Greater Middle East

Egypt: regime in crisis as Tahrir Square protesters hang on

Protests rocked Cairo for a sixth day, as security forces again used tear gas in another effort to clear Tahrir Square. Over 30 are now dead in the street-fighting. The Muslim Brotherhood has split over whether to join the protest movement.

Greater Middle East

Kuwait: king orders crackdown after protesters storm parliament

Kuwait’s emir has ordered authorities to tighten security in the Persian Gulf mini-state after the parliament building was stormed by dozens of protesters demanding a probe of corruption claims and an end to the ban on political parties.

Greater Middle East

Egypt: occupiers hold Tahrir Square, at cost of 13 dead

Hundreds of protesters against Egypt’s military rulers remain camped in Cairo’s Tahrir Square for a third day, retaking the plaza in clashes with security forces after being evicted in a police assault. At least 13 protesters were killed.

Greater Middle East

Egypt: court overturns ban on religious-based political party

An Egyptian court overturned a ban that prohibited presidential hopeful Ayman Nour from officially forming the Islamic-based political party Gama’a al-Islamiya. But the ruling military council instated a ban on religious-based campaign slogans.

Greater Middle East

Syria rejects calls to join ICC

Syria has rejected calls from several nations to join the International Criminal Court according to a report adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, which again called for the regime to halt its violent crackdown on anti-government protests.

Greater Middle East

Egyptian blogger on prison hunger strike

Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad has been on hunger strike for 48 days to protest his imprisonment on charges of criticizing the armed forces. HIs appeal hearing has been repeatedly postponed in what Reports Without Borders calls a stalling tactic.

Greater Middle East

Egypt: 20 dead as mobs attack Coptic protesters

At least 20 are dead after a march of 10,000 Copts on Cairo’s state TV building was attacked by stone-throwing counter-protesters. The protesters were angered by the latest attack on the Coptic Church, at the village of Merinab in Aswan.

Greater Middle East

Syria: over the edge into civil war?

Heavy fighting is reported between the Syrian army and opposition activists in central Homs province, as anti-government protests continue. In Rastan, seven soldiers and police were reportedly killed battling troops who have defected to the opposition.

Greater Middle East

Bahrain: doctors get prison for treating protesters

A military court in Bahrain sentenced a group of medical staff to up to 15 years in prison for treating anti-government protesters. Dr. Fatima Hadji told the BBC she was beaten in custody and threatened with rape before being released on bail.

Greater Middle East

Saudi women to get the vote —but still flogged for driving

The sentencing of a woman to 10 lashes for driving a car shows the scale of gender discrimination in Saudi Arabia, Amnesty International said. The sentence comes after the monarchy announced that women will be granted the vote in local polls.