visionary

http://twitter.com/JShahryar

#Syria: Number of dead in the army attack on Daraa's Omari Mosque now stands at 6 per reports. #mar15 14 minutes ago via web

#Syria: Breaking: Army forces are pulling back and start running after people in streets in #Daraa #mar15 (via @AbdullahAli7) 6 minutes ago via web

#Syria: Gov is cutting off and re-power electricity in #Daraa 2 allow army forces to find out where Ppl are gathering (via @Mohammad_Syria) 6 minutes ago via web

SYRIA

Apparently major **** is hitting the fan in Syria right now!

http://twitter.com/Tharwacolamus

Now in #Deraa, security forces storming Alomari Mosque currently being used as field hospital by protesters, heavy gunfire heard #March15 21 minutes ago via web

Deaths reported in attack on Alomari Mosque in #Deraa, the attack ongoing #March15 #Syria. 19 minutes ago via web

Massacre taking place in Alomari Mosque, many deaths reported. Imams calling ppl from loudspeakers 2 take up arms & come 2 rescue #March15 15 minutes ago via web

Reports of attacks on Alomari Mosque come from eyewitnesses, they are real, not exaggerated, many deaths, spread news #March15 #Deraa #Syria 13 minutes ago via web

In #Deraa, power down, as thousands of people take to the street #March15 #Syria 7 minutes ago via web

---------- Post added March-22nd-2011 at 08:07 PM ----------

http://twitter.com/SyrianJasmine

URGENT!Syrians troops enters the Syrian city of Daraa, and are shooting civilians of all ages!!A massacre is happening right NOW!#Syria 3 minutes ago via web

http://twitter.com/Citoyen_Danton

Other protesters tries to join form the north side of #Daraa to rescue those in the Omary mosque and army stopped them & shot at them #Syria 7 minutes ago via web

YEMEN

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/yemen-live-blog-march-22

10:00pm Reuters - Yemen president Ali Abdullah Saleh, invites young people to join what is described as a "transparent and open dialogue".

"President Ali Abdullah Saleh is truly sympathetic with the youth and is interested in their problems and causes," state media reports, citing an official source.

"The president calls the youth to a transparent, sincere and open dialogue."

7:09pm Al Jazeera receives reports of clashes in the southern Yemeni town of Hadida, between members of the presidential guard and a military battalion which defected to support anti-government protesters.

It is believed at least two people have been killed in the fighting.

SYRIA

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011322155925612161.html

UN calls for Syria probe as hundreds protest

UN human rights chief calls for investigation into weekend crackdown as protesters take to the streets for a fifth day.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in the southern Syrian towns of Daraa and Nawa as the United Nations' human rights chief called for a probe into a weekend crackdown which left six people dead.

Daraa, the capital of Daraa governate, has been the site of unprecedented protests since Friday, with demonstrators demanding the end of the government of Bashar al-Assad, the president.

"Around 1,000 protesters gathered in and around the Omari mosque shouting anti-regime slogans, amid a heavy security and army presence," an activist in Daraa, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The activist said the protesters in the town, a traditional home to large tribal families, had formed a human shield around the mosque on Tuesday to prevent security forces from approaching it.

CNN on TV moments ago:

The Ministry of the Interior in Cairo is on fire. 7 floors are ablaze and several floors have started to collapse.

A thousand police officers are protesting in front of the building to ask for higher wages.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011321164113728994.html

Yemeni president offers to quit by year-end

Ali Abdullah Saleh offers to exit by the end of 2011, vowing not to hand power to the military.

Last Modified: 22 Mar 2011 01:21

Yemen's president has offered to step down from his post by the end of the year, a presidential spokesman has said.

Ahmed al-Sufi told the Associated Press news agency on Tuesday that Ali Abdullah Saleh told military leaders and government officials about his decision on Monday night.

Saleh pledged a "constitutional" transfer of power, and also said he would not hand over power to the military.

It is unclear whether Yemen's opposition would accept the offer. A similar proposal was the subject of discussions between Saleh and opposition groups earlier this month. Saleh has already promised not to run for another term when his current term expires in 2013.

Saleh has a history of breaking similar promises: In 2005, he vowed not to run for another term in office, only to run and win another term in 2006.

---------- Post added March-22nd-2011 at 09:44 AM ----------

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/yemen-live-blog-march-22

4:10pm Reuters - A coalition of Yemeni opposition groups reject Saleh's offer an offer to leave office after organising parliamentary elections by January 2012.

