NOTE: We have renamed the liveblog "Witnessing Revolution". What started in Egypt has spread rapidly. It's not clear that it will be limited by geography or ethnicity. So, we wanted a name which states what is happening yet allows us to grow with the movement, wherever that will be. The number sequence will be continuous. The group name will remain the same. Only this particular diary series within the group will have a name change.
You are in the the 139th diary of the liveblog of the 2011 uprisings throughout North Africa and the Middle East. We stand with our international friends and their courageous struggle for dignity, self-determination and human rights.
PLS REC this diary. PLS UNREC the previous diary.
The liveblog is primarily for witnessing, for other activities see the group stream.
We are in the process of collecting suggested readings for background reference materials in support of the Eyes on Egypt and the Region group. These readings may be either non-fiction or fiction, general to the region or specific to a country or issue. If there are resources which you believe aid our understanding of the events and processes we are witnessing, please either a) post a comment in the Liveblog with the title "Suggested reading:" and a brief description of the reading in the body of the comment, or b) send your suggestions via the dKos internal mailer to angry marmot.
Libyan Doctors for Hospitals in Libya an impressive new aide organization launched by one of our own: StepLeftStepForward.
Please place links and info for intervention ideas (humanitarian and beyond) in comments titled "Intervention". We encourage you to provide information without imploring, disrespecting those who might not pursue the intervention, or engaging long debates about the merits. With uniform content labeling, those interested can readily find them and those who want to produce intervention diaries can gather the data efficiently. Please post the link if you do produce an intervention resource diary. We'll include it in the next updated liveblog. Thank you.
The group is producing a series of diaries that provide background and analysis on the region in general and on individual countries. We hope to provide a context for interpreting current events in the news. The published diaries in the series are:
A Region in Protest and Revolt
Will Arab Nationalism Shape the Course of the Reviolutions?
Saudi Arabia Background.
Oman Background
Yemen Background
LIBYA: Saturday saw more fighting in Zawiya. Gaddafi's forces are not really able to maintain control, but can keep coming back and terrorizing people so they don't leave their homes. On eastern front, freedom fighters are moving west. While some tweets suggest that opposition forces have taken control of Sirt, other reports do not confirm that. We're on tenderhooks waiting to hear what's happening there. Meanwhile, a group in Benghazi has declared that there is now a:
National Transitional Council
The Republic of Libya
Declaration of the establishment of the National Transitional Council
In affirming the sovereignty of the Libyan people on its territory, land, sea and air, and in response to the demands of the Libyan people for the realization of free will that is formed Feb. 17 uprising; and preserving the national unity of the Libyan people, we decided to establish a national council called “the Temporary National Transition Council to be the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
Article 1
Features
1. To ensure the security and peace of citizens and the country
2. To coordinate national efforts to free the remaining quarters of the nation
3.In order to coordinate the efforts of local councils working towards the return of civic life
4. To monitor the military council to ensure the realization of a new national military doctrine for the defense of the Libyan people and the protection of its borders
5. To supervise the election of an assembly of foundation in charge of developing a new constitution for the country to be submitted to popular referendum, so that the legitimacy of the Constitution is based on: the will of the people, the successful insurrection of February 17, respect for human rights, the guarantee of civil liberties, separation of powers, independent judiciary and the establishment of national institutions to enable broad participation and pluralism, the peaceful transition of power and the right of representation for all segments Libyan society
6. To form a transitional government to pave the way for free elections
7. To carry out and conduct foreign policy, to organize relations with foreign nations and international and regional organizations, and to represent the Libyan people to them
Article 2
The organizational structure of the Council
1.The Council is composed of 30 members representing all regions of Libya and all sectors of Libyan society, with membership of the youth who represent not less than 5 members.
2. The Council shall elect from among its members a president, an official spokesman and coordinator of a variety of domestic and foreign functions.
Article 3
Council Headquarters
The Council permanent seat is in the capital, Tripoli, with the provisional headquarters to Benghazi until the capital is released.
Article 4
It is the responsibility of the Council to establish protocols for its regular and emergency meetings and make decisions in accordance with the interests of the Libyan people, so that is not in contradiction with the demands of the people, the basis of which were declared by the February 17 uprising: the fall of the Gaddafi regime and the establishment of a state civil, constitutional and democratic.
Article 5
Based on the agreement of municipal councils in different areas released, the Council elected Mr. Mustafa Abdul Jaleel as President of the National Transitional Council temporal and Hafiz Abdul Qader Sr.Abdul Ghoga as his deputy and the official spokesman Council.
