. The assembled and paid throng will carry Tirawi on their shoulders and chant for him and for Abbas: "Birroh.... Biddam.... Nafdik Ya Abu Mazen!" (We sacrifice our blood and souls for you Abu Mazen.)
Just one question: Will the Dayton force be in charge of protecting this staged event against the US?
Strange times are these we live in.
A COMMENT
By Tony Sayegh
It was all very predictable. In the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution, and with more uprisings in just about every Arab country, the puppet Abbas had to at least appear to distance himself from his paymaster, the US, and the "peace process."
So, last week he sacrificed his chief buffoon Saeb Erikat, the author of "Life is Negotiations," who has been "negotiating" until the end of his political life. That was just the opening act in an effort to appear as if the stooge is really about to chart a new course.
The next act was to support a draft Security Council resolution declaring Israeli colonies in the West Bank as illegal. Our new Palestinian hero was not even swayed by a 50-minute phone call from Obama and Clinton. According to Arabs48.com, Obama asked the puppet to withdraw the draft resolution and instead accept some non-binding and a watered down statement. But our Palestinian hero would have none of that! Even after Obama assured him that he (Obama) guarantees that not one Arab "leader" would criticize Abbas if he reversed course.
Clinton was even nastier to her puppet. She, and Obama, threatened him with cutting off the aid to the PA and other unspecified measures. But our hero stood fast!
But now, after Obama's Veto of the draft resolution, Abbas needs more than a fig leaf to cover his nakedness. So, the shameless puppet, who just about a week ago prevented a demonstration in support of the Egyptian revolution, has called for a demonstration in Ramallah, and you guessed it, it is going to be next Friday. It will be called the DAY OF RAGE! But rage against who?
Believe it or not, it is rage against his paymaster, Uncle Sam! Rage because Obama and Clinton Vetoed the draft Security Council resolution. Abbas is furious about his latest discovery! He has just discovered that the US has been leading him on with empty words for 17 years. He has just realized that his paymaster is actually not only not against the Israeli colonies, but that it actually finances the construction of those colonies. You can't say that our hero is the dumbest kid on the block.
And just listen to this trainee of General Keith Dayton, who used to be Abbas' intelligence official, Tirawi:
"A top Fatah leader and former Palestinian intelligence official called Saturday for a "day of rage" against America after the Obama administration blocked a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements.
Tawfik Tirawi said Palestinians would protest next Friday, a week after the US directed its UN ambassador to kill the draft Security Council resolution even though the 14 other members of the 15-nation council voted in favor.
Tirawi told Ma’an that the move amounted to "blackmail" and exposed the true face of America as well as the extent to which its role in the Middle East peace process harmed Palestinian interests."
I can just see it. The assembled and paid throng will carry Tirawi on their shoulders and chant for him and for Abbas: "Birroh.... Biddam.... Nafdik Ya Abu Mazen!" (We sacrifice our blood and souls for you Abu Mazen.)
Just one question: Will the Dayton force be in charge of protecting this staged event against the US?
Strange times are these we live in.
Obama’s Dred Scott decision
Via Mondoweiss
I find myself incredibly dispirited by the Obama veto of the UN Security Council resolution against the settlements. There hasn’t been a sadder more craven day in recent Amercan history. Two years after Obama promised in the largest Arab city that he would stop the settlement project, he caved to neoconservatives and the Israel lobby.
I’m not talking about the end of the two state solution. The two state solution probably died a long time ago. James North says that Israel might have preserved itself in 2002 with the Arab Peace Initiative; that was its best chance to survive as a Jewish state. But it rejected the offer.
That is Israel's problem, I am talking about America. The Israel lobby is in America, and it twisted the progressive president’s arm. Huckabee has now positioned himself as the defender of greater Israel, and because of the Israel lobby, Obama must accommodate the Huckabee position rather than taking it on and politicizing the question and trusting the people. He doesn't want Democratic money to go over to the Republicans. That’s the game. AIPAC and the Israel Project urged him to veto, and neocon Jennifer Rubin, supported fully by the Washington Post, told Obama that if he voted against settlements he would join a "pack of jackals" that is against Israel. He heeded her.
I am not crying about the end of Israel-- I would prefer a democracy in Israel and Palestine. What I’m crying about is my country’s inflexibility, its inability to support any semblance of fairness, any semblance of Arab self-determination
It may be 5 years, it may be 20, but Israel is finished; it will some day be a state of its citizens. And my fear surrounds the fact that the most powerful country in the world is the last to have figured out where things are going, we are living in denial, and feeding an Israeli denial of the reality that surrounds it. I believe that Obama made a deal with the Israelis not to bomb Iran and he would protect the settlements, but even that was a craven deal; and now as Iran fades as an existential threat because Israel has lifted its foot off that pedal, we will be bludgeoned with other existential threats. What will happen when the Palestinians rise up in another intifadah, or the Egyptians demand that Gaza be free, or Israel Arabs launch protests? The U.S. will snap to attention.
In Egypt we got on the right side of history. In Israel we are firmly on the wrong side. And if history teaches anything it is that such gross errors of judgment about the direction of civilization are not overcome peaceably.
ثورة 25 يناير في مصر و خارطة الطريق إلى التغيير
محمد أحمد الزعبي
يبدو أن الكثيرين من الزعماء العرب ، الأطباء منهم وغير الأطباء ، كانوا حريصين طيلة الشهرين الماضيين على تنفيذ قسم أبقراط " لاأسمع ، لاأرى ، لاأتكلم " الذي أقسموه بينهم وبين كراسيهم ، من جهة ، وبينهم وبين من أجلسهم على هذه الكراسي ، وعلمهم كل فنون التدليس والتعذيب والتزوير والمراوغة والغدر من أجل الحفاظ على هذه الكراسي ، واعتبارها ملكاً شخصياً لهم ولأسرهم ، قابلاً للتوريث والانتقال " السلس" ( ! ) من الآباء إلى الأبناء ، من جهة أخرى .
دعونا نقول لكم اليوم ، يافلان وياعلاّن من الملوك والرؤساء والأمراء والسلاطين العرب ( ! ) والذين يسمونكم " حكامنا " أن زميليكم العزيزين على قلوبكم في تونس ومصر قد رحلا مكرهين ، وإلى غير رجعة ، تحت عزم وعزيمة الشعبين العظيمين في تونس ومصر ، وتحت ضربات شبابهما السلمية ولكن الموجعة ، المطالبة بالرحيل لركائز الاستبداد والظلم في هذين القطرين العربيين . كما أن عروشاً أخرى بدأت تهتز تحت ضربات المناضلين من دعاة التغيير في أكثر من بلد عربي ، كما تشاهدون وتسمعون ، إلاّ إذا كان " الكرسي مابسمّع " كما يقول المثل الدارج .