"The opposition rejects the offer as the coming hours will be decisive," said Mohammed al-Sabry, spokesman for the main umbrella opposition group.

http://twitter.com/SultanAlQassemi

Watch out for news from Syria today. Al Arabiya reports that Imams called on citizens to rally around the Omari mosque as forces approach. about 1 hour ago via web

http://twitter.com/iyad_elbaghdadi

All eyes on #Syria ASAP. Security forces have surrounded the Omari Mosque in Daraa with protesters inside; fearing the worst. 37 minutes ago via web

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/asia-pacific/2011/03/2011322402237872.html

Plot to undermine Indonesian president

Ex-generals fomenting tensions to weaken 'reformist' leader, Al Jazeera learns.

Religious minorities often find themselves under attack in Indonesia. Experts say these attacks are well planned.

Al Jazeera has discovered that retired generals in the country are secretly backing groups involved in anti-Christian violence. They hope to weaken president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government, which they feel is too reformist.

Step Vassen reports from Jakarta in this exclusive investigation.

I personally think its pretty apparent that the lens through which our policy makers and pundits have been looking at the Middle East has been horribly broken for the past decade or so. Our responses to revolutions and the quick and easy jump to realist thought patterns are just further evidence of this in my mind. Realism is dying and this may be its last stand.

It's rather amazing how all these dictators have been trying to solve a new problem with old solutions that no longer work.

And it isn't just them. Much of the world is reeling from the revolutions because they don't fit into what they've believed for decades.

Too many in the world have been too slow to realize that the old ways that worked before, the old alliances, and old beliefs are no longer valid.

In some cases world leaders have been cagey enough to see what's happening and ride the waves, while others still cling to suddenly outdated methods of dealing with things, that now only make matters worse.

I think a lot of people, middle aged and older people in particular don't seem to realize what is happening outside their usual spheres of life as well.

Many also don't quite get the feeling of connection and empathy that goes across country lines on the internet on sites like facebook and twitter.

It's interesting to watch how united people all over the world are on twitter, and then go around and talk to others who don't have a clue what is going on outside their own little bubble of existence.

That isn't to blame anyone, but I think many people don't realize how rapidly the world is changing.

http://twitter.com/SultanAlQassemi

CNN: Yemen leader, three top generals including Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, discuss transition of power http://bit.ly/eek8Iy by @jamjoomcnn 8 minutes ago via web

Ignorance is bliss...or a fool born every minute?

Is Bahrain hanging and raping theirs yet?....A veritable Heaven on earth

I don't think most would want any help from Iran let alone be like them, but the less critical thinkers, more emotional ones might start changing their opinions.

By the way, CNN just reported that a US official says that the Yemen president may step down soon and discussions of a transition of power are under way.

Interesting times we are living in.

In other news from Yemen:

http://twitter.com/acarvin

AJE: Gunmen have stormed the offices of Al Jazeera in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, seizing broadcasting equipment. More information soon. 4 minutes ago via TweetDeck

Oh yeah, Iran is a great model for freedom

I don't think anyone thinks that.

The young people of Bahrain seem to be very similar to the young protesters of Iran.

But if Iran is verbally sticking up for you and your own government and their allies are killing you, not allowing you to be treated in hospitals, and making sure you don't get to practice free speech or have equal rights....

Eventually you might start thinking maybe Iran isn't all that bad.

Hillary has called out Iran interference twice in one week...

conspiracy?...or do they know more than they are telling?

Iran is interfering or trying to, but mostly just verbally.

From everything I've seen and read, the people protesting don't want any part of Iran or a theocracy.

They certainly don't want foreign troops to come and help oppress them either though.

The more Saudi Arabia and others take actions like they have in Bahrain, the better Iran will start to look to some of these people.

