U.S. report slams Bahrain for repressing Shi’ites yet Bahrain continues arrests of human rights activists over the weekend

First in Libya . . .

Arming Benghazi

And in Bahrain . . .

U.S. report slams Bahrain for repressing Shi’ites (Reuters)
Reuters – Sunni-ruled Bahrain was guilty of human rights abuses including arbitrary detentions, censorship and discrimation against majority Shi’ites before its violent crackdown on street protests, the United States said on Friday.

Bahrain: Free Prominent Opposition Activist
(Manama) – Bahrain authorities should immediately release prominent opposition and rights activist Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, or bring him before an independent judge and charge him with a recognizable offense, Human Rights Watch said today.

More news from the Arab uprisings:

Libya
Gaddafi forces shell town after he accepts peace plan
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi shelled the besieged town of Misrata on Monday after the African Union said he had accepted a plan to end Libya’s civil war. Al Jazeera television quoted a rebel spokesman as saying five people died and 20 were wounded in Misrata, a lone rebel bastion in western Libya, which has been under siege for more than six weeks. Rebels in Misrata told Reuters Gaddafi’s forces fired Russian-made Grad rockets into the city, where conditions for civilians are said to be desperate.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/11/gaddafi-forces-shell-town-after-he-accepts-peace-plan/

Gaddafi forces kill 5 in Misrata attack-TV
CAIRO, April 11 (Reuters) – A bombardment by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi of the western city of Misrata killed five people and wounded more than 20, a rebel spokesman in the city told Al Jazeera satellite channel on Monday. “This morning around 2 a.m. there was a big explosion in Misrata,” spokesman Abdel Basset Mezerik told Al Jazeera. Rebels said Gaddafi’s forces bombarded the city through the morning. “Five people were killed and more than 20 were injured from the random attack by Gaddafi’s forces,” said Mezerik.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/gaddafi-forces-kill-5-in-misrata-attack-tv

Libyan rebels reject African Union peace plan
Plan to halt civil war flounders with fighting raging over Misurata and NATO refusing to suspend its air campaign.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/201141116454184309.html

Libya ‘accepts peace plan’ – Zuma
South African President Jacob Zuma says the Libyan government has accepted an African Union peace plan, which will now be put to rebel leaders in Benghazi.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-africa-13029165

‘Road map’ to Libya peace comes as both sides show signs of fatigue
The African Union’s road map lays out a cease-fire to allow humanitarian relief and dialogue toward a settlement. Qaddafi has accepted it, while rebels are studying it.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/scemN1rXbJ8/Road-map-to-Libya-peace-comes-as-both-sides-show-signs-of-fatigue

Ajdabiya bears the brunt of fighting
The fighting has been continuing around Ajdabiya in the eastern part of Libya. Rebels said they have now re-taken control of the area, but it has come at a heavy price as many lives were lost in the city that has borne the brunt of the constantly shifting frontlines. Al Jazeera’s Sue Turton reports from outside the city.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aow1NvUG58&feature=youtube_gdata

Fighting rages in key Libya town
Fierce fighting rages for a second day in the strategic Libyan town of Ajdabiya as forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi push back rebels.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-africa-13028419

Gaddafi forces shell Ajdabiya
Al Jazeera’s Sue Turton reports from just north of Ajdabiya as forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi attack the city.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4l5HEcY9rQ&feature=youtube_gdata

At least 30 rebels killed in Misrata – rebel spokesman
RABAT, April 9 (Reuters) – An assault by government troops on the city of Misrata killed at least 30 rebels on Saturday, a rebel spokesman said, citing fellow fighters and medis. “Today they (forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi) attacked Misrata on three fronts. Medical workers and rebels told me that at least 30 rebel fighters were killed in Misrata today,” said the spokesman, who identified himself as Abdelsalem. “The rebels, however, managed to fight back and prevent them from making progress,” he added.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/at-least-30-rebels-killed-in-misrata-rebel-spokesman

Many dead in battle for Libya town
Gaddafi’s troops pushed east of Ajdabiya as NATO air strikes destroy 25 of their tanks.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/20114101352251528.html