لقد بات باب الحرية والديموقراطية اليوم مشرعا أمام الجماهير في البلدان التي تحكمون وتتحكمون بها ،امام القطار العربية بمختلف أطيافها وفئاتها ومكوناتها ، وباتت ملياراتكم ، ومليارات أسركم ، ومليارات أزلامكم ، التي تكنزونها في البنوك الأمريكية والأوربية في متناول علم " الشباب " ، زملاء ونصراء خالد محمد سعيد و محمد بوعزيزي ، وأحمد محمد محمود وبقية الشهداء في تونس ومصر ، كما أن مواقفكم السياسية في السياستين الداخلية والخارجية ، ذات الوجهين ، باتت بعد تسريبات وكيليكس على صفحات المجلات والصحف العالمية. إنكم محاصرون الآن ياأيها السادة .
لقد اعتبر واحد منكم ، ــ أيها الزعماء ــ ، وهو زميلكم في لعبة " تكلم يساراً وسر يميناً " أن سقوط حسني مبارك في مصر يعتبر سقوطا لاتفاقية كامبديفد بين أنور السادات والكيان الصهيوني . إن كاتب هذه المقالة ، يرغب أن يقول لصاحب هذا الراي المعروف لديكم :
نعم إن سقوط حسني مبارك يمكن ان يكون سقوطا لكامبديفد السادات،ولكن ماذا عن الجولان؟الذي مايزال يرزح تحت الاحتلال الاسرائلي منذ سبعة وأربعين عاما كا ملة غير منقوصة ، كنّا نسمع فيها من سيادتكم وسيادة من ورّثكم الحكم في سورية طيلة هذه المدة فقط " جعجعة " ولكننا لم نكن نسمع أو نرىطحناً !!.
لم تكن مشكة الشعبين المصري والتونسي مع حاكميهما " المخلوعين " هي مشكلة ارتباطاتهما الخارجية فقط ، وإنما كانت ــ وربما بسبب هذه الارتباطات الخارجية ــ مشكلة داخلية تتمثل ، بتغييب دور الشعب ، واضطهاده ، وتجويعه ، وهدر كرامته ، ونهب ثرواته ، وذلك عبر نظام أمني استبدادي شمولي ، يقوم على الانتخابات المزورة ومجالس المنتفعين والأتباع التي يطلقون عليها مجالس الشعب وبالتالي على السجون والمعتقلات و قانون الطوارئ ، وغيره من القوانين القمعية الاستبدادية ، التي تسر الأعداء وتغضب الأهل والأصدقاء . ولهذا فقد تجسّدت الشعارات التي رفعها ثوار 25 يناير 2011 في ميدان التحرير في القاهرة والتي أعلن هؤلاء الثوار أنهم إنما يرفعونها ليس باسم الشعب المصري وحسب وإنما أيضاً باسم الشعب العربي كله ، نقول تجسدت بـشعار " الشعب يريد تغيير النظام " ، والذي كان ينطوي في وعي الثورة والثوار على :
1. إسقاط رأس هذا النظام ( الشعب يريد إسقاط الرئيس )،
2. حل مجلسي الشعب والشورى اللذين جاءا بانتخابات مزورة ، وبالتالي فهما لايمثلان إرادة الشعب
3. تغيير الدستور عبر جمعية تاسيسية منتخبة بصورة ديموقراطية حرة ونزيهة يشرف عليها القضاء
4. إلغاء قانون الطوارئ الذي كان الأداة القمعية الأساسية بيد النظام ،
5. إطلاق سراح كافة المساجين السياسيين فوراً .
وقد توجت هذه المطالب الشعبية الشبابية المشروعة والثورية هذه الجمعة (18.02.11) جمعة
الاحتفال بالنصر على الديكتاتورية والفساد ، وتكريم شهداء الثورة ، نقول توجت بمطلب هو :
6. " الشعب يريد تطهير البلاد " ، أي تخليصها من جذورالقمع والاستبداد والفساد التي زرعها نظام حسني مبارك طوال ثلاثين عاما من حكمه ، والذي( نظام مبارك ) قد انتهت صلاحيته السياسية ،بعد أن اضطر تحت الضربات السلمية الثورية لشباب 25 يناير، والتي عمّت معظم المدن المصرية ، واشتركت فيها الملايين من أبناء الشعب بمختلف أطيافه وفئاته ، ولا سيما مكونيه الرئيسيين المسلمون والأقباط إلى التخلي عن منصبه للمجلس الأعلى للقوات المسلّحة في 11 فبراير 2011 .
إن تنفيذ مطالب ثورة 25 يناير من قبل سلطة مابعد مبارك ، إنما سيعني عملياً وواقعياً عودة الشعب العربي في مصر العربية إلى مركز الأحداث ، بعد أن غيبه نظام كامبديفد عنها لمدة أربعة عقود .
لقد تساءل البعض عن سبب عدم تحرك الشعب السوري تاييداً لثورة مصر ، كما حصل ويحصل في بعض الأقطار العربية ، وجوابنا على مثل هذا التساؤل هو أن الأمر يتعلق بدرجة القمع الوحشي التي يمارسها النظام الوراثي في سوريا على الشعب منذ هزيمته في حزيران 1967 أمام إسرائيل، أي منذ احتلال اسرائيل لهضبة الجولان الاستراتيجية ، والتي ( درجة القمع الوحشي ) يمكن أن يواجه بها أي تحرك شعبي لتأييد شباب ثورتي تونس ومصر ، ذلك أن تأييد الجماهير لهتين الثورتين اللتين أطاحتا برئيسي البلدين،إنما يعني تأييدها لشعاراتهما ومطالبهما الستة التي أوردناها أعلاه، وهو مايعتبر في"سورية الأسد !" من المحرمات !!.