Latest from Yemen:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/yemen-live-blog-march-21

8:41pm An update of the rapidly growing list of defections and resignations in Yemen:

Army Officers:

Brigadier Ali Mohsen Saleh, head of the North Western Military Zone

Brigadier Hameed Al koshebi, head of brigade 310 in Omran area

Brigadier Mohammed Ali Mohsen, head of the Eastern Division

Brigadier Nasser Eljahori, head of brigade 121

General Ali Abdullaha Aliewa, adviser of the Yemeni supreme leader of the army

General Faisal Rajab, based in the southern province of Lahij

“Dozens of officers of various ranks” – AFP

Diplomats:

Abdel-Wahhab Tawaf, Ambassador to Syria

Mohammed Ali al-Ahwal, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Ambassador to Jordan

Ambassador to Egypt

Ambassador to Kuwait

Ambassador to China

Ambassador to Algeria

Ambassador to Indonesia

Ambassador to Iraq

Ambassador to Qatar

Ambassador to Belgium

Ambassador to Pakistan

Ambassador to Czech Republic

Ambassador to Spain

Ambassador to Germany

Ambassador to Oman

Ambassador to the UN

Charge d’affairs to Tunisia

Representative to the Arab League

All embassy staff in Washington except the ambassador

Local Officials:

Ahmed Qaatabi, Governor of Yemen's southern province of Aden

Himyar al-Ahmar, Deputy Speaker of Parliament

Mayor of Aden

3 MPs

Advisor of Yemen’s premiership

Tribal Leaders:

Sheikh Sadeq bin Abdullah Bin Hussein Alahmar, the leader of Hashed tribal federation

The As-Saadi tribe

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/yemen-live-blog-march-22

12:50am Our correspondent John Terrett, reporting from Washington, said Al Jazeera has learned in the last few hours that four out of six diplomats at the Yemen embassy in DC have "sided with the people":

I want to make this clear: I spoke to the political officer at the embassy this morning - Khaled Al Kathiri - and he said that what he and his four colleagues are doing is: they are not resigning their jobs, they are not joining the opposition, but they are siding with the Yemeni people in their call for Saleh to stand aside and for the reforms to be allowed to go ahead."

http://twitter.com/iyad_elbaghdadi

#Yemen diplomats in Belgium, Pakistan, and Iraq join the revolution. 1 minute ago via web

#Yemen diplomats in India, Czech republic, and Spain join the revolution. 24 minutes ago via web

#Yemen diplomat in USA declares he is with the revolution, live on Aljazeera. 20 minutes ago via web

The French Foreign Minister also called on president Saleh to resign.

http://twitter.com/iyad_elbaghdadi

So far #Yemen diplomats in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, and Russia, have joined the revolution. 28 minutes ago via web

#Yemen diplomat in Qatar also joined the revolution. 26 minutes ago via web

#Yemen diplomats in China & Indonesia join the revolution. 23 minutes ago via web

Diplomats in Germany in Tunisia have also joined the revolution. #Yemen 4 minutes ago via web

Supposedly Yemen's foreign minister is in Saudi Arabia, and the defense minister is supposed to be speaking soon.

Al Jazeera English is covering the Yemen situation a lot today.

Maybe more than Libya.

---------- Post added March-21st-2011 at 11:05 AM ----------

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201132112130110767.html

Syria deploys troops after protests

Forces gather at entrances to the southern city of Daraa, a day after a protester was killed during a demonstration.

Syrian troops have been deployed in the southern city of Daraa a day after an anti-government protester was killed when forces reportedly fired on a demonstration.

News agencies, citing residents, said that thousands of Syrians marched on Monday in the town following the funeral of Raed Akrad, the killed protester.

A resident told the AFP news agency that "mass of demonstrators started to march from the cemetery towards al-Omari mosque after the burial".

"Just God, Syria and Freedom," and "Revolution, revolution" demonstrators chanted, the resident said.

Another witness said security forces had been deployed to block protests, but people had gathered regardless.

However Rula Amin, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Daraa, said the situation on Monday was "very tense but it is quiet".

"There are a lot of security, the army as well as police, there are a lot of checkpoints. But we didn't see any protests, people told us there was a funeral this morning but it ended with no clashes," she said.

---------- Post added March-21st-2011 at 11:25 AM ----------

The defense minister just made some kind of "no surrender" speech.

It seemed like he was warning of a massive crackdown to come.

No idea who would be doing it though.

The majority seem to want democracy, although there are those in the south who want separation. I did honestly hear one cleric call for a caliphate a few weeks back, but I haven't heard anyone else voice similar ideas. According to a reporter on Al Jazeera English right now, the parliament is close to collapsing. He says that a bunch of parliament members have already resigned today.

This is in addition to the cabinet members and Yemeni officials who have also resigned.

some updates from a Yemen blog on Al Jazeera:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/yemen-live-blog-march-21

4:21pm The list (see below) of people who resigned or defected from president Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime is growing rapidly. The latest to join the list is Yemen’s ambassador to Egypt.

