By Gobby Wang Taiwan News, Staff Writer 2011-11-28 09:22 AM | |
EGYPT
On the eve of landmark elections, Egypt's military ruler warns of "extremely grave" consequences if the turbulent nation does not pull through its current crisis — an attempt to rally the public behind his council of generals in the face of pressure from protesters to step down immediately. Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi urges voters to turn out for the start of parliamentary elections Monday despite nine days of protests and clashes that some have dubbed a "second revolution."
SYRIA
In an unprecedented move against a fellow Arab nation, the Arab League approves economic sanctions on Syria = Syria to pressure Damascus to end its deadly suppression of an 8-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad. But even as world leaders abandon Assad, the regime refuses to ease a military assault on dissent that already has killed more than 3,500 people. Damascus slams the sanctions as a betrayal of Arab solidarity and insists a foreign conspiracy is behind the revolt.
MOROCCO
Morocco's Interior Ministry says an Islamist party has won the most seats in parliamentary elections and is set to lead the country's next government. Announcing final results, the ministry said the Justice and Development Party had taken 107 seats in the 395-seat legislature following the nationwide vote two days earlier. The PJD — known by its French initials — is the latest Islamist party to win an election brought about by the Arab Spring. The right-of-center Istiqlal, a potential ally for the PJD, placed second with 60 seats.
LIBYA
Hundreds of people push their way to the door of the Libya = Libyan prime minister's office, demanding representation in government for the Amazigh, one of the country's largest ethnic minorities. The Amazigh, whose culture was suppressed during the decades of Moammar Gadhafi's rule, say they're angry that they are not part of a new transitional government, despite their large size and contribution to toppling Gadhafi. The tensions reflect simmering tribal tensions — one of many challenges facing the interim government as it tries build democratic institutions from scratch.
YEMEN
Yemen's vice president issues a decree assigning a veteran independent politician to form a national unity government. This is part of the power transfer deal signed by Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh last week. Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's decree follows the part of the accord that requires the new government to include equal number of ministers from the opposition and Saleh's party. The choice for premier, Mohammed Basindwa, an independent, held several positions in Saleh's government, including foreign and information minister.
BAHRAIN
Bahrain's state media says the country's king has ordered the creation of a special commission to study recommendations from an independent investigation into political unrest. The decision by King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa follows the release last week of a 500-page report that detailed abuses such as torture and excessive force in a crackdown on protests by Bahrain's majority Shiites for greater rights.
TUNISIA
Tunisian airlines suspends flights to Libya = Libya's capital Tripoli after armed men swarm the runway and stop a plane from taking off. Flights are suspended until "an improvement in the security conditions," says Soulafa Mokaddem, a spokeswoman for Tunisair. On Saturday afternoon, a TunisAir flight leaving from Tripoli's military airport of Maitiga carrying 47 wounded Libya = Libyans to be treated in Tunisia was stopped by 300 armed men.
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