إن من غرائب وعجائب الأمور أن النظام الوراثي في دمشق ، بدلاً من أن يطلق سراح المساجين السياسيين ، في إطار الدرس المستفاد من إعصار تونس ومصر ، نرى قضاته ( المحترمين ) والذين نعرف نحن جيداً ، ويعرفون هم أننا نعرف جيداً ، كيف يتلقون تعليماتهم في كيفية إجراء المحاكمات ، بل وفي مدد الأحكام " للمتهمين !! ". من رأس النظام شخصياً ، و/ أو من أحد افراد بطانته ، العميلة والفاسدة ، وخاصة عندما تتعلق هذه المحاكمات والأحكام بأحد المناضلين الشرفاء والمحترمين مثل هيثم المالح ، أو إحدى المناضلات الشريفات المحترمات مثل الطفلة البريئة طل الملّوحي ، أو بواحد من مئات المناضلين الذين سبق أن غصّت ، وتغص الآن ، بهم سجون " الرفاق !! " والذين يطبق عليهم قضاته ( المستقلّين !! ) القوانين القرقوشية المستندة إلى دستور 1973 القرقوشي بدوره والتي طبقت بالأمس على مناضلي إعلان دمشق وغيرهم من المناضلين القوميين واليساريين والإسلاميين والليبراليين وتطبق اليوم على المناضل هيثم المالح وعلى المدوّّنة طل الملّوحي ، وعلى المهندس غسان النجار ، فلا نامت أعين الجبناء .
إن من غرائب وعجائب الأمور ألاّ يبادر نظام " الرفاق" في دمشق فوراً، بعد أحداث تونس ومصر، إلى إلغاء قانون الطوارئ الذي مايزال ينيخ على رقاب الشعب السوري منذ 22/12 /1962 والذي تم توكيده بدلاً من إلغائه في ظل ثورة الثامن من آذار عام 1963 حتى هذه اللحظة ، وأيضاً إلى إلغاء القانون رقم 49 لعام 1980 الخاص بالإخوان المسلمين ، والذين هم مواطنون سوريون ( على الأقل مثل أفراد وأتباع هذا النظام ) ، يحق لهم ولأسرهم العودة إلى وطنهم والعيش في قراهم ومد نهم وبيوتهم ، وممارسة حياتهم السلمية الطبيعية ، بغض النظر عن الاتفاق او الاختلاف معهم في الرأي والرؤية .
3
إن من غرائب وعجائب الأمور ، أن يقول بشار الأسد في تعليقه على الهبة الشعبية في تونس ومصر
( مقابلة مع وول ستريت جورنال بتاريخ 4 فبرلير 2011 ) مايلي :
ــ علينا أن نجاري هذا التغيير على مستوى الدولة والمؤسسات (!) ،
ــ إن المياه الراكدة تسبب التلوث وتولد الجراثيم، ولأن الركود استمر لعقود ، فقد أصابتنا الجراثيم (!)،
ــ إن الإصلاح قد حان والاحتجاجات الشعبية دخلت في مرحلة جديّة (!) ،
ــ على الحكام العرب بذل مزيد من الجهد لاستيعاب الهبة الشعبية (!) ،
ــ الاحتجاجات في مصر لن تصل إلينا (!)،
ــ لذا يأتي الأمن بالمرتبة الأولى، من أجل ضمان الاستقرار، ومن ثم فتح الاقتصاد بشكل تدريجي (!).
إن وجه الغرابة في هذه التصريحات المتناقضة وفاقدة المعنى ، هو أن بشار يتكلم كما لو كان واحداً من معارضي النظام !! ، وإلاّ فما الذي يمنعه من تحريك المياه السورية التي وصفها هو بالراكدة منذ أربعة عقود ؟ والتي ترتب عليها انتشار العفن والجراثيم في المجتمع السوري الذي تحكمونه بالحد يد والنار. إن تحريك المياه الراكدة في سورية التي تدعو إليه ياسيادة الوريث (! ) تقتضي،أول ماتقتضي رحيلك ورحيل أسرتك عن قصر المهاجرين ، وإخلاء سبيل كرسي الرئاسة الذي تجلسون عليه منذ حوالي نصف قرن دونما وجه حق !! ، فهل أنت جاد في كلامك ياسيادة الرئيس ؟ أم أن مقولة " أسمع كلامك يعجبني أشوف فعالك أستعجب " هي ماينطبق على كل تصريحاتك وابتساماتك منذ عام 2000 وحتى هذه اللحظة ؟! . إن مايمكن للكاتب قوله هنا : عش رجباً ترى عجباً .
نعم لقد رسم مناضلو تونس ومصر بدمائهم الزكية لكافة مناضلي الأمة العربية ، خريطة طريق التغيير الثوري ، لإسقاط تلك الأنظمة الفاسدة والمفسدة والمكروهة والمحتقرة من الأغلبية الساحقة من أبناء الأمة العربية من المحيط إلى الخليج ، تلك الخارطة الشعبية الوطنية النظيفة التي كانت لحمتها " سلمية ، سلمية " وسداها "الإصرار والصبر والصمود " ، و مطالبها الأساسية والجوهرية والمشروعة : " الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام ، الشعب يريد تطهير البلاد " وهو ماأشرنا إليه أعلاه
إنني أسمح لنفسي هنا ، كمواطن عربي سوري ، أن أصرخ بصوت مسموع وعالٍ في أذن حكام البلد الذي أنتمي إليه ، والذي ماعدت أعرف ماهو نظامه السياسي ، هل هو جمهوري أم ملكي أم ماذا !؟ والذي وصل رئيسه الحالي إلى السلطة عن طريق التوريث العائلي و ليس عن طريق الإنتخاب الشعبي ، لأقول له ، ولمن حوله ، من " حماة الديار !! " ( أيها الرفاق!) :
اتقوا الله في هذا البلد ، أعيدوا للشعب السوري حريته التي اغتصبتموها منذ أربعة عقود ، اعلموا أن الكفن ليس له جيوب ، وأن الضغط يولد الإنفجار ، وأن الرجوع إلى الحق خير من التمادي في الباطل ، وأن الظلم مرتعه وخيم ، وأن حبل الكذب والتدليس قصير ، وأن الله لايغير مابقوم حتى يغيروا مابأنفسهم ، وأن الغابة لايمكن حجبها بالإصبع ، وأنه إذا كان النصر صبر ساعة ، فإن الهزيمة بدورها صبر ساعة ، وأن الديكتاتورية سلاح ذو حدين ، وان الديموقراطية وصندوق الاقتراع هما المخرج الآمن للوطن والمواطنين ، للحاكم والمحكوم .