Army Officers:

Major General Ali Mohsen Saleh, Head of the North Western Military Zone

Brigadier Hameed Al koshebi, head of brigade 310 in Omran area

Brigadier Mohammed Ali Mohsen, Head of the Eastern Division

Brigadier Nasser Eljahori, head of brigade 121

General Ali Abdullaha Aliewa, Adviser of the Yemeni supreme leader of the army

General Faisal Rajab, based in the southern province of Lahij

“Dozens of officers of various ranks” – AFP

Diplomats:

Abdel-Wahhab Tawaf, Ambassador to Syria

Mohammed Ali al-Ahwal, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Ambassador to Jordan

Ambassador to Kuwait

Ambassador to China

Ambassador to the UN

Local Officials :

Ahmed Qaatabi, Governor of Yemen's southern province of Aden

Himyar al-Ahmar, Deputy Speaker of Parliament

Mayor of Aden

3 MPs

Tribal Leaders

Sheikh Sadeq bin Abdullah Bin Hussein Alahmer, the leader of Hashed tribes

There's some quotes and more details on the blog.

Huge news out of Yemen today!

Senior figures in the army are currently coming out and saying they support the protesters.

Tanks and troops are deployed in the capital of Yemen to protect the anti government protesters.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320180579476.html

Several top Yemeni army commanders have declared their support for anti-government protesters seeking the resignation of the country's president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Major General Ali Mohsen Saleh, the head of the north western military zone and the head of the first armoured division, said on Monday that he had deployed army units to protect the protesters.

Several other commanders, Brigadier Hameed Al Koshebi, head of brigade 310 in Omran area, Brigadier Mohammed Ali Mohsen, head of the eastern division, Brigadier Nasser Eljahori, head of brigade 121, and General Ali Abdullaha Aliewa, adviser of the Yemeni supreme leader of the army, rallied behind Major General Saleh and defected.

Addressing a news conference, Major General Saleh said: "Yemen today, is suffering from a comprehensive and dangerous crisis and it is widespread.

"Lack of dialogue and oppression of peaceful protesters in the public sphere, resulted in crisis which has increased each day.

"And it is because of what I feel about the emotions of officers and leaders in the armed forces, who are an integral part of the people, and protectors of the people, I declare, on their behalf, our peaceful support of the youth revolution and their demands and that we will fulfil our duties."

Hakim Al Masmari, editor-in-chief of Yemen Post, told Al Jazeera that Monday's army defections spell the end for president Saleh.

"It is officially over, now that 60 per cent of the army is allied with the protesters.

"For Ali Mohsen Saleh to annnouce this, it is a clear sign to president Saleh that the game is over and that he must step down now.

"It means the fall of the Yemeni army, by nightfall, we expect 90 per cent of the army to join Mohsen Saleh.

"According to our sources, the president knew that this will happen and he expects Major General Saleh to let him leave without further degradation and humiliation," he said.

Masmari, however, said Major General Saleh was not an acceptable figure.

"Ali Mohsen Saleh will not be accepted by the youth, it is not the start of a military government in Yemen, so a national emergency government will be a civil government," he said.

"He is also very corrupt, he is not respected here in Yemen, however, it will open the doors for the fall of the current regime."

Odd.

I've seen the video of the mob, so obviously that's true.

I hadn't heard they were Islamists.

I thought El Baradei was supposed to be a puppet candidate for the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood though has been supporting the vote.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/FeaturedImagePost/images/anti-war%20protest%20LA.jpg

Syria protesters torch buildings

One person killed as demonstrations in the southern city of Daraa continue for a third straight day.

Crowds have set fire to the courthouse and other buildings on a third straight day of demonstrations in the southern Syrian city of Daraa.

Residents said one person was killed and scores injured when security forces used live rounds against protesters. Witnesses said dozens were also taken to be treated for tear gas inhalation at the main Omari mosque.

Thousands took to the streets on Sunday, calling for an end to corruption and 48 years of emergency law and to protest the killing of five civilians in a similar demonstration two days earlier.

The headquarters of the ruling Baath party was set ablaze as well as two phone company branches. One of the firms, Syriatel, is owned by President Bashar al-Assad's cousin Rami Makhlouf, who is under specific US sanctions for what Washington regards as public corruption.

