My notes from Aljazeera English Live Stream.
Yemen: Protesters are planning a day of departure. They want a new constitution. Mass demonstrations are promised. Pro-democracy protesters have dismissed the President’s offer to step down at the end of the year.. President Ali Abdullah Saleh questioned their motives. He says: “They (the demonstrators) are planning to attack and have besieged the central bank and want to loot the deposits.” He says they are also planning to attack military posts. Tens of thousands are expected to gather. The massacre of fifty protestors is fresh on everyone’s mind. They say the Yemeni President is using scare tactics who says he will use all means necessary to defend himself. Army soldiers have vowed to protect the protestors
Libya: NATO says it will take over responsibility from the United States and enforce a no-fly zone. Anti-government forces on the ground in Libya say they are making progress. NATO will begin to only monitor the no fly zone and bombing targets on the ground will decrease. This is seen as an effort to bring Turkey back into the fold. But Hillary Clinton seemed to keep the door open by saying that all 28 countries are still authorized to develop an operational plan separately. In effect, there are now two command centers. The first Arab country, Qatar, has now taken part in the airstrikes. The fighters from the opposition on the ground in Libya want more action from whoever takes control. The general view is they want a robust interpretation of the UN resolution.
The U.S. is lowering its profile. The U.S. will play a support and supply role. The President Barack Obama has made a distinction between the goals of Gaddafi’s exit compared to a military role. But the end game is not known. Will there be military escalation or will there be diplomacy?
The opposition controls Ajdabiya. But, pro-government forces remain outside Ajdabiya. Tanks from Gaddafi forces are shelling the city. Soviet missiles from pro-Gaddafi forces are shelling the town. Throughout the coastal areas, there are rocket launches from coalition forces; missile launches have hit Gaddafi forces outside Ajdabiya. Doctors from Ajdabiya say Gaddafi forces leave their tanks and patrol the city at night. In the desert, camps house people of Ajdabiya. The people stay in the desert in Eastern Libya. The streets in the city seem deserted and citizens are afraid to come out. Rumours of pro-Gaddafi forces surrendering came from a local tribal elder. But negotiations are ongoing.
According to Gaddafi’s government, there have been a hundred civilian deaths in Tripoli due to airstrikes. This cannot be confirmed. Hundreds gathered to mourn and denounce the foreign intervention. Most blame France and the international community. 33 coffins were on display, but only eighteen bodies were buried. More than half the coffins were taken somewhere else. The funeral for some were believed to be held last week.
Portugal: The government has resigned. Frightened young people have a sense that politicians don’t; understand the needs of a modern economy. The economy is weak and uncompetitive. The outgoing minister has not defined an interim government. 15% of the economy is held by European banks. The mood is grim.
Japan: The death toll is now over 10,000. More workers have been exposed to radiation. Some were taken to the hospital after they stepped in radioactive water. Breaking: The core of reactor three may be breached and new radiation is expected. Many Japanese are still searching for relatives and friends. Temporary shelters are being built for the thousands who have lost their homes. As many as a quarter million are living in shelters. Japanese seaports are now open. Many shops in Tokyo are out of bottled water.
U.S.: The Dow Jones is up 84 points.
Syria: Call for a day of dignity. More protests are expected. The State says that Security forces never meant to clash directly with the demonstrators. They said they used force against the thugs and not against the people. The U.S. says Syria should allow demonstrations.