Libya rebels repel attack on Misrata; Gadhafi makes first TV appearance in 5 days
Rebel spokesman says Saturday’s fighting centered on road to Misrata port, where a Red Cross vessel brought badly needed medical supplies; Eight rebels die beating off Misrata attack; NATO bombs Gadhafi forces on outskirts.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/libya-rebels-repel-attack-on-misrata-gadhafi-makes-first-tv-appearance-in-5-days-1.355004?localLinksEnabled=false

NATO bombs Gaddafi forces attacking key rebel town
AJDABIYAH, Libya, April 10 (Reuters) – NATO aircraft hit six vehicles carrying Libyan government soldiers during an assault on the eastern town of Ajdabiyah on Sunday, killing at least 15. The strikes appeared to have helped break an assault by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi on Ajdabiyah, a strategic town 150 km (90 miles) km south of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/nato-bombs-gaddafi-forces-attacking-key-rebel-town

Libya: Government Attacks in Misrata Kill Civilians
(Benghazi) – Attacks by Libyan government forces in the western city of Misrata have endangered civilians and targeted a medical clinic in violation of international law, Human Rights Watch said today. The assessment is based on interviews with two doctors still in Misrata and 17 wounded civilians recently evacuated from the city, which is largely cut off from the outside world by Libyan government forces.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/04/10/libya-government-attacks-misrata-kill-civilians

Video: Brave young girl gets bullet removed from leg
April 9, 2011: A Brave little girl recites Quran while a Shrapnel bullet is being removed from her leg. The doctor shows her the bullet and says take it home with you. She is too young to have to face this misery, yet so strong, poised, and inspiring in the way she calmly handles the pain and prays. Not even Gaddafi’s bullets can inflict pain or fear on the children of Libya.
http://feb17.info/media/video-brave-young-girl-gets-bullet-removed-from-leg/

AP photographer missing in Libya
NEW YORK – Associated Press photographer Altaf Qadri has gone missing while covering the military conflict in Libya, the news organization said Sunday. “We have lost contact with our AP colleague, photographer Altaf Qadri, in eastern Libya. We are concerned about his safety and are taking appropriate steps to locate him,” the AP said in a statement. Qadri became separated from his colleagues Saturday near Ajdabiya, a gateway city to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, according to the AP.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/10/ap-photographer-missing-in-libya/

Libyan rebels struggle on battlefield
The Libyan rebels are not lacking in determination. Yet their inexperience has been laid bare, and their victories have often been short lived. A familiar pattern of initial euphoria followed by territorial loss has quickly emerged. Muammar Gaddafi’s military forces continue to have the upper hand on the battlefield. In Brega, Al Jazeera’s Hoda Abdel Hamid explores why opposition fighters are struggling to hold their ground or make significant gains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo9uDIVPcuY&feature=youtube_gdata

At War: Libyan Rebels Take Risks With Makeshift Arms
The Libyan rebels obtain some sophisticated weaponry, but prove lacking in knowing how to use it.
http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=75caf23760615606ebca149b21192edd

Demoralised Libyan rebels bemoan lack of heavy arms
AJDABIYAH, Libya, April 10 (Reuters) – Demoralised Libyan rebel Badr Awad sheltered in an alley while his comrades exchanged gunfire with Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in the distance. “We fire rocket propelled grenades and AK-47s and they fire rockets and artillery. How can we defeat them?” he asked, as flies swarmed around a piece of bread and stale meat donated by civilian sympathisers hoping the ragtag rebels will end Gaddafi’s 41-year rule. As Awad spoke, a dozen rebel vehicles sped through the eastern town of Ajdabiyah, under heavy assault from better equipped Gaddafi loyalists.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/demoralised-libyan-rebels-bemoan-lack-of-heavy-arms

