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It’s Yemenis vs Yemenis in Sanaa
Clashes in Bahrain
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Military asks Egyptians to shun strikes
Iran protesters, police clash in
anti-govt demonstrations
Salmaan Taseer’s Killing
Activists of Shabab-e-Islami Pakistan shout slogans in support of Mumtaz Hussain Qadri outside the Adiyala Jail in Rawalpindi on Monday. — AFP
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It’s Yemenis vs Yemenis in Sanaa
Sanaa, February 14 The police who had been trying to keep the sides apart locked several thousand fleeing protesters inside the Sanaa University campus near where they were rallying to stem the bloodshed. Five persons were wounded in the melee, an opposition source said. “Hey Ali, get out, get out!” anti-government protesters shouted, referring to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a US ally against Al-Qaida’s resurgent Yemen-based wing who has been in power for over 30 years. “There is no solution except to leave.” Protests in impoverished Yemen have gained momentum in recent weeks, sometimes drawing tens of thousands of people, but have become more and more violent since Friday with clashes between rival protesters and police or pro-government groups. The threat of turmoil in Yemen, already teetering on the brink of failed statehood, has pushed Saleh to offer significant concessions, including a pledge to step down in 2013 and an invitation to the opposition for a reconciliation dialogue. Analysts have said Yemen was not yet at the point of an Egypt-style revolt, and any upheaval would likely unfold more slowly, and perhaps with more bloodshed, in a heavily armed country where tribal allegiances run strong. “With our blood, we sacrifice for you Ali!” Saleh supporters chanted in Sanaa before violence erupted. — Reuters
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Clashes in Bahrain
Dubai, February 14 It was the second reported skirmish with protesters since yesterday amid sharply rising tensions in the tiny island kingdom, a strategic Western ally and home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Social media sites have been flooded with calls by an array of political youth groups, rights activists and others to join demonstrations later today, a symbolic day in Bahrain as the anniversary of the country’s 2002 constitution that brought pro-democracy reforms such as an elected parliament. But opposition groups seek deeper changes from the country’s ruling dynasty, including transferring more decision-making powers to the parliament and breaking the monarchy’s grip on senior government posts. — AP
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Military asks Egyptians to shun strikes
Cairo, February 14 A series of strikes and protests by workers demanding better working conditions have gripped the country over the past few days as the workers feel emboldened following the success of the mass uprising. Seeking to restore normalcy after three weeks of unrest, the military said Egypt was at a "critical stage" and a less chaotic atmosphere was needed to ensure that the caretaker government is able to run the affairs and hand over the power to an elected government. In its latest communique read out on TV, the military appealed to all Egyptians to get back to work. The Supreme Military Council, that is entrusted with the task of temporarily running the country and overseeing political and constitutional reforms, said strikes and protests hurt the country's security and economy. Earlier in the day, eight online activists, who had helped galvanise the pro-democracy movement in Egypt, met the military leadership to discus the future of political reform. They said the caretaker government has set a 10-day timeframe to rewrite the Mubarak-era constitution, to be put to referendum within two months, Al Jazeera reported. — PTI
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Iran protesters, police clash in anti-govt demonstrations Tehran, February 14 The police moved in when crowds of opposition supporters gathered at Tehran's prominent Azadi (Freedom) Square began chanting "Death to Dictator!", a slogan used against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the disputed 2009 presidential election. Kaleme.com, website of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, said that according to "unconfirmed reports, hundreds of protesters were arrested in Tehran." There was no immediate official confirmation of any arrests. The demonstrations, staged despite a ban on rallies, marked the first anti-government protests in Tehran since February 11, 2010, when activists took to the streets to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. Opposition website Rahesabz.net said clashes were also reported near Tehran University and on the road connecting Azadi Square with Enghelab Square. It said tear gas was fired by police as protesters chanted "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein" a slogan from 2009 in support of Mousavi. — AFP
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Salmaan Taseer’s Killing
Islamabad, February 14 Mumtaz Qadri, 26, who has already admitted gunning down Taseer outside a restaurant in Islamabad on January 4, was indicted on a murder charge during in-camera proceedings at Adiala Jail in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, his lawyers said. The judge said Qadri had committed terrorism and asked him if he had intentionally killed Taseer. Qadri claimed his action was not illegal as he had dealt with “an apostate” according to the Koran and Islamic laws, a member of the policeman’s defence team told the media. There was confusion on whether Qadri had pleaded guilty, with some members of his defence team telling the media that he had “pleaded not guilty”. The judge scheduled the next hearing for February 26, when evidence and witnesses will be presented by the prosecution. Prosecutors had stayed away from several earlier hearings in Qadri’s case, apparently due to security concerns. Qadri had surrendered after firing at Taseer and said he had been angered by the politician’s opposition to the blasphemy law and his support for Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death last year for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad. Qadri was part of the security detail for Taseer, who was hit by 27 bullets. The assassination of the liberal politician divided Pakistani society after religious hardliners and even groups of lawyers hailed Qadri as a hero. The developments also showed how religious extremism had penetrated society, and many analysts blamed this phenomenon on laws and policies introduced by the regime of late military ruler Zia-ul-Haq. Some persons came to Adiala Jail with Valentine’s Day cards and flowers today to express their support for Qadri. At earlier court appearances, Qadri was feted and showered with rose petals. — PTI
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Government backers armed with broken bottles, daggers and rocks chased down thousands of pro-reform demonstrators in Yemen’s capital on Monday, turning unrest inspired by Egypt’s uprising increasingly violent.
Dubai, February 14
Islamabad, February 14
