Third Egyptian sets himself ablaze

Staff

Tue, 18/01/2011 - 12:53

Photographed by المصري اليوم

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A third Egyptian man set himself on fire on Tuesday in Alexandria’s Khorshid neighborhood, security sources said.

Ahmed Hashim al-Sayed, 25, set fire to himself on the top floor of his building in Khourshid, a security source said. The source added that al-Sayed is currently unemployed and police are still investigating the reasons behind his attempt at self-immolation. A medical source told Al-Masry Al-Youm that al-Sayed has been hospitalized and suffers from third degree burns.

Two earlier attempts at self-immolation in Egypt include an Egyptian lawyer named Mohamed Farouk who set himself on fire near parliament in downtown Cairo earlier in the day on Tuesday, and a 49-year-old man who set himself ablaze near parliament on Monday after chanting anti-government slogans.

Similar cases have been reported in Algeria and Mauritania. Like the Tunisians, whose public protests led to the ousting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, Arabs in many states are frustrated by soaring prices, poverty, high unemployment and authoritarian systems of rule that deny them a voice.

Wind's Sawiris sees Vimpelcom deal going through

Reuters

Tue, 18/01/2011 - 14:03

Photographed by فؤاد الجرنوسي

Archived

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Sharm el-Sheikh--Russian operator Vimpelcom's deal to buy telecoms assets from Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris has "a very big chance" of going through, Sawiris told Reuters on Tuesday.

Asked if he was worried Vimpelcom shareholder Telenor might block the deal to buy control of Orascom Telecom and Italy's Wind, Sawiris said: "No, I'm not worried."

Sudanese politician warns of South Sudan-East Africa alliance

Arabic Edition

Tue, 18/01/2011 - 13:39

Photographed by Mohamed Maarouf

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Southern Sudan will establish strong ties with East African nations while disregarding interests of Arab countries if it secedes, warned Sadek al-Mahdi, head of the Sudanese Islamic centrist Umma Party.

A new southern state bolstering ties with countries like Ethiopia poses a threat to Egyptian and Arab security, said al-Mahdi in an interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, referring to Ethiopia as an ally of Israel.

The establishment of ties between a southern Sudanese state and east African and Nile basin nations will threaten Egypt’s Nile share, especially as the basin countries demand a redistribution of Nile water shares, al-Mahdi added, advising Egypt and Arab countries to develop good relations with both the north and the south.

Al-Mahdi added that the way the central Sudanese government acts in Khartoum deepens the south’s sense of belonging to east Africa.

He proposed an agreement to be based on mutual recognition between the two countries. Al-Mahdi also called for a joint economic program and national security agreement.

Translated from the Arabic Edition.

Oil wealth likely to keep Gulf calm

Despite a rare protest in Oman and cash and food being doled out in Kuwait, experts say the region will remain quiet. Last Modified: 18 Jan 2011 10:31 GMT