"They burned the symbols of oppression and corruption," an activist said. "The banks nearby were not touched."

An AFP correspondent said protesters also tried to march on the home of the town's governor, but security forces used warning shots and tear gas to stop them.

"No. No to emergency law. We are a people infatuated with freedom," marchers chanted as a government delegation arrived in the city to offer their condolences for victims killed on Friday.

Syrian authorities have announced that they would establish a commission to investigate the deaths.

Al Jazeera's Rula Amin, reporting from Damascus, said the government was trying to contain the unrest, to prevent it from spreading to other parts of Syria.

"They've made very clear indications that they're going to sack and dismiss local security officials who are responsible for those killings, and the governor of Daraa," she said.

Saleh fired his whole cabinet before they could resign, lol.

And I was thinking the government would collapse soon.

I guess he wanted to head that off.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320180579476.html

Yemen president fires cabinet

State media says embattled leader sacks his cabinet after weeks of pro-democracy protests demanding his resignation.

Yemen's embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh has fired the cabinet, according to a statement from his office.

Sunday's announcement comes after a month-long popular uprising calling for political reform and Saleh's resignation.

The president has asked the cabinet to be a caretaker government until he forms a new one.

Several ministers have resigned from the government after security forces killed at least 52 protesters on Friday. Abdullah Alsaidi, Yemen's ambassador to the United Nations, has also quit in protest over the violence.

Adding even more pressure on Saleh, the country's most powerful tribal confederation on Sunday called on him to step down.

Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, the leader of Hashed, which includes Saleh's tribe, issued a statement asking the president to respond to the people's demands and leave peacefully. It was co-signed by several religious leaders.

Meanwhile, thousands joined the burial procession of some of those killed in the uprising. Around 30 bodies were laid out in neat rows and the square near Sanaa University was filled with mourners.

Saleh had declared Sunday a national day of mourning for the "martyrs for democracy," while blaming the opposition for "incitement and chaos" that had led to the killings.

---------- Post added March-20th-2011 at 04:57 PM ----------

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320164119973176.html

Egypt approves constitutional changes

Package of nine changes endorsed by overwhelming vote, paving the way for parliamentary elections later this year.

Egyptians have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a package of constitutional amendments, according to official results released on Sunday evening.

Slightly more than 77 per cent of voters endorsed the amendments, the country's supreme judicial committee has announced.

Roughly 18 million Egyptians went to the polls on Saturday, a 41 per cent turnout. It's a better result than many past elections: The country's fraud-plagued parliamentary ballot last year had less than 25 per cent turnout, and possibly as low as 10 per cent, according to some sources.

The committee said that 171,190 votes were invalidated, though it did not say why. There were reports on Saturday that some ballots did not carry the required official stamp.

Voters approved a package of nine amendments, about half of which deal with elections. One loosens the requirements for independent candidates seeking the presidency; another restores full judicial oversight for elections.

Other provisions limit the presidency to two four-year terms (currently, there is no limit), and require a public referendum for any state of emergency that lasts longer than six months (the country has been under one for the last 30 years).

The "yes" vote also paves the way for a quick parliamentary election, which the ruling military junta has said will be held in June.

Egypt's two main political forces, the former ruling National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood, both urged a "yes" vote on the referendum. Critics say that's because they benefit from the quick timetable for elections.

As established political parties, they will have an edge in mobilising resources and fielding candidates.

The rest of the country's opposition parties all pushed for a "no" vote, as did the coalition of youth activists who led the revolution that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.

One of the provisions, the revised article 189, requires the new parliament to appoint a constitutional assembly within six months of taking office. That group will be responsible for drafting an entirely new constitution, which - if approved in a separate referendum - would take effect next year.

I'm slightly confused as to whether or not they voted on everything with one vote.

Wouldn't they be allowed to vote separately for each amendment?

---------- Post added March-20th-2011 at 05:09 PM ----------

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320144855687985.html

Bahrain's main opposition groups have eased conditions for talks with the government a day after the country's king pledged to bring reforms to end almost two-month long pro-democracy protests.

The opposition group, led by the largest Shia opposition party Wefaq, late on Saturday called for release of prisoners.

It also asked for an end to security crackdown and withdrawal of Gulf Co-operation Council [GCC] troops, who intervened last week at the behest of the government.