Rare footage shows Gaddafi troops patrolling Ajdabiya
Amateur footage acquired by Al Jazeera shows troops loyal to longtime Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi patrolling Ajdabiya in mid-March, when they controlled the town. Gaddafi’s troops are rarely seen in action outside of the front lines and on government-sponsored trips provided to journalists in the west. The men can be seen questioning residents – some of whom wave green pro-Gaddafi flags – driving convoys of heavy rocket launchers, and waving their weapons. In other clips provided to Al Jazeera, they can be seen calling on youth to come out from their houses and arresting them, and in one scene, a soldier tells his commander by radio that he needs to capture rebel vehicles to take their ammunition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-VnpLMdEtU&feature=youtube_gdata

Youth group stages dawn protest in Tripoli
A group of activists claiming to be part of the February 17 youth revolution organised a small protest at dawn in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Saturday. Its declared objectives are to support efforts to oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, to raise morale in the silenced capital, to resist attempts to silence dissent and to show solidarity with pro-democracy fighters across the country. The protest statement being read out is in Arabic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrX3UmtqCsg&feature=youtube_gdata

Libyan women fleeing Ajdabiya describe ordeal
Many Libyan women left their husbands and brothers behind in Ajdabiya to fight against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Some of them who fled to Benghazi described how Gaddafi’s troops kidnapped children and the elderly to be used as human shields. Al Jazeera’s Sue Turton reports. (09 April 2011)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPGqfgszMHA&feature=youtube_gdata

Libya rebels paint vehicles to avoid friendly fire
Libyan rebels painted the roofs of their vehicles bright pink on Friday to avoid more friendly fire casualties after a NATO air strike they said killed five fighters., The strike hit a rebel tank column as it advanced on the disputed oil port of Brega on Thursday, causing a confused insurgent retreat back from Ajdabiyah, gateway to the uprising’s stronghold in Benghazi.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libya-rebels-paint-vehicles-to-avoid-friendly-fire

Libyan refugees tell of region suffering in silence
The violence in the Western Mountains region, a sparsely-populated area reached only by winding roads, has received little of the international attention given to attacks on cities on the coast such as Misrata and Ajdabiyah.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libyan-refugees-tell-of-region-suffering-in-silence

LIBYA: Benghazi calm but in need
BENGHAZI 11 April 2011 (IRIN) – The eastern Libyan city of Benghazi has been relatively calm, but this should not mask existing and potential humanitarian needs, aid workers warn.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=92438

Libya opposition asks US Treasury for Gaddafi assets
WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) – A Libyan opposition group is asking the United States for immediate access to frozen assets of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to pay for humanitarian needs in rebel-held areas. Ali Aujali, who resigned in February as Libya’s ambassador to the United States and now represents Libya’s most prominent rebel organization in Washington, in a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the humanitarian conditions have deteriorated in areas held by the rebels.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libya-opposition-asks-us-treasury-for-gaddafi-assets

Libya: Moussa Koussa given the cold shoulder by rebels
Moussa Koussa, the Libyan defector currently in Britain, has told intermediaries he wants to join the rebels but they have rejected his overtures, the Daily Telegraph has learned.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8438980/Libya-Moussa-Koussa-given-the-cold-shoulder-by-rebels.html

Young Libyans laying groundwork for civil society
The young activists in Benghazi consist of Islamists in clerical garb and other ex-protesters in berets and Nike shirts. They have formed civic groups and charities and speak of building democracy. Here in the gray courthouse, in offices once occupied by judges and government lawyers, the young demonstrators who sparked a revolt in eastern Libya have planted the seeds of a political movement.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/Wf-7kjdeGJ4/la-fg-libya-rebel-politics-20110410,0,2032528.story

With Libya rebels stalled, frustration with NATO mounts
Libya rebels’ outcry over a mistaken NATO airstrike demonstrates frustration with the alliance as the opposition realizes that international action is not intended to win their war for them.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/_UO8LoKOZ4A/With-Libya-rebels-stalled-frustration-with-NATO-mounts

US steps back from Libya, shifting burden to Europe
In order to sustain operations, experts say France and Britain need to forge a broader European consensus on Libya intervention.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/zK-XoCrP9R0/US-steps-back-from-Libya-shifting-burden-to-Europe

