Unrest spreads across the Arab world
(AFP) – 2 hours ago
CAIRO — Key events around the Arab world on Friday, as the revolts that began on January 14 in Tunisia continue:
EGYPT
January 25 saw the start of massive demonstrations against President Hosni Mubarak's regime, in power since 1981. The unrest has left at least 300 dead, according to unconfirmed figures from the United Nations, and thousands injured.
On Friday tens of thousands of Egyptian protesters massed for an 11th day in Cairo's Tahrir Square in a bid to force Mubarak to quit. Arab League chief Amr Mussa also visited the scene.
On Tuesday Mubarak said he will not seek re-election in September and pledged to ease conditions for rival candidates to stand.
YEMEN
Protests have spiralled since mid-January calling for the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power since 1978.
On Thursday tens of thousands of protesters massed in Sanaa for a "day of rage" calling for Saleh's ouster, while a similar number of government loyalists flooded a central square.
The demonstration went ahead despite concessions by Saleh, who on Wednesday called for dialogue with the opposition, pledging not to stand for re-election in 2013, nor to transfer power to his son, Ahmed.
JORDAN
On Friday around 1,000 protesters gathered outside the prime minister's office to demand reforms, before staging a sit-in near the Egyptian embassy in support of anti-regime protests there.
King Abdullah II, in power since 1999, on Tuesday sacked the government after weeks of protests.
Demonstrations against the cost of living have been held over the past month, but the number of protesters has decreased amid talks between the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood and the administration.
SYRIA
In Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad has been in power since 2000, a call to protest by online activists found no support in Damascus which was quiet after the main Friday prayers.
A similar call for a sit-in outside parliament in solidarity with "student, workers and penniless pensioners" failed to draw crowds.
On Wednesday, some 20 people in civilian clothing beat 15 demonstrators who had gathered in old Damascus for a candlelight vigil for Egyptian protesters, Human Rights Watch said.
On January 29, security forces prevented youths from gathering outside the Egyptian embassy to express their solidarity with the Egyptian uprising.
ALGERIA
In Algeria, where President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been in power since 1999, five days of protests against high prices resulted in five people dead in January.
A pro-democracy march planned for February 12 has been banned by the authorities but Bouteflika said on Thursday that the country's 19-year state of emergency would be lifted "in the very near future."
SUDAN
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has been in power since 1989. Widespread economic and political discontent has provoked sporadic street protests in north Sudan in recent weeks. A dozen journalists and some 70 demonstrators have been arrested and many injured.
OMAN
Some 200 Omanis protested on January 17 against high prices and corruption. Sultan Qaboos has been in power since 1970.
MAURITANIA
President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz took power in a military coup in August 2008 and was elected president in July 2009. In mid-January, several thousand people demonstrated in Nouakchott against rising prices.
Spontaneous marches organised by students have taken place in Nouakchott in support of the Egyptian people and on January 31 the main opposition party, the Rally of Democratic Forces, urged the regime "to go before it is too late."
MOROCCO
In Morocco, where King Mohammed VI has been in power since 1999, a group of young Moroccans called via Facebook on Thursday for pro-reform demonstrations on February 20 for "the dignity of the people and for democratic reforms."
The government in the wake of the unrest in Algeria and Tunisia said on January 25 it would maintain subsidies on basic necessities.
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