إنني لاأريد هناأن أنصح( سياد تك) ومن وراءك ومن أمامك بالرحيل ، ولكنني أنصحكم بان تغيروا مابأنفسكم حتى تكونوا راغبين فعلاً بالتغييرالسياسي والاجتماعي والاقتصادي والثقافي ، وقادرين عليه ، وأن تعيدوا النظر في مسيرتكم الخاطئة والمحفوفة بالمخاطر الخارجية والداخلية قبل فوات الأوان ، لقد ذابت الثلجة وبانت المرجة ، وهاهي خارطة الطريق التي رسمها لنا ثوار تونس ومصر أمامكم ، ذلك أن الجرح واحد ، والألم واحد ، والأمل واحد ،والقدرة على التحمل والصبر والصمود واحدة ، إن رياح التغيير في طريقها إلى قصوركم ،وإلى ملياراتكم ، وإلى من يحرسكم ويحميكم من غضبة الشعب وإلى الفاسدين والمفسدين من حولكم ، هذا إذا لم " يطخكم الحنت " وبقيتم مصابين بعمى الألوان ، وهذا مالا نريده لكم ، فنحن وإياكم " شركاء في الوطن " .
Real News Video with Transcript: Mubarak's Military Dictatorship Expanded Crony Capitalism
Gilbert Achcar Pt5: After Sadat, Mubarak firmed alliance with Israel and US and pushed neo-liberalism
Libya: 84 Killed As Violence Escalates
"People now are saying victory or death, we are not stopping", one protestor tells Channel 4 News
البحرين وإسرائيل: علاقات سرية وجاهزية للاجتماع بنتانياهو
عــ48ـرب
"كشف موقع "ويكيليكس" يوم أمس، السبت، أن وزير خارجية البحرين، الشيخ خالد بن أحمد آل خليفة، عبر عن استعداه للقاء رئيس الحكومة الإسرائيلية بنيامين نتانياهو فور تسلم الأخير مهام منصبه. كما عبر عن استعداده للقاء مسؤولين إسرائيليين آخرين بذريعة الدفع بما يسمى بـ"عملية السلام".
وفي هذا السياق أشارت صحيفة "هآرتس" إلى وجود علاقات سرية وعلى مستوى عال بين إسرائيل والبحرين في السنوات الأخيرة، وأن مسؤولين من كلتا الدولتين قد التقوا عدة مرات في أوروبا وعلى هامش الجمعية العامة لهيئة الأمم المتحدة، كما أن ملك البحرين قام بتعيين اليهودية البحرينية هودا نونو سفيرة للبحرين في الولايات المتحدة.
وأشارت برقية تعود إلى العام 2007، وفيما اعتبرته "هآرتس" شهادة على "اعتدال" البحرين، قال وزير الخارجية البحريني لبعثة اللجنة اليهودية الأمريكية إنه "على اللاجئين الفلسطينيين العودة إلى الدولة الفلسطينية وليس إلى إسرائيل"، ما يعني التخلي عن حق عودة اللاجئين إلى ديارهم التي هجروا منها عام النكبة.
كما أشارت الصحيفة إلى أن وزير خارجية البحرين كان له علاقات وطيدة مع رئيسة كاديما، تسيبي ليفني، وذلك عندما أشغلت الأخيرة منصب وزيرة الخارجية. وبعد الكشف عن لقاء جمع الاثنين في الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة في تشرين الأول/ أكتوبر 2007 دافع الوزير البحريني بشدة عن أهمية اللقاء.
وتشير البرقيات التي نشرها موقع "ويكيليكس" إلى استعداد بحريني لمواصلة العلاقات حتى مع حكومة "نتانياهو – ليبرمان".
يذكر في هذا السياق أن ولي العهد البحريني سلمان بن حمد آل ثاني كان قد نشر في السادس عشر من تموز/ يوليو 2009 مقالا في "واشنطن بوست" تحت عنوان "يجب على العرب التحدث مع الإسرائيليين"، دعا فيه الحكام العرب إلى إنعاش مبادرة السلام العربية والتأكيد على أن العرب لم يعملوا بما فيه الكفاية للتوجه إلى الجمهور الإسرائيلي مباشرة لشرح ما يربحه من السلام مع الفلسطينيين. وفي حينه امتدح نتانياهو المقال، وعبّر عن أمله في أن يحذو حذوه كثيرون في العالم العربي.
وغداة نشر المقال في الصحيفة المذكورة، التقى السفير الأمريكي في المنامة بوزير الخارجية خالد بن أحمد آل ثاني، حيث عبّر الأخير عن استعداده للمبادرة لتجديد الاتصالات مع حكومة نتانياهو.
ونقل عنه قوله إنه "على الرغم من أن إسرائيل لم تقم بالخطوة الأولى، إلا أن البحرين على استعداد للاجتماع وجها لوجه مع مسؤولين إسرائيليين في إطار مؤتمر دولي، والتحدث إلى الجمهور الإسرائيلي بشكل مباشر وفوري عن طريق وسائل الإعلام الإسرائيلية من أجل تشجيع التوجه الإيجابي تجاه السلام مع العالم العربي".
وعلى صلة، اجتمع المبعوث الأمريكي الخاص إلى الشرق الأوسط جورج ميتشيل في الثامن والعشرين من تموز/ يوليو في المنامة مع ولي العهد البحريني. وقال الأخير إنه يجب الخروج من "الجمود السياسي"، وأن "الوقت مناسب للسلام" وأنه "يجب معالجة مخاوف الجمهور الإسرائيلي والتحدث إليه مباشرة، لأن ذلك يسهل الأمر على نتانياهو" على حد قوله.
وفي العشرين من آب/ أغسطس من العام 2009، التقى نائب السفير الأمريكي في المنامة مع مستشار وزير الخارجية البحريني. وأطلعه الأخير على أن ولي العهد ووزير الخارجية معنيان بإجراء مقابلة مع الإعلام الإسرائيلي في إطار اجتماع الجمعية العامة لهيئة الأمم المتحدة في نيويورك. ونقل عنه قوله إنهم كانوا على اتصال مع صحافي واحد على الأقل من صحيفة "هآرتس"، وأنهم ينتظرون مصادقة القيادة البحرينية على إجراء اللقاءن بيد أنه لم يتم إجراء المقابلة."
"كشف موقع "ويكيليكس" يوم أمس، السبت، أن وزير خارجية البحرين، الشيخ خالد بن أحمد آل خليفة، عبر عن استعداه للقاء رئيس الحكومة الإسرائيلية بنيامين نتانياهو فور تسلم الأخير مهام منصبه. كما عبر عن استعداده للقاء مسؤولين إسرائيليين آخرين بذريعة الدفع بما يسمى بـ"عملية السلام".