Libya: Rebels in retreat | Editorial
The only country where the Arab revolution became a military struggle may be one of the places where the regime stays put. The renewed clashes this weekend between Gaddafi’s army and the opposition forces near Ajdabiya in eastern Libya confirm something that western powers should have realised a long time ago: the rebel army is not a fighting force. It expelled Gaddafi’s officials from Benghazi and had to fight to do so, but when it comes to actual combat between two armies, all the rebels have ever done is to retreat. Territorial advances have been secured only by western air strikes and only after Gaddafi’s forces turned tail. The rebels have yet to capture and hold ground on their own account. If there is a war going on, it is between Nato air power and Gaddafi’s ground forces.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/11/libya-rebels-struggle

Bahrain

Bahrain rights activist to face military court (AP)
AP – Bahrain’s leading human rights activist will be questioned by a military prosecutor, according to the Gulf country’s interior ministry that has been leading the crackdown on Shiite protests against Sunni rulers.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110411/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_bahrain_crackdown

Leading Bahrain activist arrested
Security forces in Bahrain have arrested and beaten one of the country’s leading human rights activists, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, his daughter says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-13023428

2 Bahrain opposition supporters die police custody (AP)
AP – Two supporters of Bahrain’s anti-government movement died in police custody Saturday after physical abuse at the hands of security officials, activists said.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110409/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_bahrain_crackdown

Bahraini activist ‘assaulted and arrested’
Plainclothes policemen drag away Abdulhadi Alkhawaja from home amid reports of continuing crackdown on protesters.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/20114992143427144.html

Post-crackdown Bahrain keeps up hard line (AFP)
AFP – Bahraini authorities are brooking no dissent even after the suppression of a Shiite-led pro-democracy movement, with activists arrested, strikers fired and offers of a national dialogue muted.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110409/wl_mideast_afp/bahrainpoliticsunrest

Bahrain expels 16 Lebanese amid unrest
BEIRUT — Bahrain has expelled 16 Lebanese, 14 of them Shiites, over “security concerns” amid persistent unrest in the Sunni-ruled Shiite majority Gulf state, a foreign ministry official told AFP on Monday. “The foreign ministry has been notified by Lebanon’s ambassador to Bahrain Aziz Kazzi that the authorities there on Sunday asked six Lebanese to leave the country, after having expelled 10 Lebanese last week,” the official said.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jzw9Uysg2JZJRLFBDkUcTE5rATsw?docId=CNG.639b88cb9455ff5f7321d2a6e0468b5d.341

Iranian students hurl firebombs at Saudi embassy (AP)
AP – Scores of Iranian students have attacked the Saudi Arabian embassy with firebombs to protest the Gulf country’s role in cracking down on anti-government protesters in Bahrain.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110411/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_bahrain

US-Saudi: Don’t mention Bahrain
US SecDef Gates meets King Abdullah:
SEC. GATES: We had a very good meeting. We met for about an hour and a half, one-on-one. It was an extremely cordial warm meeting. I think the relationship is in a good place. We talked about developments all over the region. We obviously talked about Iran….
Q. Did you talk about the Saudi troops in Bahrain? Did you raise that as an issue?
SEC. GATES: No.
Well that’s that then.
Via Enduring America.
http://www.arabist.net/blog/2011/4/8/us-saudi-dont-mention-bahrain.html

Essential Readings: Bahrain: Origins of a Crisis
This Essential Readings post is written by Sandy Russell Jones.  [Editors’ Note: This is the third in a series of “Essential Readings,” in which we ask contributors to choose a list of must-read books, articles, and new media sources on a variety of topics. These are not meant to be comprehensive lists, but rather starting points for readers who want to read more about particular topics.  Sandy Russell Jones, a Fellow at the Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis and a lecturer in Rutgers’ History Department, provides a list of sources for readers interested in exploring the background to the current crisis in Bahrain. Jones’ own writing on Bahrain can be found here.] 
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1209/essential-readings_bahrain_origins-of-a-crisis