Long live a free and united Libya
Glory to the martyrs of the February 17 Uprising
Released from Libyan territory March 2, 2011
revolutionaries of February 17
(Sealed by the Coalition on 17 February)
They are seeking international recognition as the representatives of the Libyan people:
23:56 Reuters The Libyan National Transitional Temporary Council has told Al Jazeera that it expects to be recognized by some countries soon. “There are official contacts with European and Arab (countries). Upon the release (later) today of a statement, some countries will announce their recognition,” ex-Justice Minister Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who heads the council, told the channel.
Is Qatar the first to do so?
JUSTICEforALLPP 7:29pm via web
RT @ZahratTrablis: #Qatar government first to recognize Libyan Provisional Government #Libya #Feb17
More regional tidbits after the fold....bold section names indicate fresh content...
PLS REC THIS DIARY! Will you please do the following to keep our dKos community eyes on our international friends risking their lives for self-determination?
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GENERAL ANALYSIS:
(h/t Richard Lyon)BACKGROUND: The changing face of the Arab world
For decades, political stagnation was a common theme in the Arab world. However, since the outbreak of mass protests in Tunisia 10 weeks ago, the region's political landscape has changed beyond recognition.
ALGERIA:
(h/t Richard Lyon ) - Youths 'attack Algerian protesters'
Anti-government protesters have been attacked in the Algerian capital and an attempt made to lynch a prominent opposition politician, local media have said.
The reports said that protests organised by the National Co-ordination for Democracy and Change (CNDC) in Algiers were violently suppressed on Saturday morning.
BAHRAIN:
(h/t suejazz ) - Unity Urged
MORE than 100,000 people yesterday marched from the Pearl Roundabout in Seef to Prime Minister's office in Manama and returned to the landmark, calling for unity. Women wearing red and white stickers reading "No Sunni, No Shi'ite, Only Bahraini" entered the landmark after the return march as thousands stayed along Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway and King Faisal Highway.
COTE d'IVOIRE:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) - Cote d'Ivoire to get more UN troops
The UN is to send 2,000 more troops to Cote d'Ivoire to reinforce the existing peacekeeping force there, a UN official has said.
Choi Young-jin, the UN special representative for Cote d'Ivoire, said on Saturday that the decision was prompted by a surge in violence in the West African country.
On Thursday, government troops killed at least six women who were protesting against Laurent Gbagbo's refusal to step down as president, three months after the country's disputed election.
DJIBOUTI:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) - Police, army forces fill Djibouti's streets to prevent anti-government protest, witnesses say
DJIBOUTI, March 3 (Reuters) - Djibouti has ordered its opposition to postpone an anti-government protest set for Friday after a previous rally turned violent, a cabinet minister said on Thursday, as a wave of political unrest sweeps north Africa.
Opposition supporters have been calling for the departure of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, in power since 1999 and facing mounting opposition after he oversaw a change to the constitution that allows him to seek a third term in office.
EGYPT:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) - Egyptians attack hated security force's HQ
CAIRO—Three weeks after president Hosni Mubarak's ouster, Egyptians are turning their anger toward his internal security apparatus, storming the agency's headquarters and other offices Saturday and seizing documents to keep them from being destroyed to hide evidence of human rights abuses.
What to do with the country's tainted security agencies remains one of the most contentious issues facing the military rulers who took charge after a popular uprising forced Mubarak to step down on Feb. 11.
The 500,000-strong internal security services are accused of some of the worst human rights abuses in the suppression of dissent against Mubarak's nearly 30-year rule. The protesters are demanding the agency be dismantled and its leaders face a reckoning.
The ruling military council's bind was evident on Friday and Saturday when thousands of demonstrators — including some who said they were victims of abuse by security agents — marched on state security buildings in Alexandria, Cairo and other cities.
They apparently found rooms full of shredded documents, which they believe was an attempt to destroy evidence. But never fear:
(h/t bee tzu) -
waelabbas RT @wikileaks: Egyptians: Don't throw away #AmnDawla shredded paper! We have the world's best shredder reconstruction team on hand
Wikileaks will save the day!
IRAN:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) - U.S. and Sweden to push U.N. rights body to act on Iran
Diplomats said it would still be hard to get an Iran resolution passed as most members of the NAM group and their Russian and Chinese supporters strongly oppose having U.N. special investigators looking into one country's affairs.
IRAQ:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) -
Protesters converge on Iraq capital
Thousands of people have converged on Baghdad's Tahrir, or Liberation, Square to protest against corruption and unemployment, despite a vehicle ban that forced many to walk for hours to the heart of the Iraqi capital.