The Saudi government welcomed ousted Ben Ali, ushering him to a heavily guarded palace in Jeddah [Reuters] About 2,000 Omanis have staged a rare protest demanding higher wages and salaries and a curb to rising prices and the high cost of living, the Associated Press news agency said. Other media outlets said the gathering was much smaller. The demonstration on Monday, a rarity in the usually calm sultanate, was called for by the civil society groups and publicised on websites. Protesters gathered in the district housing most government ministries under close watch by police. The demonstration ended peacefully. One demonstrator said the march was a request to Sultan Qaboos to personally intervene against the greed of the merchants and raise government employees salaries including those in the police and the army. Banners held by the demonstrators read "no to high prices" and "no to the merchant greed". Free food and cash Meanwhile, the ruler of Kuwait announced on Monday the distribution of $4bn and free food for 14 months to all citizens. Each of the 1.12 million native citizens will get 1,000 dinars ($3,572) in cash as well as free essential food items until March 31, 2012, Kuwait's emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah was reported to have said. The Gulf state, whose financial assets top $300bn, will next month mark the 50th anniversary of independence, 20th anniversary of liberation from Iraqi occupation and the fifth anniversary of the emir's ascendance to power. The 2.4 million foreign residents of Kuwait, mainly workers from south Asia, are excluded from the grant and the free food. Golden bargain Experts say that the oil wealth of Saudi Arabia and its neighbours could prevent any poverty-driven unrest, similar to that which ousted Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, from spreading to the Gulf. They say that Gulf Arab rulers have struck a golden bargain with their people to trade political quiescence for relative affluence. "I know there is a lot of talk about the ripple effect. I think the epicentre is still very much Tunisia and in the immediate region in north Africa I would say," Salman Shaikh, director of the Brookings Doha Centre, said. "With regard to the Gulf leaderships directly, to be fair they are focused on a vision ... which is about developing their societies," he added. The Gulf Arab states' massive oil wealth fuelled a development boom that lifted much of the region into prosperity even as other Arab countries struggle to raise living standards. "I think the Gulf states are a little bit more secure than some of the other states that have been mentioned such as Egypt and Jordan and Algeria. So I don't see it spreading to here," Theodore Karasik, a Dubai-based security analyst, said. Saudi Arabia was widely criticised for inviting Ben Ali and his family after France, among other places, refused to host him. But some say the decision to host a deposed Arab ruler in the shape of Ben Ali has been more sensitive, as it highlights the lack of democracy in the kingdom itself. Riyadh is keen to avoid any hint of political parallels with Tunisia. Prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who is close to key Saudi princes, said: "I myself was not happy about it and I'm sure most Saudis are not happy about it. "We would not like our country to be the destination for dictators but again we are trapped by traditions."

Source: Agencies

US welcomes Hariri indictment

Prosecutor for UN tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of ex-Lebanon PM submits indictment against suspects. Last Modified: 18 Jan 2011 00:38 GMT

The indictment came less than a week after the government of prime minister Saad Hariri collapsed [AFP] US President Barack Obama has welcomed the submission of an indictment for the 2005 murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, saying the move was key to ending an "era of impunity" but urging calm amid rising tensions in the country. A prosecutor for the UN tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister filed the body's first indictment against suspects in the case on Monday. The confidential documents were handed to the registry, the tribunal said in a statement. The details of the suspected named and the charges against them were not released. In a statement, Obama said he "welcomed" the announcement, adding that it was "a significant and emotional time for the Lebanese people, and we join the international community in calling on all leadersa and factions to preserve calm and exercise restraint". On Monday, Ali Shami, the Lebanese foreign minister, cautioned the US to stop interfering in Lebanese affairs, summoning Maura Connelly, the American ambassador, to explain why she had met with Nicolas Fattouch, a key undecided lawmaker, on the weekend. After the meeting, Connelly's office said the meeting was part of routine meetings with "personalities from across Lebanon's political spectrum". Hezbollah indictments expected Daniel Fransen, the pre-trial judge, must confirm the charges in the indictment before any arrest warrant or summons to appear can be issued. The tribunal is widely expected to indict members of Lebanon's Hezbollah, a move many fear could rekindle violence in the country. Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, reporting from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, said the tribunal has been a source of tension in the country. "It is widely believed to point the finger at Hezbollah members. Hezbollah has called it a US tool, and ... has alleged it is politicised. It has questioned the way [the tribunal] conducted investigations," she said. "We heard the secretary-general of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, say yesterday that the group will reject any accusation and it will work to defend its reputation as well as its dignity and it will confront it. "But he stopped short of saying exactly what kind of action the group would take." Collapsed government The indictment announcement came less than a week after 11 ministers allied with Hezbollah resigned from the government of Saad al-Hariri, the Lebanese prime minister, forcing it to collapse. The lawmakers withdrew from the unity government last Wednesday over the prime minister's stance on the tribunal. IN DEPTH Profile: Rafiq al-Hariri Timeline: Al-Hariri investigation Focus: Lebanon simmers as Hezbollah braces Focus: Split remains over Hariri tribunal Inside Story: Hezbollah talks tough Talks scheduled for Monday to name a new Lebanese prime minister have been postponed until next week. Lebanese politicians said that the consultations on a new government could be delayed because of a summit in Damascus on Monday where the leaders of Syria, Qatar and Turkey met to discuss Lebanon's political crisis. But Nasrallah said late on Sunday that his party would refuse to back al-Hariri, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, in forming a new government. Hezbollah, which has a political bloc in parliament as well as a powerful military wing, commands strong support in Lebanon's Shia Muslim community. Lebanon's crisis is the result of long-simmering tensions over the UN tribunal's probe of the death of Rafiq al-Hariri, a former Lebanese prime minister and the father of Saad al-Hariri. Hezbollah has several times denounced the Netherlands-based tribunal as a conspiracy by the US and Israel. On Monday, the group's al-Manar television said the US was behind the release of the draft indictment as part of a bid to sabotage efforts to solve Lebanon's crisis. It also accused the US of "pushing the indictment ahead to light the fuse to blow up the bridges for a solution", adding that the "Americans control the indictments in form and content". Hezbollah had demanded that Saad al-Hariri's government reject the court's findings even before they come out. But though he offered some concessions, al-Hariri refused to end co-operation with the tribunal, prompting Hezbollah's walkout.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Ex-president Duvalier back in Haiti

