This is a diary for quick translation of various Arabic sources with up-to date confirmed as well as unconfirmed information about the ongoing demonstrations in the Arab world. You can find yesterday's Arab sources diary here.
These sources include phone conversations with Egyptian friends, the facebook Rassd News Network which seems to be coordinating some of the demonstrations in central Cairo. Other sources include forums associated with various Muslim Brotherhood affiliated political parties.
Let me be clear, I don't expect the Egyptian revolution to be successful. The regime in Egypt is essential for the implementation and veracity of US-Saudi policy in the Middle East. A policy developed during the cold war and which remains in place. Indeed, the demonstrations are naturally anti-American and my expectation is that if they don't disappear soon there will be a massacre of demonstrators (mainly in Alexandria and Suess) that will be sanctioned by the US and the Saudis.
A couple of points. Mubarak's speech was timed for a US audience and not the Egyptian audience. Indeed, many Egyptians missed the live speech. He has now appointed a new cabinet including American intelligence services favorite torturer Omar Sulayman as Viceroy and General Sami Anan (air force) as Defense Minister, a Pentagon favorite. This is not reform.
Progressive Americans can do the Arab world a favor by demanding that the administration call for
Free and Fair Elections in Egypt.
Full on democracy. Why the recalcitrance? Ignore the ignorant entourage and earn your Goddamn Nobel prize.
Demonstrations will restart after afternoon prayers in Mosques and after funerals for yesterday's victims.
The Rassd news service on facebook which has coordinated times and places of demonstrations seems to be less frequently updated today.
Update RASSD facebook news service تحذير وعاجل || مصدر بالقوات المسلحه يصرح برفع الحاله القصوى للجيش ضد المتظاهرين ونزول فرق الصاعقه
Warning (breaking): Army source says that army will treat protestors increasingly harshly and special forces enter the scene.
Update ongoing expectation in Arabic press that Mubarak will resign today in afternoon. al-Quds, Arabic Reuters. Al-Saiqa special forces in streets. Army takes over interior ministry building. Seems likely now and Sulayman, US appointee, will be president.
Update Saudi Arabia, Turkey, American embassy evacuating citizens at airport. al-Arabiya for Saudi evacuation (nine planes)
Update al-jazeera Arabic transmission on nile-sat stops according to reports by Egyptians on forums. BBC Arabic still on. Al-Arabiya also down from now on nile-sat. al-jazeera nile-sat documentary channel closed too. al-jazeera transmission on 10949/27500/V emergency numbers was up for a while but now down (phone conversation with family). Arabic aljazeera still on http://www.aljazeera.net/...
Update Reports of up to 16 tanks heading toward midan at-tahrir in Cairo center. al-arabiya
Report on forums that former interior minister detained by army.