Saudi Hegemony vs. the Arab Spring
The day the Bahraini authorities demolished the Pearl monument at the center of Bahrain’s ‘Tahrir Square’ on March 18th, the state-run Bahrain News Agency announced to a puzzled public that the “GCC monument” had been removed for a “facelift” in order to get rid of ” bad memories.” Amidst the rubble, it came to light that the symbol known locally as the ‘Pearl roundabout’ in reference to Bahrain’s pearl diving and trading history was in fact officially known as the “Gulf Cooperative Council roundabout”—with each pillar of the now-destroyed structure representing a member state of the “cooperative” council. Meanwhile in the areas of Sitra and Karranah, 29-year old Ahmed Farhan Ali and 40-year old Mohammed Abd’ali were buried by throngs of enraged mourners after being shot by troops in the head and chest respectively earlier in the week.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1212/saudi-hegemony-vs.-the-arab-spring

Syria
Students rally in Syria’s capital over deaths
Students gather outside capital’s university to express solidarity with protesters killed campaigning for democracy.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/2011411143055997548.html

Syria deploys army in troubled city
Residents say Baniyas is calm after deadly clashes left four civilians and one soldier dead as protests continue.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/201141183150760920.html

Soldiers die in ambush as Syria protests spread to coast
Nine Syrian soldiers were killed in an ambush near the port city of Banias, state TV reported, and witnesses reported four protesters being shot dead in the city by security forces and pro-government gunmen.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/soldiers-die-in-ambush-as-syria-protests-spread-to-coast-2266076.html

26 die in Syrian protests on Friday – rights group
BEIRUT, April 10 (Reuters) – A Syrian rights group said on Sunday that 26 protesters had been killed in the city of Deraa and two in Homs province after security forces opened fire on a peaceful gathering on Friday, rather than on Saturday as it had initially reported. Syria has prevented news media from reporting from Deraa and mobile phones lines there appeared to be cut on Sunday.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/26-die-in-syrian-protests-on-friday-rights-group

Report: Deadly shooting in Syria’s Banias
(Video) Witnesses say security forces opened fire in coastal town, killing some people and wounding others. Meanwhile, YouTube video shows ambulance hit by sniper fire in city of Daraa.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4054964,00.html

Thousands attend Syria funerals
Rights group criticises security forces as residents in Daraa bury those killed in Friday’s protests.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/20114914714209594.html

Syrian tanks deployed to deter more unrest
Syrian tanks deployed overnight in flashpoint areas, residents said today, in an effort to prevent further outbreaks of pro-democracy unrest, intensifying a crackdown on mass protests now in their fourth week.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syrian-tanks-deployed-to-deter-more-unrest-2265965.html

The Revolution Strikes Home: Yasir Qash`ur, my wife’s cousin, killed in Banyas
The Syrian revolution struck home yesterday. My wife, Manar Qash`ur [Kachour], burst into tears last night as she read the Facebook page that has kept her updated on events in her hometown, Latakia. Lt. Colonel Yasir Qash`ur, who was Manar’s cousin and 40 years old, was shot in Banyas on Sunday. He was one of two Lt. Colonels and 10 military personnel killed – more were wounded. Yasir’s funeral was held in the village this morning – Monday. My brother-in-law, Firas, and father-in-law, Shaaban, both attended.
http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=9028&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Syriacomment+%28Syria+Comment%29

Syrian Protests and Bullets
Three films from demonstrations in Syria yesterday. People protested in the suburbs of Damascus, Hama, Dera’a, the Kurdish north east, the desert town Raqqa and elsewhere. The first film shows a large crowd in Lattakia chanting ash-sha’ab yureed isqaat al-nizam – The People Want the Fall of the Regime. No reservations there
http://pulsemedia.org/2011/04/09/syrian-protests-and-bullets/

