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Tonight on Mosaic: World powers react to Syria's "Int'l Protection Friday"

 

Syria: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country is ready to host a meeting of Islamic nations in order to help Syria solve its problems. His statement came as demonstrations occurred in a number of Syrian cities today in what activists called the "Friday of International Protection." Head of the Russian Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee Mikhail Margelov said his country's position on the situation in Syria will not change. He expressed Moscow's opposition to any foreign interference to find a solution to the Syrian crisis. 

 

Yemen: Protestors took to the streets today in several Yemeni cities in response to a call by the youth of the revolution for a "Peaceful Revolutionary Escalation" against Ali Abdullah Saleh's the ruling regime. The opposition hopes the movement will break the political deadlock in Yemen caused by the absence of the Yemeni president, who is still in Saudi Arabia receiving treatment for injuries sustained during an assassination attempt in June.

 

Egypt: Tens of thousands of demonstrators have once again taken to Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square, demanding the military government be replaced with a civilian one. Protestors gathered in the square after the Friday prayers to join the protest dubbed "Correcting the Path." Protestors say all political prisoners must be released and an investigation launched into the conduct of officials responsible for the violence used against them. Activists are angry over the slow pace of reform by the ruling military council and want a clear road map and comprehensive timetable for transition in Egypt. 

 

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: Gaddafi disappearance fuels speculation about his wherabouts

Libya: Muammar Gaddafi's whereabouts remain unknown. Several reports indicate that Gaddafi left the city of Bani Walid and is headed to Libya's southern borders with Niger and Chad. However, the US State Department said there is no evidence that Gaddafi or his family have crossed the border into Niger. A State Department spokesperson said that the Niger authorities informed the US ambassador that those who crossed the border into Niger on Monday night were high-ranking officials of Gaddafi's regime. Many believe that the revolutionaries' delayed entry into Bani Walid and Sirte gave Gaddafi and his family more time to escape. 

 

Egypt: The fourth trial session of ousted dictator Hosni Mubarak and his top associates has resumed in Cairo. Eighty-three year old Mubarak appeared before the court with his two sons Alaa and Gamal, former Egyptian Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and a senior police officer, Ahmed Ramzi. They are being charged with ordering the killing of hundreds of protestors during the popular January 25 uprising. Hundreds of security vehicles, armored cars, ambulances, and fire trucks lined the streets surrounding the courthouse. 

 

Syria: Seven people were killed and several others injured in Syria in yet another military operation in Homs. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said soldiers and security forces used heavy machine guns near the Khaled ibn al-Walid Mosque. Meanwhile, Syria has requested to postpone the scheduled visit of Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi on Thursday. The secretary-general intends to propose an Arab initiative to Syrian officials in order to end the crisis that has lasted six months.

 

 

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: Tunisians protest to denounce the transitional government

Tunisia: Tunisian security forces attacked hundreds of protestors who took to the streets of the capital Tunis to call for a second revolution. Police forces, who had blocked the streets leading to the interior ministry, tried to scatter the protestors by firing tear gas and beating several of them. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the cathedral in Tunis, shouting "new revolution," "the people want the system to fall," and "Free Tunisia, throw out the thieves."

Libya: In an audio message on Libyan state television, Libyan Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi called on his supporters to prepare to fight to recapture the cities controlled by the revolutionaries, and predicted a swift end to the opposition and NATO. The state-run channel broadcast live images from Green Square in Tripoli, where hundreds of regime supporters gathered, holding photos of al-Gaddafi and waving green flags. Gaddafi's speech came after the revolutionaries gained control of the city of az-Zawiyah, in western Libya, only 50 kilometers from Tripoli.

Syria: According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Syrian army continued its shelling of several neighborhoods in Latakia for the third consecutive day. The army also stormed the Palestinian refugee camp al-Ramel and the city of Hula in Homs province. Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, denies these reports. The state run channel broadcast videos of Hama showing that the city is regaining vitality and that official business has resumed.

Egypt: At the Cairo Criminal Court, Chancellor Ahmed Rifaat has ordered that former President Hosni Mubarak's trial be merged with the proceedings against his former interior minister, Habib el-Adly. He also decided to end live television coverage of the court sessions. Chaos and altercations between lawyers erupted today during the court's second session for the trials of the former president and his two sons, Ala'a and Jamal.

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: World powers rule out military intervention in Syria

Syria: Security forces continued to carry out military operations last night in several cities throughout the country. Rights organizations said that yesterday's death toll reached 24. Witnesses in Damascus reported that Syrian security forces killed at least six protestors after midnight in an attack on Arbeen, an eastern suburb of Damascus. Syrian official sources said that seven bodies were found in Kazu, a suburb of Hama. During a UN Security Council meeting about the crisis in Syria, world leaders ruled out the possibility of a military intervention in the country.

Egypt:
Ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will be relocated in order to appear in court on charges of corruption and ordering the killing of anti-government protestors in Egypt. Mubarak is due to appear in court along with his two sons and a number of his former associates in Cairo on Wednesday. Over 8,000 policemen and soldiers will be deployed to protect the defendants and secure their arrival to the courthouse. Officials say Mubarak could face the death penalty if convicted of the charges made against him.

Bahrain: At the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the February 14th Revolution issued a statement calling on Bahrainis to escalate their mobilization and protests throughout the country. The coalition emphasized the importance of national unity among Bahrainis while it condemned the kidnapping, torture, arrests, and other crimes committed by the Saudi occupation forces.

Libya: At least seven revolutionaries were killed and 65 others wounded during clashes with government troops in Zlitan, located 160 km east of the capital Tripoli. The fighting broke out on Tuesday after revolutionary forces captured the town from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. Attacks by pro-Gaddafi troops have intensified as opposition fighters are pushing their way towards Tripoli where the long-time ruler is located. Taking over control of Zlitan is seen as a big gain for the revolutionaries as it is the first of three major towns that stand between Tripoli and Misurata, which is held by the revolutionaries.

 
 

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Tonight on Mosaic: Egyptians renew commitment to put the 'revolution first'

Egypt: Thousands gathered in a Cairo's Tahrir Square today under the slogan "Revolution First," to remind people of the importance of the January 25 Revolution. Protestors demanded that figureheads of the former regime and anyone involved in cases of corruption and accused of killing protestors be put on trial. Security forces were absent from the square. The people's anger was fueled by recent verdicts exonerating six ministers charged with corruption and embezzling, and police officers charged with killing protestors.

Syria:
American ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, visited Hama today on what is being referred to as "no dialogue Friday." The US State Department confirmed that Ford's visit was in support of the Syrian people, while the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the ambassador's violation of diplomatic norms, seeing it as an attempt to incite more violence and protests.

Yemen: Thousands of citizens gathered in various Yemeni cities, including the capital Sanaa and Taiz, on what they have named the "Friday to reject mediation," referring to regional and international interference in their revolution. Yesterday, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh made his first television appearance after surviving an assassination attempt early last month. Protestors are demanding the formation of a transitional council, the prosecution of Saleh and his family, and are rejecting foreign interference.

 
 

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