Another day of protests across the Middle East. The Libyan regime continues its slow but brutal dissolution. Major protests in Palestine. Bahraini protests expand. Yemeni protest continue in the face of regime violence. Saudi Arabia leads the way in trying to buy off its people.
For DKos discsussion generally, see the latest liveblog on the Middle East.
About the series: Adalah ("justice" in Arabic) is a diary series about the Middle East, with special (but not exclusive) emphasis on the Arab-Israeli conflict. The authors of this series believe in the right of self-determination for all the people of the Middle East and that a just resolution respecting the rights and dignity of both Palestinians and Israelis is the only viable option for peace. Our diaries will consist of news roundup and analysis. We invite you to discuss them in the comments or contribute with stories from the region which deserve attention. We ask only that you be respectful and that the number of meta comments be kept to a minimum. You can follow Adalah by clicking on the heart symbol on this page.
Morocco
Political parties are joining protesters in calling for reform.
Parties up pressure on Moroccan King for reform
Two of Morocco's biggest political parties and human rights groups have joined calls by a youth movement for constitutional reform that could reduce the role of the king.
Most Moroccan political parties boycotted a February 20 nationwide protest calling for the adoption of a parliamentary monarchy, the dismissal of the coalition government and the dissolution of parliament.
The march, in 53 towns and cities, was organised by the February 20 Movement for Change, and was joined by youths of the banned Islamist Justice and Charity opposition group. TheInterior Ministry said 37,000 people took part in the protest while organisers put the number at 300,000.
Another take on this:
Big Moroccan political party calls for reforms
One of the biggest parties in Morocco's ruling coalition, the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, on Thursday called for a timetable for implementing political reforms to meet popular demand.
Algeria
From yesterday:
Algeria lifts state of emergency
Algeria's cabinet Tuesday adopted a decision to lift the country's 19-year-old state of emergency.
The government said the order would come into force 'without delay' in the North African nation that borders Libya.
Strikes dog Algeria
Protest strikes hampered business as usual in Algeria Tuesday, testing the government's confidence that it will not succumb to a popular uprising like the ones that toppled the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes.
The normally docile judicial system saw the sixth day of a strike by court clerks, forcing the postponement of many trials, while municipal workers, engineering students and even paramedics also downed tools
Libya
See also Clay Clairborne’s Arming Gaddfi and my diary yesterday, Libya News Clips - Many reports, little clarity.
More of the same. It seems clear that Gaddafi has lost control of eastern Libya, the oil fields, and some towns in the west, but by using massive force has maintained control of the area around Tripoli and likely some areas in central Libya (from which Gaddafi originally hails).
Libya rebels isolate Gaddafi, seizing cities and oilfields
The town of Mastra, about halfway between Benghazi and Tripoli, is reported to have fallen after days of violence. A resident, Abdul Basit Imzivig, told the Guardian that regime forces had fled overnight and the city was in opposition hands.
All southern oilfields are in rebel control. Moustafa Raba'a, a mechanical engineer with the Sirte oil company, said pressure had been put on field and refinery managers to stop work and protect all foreign nationals working with them.
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Elsewhere in Libya forces loyal to Gaddafi are reported to have launched a counter-attack on anti-government militias controlling Misrata, 125 miles (200km) east of Tripoli. Several people were killed in fighting near the city's airport.
Another western town, Zuara, is reported to have fallen to opposition forces as the tide of rebellion advanced closer to Tripoli.
Violence reached the town of Az-Zawiyah, 30 miles west of Tripoli. Al-Arabiya television said Gaddafi would address residents of the town.
Big Libya oil terminals in rebel hands – residents
Key Libyan oil and oil product terminals to the east of the capital are in the hands of rebels who have seized control from leader Muammar Gaddafi, said residents of Benghazi who are in touch with people in region.
The residents told Reuters on Thursday the oil and product terminals at Ras Lanuf and Marsa El Brega were being protected.
Videos claim to show scenes of protests in violence-hit city of Al-Zawiya
Egypt border tribes declare support to Libya revolt - Awlad Ali is the biggest Libyan-Egyptian tribe
This announcement is in response to a report that Gaddafi’s cousin was in eastern Egypt trying to recruit the tribes to help crush the Libyan revolution.
Egypt
See Gustogirl’s Catching Up With Egypt and Heathlander’s The Spirit of Tahrir.
Sudan
Sudanese protesters block main road in capital
More than 1,000 Sudanese protesters blocked one of the capital's main roads for several hours on Thursday in a sign of growing impatience with the government's promises of reform and development.
Sudan has broken up dozens of small anti-government protests throughout the north this year inspired by popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East.
Palestine
See also Soysauce’s Adalah: Palestinians Have Found Their Voice. Will You Add Yours?
Major protests today against the US veto of the settlements resolution and against the continuing division among the ineffectual Palestinian leadership. 2,000 protested in Bethlehem, 5,000 in Nablus, 1,500 in Ramallah. Major protests have been called for March 15.
Clashes at Bethlehem checkpoint
Clashes broke out at a checkpoint in Bethlehem on Wednesday afternoon, following a rally during which an estimated 2,000 protesters called for an end to Palestinian political division.
With photos
Thousands in Nablus rally against US veto
Activists in the West Bank and Gaza are threatening to take to the streets next month if the governments in the two Palestinian enclaves fail to negotiate an end to the state of political disunity that began in 2007.