وفي هذا السياق أشارت صحيفة "هآرتس" إلى وجود علاقات سرية وعلى مستوى عال بين إسرائيل والبحرين في السنوات الأخيرة، وأن مسؤولين من كلتا الدولتين قد التقوا عدة مرات في أوروبا وعلى هامش الجمعية العامة لهيئة الأمم المتحدة، كما أن ملك البحرين قام بتعيين اليهودية البحرينية هودا نونو سفيرة للبحرين في الولايات المتحدة.
وأشارت برقية تعود إلى العام 2007، وفيما اعتبرته "هآرتس" شهادة على "اعتدال" البحرين، قال وزير الخارجية البحريني لبعثة اللجنة اليهودية الأمريكية إنه "على اللاجئين الفلسطينيين العودة إلى الدولة الفلسطينية وليس إلى إسرائيل"، ما يعني التخلي عن حق عودة اللاجئين إلى ديارهم التي هجروا منها عام النكبة.
كما أشارت الصحيفة إلى أن وزير خارجية البحرين كان له علاقات وطيدة مع رئيسة كاديما، تسيبي ليفني، وذلك عندما أشغلت الأخيرة منصب وزيرة الخارجية. وبعد الكشف عن لقاء جمع الاثنين في الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة في تشرين الأول/ أكتوبر 2007 دافع الوزير البحريني بشدة عن أهمية اللقاء.
وتشير البرقيات التي نشرها موقع "ويكيليكس" إلى استعداد بحريني لمواصلة العلاقات حتى مع حكومة "نتانياهو – ليبرمان".
يذكر في هذا السياق أن ولي العهد البحريني سلمان بن حمد آل ثاني كان قد نشر في السادس عشر من تموز/ يوليو 2009 مقالا في "واشنطن بوست" تحت عنوان "يجب على العرب التحدث مع الإسرائيليين"، دعا فيه الحكام العرب إلى إنعاش مبادرة السلام العربية والتأكيد على أن العرب لم يعملوا بما فيه الكفاية للتوجه إلى الجمهور الإسرائيلي مباشرة لشرح ما يربحه من السلام مع الفلسطينيين. وفي حينه امتدح نتانياهو المقال، وعبّر عن أمله في أن يحذو حذوه كثيرون في العالم العربي.
وغداة نشر المقال في الصحيفة المذكورة، التقى السفير الأمريكي في المنامة بوزير الخارجية خالد بن أحمد آل ثاني، حيث عبّر الأخير عن استعداده للمبادرة لتجديد الاتصالات مع حكومة نتانياهو.
ونقل عنه قوله إنه "على الرغم من أن إسرائيل لم تقم بالخطوة الأولى، إلا أن البحرين على استعداد للاجتماع وجها لوجه مع مسؤولين إسرائيليين في إطار مؤتمر دولي، والتحدث إلى الجمهور الإسرائيلي بشكل مباشر وفوري عن طريق وسائل الإعلام الإسرائيلية من أجل تشجيع التوجه الإيجابي تجاه السلام مع العالم العربي".
وعلى صلة، اجتمع المبعوث الأمريكي الخاص إلى الشرق الأوسط جورج ميتشيل في الثامن والعشرين من تموز/ يوليو في المنامة مع ولي العهد البحريني. وقال الأخير إنه يجب الخروج من "الجمود السياسي"، وأن "الوقت مناسب للسلام" وأنه "يجب معالجة مخاوف الجمهور الإسرائيلي والتحدث إليه مباشرة، لأن ذلك يسهل الأمر على نتانياهو" على حد قوله.
وفي العشرين من آب/ أغسطس من العام 2009، التقى نائب السفير الأمريكي في المنامة مع مستشار وزير الخارجية البحريني. وأطلعه الأخير على أن ولي العهد ووزير الخارجية معنيان بإجراء مقابلة مع الإعلام الإسرائيلي في إطار اجتماع الجمعية العامة لهيئة الأمم المتحدة في نيويورك. ونقل عنه قوله إنهم كانوا على اتصال مع صحافي واحد على الأقل من صحيفة "هآرتس"، وأنهم ينتظرون مصادقة القيادة البحرينية على إجراء اللقاءن بيد أنه لم يتم إجراء المقابلة."
Robert Fisk: These are secular popular revolts – yet everyone is blaming religion
Our writer, who was in Cairo as the revolution took hold in Egypt, reports from Bahrain on why Islam has little to do with what is going on
"Mubarak claimed that Islamists were behind the Egyptian revolution. Ben Ali said the same in Tunisia. King Abdullah of Jordan sees a dark and sinister hand – al-Qa'ida's hand, the Muslim Brotherhood's hand, an Islamist hand – behind the civil insurrection across the Arab world. Yesterday the Bahraini authorities discovered Hizbollah's bloody hand behind the Shia uprising there. For Hizbollah, read Iran. How on earth do well-educated if singularly undemocratic men get this thing so wrong? Confronted by a series of secular explosions – Bahrain does not quite fit into this bracket – they blame radical Islam. The Shah made an identical mistake in reverse. Confronted by an obviously Islamic uprising, he blamed it on Communists.
Bobbysocks Obama and Clinton have managed an even weirder somersault. Having originally supported the "stable" dictatorships of the Middle East – when they should have stood by the forces of democracy – they decided to support civilian calls for democracy in the Arab world at a time when the Arabs were so utterly disenchanted with the West's hypocrisy that they didn't want America on their side....
So it's a sea-change in the Middle East's political, social, cultural world. It will create many tragedies, raise many hopes and shed far too much blood. Better perhaps to ignore all the analysts and the "think tanks" whose silly "experts" dominate the satellite channels. If Czechs could have their freedom, why not the Egyptians? If dictators can be overthrown in Europe – first the fascists, then the Communists – why not in the great Arab Muslim world? And – just for a moment – keep religion out of this. "
"Mubarak claimed that Islamists were behind the Egyptian revolution. Ben Ali said the same in Tunisia. King Abdullah of Jordan sees a dark and sinister hand – al-Qa'ida's hand, the Muslim Brotherhood's hand, an Islamist hand – behind the civil insurrection across the Arab world. Yesterday the Bahraini authorities discovered Hizbollah's bloody hand behind the Shia uprising there. For Hizbollah, read Iran. How on earth do well-educated if singularly undemocratic men get this thing so wrong? Confronted by a series of secular explosions – Bahrain does not quite fit into this bracket – they blame radical Islam. The Shah made an identical mistake in reverse. Confronted by an obviously Islamic uprising, he blamed it on Communists.
