Egyptian President-Elect Takes Oath in Tahrir Square and More

Egypt's Islamist President-elect Mohamed Mursi (R) delivers a speech while surrounded by his body guards in Cairo's Tahrir Square, June 29, 2012. Mursi took an informal oath of office on Friday before tens of thousands of supporters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, in a slap at the generals trying to limit his power. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh


Egyptian President-Elect takes oath in Tahrir Square

New TV - Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi took an oath before the Egyptian people in Tahrir Square, and vowed to respect the constitution and the law. In the evening, he took an oath to begin his term under the eyes of the Military Council; and away from formalities and the usual protocol, the Egyptian president-elect chose to address his opponents before his supporters. He went to Tahrir Square, which is packed with Egyptians denouncing military rule. Morsi began his presidential term from al-Azhar al-Sharif Mosque, where he performed Friday prayers amongst thousands of Egyptians. The holy mosque was packed with Egyptians who welcomed him in their own way. Al-Azhar’s courtyard held a demonstration giving their allegiance to the president-elect, on a Friday that Egyptians named "The Friday of Handing over Power."

Saudi women launch campaign to defy driving ban

BBC Arabic - The "My Right to Dignity" campaign, in which many Saudi women are active, continues to promote "The Friday of Women Driving". It is an attempt to urge the women in the kingdom, and those in solidarity with them, to drive in the streets of the kingdom today, in order to push for a lift of the driving ban imposed on them. It is a ban among many others, social and political, that are imposed on Saudi women. Advocates for women's driving rights insist that the key to the car may be the key to change in the kingdom.

Sudanese opposition fails to sign post-Bashir political charter

Dubai TV - International condemnation did not prevent Khartoum's government from waging a new arrest campaign targeting Sudanese opposition parties, especially since they started a new movement under the banner of "toppling the regime." But the meeting that was held to sign two proposed charters to manage the country during the transitional period following the regime's collapse, was postponed until next week after they failed to reach an agreement.

UN warns of rising sectarian killings in Syria as gunmen attack pro-Assad TV channel

BBC Arabic - Emad Sara, Director of the news channel Al-Ekhbariya, denounced the attack on the channel. He said the opposition has no desire to convey the opinions of others. He said "Three of our journalists were martyred, and of course, their only crime was conveying words; words that you all know well, words of truth, words that express the other point of view. They conveyed the message of their freedoms in their own way. As such, they were targeted". Human rights investigators in the United Nations released a report today that says the violence in Syria is spiraling out of control. According to the report, the Syrian government is using combat helicopters and artillery to shell residential neighborhoods. It points to the increasing number of sectarian attacks. The report adds that a number of Syrian regions have descended into civil war since the UN-backed ceasefire this past April.

Yemenis take to streets of Sanaa in a massive car rally

Al-Alam - The streets of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, witnessed demonstrations that were the first of their kind, in the form of a procession of cars. Protestors chanted slogans demanding the ouster and trial of those loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, stressing the importance of continuing to mobilize the revolutionaries. Revolutionary youths say that it symbolizes the beginning of a new revolutionary mobilization with the aim of protecting the revolution through various methods.

 

Image: Egypt's Islamist President-elect Mohamed Mursi (R) delivers a speech while surrounded by his body guards in Cairo's Tahrir Square, June 29, 2012. Mursi took an informal oath of office on Friday before tens of thousands of supporters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, in a slap at the generals trying to limit his power. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

 
 

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Inside Syria's Divided Opposition

Seven months into the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, the Syrian opposition remains starkly divided on several key issues. According to the BBC, these issues include "the question of whether or not to encourage foreign intervention, whether there should be regime change or dialogue, and whether there should be armed rebellion or peaceful protest."

 

The Syrian National Council (SNC), which was recently formed in Turkey, and the Damascus-based National Coordination Committee (NCC) are the two main opposition groups that have emerged in Syria. While both blocs agree on overthrowing the current regime, the NCC calls for dialogue with Assad's regime (on the condition that the regime ends the violence against protestors), while the SNC vehemently rejects any form of dialogue. 

 

While the SNC and the NCC both originally rejected foreign intervention, the SNC membership now seems divided on the issue. According to Foreign Policy Magazine, "some SNC members, especially the youth activists, have been calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone and the protection of civilians including a NATO-led intervention akin to the one in Libya." The NCC calls instead for economic sanctions and other political maneuvers to counter Assad's regime. 

 

Military defectors organized under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) mark yet another facet of Syria's opposition. The FSA has repeatedly mounted attacks on Syrian security forces and Syrian security forces and army, worrying many that the crisis will escalate into a civil war. A majority of the opposition agrees that protests should remain non-violent, however many youth activists are growing impatient with the slow progress on the political front.

 

A Syrian protester living in Egypt attacks a member of the Syrian opposition delegation before the delegation was due to meet with Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo November 9, 2011.

Many protestors are weary of both opposition blocs, saying they aren't representative of the people and their demands. In an article titled, "Opposing (Some) Arab Opposition Groups," As'ad AbuKhalil warns against endorsing Arab opposition groups simply because they oppose dictatorial regimes. He says, "Some Arab opposition groups may promise democracy and rule of law, while they carry the agenda of a sponsoring tyrannical government… It is our duty…to speak out against those opposition groups who promise to take the people from one form of tyranny to another."

 

As the protests calling for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad continue on a daily basis in Syria, the deepening divide in the muddled Syrian opposition will continue to hinder a resolution to the crisis. In the words of Steven Heydemann, senior advisor for Middle East initiatives at the US Institute of Peace, the Syrian revolution will be  "a marathon" if Syrians cannot unite. 

 

(Photo:  A Syrian protestor living in Egypt attacks a member of the Syrian opposition delegation before the delegation was due to meet with Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo November 9, 2011. Watch New TV's report on the altercation here.

