The euphoria that marked the downfall of President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt reverberated to the people across the Arab and Muslim world, but stunned most of the regimes in the Middle East and beyond where autocratic rulers apparently calculated their own chances of survival.
Demonstrators gathered in the capital Algiers Saturday for a pro-democracy march. Algerians, protesting against the rule of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, are reportedly frustrated over poverty and a lack of basic freedoms.
Yemen
President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced in an emergency meeting on Wednesday that he would not run for re-election in the 2013 presidential elections.
President Saleh, after ruling for more than 20 years, has faced protests over the past two weeks, and it remains to be seen whether his concession will be enough to satisfy protesters.
Jordan
In response to periodic protests in Jordan, King Abdullah II sacked his entire cabinet on Tuesday and called for the formation of a new government.
Jordan’s protests seem mostly tied to economic concerns – unemployment and price rise.
Syria
Although no protests have yet materialised in Syria, there have been murmurings, and a drive on Facebook to organise a “day of rage”. Syrians say they want greater freedom and civil rights.
According to The Globe and Mail, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he is not worried that the discontent could lead to trouble for his government because his beliefs are aligned with those of Syrian people.
Sudan
Security forces took strong action against the mostly student protesters, beating and arresting many of those they found in the streets, the New York Times reported. The protests stemmed from economic and political discontent
Uganda
Opposition members in Uganda are threatening Egypt-style protests if next Friday’s presidential poll is rigged so that President Yoweri Museveni can extend his 25-year grip on power.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/americas/Protests-rock-Arab-world/Article1-661668.aspx#
Supporters of the Yemeni government, right, reach to scuffle with anti-government demonstrators celebrating … Security forces in Yemen beat protesters http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110212/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen
Youth react in street, during night
Algeria: Thousands turn out for pro-reform protest http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110212/ap_on_re_af/af_algeria_protest_5
Security measures stepped up across Iran to stifle protests – Iran has stepped up security measure as the opposition march proposed for February 14 draws near. Opposition websites report that the government has blocked Google searches of the word “Bahman.” -Zamaneh 02/12/11
Iran: Government Tightens Grip to Prevent Planned Demonstration on Monday – The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called for the immediate release of dozens of journalists and dissidents who have been arbitrarily detained in an apparent effort to intimidate Iranians from participating in a 14 February rally in solidarity with the Egyptian pro-democracy movement. 02/12/11
Iran’s head of Guardian Council flaunts control over elections – Ahmad Jannati, the hardline cleric in charge of Iran’s Guardian Council, announced today that the Council “will not allow unsavoury individuals to attain the smallest position in the country,” regardless of their popularity. -Zamaneh 02/12/11
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