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Tonight on Mosaic: Moroccans reiterate rejection of cosmetic reforms

Morocco: The February 20 Movement renewed its rejection of what it describes as "sham reforms." The movement demands genuine political reforms that transform Morocco's controlled political process to one capable of producing the change demanded by the masses. The movement also renewed its demands for prosecuting corrupt officials and holding fair elections. In addition to the political demands, the movement raised slogans demanding social justice, freedom, and dignity.

 

Syria: The Syrian opposition is rallying its supporters to participate in a day of anger against Russia, as Moscow continues to support President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Medvedev stated that it is wrong to place additional pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and force him to end security operations. The Syrian opposition has called on supporters online to protest across Syrian cities and towns and to burn the Russian flag.

 

Libya: Fifteen people were killed in an attack by Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's battalions on an oil facility near Ras Lanuf. The Libyan National Transitional Council announced that its fighters fended off the battalions' attack on Bani Walid, one of the final strongholds of Colonel Gaddafi's loyalists. The NTC forces began reinforcing their siege on the city of Sirte, also under Gaddafi's control.

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: Syria launches deadliest attack since start of unrest

Syria: The city of Hama is witnessing the bloodiest crackdown it has seen since unrest began in the country five months ago. While Syrian state media blames the violence on 'armed groups,' eyewitnesses say that Syrian army tanks stormed the city at dawn and began bombing houses. Reports indicate that over 100 have been killed in the crackdown since yesterday. Violence is also ongoing in Homs, Idlib, Deir az-Zour, and al-Bukamal.

Libya: New clashes in Misurata erupted between the revolutionaries and Muammar Gaddafi's battalions, killing over 30 revolutionaries and wounding 130. Meanwhile in Zlitan, revolutionaries managed to reach the city center despite significant resistance by Gaddafi forces. The clashes led to casualties on both sides. After months of seesaw battles, the small achievements made by the revolutionaries seem to be beginning to break the military stalemate in the country's crisis.

Egypt: At least 200 protestors have been injured during violent confrontations between Egyptian security forces and demonstrators camped out in Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square. The clashes erupted when security forces entered the square to disperse protestors who have been there for over three weeks. Witnesses say the troops fired into the air and used live ammunition in an attempt break up the demonstrations. Several of the 200 injured protestors are said to be in critical condition.

Morocco:
The February 20 Movement and several Moroccan human rights organizations have criticized King Mohammed VI's speech marking allegiance day in the kingdom. During the speech, King Mohammed announced his plan to hold early elections. While the speech was hailed by loyalists as "a roadmap outlining the upcoming stage," the opposition says the speech was insufficient and doesn't mean that the country will enter a new democratic phase.

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: Moroccans renew demand for 'democratic constitution'

Morocco: The February 20 Movement condemned what it described as the policy of "deaf ears" adopted by the authorities in relation to the movement's demands. The movement organized the largest protests yet in the cities of Tangier and Casablanca to reiterate its rejection of the new constitution and demand a "democratic constitution devoted to the sovereignty of the people."

 

Syria: Protests continue throughout the country despite the Syrian cabinet's approval of a draft law that allows for the formation of political parties. The authorities described the draft law as "activating the multi-party political system." However, the opposition says that the law is a "sham solution" because Article 8 of the constitution stipulates that the Ba'ath Party is the country's ruling party.

Libya: Only 100 kilometers south of the capital Tripoli, Muammar Gaddafi's forces launched an attack on Gualish in an attempt to regain control of the town. The revolutionaries said they managed to repel Gaddafi's forces two kilometers from Gualish after dozens of fellow fighters arrived to support them from the city of Zintan, the revolutionaries' largest base in western Libya. Meanwhile, NATO continues to launch nightly raids on central Tripoli, which the government says is causing a heavy civilian death toll.


Egypt: In the midst of their current revolution, Egypt celebrated the anniversary of the July 23 Revolution, also known as the Revolution of the Free Officers, which abolished Egypt's constitutional monarchy and established a republic. More than 60 years later, the Egyptian people are once again challenging their government and demanding it be replaced with a civilian government free of corruption and oppression.

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: Yemen's Saleh offers to transfer power to parliament

Yemen: Deputy Minister of Information Abdu al-Janadi says President Ali Abdullah Saleh will soon address the nation. Saleh will be interviewed by Saudi state television in Riyadh, where he has been staying for the past three weeks for medical treatment. The ruling Congress Party announced that Saleh will soon return to the country and that he plans to transfer his authorities to parliament and to form a coalition government to prepare for early elections. The opposition described the announcements as "a coup against the Gulf Initiative."

Libya: Libyan Justice Minister Mohamed al-Gamudi said that the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Muammar Gaddafi, his son, and his intelligence chief is politically motivated and is being used as a cover-up for NATO's crimes. He vowed to prosecute members of NATO. The decision has prompted the opposition to reject any dialogue with the regime.

Syria: Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, Mikhail Margelov, met with the Syrian opposition's delegation in Moscow today. The delegation called on Russia to use its influence to push the Syrian regime to end the violence against peaceful protestors. Margelov urged Syria to implement real reforms and stated that Russia will do everything possible to prevent the Syrian crisis from descending into a Libya-style war.

Morocco:
The February 20 Movement has once again taken to the streets, this time in protest of the constitutional amendments proposed by King Mohamed VI. They assert that the amendments do not sufficiently reduce the king's authority. While the amendments give the government executive authority, the king remains the head of the army and retains religious and judicial authority. The new constitution also maintains the king's right to appoint the prime minister.

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: Morocco's February 20 Movement adamant about reform

Morocco: Over 100 protest rallies took place throughout Morocco this week despite the extreme violence used by security forces against demonstrators. The February 20 Movement protestors are demanding political reforms which include establishing a constitutional monarchy, implementing a process of government accountability, and granting the judiciary full independence. In response to the protests, Moroccan Minister of Telecommunications Khaled al-Nasseri said that people he refers to as Islamists and leftists are seeking to spread unrest in Morocco under the guise of democracy protests.

Libya: NATO launched its most aggressive attack against Muammar Gaddafi yesterday, targeting his headquarters at the Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli. NATO also said it will start using combat helicopters in its operations in Libya in order to launch more accurate strikes. Spokesman for the Libyan government, Moussa Ibrahim said the air strikes killed three people and wounded at least 150. On the ground, clashes are ongoing between revolutionaries and Gaddafi’s forces in Tripoli. This is the first time that the revolutionaries have engaged in battles inside the capital.

Syria: EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton described the situation in Syria as “disturbing” and called on the Syrian government to end the violence against peaceful protestors. Additional sanctions have been imposed on Syria and include freezing the country’s assets and prohibiting Syrian officials from traveling. Rights activists reported that 58 people died in last Friday’s protests. Despite the ongoing crackdown, protestors continue to rally throughout Syria demanding the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Yemen: New clashes erupted between Yemeni security forces and supporters of Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar. Five people were killed and several others wounded after the two sides exchanged gunfire. The fierce clashes came after the heavy shelling of al-Ahmar's home, where dozens of tribal leaders were placed under siege. The confrontation is yet another setback to the Gulf Cooperation Council and international efforts aimed at solving the country's political crisis.

 
 

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