Palestinians renew protest against US veto
In Nablus, at least 5,000 people, many waving flags or holding banners, lashed out at President Barack Obama's administration for nixing the resolution, which criticised Jewish settlement activity.
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Another 1,500 people demonstrated in Ramallah against what was the first US veto since Obama took office.
Young Palestinians call for protests on 15 March
Their movement has no name and no leaders. Just a goal, and a tool.
The goal is to force an end to the political divisions among Palestinians by stirring the youth of Gaza and the West Bank to emulate their brothers and sisters in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.
Jerusalem officials announce US boycott over veto
Officials from 28 civil society groups and local councils in the Jerusalem governorate announced Wednesday they would no longer accept projects with American organizations, following the country's veto of a draft resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction.
Jordan
Jordan's new government tries to stem unrest by meeting political, economic demands
Jordan's Cabinet has approved laws making it easier to organize protests and will revive a government body that works to ensure basic commodities remain affordable to the poor.
A government official says the reforms were passed late Tuesday. They came hours after the country's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, vowed to resume demonstrations pushing for reforms.
Iraq
Protests are still rocking the Kurdish north. However major protests are called for tomorrow across Iraq, and the government seems quite terrified.
Iraq attempts to defuse huge protest planned for Friday – for “defuse” read “suppress”
Iraqi security forces blanketed the streets of Iraq's capital on Wednesday, as officials used tactics including media intimidation and warnings of violence in an apparent attempt to defuse a major demonstration planned for Friday.
An Iraqi organization that monitors press freedom said uniformed Iraqi Army soldiers raided their offices early Wednesday, removing computers and files about attacks on journalists in what it called an attempt to intimidate the Iraqi media ahead of the protest.
PM urges Iraqis not to attend Baghdad demos
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called on Iraqis not to participate in massive planned demonstrations in Baghdad on Friday, describing their organisers as insurgents and loyalists of Saddam Hussein.
But the protests continue, particularly in Kurdistan:
Official: 1 killed, 3 wounded in Iraq protests
A police officer was killed and three others wounded when hundreds of demonstrators protested in the Iraqi town of Halabja over lack of basic services, corruption and unemployment, the town's mayor said Thursday
Saudi Arabia
Facing pressure (though so far little open protest), the Saudi monarchy is moving to buy off its population with a subsidy package reported to value between $10 and $35 BILLION dollars:
Saudi king shocked into popular measures
the king boosted social benefits for his people, in a region where a young population, unemployment and demands for reform have created a cocktail for upheaval. He also ordered a 15 per cent pay rise for state employees and an increase in funds for Saudi housing loans.
The Saudi solution to social unrest: buy peace
Little Unrest, But Growing Frustration In Saudi
Saudi youth call for protest in solidarity with Libyan uprising
A group of Saudi youth Thursday called for a peaceful demonstration in the coastal city of Jeddah in solidarity with anti-government protesters in Libya.
In a printed statement distributed around Riyadh, a group calling itself Jeddah Youth for Change asked people to demonstrate near the al-Beia roundabout in Jeddah on Friday.
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Inspired by the recent successful anti-government uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, Saudi youth have used social media to call for a mass protest on March 11.
Bahrain
Bahrain protesters show no sign of retreat
Anti-Government Protesters Hit Bahrain Streets
Thousands of anti-government protesters are on the streets in Bahrain, where some have cheered the government's release of more than 300 prisoners.
Some demonstrators joined those who have camped out for several days in Manama's Pearl Square, the symbolic center of opposition protests.
Bahrain Trade Union Joins Opposition
Bahrain's largest trade union on Thursday joined the opposition grouping tasked with articulating the demands of antigovernment protesters, raising the specter of further nationwide strike action to pressure the government to accept sweeping reforms.
Mullen arrives in Bahrain as protests continue
With thousands of anti-government protestors still on the streets of Manama, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen arrived in Bahrain on Thursday, aiming to reassure an old American ally and to better understand the intentions of its ruling family.
Yemen
Yemeni lawmakers resign
Eight members of Yemen's ruling party resigned in part to protest the government's violent response to anti-government protesters, media reports said.
Yemen President Orders Forces to Protect Protesters
Thousands gathered in a Sanaa square in Yemen yesterday, just one day after supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, wielding clubs, tried to force them out. Amnesty International says two were killed in the Sanaa clashes late Tuesday, the capital’s first fatalities since protests began. Saleh said last night that he ordered his security services to intervene and to protect protesters, the AP reports. Prior to his announcement, security forces in Aden had used tear gas to disperse protesters.
Bomb kills 1, wounds 2 at protest march in Yemen
A bomb exploded during a protest march by southern secessionists in Yemen on Thursday, killing one person and wounding two, a local official said.
The explosion occurred in the town of Lawdar,
Moderate Arabs
Finally, I'd like to close with a thought piece from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. As the US struggles to understand what is happening in the Middle East, events are often drawn in black and white, between good and evil, or more accurately between "moderate" and "extremist." However, a "moderate Arab" in the Middle East has come to mean: an Arab who supports (or at least does not oppose) Israel. Thus, Hosni Mubarak, who suppressed democracy for 30 years, who stole tens of billions of dollars from his people, and who torture unknown numbers of activists who will likely never be named, is a "moderate." For the US to begin to adapt to the changes in the region, it must first abandon its definition of what is "moderate" and "extremist" (and hence what is "good" and "evil"). In that vein, I leave you with this: Redefining Arab Moderation.