Bobbysocks Obama and Clinton have managed an even weirder somersault. Having originally supported the "stable" dictatorships of the Middle East – when they should have stood by the forces of democracy – they decided to support civilian calls for democracy in the Arab world at a time when the Arabs were so utterly disenchanted with the West's hypocrisy that they didn't want America on their side....
So it's a sea-change in the Middle East's political, social, cultural world. It will create many tragedies, raise many hopes and shed far too much blood. Better perhaps to ignore all the analysts and the "think tanks" whose silly "experts" dominate the satellite channels. If Czechs could have their freedom, why not the Egyptians? If dictators can be overthrown in Europe – first the fascists, then the Communists – why not in the great Arab Muslim world? And – just for a moment – keep religion out of this. "
Blooms replace bullets in Bahrain, while the region hits boiling point
Shias retake Pearl Square as forces withdraw after two days of bloodshed, but there is fury as US munitions are found
By Robert Fisk in Bahrain
"Chanting, singing and waving roses, Bahrain's Shia Muslims ran in their tens of thousands back into Pearl Square in the centre of Manama yesterday after two days of bloodshed as police and soldiers battled to keep them from the streets of the capital. The army's tanks withdrew from the area – Bahrain's version of Cairo's Tahrir Square – in the morning, and then more than a thousand riot police, standing in ranks before the democracy protesters, suddenly retreated. Several of them ran away in front of us, pursued by women in chadors waving flowers.
Just why the Bahraini military, after firing live bullets into the crowds 24 hours earlier, allowed the protesters to take back the square yesterday was a mystery to many of them.....
Many held posters bearing the faces of Saddam Hussein, ex-Egyptian president Mubarak and former Tunisian dictator Bin Ali, all of the portraits crossed out alongside a picture of King Hamad and the words "Down, Down Hamad." Crowds sang "go away Khalifas" and said that only a new constitution and the trial of police and soldiers who had fired at them with live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear-gas grenades would satisfy them. There was also a distinct note of anger with America when Shia men and women found – amid the debris of the protesters' camp destroyed by the police early on Thursday – dozens of tear-gas and baton rounds imported from the United States........
Saudi Arabia is only one of the Gulf states fearful that gains by the Shia majority in Bahrain will provoke the Shia minority in Saudi Arabia to demand reforms identical to their co-religionists in the tiny nation that borders the Saudi kingdom. And if President Obama was insisting that there should be no more violence by the Bahraini security forces, you can be sure that the Saudis would have been advising the opposite. Last night, the Shias appeared to have won the right to occupy the square again; but whether the police will allow them to keep their encampment, which was already being resupplied with tents yesterday evening, is quite another matter."
Gaddafi: What now for Libya’s dictator, and where does Britain stand?
As rebellion spreads, Tripoli’s hardline regime cracks down, killing at least 100 protesters and leaving 1,000 injured
The Independent
"Libya was approaching a "tipping point" last night as widespread protests against Colonel Gaddafi's regime were met with increasing violence from security forces.
Dozens of protesters were reported killed by sniper fire from security forces in Benghazi, Libya's second city, yesterday when violence flared again as crowds clashed after funerals for people killed in fighting on Friday. "Dozens were killed. We are in the midst of a massacre here," one eyewitness reported.
Clashes were reported in the town of al-Bayda, where dozens of civilians were said to have been killed and police stations came under attack. In all, the death toll was reported to have reached 120. Doctors from Aj Jala hospital in Benghazi confirmed 1,000 people had been injured....
Critics claim that British economic interests in Libya had muted support for the uprising there. British exports to Libya have risen to more than £400m and are set to increase dramatically as oil and gas investments by Shell and BP develop. Britain halted military exports to Libya last week but sniper rifles, which may have killed protesters yesterday, were amongst equipment exported to Tripoli last year.....
Several reports said government-recruited mercenaries were behind the worst violence including sniper attacks and the use of heavy machine guns. A British-based IT consultant, Ahmed Swelim, 26, originally from Benghazi, said relatives told him the situation had reached "critical point". "People are living in fear since he [Mr Gaddafi] brought in African mercenaries. They are dressing as normal people but doing random killings. They will shoot or cut people's hands off. The whole city is erupting. People went out to protest peacefully. They want an end to this oppression. The death toll is much higher than reported. There are more than 200 dead. My cousin, a doctor at a main hospital, has seen the bodies. There are more than 1,000 injured."....."
The Independent
"Libya was approaching a "tipping point" last night as widespread protests against Colonel Gaddafi's regime were met with increasing violence from security forces.
Dozens of protesters were reported killed by sniper fire from security forces in Benghazi, Libya's second city, yesterday when violence flared again as crowds clashed after funerals for people killed in fighting on Friday. "Dozens were killed. We are in the midst of a massacre here," one eyewitness reported.
Clashes were reported in the town of al-Bayda, where dozens of civilians were said to have been killed and police stations came under attack. In all, the death toll was reported to have reached 120. Doctors from Aj Jala hospital in Benghazi confirmed 1,000 people had been injured....
Critics claim that British economic interests in Libya had muted support for the uprising there. British exports to Libya have risen to more than £400m and are set to increase dramatically as oil and gas investments by Shell and BP develop. Britain halted military exports to Libya last week but sniper rifles, which may have killed protesters yesterday, were amongst equipment exported to Tripoli last year.....
Several reports said government-recruited mercenaries were behind the worst violence including sniper attacks and the use of heavy machine guns. A British-based IT consultant, Ahmed Swelim, 26, originally from Benghazi, said relatives told him the situation had reached "critical point". "People are living in fear since he [Mr Gaddafi] brought in African mercenaries. They are dressing as normal people but doing random killings. They will shoot or cut people's hands off. The whole city is erupting. People went out to protest peacefully. They want an end to this oppression. The death toll is much higher than reported. There are more than 200 dead. My cousin, a doctor at a main hospital, has seen the bodies. There are more than 1,000 injured."....."
Egyptian dignity in the face of death
It was only when we protesters risked being shot that revolution in Egypt truly took hold
A VERY GOOD COMMENT
Nawara Najem
(Nawara Najem is an Egyptian journalist, blogger and political activist and was a spokeswoman for the demonstrators in Tahrir Square.)
The Guardian, Saturday 19 February 2011
"....I took up the 25 January call just as I took up every previous one, convinced that the demonstration would be attended by 500 people at best.
That day's demonstration did indeed begin with about 500 people; but then it was joined by crowds of passersby until the numbers in Tahrir Square reached 50,000. The masses had broken through the fear barrier; by the following day, their numbers had doubled. They began to plan how to outmanoeuvre the security forces.....