 

 
 

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Thai Separatists Fight for Independence

(Al Jazeera English: 0149 PT, May 12, 2011) Separatists in Southern Thailand speak exclusively to Al Jazeera about their fight for independence.

 

 

 
 

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Rebels and Troops Eye-to-Eye in Misurata

(Euronews: 0421 PT, May 11, 2011) Anti-Gaddafi fighters in Misurata are engaged in trench warfare against Libyan government forces. Euronews has exclusive pictures from the fluid frontline as the rebel army make slight gains against a better-trained and well-equipped foe.

 

Government forces are deploying snipers to keep the rebels pinned down and then hit their positions with shells and mortars. Those opposed to Gaddafi say they are expecting NATO air strikes to target government troops at any time.

 

 

EU to Open Office in Rebel Stronghold Benghazi

(Euronews: 0726 PT, May 11, 2011) The European Union says it will open an office in the rebel-held Libyan city of Benghazi. However, this is not a sign of recognition for the rebel administration. The aim is to help with security and getting aid to where it is needed. The office will also assist with health and education.

 

 

 
 

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NATO Night Strikes Blast Targets in Tripoli

(Euronews: 0742 PT, May 10, 2011) NATO aircraft conducted raids over Tripoli overnight with government buildings bearing the brunt of the attacks. Libyan officials escorted journalists to the High Commission for Children, which suffered extensive damage. Witnesses in the capital say NATO planes were trying to hit Gaddafi's compound.

 

 

NATO Launches Airstrike on Libyan Capital

(Al Jazeera English: 2352 PT, May 9, 2011) NATO warplanes launched a new round of airstrikes in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, witnesses said. They told Al Jazeera the attacks targeted several sites, including Muammar Gaddafi's compound. Earlier, the United Nations humanitarian chief called for a break in fighting to allow medical aid into the country. Al Jazeera's Monica Villamizar reports.

 

 

 
 

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Silencing Thailand's Opposition

(Al Jazeera English: 0406 PT, May 9, 2011) Opposition "Red Shirt" supporters in Thailand say they are being silenced ahead of an upcoming general election. Police have reportedly closed down several anti-government radio stations for "lacking licenses or permits to broadcast." But activists say the only stations targeted were ones run by Red Shirt supporters. Wayne Hay reports from Bangkok, the Thai capital.

 

 

 
 

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Protesters Shot Dead in Syrian 'Day of Defiance'

(Euronews: 0759 PT, May 6, 2011) Protests have broken out across Syria as thousands heeded calls for a "day of defiance" against the regime. Reports say that security forces killed five pro-democracy demonstrators and wounded dozens more in the city of Homs.

 

The protests began as Friday prayers ended. A march in Damascus did not last long before it was broken up. One opposition leader, Riad Seif, was arrested with other demonstrators, according to human rights campaigners. Witnesses said security forces fired at protesters just north of the capital, wounding some.

 

 

Protest on Syria's 'Day of Defiance'

(France 24: 0617 PT, May 6, 2011) Thousands of anti-regime demonstrators have taken to the streets across Syria following Friday prayers for a "day of defiance." Security forces are out en masse and have reportedly opened fire in at least one town.

 

 

 
 

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Algerians Mark May Day and Libyans Celebrate Death of Gaddafi's Son

Algerians Mark May Day Amid Tight Security
(Press TV: May 2, 2011, 1200 PST) Following on the success of the students march in April, members of the "Unemployed Rights Defense Committee" gathered at Civil Harmony Square in the Alegrian capital, to proclaim the rights of thousands of unemployed youth:

 


Libyans Jubilant: Gaddafi's Son Killed
(Press TV: May 2, 2011, 1130 PST) Press TV reports on the latest developments of the Libyan revolution:

 

 

Protests Continue as Saleh Refuses to Exit
(Press TV: May 2, 2011, 1130 PST) For the third month running, anti-government protesters took to the streets of Yemen's capital Sanaa calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh's immediate ouster, as he refused to sign a Persian Gulf-brokered agreement:

 

 

 
 

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Tunisia Demands End to Libyan Incursions

(Euronews: 2313 PST, April 28, 2011) Fighting between rebels and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi has provoked an angry response from Tunisia. The storming of the Dehiba-Wazin crossing by government troops saw artillery shells land on the Tunisian side of the border.

 

Tunis strongly condemned the incursions demanding an immediate halt. Nevertheless, the offensive appeared to be a wider move by Gaddafi's men to weed out opposition in the west of the country. Though the rebels rapidly countered, one anti-Gaddafi fighter desperately demanded international help.

 

 

'Fierce Fighting' Along Libya-Tunisia Border

(Al Jazeera English: 0147 PST, April 29, 2011) Reports are coming in of fresh fighting at a Libyan border crossing with Tunisia. Al Jazeera's Sue Turton has this update from near the Libyan border.

 

 

 
 

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Rebels Make Progress in East and West of Libya

(Al Jazeera English: 0506 PST, April 26, 2011) A short while ago, Al Jazeera's Sue Turton sent this report from the West Gate of Ajdabiya, where rebel fighters are beginning to receive foreign military equipment and training.

 

 

Libyan Rebels Gain Ground in Nafusa Mountains

(Al Jazeera English: 2246 PST, April 25, 2011) In western Libya's Nafusa mountains, an area that has remained largely inaccessible to journalists, pro-democracy fighters have been under siege from Muammar Gaddafi's forces for two months.

 

The Nafusa mountain area is home to Libya's Berber minority. The fighting in the mountain region has sent thousands fleeing into nearby Tunisia. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught has traveled there and met a community that says it is gaining ground against Libya's long-time leader.

 

 

 
 

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