A protest leader was found dead after overnight clashes between the pro-democracy demonstrators and police in Bahrain, as the Formula One Grand Prix car-racing spectacle is set to open in the conflicted Persian Gulf mini-state.
Ali Mushaima, a 28-year-old Bahraini activist, has been on hunger strike for 10 days outside the US embassy in London, to call attention to Washington’s complicity in the repression of Bahrain’s civil revolutionary movement.
The Kurdish opposition bloc walked out of the Syrian National Council at a meeting in Istanbul, accusing host country Turkey of "pressuring the SNC" to omit the demands of the Kurdish members in the final document outlining a transition plan.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has seized several provinces in southern Yemen, keeping government troops at bay—and in the latest clash, seizing two tanks. The US launched at least six drone strikes against AQAP targets last month.
Reactions to the passing of Pope Shenouda III, leader of Egypt’s Coptic Christians, reveals much about the country’s ominous but still tentatively hopeful political situation. Compass Direct News, which documents persecution of Christians around the world, on March 23 noted… Read moreEgypt: now the Muslim Brotherhood are the moderates…
Syria held a referendum on a new constitution, with much of the international community dismissing it as a “sham.” The vote comes just one day after 89 people were reportedly killed in Homs, the center of the opposition.
Hamas turned against its long-time ally President Bashar Assad of Syria, throwing its support behind the rebellion aimed at overturning his rule. Meanwhile in Tunis, Hillary Clinton bashed Russia and China for opposing UN action against Assad.
Yemeni officials hailed a 60% turnout in elections that officially ended President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule, despite boycott calls by separatists in the south where violence marred polling. Shi’ite rebels in the north also boycotted the polls.
Egypt’s High Administrative Court ruled that the voting system used in recent parliamentary election was unconstitutional. It is not clear whether the ruling will lead to invalidation the elections, widely viewed as Egypt’s freest vote in decades.
The UN General Assembly voted to condemn Syria. The resolution supports an Arab League plan that encourages President Bashar al-Assad to step down. There were 12 votes against the resolution including Russia, China, Iran and Bolivia.
Security forces in Bahrain fired tear-gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades at protesters gathered on the eve of the first anniversary of pro-democracy demonstrations. Protesters tried to gain control of the Pearl Roundabout in the capital, Manama.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated its call for international action to protect civilians in Syria, calling for Syrian officials suspected of crimes against humanity to be tried before the International Criminal Court.