JORDAN:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) -
Jordan's PM tells lawmakers stripping King Abdullah II of powers violates constitution
AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan's prime minister rejected opposition calls for stripping King Abdullah II of his powers and establishing a constitutional monarchy, telling lawmakers Thursday that such a move would violate the constitution. Jordanians, emboldened by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, have taken to the streets over the past two months to demand Abdullah relinquish some of his powers, including the right to appoint prime ministers. Muslim opposition groups have called for a constitutional monarchy that would leave the king as a nothing more than a figurehead. "The constitution is clear and gives the king absolute powers," Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit said in a speech to parliament. He also rebuffed demands for a transition to a constitutional monarchy, saying it is "a violation of the constitution and bypasses political reforms."
So, the people want to change the constitution and the PM's response is, "that's unconstitutional." Is it me or is he missing the point?
LEBANON:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) - Libya probes missing Lebanon cleric
On Friday, Lebanon's Judicial Council held its first hearing in a case against Col Qaddafi and 16 of his aides over Imam al Sadr's disappearance.
Also on Friday, Interpol released a global security alert for Col Qaddafi and 15 members of his regime, following the two-week uprising and bloody response that threaten to plunge the country into civil war.
"Mr Qaddafi was indicted in Lebanese courts through our legal work in pursuit of the families' long campaign for truth and accountability, and an international arrest warrant issued," said Mr Mallat. "The legal action will adapt to the rapidly evolving situation in Libya and the international scene."
MAURITANIA:
(h/t mali muso ) - Top Mauritanian MP urges politicians to draw lessons from Tunisia, Egypt
Messaoud Ould Boulkheir, the President of the National Assembly in Mauritania and leader of the Opposition People’s Progressive Alliance (APP), has called on Mauritanian leaders to learn from the lessons of the youth revolutions which toppled the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents as well as from the current situation in Libya....Political dialogue in Mauritania, recommended in an agreement signed in June 2009, has still not taken firm root following endless media “warfare” between the ruling party and the opposition although President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, in late 2010, formally invited opposition parties, under the umbrella Democratic Opposition Coordination (COD), for dialogue....Political observers are waiting to see how fairly and openly the Mauritanian leaders will organize legislative elections in November.
MOROCCO:
((h/t ninkasi23)
Note: March 2 is the anniversary of Morocco's independence from France in 1956. Independence from Spain followed on April 7 that same year.
Amnesty Condamne la Dispersion Violente de Manifestants Pacifiques
This referenced article from Mamfakinch (also worth following on Twitter if you can read French) is in French so if there is anyone who would like to translate and add an excerpt that would be fantastique! I do get the gist of the article though:
Amnesty International has issued a public declaration condemning the violence used against the peaceful protestors in the capitol city of Rabat on Feb. 21 & 22.
Morocco: The Tranquil Kingdom?
Following the protests, Mohamed VI announced in a televised speech, a wide set of reforms. He nonetheless added that he would carry them out of his own initiative and not as a result for coercion or ‘demagoguery’. It is still too early to understand what these promises mean and how they will take shape. What is however certain is that effectiveness and speed in carrying out these reforms will prove decisive over whether or not the Moroccan street will keep the Kingdom tranquil or demand more.[. . .]
Meanwhile, in the occupied Western Sahara, yesterday marked the 35year anniversary of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). This anniversary was however tainted by bloodshed and intimidation. Hoping to benefit from international coverage of a local music festival several days ago, hundreds of Saharawis had protested against Moroccan occupation and chanted pro-independence slogans.
By Friday and Saturday, dozens of Moroccan settler groups went on a rampage against what they identified as Saharawi nationalists in the occupied cities of Dakhla, Laayoune and Smara. When the Moroccan state’s police and armed forces are too busy to deal with dissent in the north, it hires local thugs to deal with the ‘southerners’.
(h/t ninkasi23 )
Can Morocco and Algeria long remain exceptions?
The king cannot duck the biggest decision of his 12-year reign. The two faces of protest suggest two diverging paths open to the monarch. He can listen to the articulate demands for constitutional reform, reducing his own powers and conferring greater sovereignty on parliament. The downside would be losing grip on the financial tiller, as policy and the requirements of the king’s burgeoning personal fortune have intermingled. It wouldn’t have to be humiliating as King Mohammad could use Morocco’s established parties to set out reasonable but limited demands for new rules to the game. The question is whether this would go far enough to engage Moroccans, half of whom do not even participate in the electoral process.
OMAN:
(h/t UnaSpenser ) - Oman: Sultan Qaboos still popular despite discontent
"We are not Tunisia, we are not Libya. Our leader is loved, he is not corrupt and I would be willing to lay out my life on the line for him."
We were talking at the heart of a 3,000-strong march beside the towering Grand Mosque in central Muscat.
It was the biggest demonstration yet in Oman: men and women draped in flags and Omani football scarves, carrying portraits of the sultan and chanting slogans of praise and patriotism.
....
So far, so predictable.