...The masses that confronted security forces were not the Facebook youth and neither were they the internet activists. Rather, they were segments of Egyptian society whose anger had been ignited by seeing the dead bodies, and so suddenly and unexpectedly they decided that they would risk being shot. Repressive forces want to kill hundreds in order to terrorise the millions, and the only way to foil such a plan is for millions to make the collective decision that they do not fear death. This was the key to both the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions.
Why did the people not fear death? No one knows. It was not only religion, because some of those who died were not believers. It was not only poverty, because many of those who faced death were from the comfortable classes. It was not only despair, as the millions who came out onto the streets were full of hope for change. Perhaps the answer is human dignity. No force, no matter how tyrannous, is able to deprive human beings of this. People broke through the fear barrier, and Christians discovered that the Muslim's are not terrorists while Muslim's discovered that Christians are not agents of the occupation. The poor discovered that they have rights and the middle classes discovered that freedom from counterfeit gains releases the soul. And discovered that they do not need either a leader or commander. Indeed, they don't even need security forces to maintain "security and stability". This revolution is a people's revolution. Whoever claims leadership of it is a liar and whoever claims to be its instigator is a vagabond. Leadership was and remains the property of the masses.
The Egyptian revolution is not yet over. The people have toppled the head of the regime and still they strive to cleanse the pockets of corruption. Let the dictatorships, international forces and beneficiaries clamour. No one can exert control over the will of nations once they have flared up."
A VERY GOOD COMMENT
Nawara Najem
(Nawara Najem is an Egyptian journalist, blogger and political activist and was a spokeswoman for the demonstrators in Tahrir Square.)
The Guardian, Saturday 19 February 2011
"....I took up the 25 January call just as I took up every previous one, convinced that the demonstration would be attended by 500 people at best.
That day's demonstration did indeed begin with about 500 people; but then it was joined by crowds of passersby until the numbers in Tahrir Square reached 50,000. The masses had broken through the fear barrier; by the following day, their numbers had doubled. They began to plan how to outmanoeuvre the security forces.....
...The masses that confronted security forces were not the Facebook youth and neither were they the internet activists. Rather, they were segments of Egyptian society whose anger had been ignited by seeing the dead bodies, and so suddenly and unexpectedly they decided that they would risk being shot. Repressive forces want to kill hundreds in order to terrorise the millions, and the only way to foil such a plan is for millions to make the collective decision that they do not fear death. This was the key to both the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions.
Why did the people not fear death? No one knows. It was not only religion, because some of those who died were not believers. It was not only poverty, because many of those who faced death were from the comfortable classes. It was not only despair, as the millions who came out onto the streets were full of hope for change. Perhaps the answer is human dignity. No force, no matter how tyrannous, is able to deprive human beings of this. People broke through the fear barrier, and Christians discovered that the Muslim's are not terrorists while Muslim's discovered that Christians are not agents of the occupation. The poor discovered that they have rights and the middle classes discovered that freedom from counterfeit gains releases the soul. And discovered that they do not need either a leader or commander. Indeed, they don't even need security forces to maintain "security and stability". This revolution is a people's revolution. Whoever claims leadership of it is a liar and whoever claims to be its instigator is a vagabond. Leadership was and remains the property of the masses.
The Egyptian revolution is not yet over. The people have toppled the head of the regime and still they strive to cleanse the pockets of corruption. Let the dictatorships, international forces and beneficiaries clamour. No one can exert control over the will of nations once they have flared up."
Libya protests: More than 100 killed as army fires on unarmed demonstrators
World leaders condemn Muammar Gaddafi after army launches violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Benghazi
The Guardian
"More than 100 people have died over four days of anti-government protests in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi as Colonel Muammar Gaddafi confronts the most serious challenge to his 42-year rule as leader.
The Libyan army is reported to have fired into unarmed crowds of protesters, killing around 20 people on Saturday alone and after 35 people were believed to have been killed on Friday. Human Rights Watch said the death toll estimates were conservative. Around 15 were reported to have been killed after government forces opened fire during a funeral....."
The Guardian
"More than 100 people have died over four days of anti-government protests in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi as Colonel Muammar Gaddafi confronts the most serious challenge to his 42-year rule as leader.
The Libyan army is reported to have fired into unarmed crowds of protesters, killing around 20 people on Saturday alone and after 35 people were believed to have been killed on Friday. Human Rights Watch said the death toll estimates were conservative. Around 15 were reported to have been killed after government forces opened fire during a funeral....."
Bahrain protesters remain in square
Hundreds of pro-reform supporters spend night at landmark junction as opposition parties weigh dialogue offer.
"A landmark junction in the heart of Bahrain's capital, Manama, continues to be occupied by opposition protesters, hundreds of whom spent the night there after another day of anti-government demonstrations in the tiny Gulf state.
Some woke early on Sunday morning in the Pearl Roundabout area and staged a noisy protest, chanting "Get out Hamad" as they pressed their demand that the king, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, should step down....."
"A landmark junction in the heart of Bahrain's capital, Manama, continues to be occupied by opposition protesters, hundreds of whom spent the night there after another day of anti-government demonstrations in the tiny Gulf state.
Some woke early on Sunday morning in the Pearl Roundabout area and staged a noisy protest, chanting "Get out Hamad" as they pressed their demand that the king, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, should step down....."
Taking back Bahrain's 'Tahrir'
Bahrainis rejoice after army and police retreat from Pearl roundabout just days after violent clashes there.
Al Jazeera Online Producer
"MANAMA, BAHRAIN Young men jubilantly wave national flags and white banners with "peace" written in Arabic and English. Small children bearing roses know nothing of the politics, but they approach Pearl monument with glee, holding hands with proud parents.
Strangers greet each other as if at a party, and vehicles passing nearby honk as if the country has just won a football match against the national rival.
Fear is unexpectedly gone from the air.....
Joyful, despite mourning
The thousands of protesters were no doubt thrilled to be back in the middle of what is now referred to as Bahrain's "Tahrir" - and also as "Martyrs’ Square" - in honour of the half-dozen people who have been killed there.
Nabeel Murad, a 38-year-old protester who works at an aluminum plant, explained that Egypt and Bahrain are different.
"We just have one million people. They lost several hundred, but out of a population of more than 80 million. You see why we've had enough," he said.
Though they have resumed camping out in the square, political tension remains acute and the threat of further security crackdowns looms....."
Al Jazeera Online Producer
"MANAMA, BAHRAIN Young men jubilantly wave national flags and white banners with "peace" written in Arabic and English. Small children bearing roses know nothing of the politics, but they approach Pearl monument with glee, holding hands with proud parents.
