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.
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.
In my opinion, this is America's Prague Spring and the US administration is ready to make the same mistake as the USSR in those days. The hope in the Arab world, an almost universal hope, is that in fact the revolution heralds the end US backed dictatorial regimes and dictators.
Long live the Arab revolution, may it succeed:- if not now, then soon in-sha'a allah.
Update demonstrations likely to take place after 3pm when dead demonstrators will be laid to rest (traditionally funerals happen within 24 hours of death)
Update major explosion in Egyptian Rafah on the borders of the Gaza ghetto, reports of twelve three dead Egyptian security forces. This was the scene of clashes between anti-government Beduin tribes and security forces yesterday. Heavy militia presence on the other side of border. Report that beduin tribes take over Egyptian Rafah completely.
Update According to phone call I just got. Beduins in Egyptian Rafah open borders with Gaza ghetto. Thank God, this was the regime's main foreign policy, facilitating the starvation of the Palestinians confined to the gaza ghetto. (turns out to be Fateh misinformation) Some people I don't know well insist that the border is open others on Muslim Brotherhood forum say it's closed.
Update: First Saudi official statement on Egypt: مصر العروبة و الإسلام لا يتحمل الإنسان العربي و المسلم أن يعبث بأمنها و استقرارها بعض المندسين باسم حرية التعبير بين جماهير مصر و استغلالهم لنفث أحقادهم تخريباً The Arab and the Muslim people will not tolerate the threat against Egypt's security and independence this is Egypt of Arabism and of Islam. Some terrorists have taken advantage of the demonstrations.
Update according to http://arabs48.com/ an Israel minister declared that what is happening in Egypt is an earthquake and that however this is no time for democratization in the Arab world.
Update Reports of major clashes with live ammunition in Alexandria. demonstrators attack main prison.
Update Egyptian TV and Nile channel (government) is down. Demonstrators surround buildings.
update إدارة الشئون المعنوية بالقوات المسلحة المصرية تؤكد أن الجيش حريص على عدم إستخدام العنف ضد المتظاهرين .
Army official (devision of Moral) insists that Army will not use violence against demonstrators. (I don't believe it but if true Mubarak is finished). Rumors that General Sami Anan, pictured below, who was visiting the Pentagon is negotiating with the US to implement a coup d'état (won't work was visiting Pentagon, who's going to trust him?)
wiki link Born 1948, General in Air Force
Update Funerals for yesterday's dead demonstrators have started and are turning into demonstrations. تشييع جثامين الشهداء وسرعان ماتحولت الا مظاهرات [Today's demonstrations seem to be bigger than yesterday's]
Update عشرات الالاف يتظاهرون الان أمام مقر الاذاعة والتفزيون بالقاهرة ويطالبون برحيل مبارك aljazeera arabic, tens of thousands demonstrate around the broadcasting center and television station in Cairo demanding the departure of Mubarak {important because many Egyptians only have access to state run TV]
Updateلاالاف من المتظاهرين يطوقون مجلس الوزارء
aljazeera arabic. Thousands surround the parliamentary building. [The Army should be shooting by now, why isn't it?]
Update: 3pm Cairo time ملااين المتظاهرين في شوارع القاهرة وغيرها من المدن المصرية , وجنازات شعبية لمئات القتلة
aljazeera. Millions of protestors in Cairo. Mass funerals for hundreds dead
Update: Reports of massacer in abu zghel prison. This is a prison for political prisoners.
Unconfirmed report that prisoner Dr Isam al-`rani has been assassinated. He is one of the real leaders of the Muslim brotherhood. Other reports that prisoners released by demonstrators. Seems that Dr Isam al-`rani has been executed.
<large>Update</large>: القرضاوي يدعو مبارك إلى الرحيل
al-qardawi a well respected Muslim scholar and usually cautious government stooge, calls for Mubarak to leave Egypt.