Meanwhile, opposition legislators have held a brief protest on Sunday in front of the UN office in the capital Manama and asked for UN and American intervention.

"Prepare a healthy atmosphere for the start of political dialogue between the opposition and the government on a basis that can put our country on the track to real democracy and away from the abyss," the statement said.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320113138901721.html

Syria to free child prisoners

Protests continue for a third day as the government announces it will free children arrested for pro-democracy graffiti.

Last Modified: 20 Mar 2011 12:19

The Syrian government says it will release 15 children whose arrest helped fuel several days of protests which have left at least five civilians dead.

An official statement released on Sunday said the children, who had written pro-democracy graffiti inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, would be released immediately.

Clips posted on YouTube showed thousands of protesters in the streets of Daraa on Saturday

Their release would be a rare concession from Syria's ruling hierarchy, which rarely responds to popular pressure. But it has done little to deter protesters in the southern city of Daraa: Thousands of them took to the streets again on Sunday, angered by the deaths caused when security forces shot into a crowd on Friday.

Two of those people were buried in Daraa on Saturday; thousands of attendees at their funeral chanted "revolution."

On Saturday, Syrian authorities announced that they would establish a commission of inquiry into the violence.

Daraa has seen the largest protests in the country. Smaller demonstrations have erupted in Damascus, the central city of Homs, and the port city of Banias.

Not sure how much longer Saleh can stay in power at this point.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201132093857646830.html

Major Yemen tribe urges Saleh to step down

Leader of Hashed asks president to concede to people's demands as funerals are held for dead protesters.

Last Modified: 20 Mar 2011 10:56

Yemen's most powerful tribal confederation has called on Ali Abdullah Saleh, the country's longtime president, to step down after his bloody crackdown on protesters.

Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, the leader of Hashed, which includes Saleh's tribe, issued a statement on Sunday asking Saleh to respond to the people's demands and leave peacefully.

It was co-signed by several religious leaders, who met at al-Ahmar's residence late on Saturday night.

Huge crowds were joining Sunday's burial procession of some of the 52 protesters killed on Friday, the bloodiest single day of the monthlong uprising.

The killings prompted condemnation from the UN and the US, which backs his government with hundreds of millions in military aid to battle an al-Qaeda offshoot based in Yemen's mountainous region.

Police stormed on Saturday a protest camp in the southern port city of Aden and fired tear gas and live rounds, wounding three anti-government demonstrators.

The escalating violence has rocked the government of Saleh, and resulted in four ministerial resignations, as well as the resignation of Yemen's ambassador to the UN.

The diplomat, Abdullah Alsaidi, resigned in protest over violence against demonstrators, a Yemeni foreign ministry official said on Sunday.

"Mr Alsaidi has sent his resignation to the president's office and the foreign ministry."

Baan became the third Yemeni minister

to resign in as many days [AFP]

Earlier, Huda al-Baan, Yemen's human-rights minister, said she had resigned in protest from the government and the ruling party over the sniper attack on demonstrators.

I tried to read this thread and my eyes started burning from all the bold text.

Sorry, about that. I think it makes it easier to pick out important info among all the text.

Personally I find it makes it easier to glance over the page without spending too much time going through lots of different reports.

I apologize if it bothers people though. (second complaint I've had about it today)

EGYPT

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/03/19/irregularities-egyptian-vote

Three hours into Egypt's constitutional referendum, we're hearing reports of high turnout - and potential irregularities.

Voters have reported long lines (see the photos below), with some predicting an hours-long wait to cast their votes. That's mostly been viewed as a positive development, a sign of high voter enthusiasm - a major change from last year's fraudulent parliamentary election, which saw turnout as low as 10 per cent in some parts of the country.

But some voters are reporting a more serious problem: unstamped ballot papers.

Each ballot needs an official stamp on the back, or it can be thrown out as illegitimate. What we're hearing is that some polling centres in Cairo and its suburbs are distributing unstamped papers. In some cases, election judges will (when asked) provide stamped papers; in other cases, they refuse, offering instead to sign the ballots - which does not legitimize them.

SYRIA

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201131911234678272.html

Syrian mourners call for revolt

Thousands attending funeral for slain pro-democracy protesters call for "freedom" as police fire tear gas.

Thousands of people gathering in Syria's southern city of Daraa to mourn the deaths of two people killed by security forces have called for "revolution" in the country.