As Violent Crackdown Intensifies in Syria, Freed Egyptian American Engineer Mohamed Radwan Recounts Ordeal in Syrian Jail
In an exclusive interview, Mohamed Radwan speaks to Democracy Now! correspondent Anjali Kamat at his family’s home in Cairo. Radwan, an Egyptian-American engineer working in Syria, was arrested in Damascus on March 25 while photographing anti-regime protests in the city on his cell phone. He was not charged with any crime. Radwan had previously taken part in the pro-democracy uprising in Egypt. [includes rush transcript]
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/4/11/as_violent_crackdown_intensifies_in_syria

Inside Story: Conspiracy over Syria protests
There is mounting international condemnation of Syria’s handling of pro-democracy protests – as more people are killed on streets. Bashar al Assad’s regime insists it is a foreign conspiracy against his country. Others suggest a more sinister third party is involved. Inside Story discusses with guests: Marwan Kabalan, a professor of political science from Damascus University; Lamis Andoni, a writer and political commentator on Middle East affairs; and Patrick Seale, a leading British writer on the middle east, and author of “Asad of Syria”. This episode of Inside Story aired on Sunday, April 10, 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv9D70XO6Uo&feature=youtube_gdata

Those sectarian slogans in Syria
There are some sectarian slogans being chanted by SOME (not all) protesters in Syria (they refers to the need for “Sunnis who fear God”).  It is an opportunity to make this point: if one supports protests and revolutions against all Arab regimes (and Iran to the mix) it does not need that one should endorse all strands of the opposition.  As I tried to make clear in my article on Syria in Al-Akhbar last Saturday, there are good and great elements in the opposition movements and there are some bad and horrific elements.  I oppose the Qadhdhafi regime but oppose the Saudi and NATO stooge, Mustafa Abdul-Jalil.  I support Syrian opposition but vehemently oppose the Muslim Brotherhood: in Syria and in every Arab country.  The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood is in fact one of the worst branches of the Brotherhood, and is more strictly subservient to Saudi Arabia and had in the past collaborated with Phalanges and with Jordanian mukhabrat.  In fact, those of us who support change and revolutions in the Arab world (and Iran), are obligated to speak out against the reactionary and kooky elements in the opposition movements.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/those-sectarian-slogans-in-syria.html

Egypt
Egypt blogger gets 3 years for criticising military
CAIRO — An Egyptian military court on Monday jailed a blogger for three years for criticising the armed forces, the country’s rulers since president Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in February, his lawyer told AFP. “Regrettably, the Nasr City military court sentenced Maikel Nabil to three years in prison,” Gamal Eid said. “The lawyers were not present, the verdict was handed out almost in secret.” The verdict had initially been set for Wednesday and was postponed to Sunday.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/11/egypt-blogger-gets-3-years-for-criticising-military/

More than 1,000 defy Egyptian army’s order to leave Tahrir Square
CAIRO (Reuters) – More than 1,000 protesters ignored an army order to leave Cairo’s main square on Sunday, extending into a third day their calls for a quick move to civilian rule and a deeper purge of corrupt officials. Barbed wire blocked roads intoTahrir Square, the center of the protests that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on February 11 and a major thoroughfare in the traffic-choked capital. Protesters cried “revolution, revolution” and brandished an effigy of Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the military council now ruling Egypt and is also defense minister, as he was under Mubarak for many years.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/10/more-than-1000-defy-egyptian-armys-order-to-leave-tahrir-square/

Egyptian military to replace some governors
Military council accedes to protesters’ demands over removal of some Mubarak appointees, as thousands protest in Cairo.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/04/2011410125726432168.html

Egypt prosecutor summons former president Mubarak
CAIRO, April 10 (Reuters) – Egypt’s public prosecutor summonned ousted president Hosni Mubarak as part of investigations into the killing of protesters and embezzlement of public funds, the prosecutor said on Sunday. Mubarak’s sons Gamal and Alaa were also summoned in the embezzlement probe, the prosecutor said in a statement, adding that comments by Mubarak on Sunday in which he denied accusations of corruption would not affect the investigations. Mubarak said on Sunday the allegations against his family were unfounded and he had the right to defend his reputation.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/egypt-prosecutor-summons-former-president-mubarak