Strangers greet each other as if at a party, and vehicles passing nearby honk as if the country has just won a football match against the national rival.
Fear is unexpectedly gone from the air.....
Joyful, despite mourning
The thousands of protesters were no doubt thrilled to be back in the middle of what is now referred to as Bahrain's "Tahrir" - and also as "Martyrs’ Square" - in honour of the half-dozen people who have been killed there.
Nabeel Murad, a 38-year-old protester who works at an aluminum plant, explained that Egypt and Bahrain are different.
"We just have one million people. They lost several hundred, but out of a population of more than 80 million. You see why we've had enough," he said.
Though they have resumed camping out in the square, political tension remains acute and the threat of further security crackdowns looms....."
Live Blog - Libya
Al-Jazeera
As protests in Libya enter their sixth day, following a "day of rage" on Thursday, we keep you updated on the developing situation from our headquarters in Doha, Qatar.
.....
See and Hear the Latest!
As protests in Libya enter their sixth day, following a "day of rage" on Thursday, we keep you updated on the developing situation from our headquarters in Doha, Qatar.
.....
See and Hear the Latest!
Many Videos, Audios, Comments, etc.
Appeal to spare Libyan civilians
Around 50 Muslim leaders call for end to civilian deaths after security crackdown on funeral procession of protesters.
"More than 100 people have been killed in Libya since protests broke out across the North African nation six days ago, according to a watchdog group.
New York City-based Human Rights Watch said on Sunday that it now estimated at least 104 people had died in the unrest, though it called that figure "conservative".
Witnesses in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, tell Al Jazeera that at least 200 people have died there, with hundreds more wounded. Protests have also reportedly broken out in other cities, including Bayda, Derna, Tobruk and Misrata.
In Tripoli, the capital, supporters of the government took to the streets in large numbers, and security forces prevented large demonstrations against Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year reign.
Benghazi a war zone'
Moftah, a Benghazi man who requested Al Jazeera use only his first name, said the city had become a "war zone" in recent days.
Residents have barricaded the streets with overturned trash cans and debris, and security forces have largely confined themselves to two compounds, though they continue to snipe at protesters, he said.....
Unrest 'spreading'
The unrest in Libya has largely been centred in the eastern cities of Benghazi, Bayda and Tobruk. But Al Jazeera has received reports that the protests have begun to spread to the country's west....."
"More than 100 people have been killed in Libya since protests broke out across the North African nation six days ago, according to a watchdog group.
New York City-based Human Rights Watch said on Sunday that it now estimated at least 104 people had died in the unrest, though it called that figure "conservative".
Witnesses in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, tell Al Jazeera that at least 200 people have died there, with hundreds more wounded. Protests have also reportedly broken out in other cities, including Bayda, Derna, Tobruk and Misrata.
In Tripoli, the capital, supporters of the government took to the streets in large numbers, and security forces prevented large demonstrations against Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year reign.
Benghazi a war zone'
Moftah, a Benghazi man who requested Al Jazeera use only his first name, said the city had become a "war zone" in recent days.
Residents have barricaded the streets with overturned trash cans and debris, and security forces have largely confined themselves to two compounds, though they continue to snipe at protesters, he said.....
Unrest 'spreading'
The unrest in Libya has largely been centred in the eastern cities of Benghazi, Bayda and Tobruk. But Al Jazeera has received reports that the protests have begun to spread to the country's west....."
Top Five Myths about the Middle East Protests
5. Dear right wing blogosphere and also Bill Maher: You can’t generalize about women’s position in Muslim countries based on a reprehensible mob attack on CBS reporter Lara Logan. Generalizing about a whole group of people based on a single incident is called “bigotry.” It is also a logical fallacy (for wingnuts challenged by six syllables in a row, that means, ‘when your brain doesn’t work right’) known as the ‘Hasty Generalization.’ Nobody seems to note that allegedly helpless Egyptian women were the ones who saved Logan, or that Anderson Cooper was also attacked.
Some other examples of reporters or celebrities being assaulted by crowds are here and here. Wingnuts, and also Bill Maher, who do not immediately make generalizations on these bases about large groups of Westerners are wusses.
Note to Muslim-hater Bill Maher, who should know better: It is not true that women cannot vote in 20 Muslim countries, and please stop generalizing about 1.5 billion Muslims based on the 22 million people in Wahhabi Saudi Arabia, the only place where women cannot drive and where men can vote in municipal elections) but women cannot. It would be like generalizing from the Amish in Pennsylvania to all people of Christian heritage and wondering what is with Christianity and its fascination with horses and buggies.
4. That the unrest in Bahrain is significantly caused by Iran is false. It is an indigenous protest of Arab Shiites who are treated like second class citizens in their own country. On Saturday night,
the protesting crowds camped out in Pearl Square downtown, as their leaders consulted in preparation for talks with the government. Wikileaks cables show that the US government consistently discounted fear-mongering about Iran by the Sunni monarchy in Bahrain.
the protesting crowds camped out in Pearl Square downtown, as their leaders consulted in preparation for talks with the government. Wikileaks cables show that the US government consistently discounted fear-mongering about Iran by the Sunni monarchy in Bahrain.
3. Yusuf Qaradawi, the 84-year-old preacher whose roots are in the old Muslim Brotherhood before the latter turned to parliamentary politics, is nevertheless no Ayatollah Khomeini. Qaradawi addressed thousands in Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday. Qaradawi called for Muslims to fight the Taliban and al-Qaeda alongside US troops in 2001. On Friday he praised the Coptic Christian role in the Egyptian revolution and said that the age of sectarianism is dead. Qaradawi is a reactionary on many issues, but he is not a radical and there is no reason to think that either the Youth or Workers’ Movements that chased Hosni Mubarak out of the country is interested in having Qaradawi tell them what to do.
2. Looking to the Tunisian and Egyptian futures, it is not true, as dreary anti-Muslim Israeli propagandist Barry Rubin alleged, that Muslim fundamentalist parties always win free and fair elections in Muslim-majority countries. This frankly stupid allegation is disproved by the Pakistan elections of 2008, the Albanian elections of 2009, the Kurdistan elections in post-2003 Iraq, and all of the Indonesian elections.
1. Despite the importance of Facebook and Twitter as communication and networking tools, Labor unions and factory workers have been more important in the Arab uprisings than Twitter or Facebook. In Libya, the regime’s attack on internet service did not forestall a major uprising on Saturday in Benghazi, which the regime met with deadly force.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)