Police sealed off the city and fired tear gas to disperse the crowds who had turned out for the funerals of Wissam Ayyash and Mahmoud al-Jawabra, two of five people killed when security forces opened fire on protesters a day earlier.

Mazen Darwish, a prominent Syrian rights activist, said police had sealed the city with people being allowed out but unable to enter and other activists reported dozens of arrests.

The latest crackdown follows protests on Friday where, inspired by the revolts sweeping through the Arab world, demonstrators had called for political freedoms and an end to corruption in Syria.

Three to four thousand people leaving the city's Omari mosque after midday prayers chanted "God, Syria, Freedom" and slogans accusing the president's family of corruption, residents said.

But in the most violent response in years to protests against Syria's ruling elite, five people were killed when security forces opened fire on the protest.

---------- Post added March-19th-2011 at 05:35 PM ----------

ALGERIA

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/2011319174733727477.html

Algerian president 'promises reforms'

Abdelaziz Bouteflika vows to open a new page of "political reforms" as security forces block pro-democracy protests.

Last Modified: 19 Mar 2011 19:30

Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the Algerian president, has promised wide-ranging political reforms in his country, while security forces blocked planned protests in the capital Algiers.

In comments carried on state media on Saturday, Bouteflika said that the lifting of Algeria's 19-year-old state of emergency last month was the first step on the way to reform.

The end of the emergency "will be a new page opened on the path to comprehensive reforms ... which cannot be fruitful in the absence of political reforms," the APS news agency quoted Bouteflika as saying, but gave no details about the reforms.

In Algiers security forces swamped the capital, hampering two rallies, one called by youths through the social networking website Facebook, due outside the main post office, and another at the nearby May 1 Square, called by the National Co-ordination for Change and Democracy (CNDC).

The planned protest was the seventh attempt since January by the CNDC to stage a weekly demonstration, along the lines of pro-democracy protests sweeping the Arab world, in defiance of a ban on protests in the capital imposed in 2001.

---------- Post added March-19th-2011 at 05:39 PM ----------

YEMEN

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201131983335486248.html

Yemen opposition activists clash with police

Security forces open fire in southern city of Aden, a day after emergency was declared following a bloody crackdown.

Police have stormed a protest camp in southern Yemen where thousands are calling for the ouster of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the country's longtime president.

Saturday's raid was the latest attempt by security forces to quell growing unrest.

Protesters say police fired tear gas and live rounds in the southern port city of Aden, wounding three anti-government protesters.

Meanwhile, two prominent members of Yemen's ruling party resigned on Saturday in protest against the killing of the anti-government protesters a day before.

"I find myself compelled to submit my resignation ... after the heinous massacre in Sanaa yesterday," Nasr Taha Mustafa, head of the state news agency and a leading ruling party member, said.

While, Mohamed Saleh Qara'a, another party member, told Reuters he had quit because of the "completely unacceptable" violence.

Apparently El Baradei was unable to vote due to a crowd attacking him on the way to the polling station.

I just saw footage of him trying to wade through the crowd on Al Jazeera.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/19/egypt.referendum/index.html?hpt=T2

Egypt considers constitutional amendments

By Reza Sayah, CNN

March 19, 2011 9:12 a.m. EDT

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- Egyptians proudly streamed to the polls Saturday to vote on proposed constitutional amendments, the first democratic initiative after the fall of Hosni Mubarak's regime.

An estimated 45 million Egyptians are eligible to vote in what is widely viewed as the country's first free election in decades, and the poll would set the stage for parliamentary and presidential elections later this year.

"I am very very happy," said Mohamed El Hourushy, a 19-year-old political science student. "This is something I've been fighting for all my life. I didn't think I would live to see this scene."

The proposed amendments include limiting the president to two four-year terms, capping emergency laws to six months unless they are extended by public referendum, and placing elections under judicial oversight.

Opponents say the proposed amendments were rushed and fall short of the people's demands. Many demand a new constitution and claim an early referendum gives an unfair edge to the Muslim Brotherhood and remnants of Mubarak's National Democratic Party -- well entrenched and politically savvy groups that are much better prepared to mobilize voters than newer factions still scrambling to get organized.

But presidential candidate and head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, who is urging a "no" vote, lauded the referendum as "the first official step towards the democracy called for in the January 25 movements."

" 'Yes' or 'no' is not the issue -- that Egyptians are participating and voting today is what's important," he said.