Egyptian demonstrators stage mock Mubarak trial
CAIRO: Protesters held a mock trial of Hosni Mubarak, his family and his top aides in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square where tens of thousands of Egyptians massed demanding the ruling military prosecute them for alleged corruption. “Execution, execution,” some in the square chanted in one of the biggest demonstrations since Mubarak was ousted as others
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=126983

Violent army crackdown on Cairo protesters shocks Egyptians
Tahrir Square, a scene of celebration two months ago when Hosni Mubarak fell, became a battlefield as soldiers beat protesters and tore down tents. One demonstrator was shot dead; 71 others were hurt. Morning broke on a scene that wasn’t supposed to be in the new Egypt: burned military trucks, skeins of barbed wire, blood in the dirt, one protester dead.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/SwjAlSjxYyM/la-fg-egypt-crackdown-20110410,0,3404395.story

A protest in front of the Israeli Embassy “ Graphic”
There is currently a protest in solidarity with Gaza in front of the Israeli embassy in Giza. The protest comes after the start of a new Israeli military operation against city , the death toll in the past 48 hours is 14 as far as I know and 60 injured. Here are photos from the children were killed as usual by the IAF. “Graphic”
http://egyptianchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/04/protest-in-front-of-israeli-embassy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EgyptianChronicles+%28Egyptian+chronicles%29

Protest in front of the Israeli embassy in Cairo: send that to Thomas Friedman who does not think that Egyptian youth care about foreign policy and to Nicholas Kristof who thinks that Egyptians heart Camp David

The Protest Camp in Sana’a Yemen
Sana’a’s Change Square at night — powerful images of a protest camp.
http://www.kabobfest.com/2011/04/the-protest-camp-in-sanaa-yemen.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kabobfest%2FGrillMe+%28KABOBfest%29

Our revolution’s doing what Saleh can’t – uniting Yemen
The revolution in Yemen began immediately after the fall of Ben Ali in Tunisia on 14 January.  As I always do when arranging a demonstration I posted a message on Facebook, calling on people to celebrate the Tunisian uprising on 16 January.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/08/revolution-saleh-yemen-peace-historic

Tunisia
Tunisia imposes travel ban on Ben Ali allies -TAP
TUNIS, April 8 (Reuters) – Tunisia has imposed a travel ban on all people involved in corruption cases as well as relatives and advisers of ousted leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, the state TAP news agency said on Friday, citing a judicial source. “All persons involved in corruption cases and relatives to the ousted president, ministers and advisers are banned from travelling, pending decisions to be taken thereon by the examining magistrate,” TAP said on Friday.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/tunisia-imposes-travel-ban-on-ben-ali-allies–tap

Ben Ali brother arrested in Tunisia -TAP
TUNIS, April 10 (Reuters) – Tunisian security forces have arrested the brother of ousted leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, the state TAP news agency said on Sunday. Quoting the Tunisian interior ministry, TAP said Slah Ben Ali was arrested on Sunday evening in the city of Sousse, which lies south of the capital Tunis.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/ben-ali-brother-arrested-in-tunisia–tap

Other Mideast
UAE detains pro-democracy activists
Officials detain two activists advocating democratic reforms, following last week’s arrest of prominent blogger.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/2011410183314190995.html

Lebanese march against quotas
Thousands of Lebanese yesterday rallied in Beirut calling for an end to the system of power-sharing along religious lines which they blame for the majority of problems afflicting the nation.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=427533&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17

Analysis/Op-ed
Saudi offensive
There is a dangerous Saudi offensive sweeping the Arab world.  I don’t believe that this time they are launching it at the behest of the US: but more in conjunction with Israeli offensive in the region.  The good thing is this: Saudi offensives have much higher chances of failure than American onces.  Witness what happened to their offensive against the Hawthis in Yemen.  I will write about this Saudi offensive in Arabic.  It started the second Husni Mubarak was overthrown: House of Saud became alarmed and decided to take matters into their own hands and without necessarily obtaining prior approval of the US, although the US would give its blessings as it did in Bahrain.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/saudi-offensive.html