But what is more surprising is that the activists who have been holding marches and staging sit-ins - protesting against government corruption, cronyism and indifference in the face of rising unemployment among the young - are equally emphatic in their declarations of undying loyalty to the sultan.
PALESTINE:
Toward Palestine's 'Mubarak moment'
The slow collapse of Palestinian collective leadership institutions in recent years has reached a crisis amid the ongoing Arab revolutions, the revelations in the Palestine Papers, and the absence of any credible peace process.
The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled by Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah faction has attempted to respond to this crisis by calling elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and the PA presidency.
Abbas hopes that elections could restore legitimacy to his leadership. Hamas has rejected such elections in the absence of a reconciliation agreement ending the division that resulted from Fatah's refusal (along with Israel and the PA's western sponsors, especially the United States) to accept the result of the last election in 2006, which Hamas decisively won.
But even if such an election were held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, it does not resolve the crisis of collective leadership faced by the entire Palestinian people, some ten million distributed between those living in the occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank, inside Israel, and the worldwide diaspora. read on...
(h/t NYBritExpat) Is the West Bank next? (Al Jazeera op-ed)
SAUDI ARABIA:
(h/t Richard Lyon ) - Saudi Arabia bans all marches as mass protest is planned for Friday
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
SYRIA:
Lack of protests in Syria blamed on internet crackdown
Beirut - While much of the Arab world continues to see thousands of people taking to the streets with calls for political change, a 'Day of Rage' planned in Syria this month drew only a few dozen protesters.
Hundreds of Syrians did later demonstrate, but to demand an investigation into the alleged police beating of a young man in the capital Damascus - not to seek the toppling of the government, as protesters have successfully done in Tunisia and Egypt.
Government officials attribute the lack of upheaval to President Bashar al-Assad's popularity.
'Such protests are useless in Syria because the president is not hated as much as Hosny Mubarak in Egypt. Our president has started to make reforms a few years ago,' a Syrian source loyal to the president told the German Press Agency dpa.
But rights groups and activists blame the low turnout on an internet crackdown initiated by the government.
One Syrian activist, who spoke to dpa on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said that a number of bloggers have been detained recently in an attempt to stop people from using the internet to share information and organize protests.
TUNISIA:
(h/t suejazz ) - Military Coup would harm Tunisia's interests
There have been calls for a greater military role to help stabilise post-revolutionary Tunisia, but North Africa analyst Francis Ghiles warns that a military coup would only damage Tunisia's long-term interests.
YEMEN:
((h/t UnaSpenser ) - Army kills four, wounds seven
The Yemeni army killed four and injured at least seven Friday when they opened fire with heavy machine guns on demonstrators calling for the end of the president’s three-decade long rule, witnesses said.
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Our Egyptian brethren articulated what people around the region are fighting for, though variations to the theme may exist from country to country. banner held by protesters and translated to English:
1 The departure of Mubarak
2 An end to the current Parliament
3 An end of the state of emergency
4 The creation of a national united government
5 A parliament elected by the people to modify the constitution and run the presidential elections
6 Put those responsible for the killings on trial
7 Put those responsible for stealing the country's money and other acts of corruption on trial
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Resources:
Note: The Mothership Diary is the place to go for a complete list of resources.
Al Jazeera English - Watch Live (the Youtube link below should work for Mac users unable to load this.)
Al Jazeera live also available on
Dish Network channel 9410
DirecTV: Channel 375 Link
Al Jazeera on Facebook:
http: //www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Al Jazeera Live on YouTube
English Stream http://www.youtube.com/...
Arabic Stream http://www.youtube.com/...
BBC Reports
BBC Middle East is doing specific Egypt coverage
WorldWideTahrir{NEW} : Worldwide protests being organized to coincide with the upcoming ones in Egypt.
bicycle Hussein paladin - Why Iran 1979 Went to the Islamists and This One Won't
weasel - Updates on the Egyptian Protests
People to follow on twitter: - please suggest people for specific countries. Thank you!
@ArabRevolution - Region
@Dima_Khatib - Region
@JNovak_Yemen - Yemen
@WomanfromYemen - Yemen
@Gheblawi - Libya
@ShababLibya - Libya
@feb17voices - Libya
@DrsForLibya - Libya
@libyanexpat - Libya
@lissnp - Iran
@prsianbanoo - Iran
@sandmonkey - Egypt
@JRamyRaoof - Egypt
@Elazul - Egypt
@Ssirgany - Egypt
@sharifkouddous
@monasosh
@ioerror
@ElBaradei
@SultanAlQassemi
@evanchill
@glcarlstrom
@nolanjazeera
@3arabawy
@shadihamid
@bencnn
@arabist
@speaktotweet: Egyptian Voice Tweets on Twitter
Previous Child Diaries:
Egypt and the Region Liveblog Archive by unaspenser
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