Jean-Claude Duvalier makes surprise return from exile in midst of political vacuum left by disputed polls. Last Modified: 18 Jan 2011 02:07 GMT

Duvalier's partner suggested their return was prompted by the devastating earthquake a year ago [Al Jazeera] Former Haitian president Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, has met with a string of confidantes at his Port-au-Prince hotel, as speculation continues regarding his surprise return to Haiti in the midst of a political vacuum left by disputed presidential elections. Henri-Robert Sterlin, Duvalier's spokesman, said the former president could hold a press event on Tuesday. Returning to his homeland after 25 years in the political wilderness, most of them spent in exile in France, Duvalier did not explain the reason for his return on Sunday, simply saying: "I've come to help". The US has expressed its shock at the move, with PJ Crowley, the state department spokesman, saying: "We are surprised by the timing of Duvalier's visit to Haiti. It adds unpredictability at an uncertain time in Haiti's election process." Duvalier's partner, Veronique Roy, described to the AFP news agency how he bent to his knees and kissed the ground as he set foot on home soil for the first time since his violent ouster in 1986. Roy suggested the couple's return had been prompted by the devastating earthquake almost exactly a year ago that killed nearly a quarter of a million Haitians. "That was the trigger," she told AFP. "It's so emotional. We were not expecting this welcome." A delegation of former officials who had served as cabinet ministers under Duvalier awaited his arrival at the airport and a few hundred supporters were gathered outside. Popular revolt Duvalier was ousted by a popular revolt after his family and supporters were accused of plundering tens of millions of dollars of state funds during his 15-year reign. Duvalier's unexpected return also came as the country wrestled with the results of a November 28 election that sparked deadly riots over allegations of vote-rigging by the current ruling party. Jose Miguel Insulza, the head of the Organisation of American States (OAS), met with Rene Preval, the Haitian president on Monday, saying that his group's report that evaluated the election results,was not binding. "The technical mission can only make recommendations. It did so with as much clarity as possible. It is now up to Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council to determine the electoral results," he said. A leaked draft of that report appeared to suggest that Jude Celestin, Preval's protege, should step aside after alleged fraud in the first round of voting. Human rights groups outraged Duvalier had earlier told a Florida radio station he was not returning as a presidential candidate, saying: "This is not the order of the day." In 2007, Duvalier called on Haitians to forgive him for the "mistakes" committed during his reign. Haitian authorities have accused Duvalier of diverting more than $100m out of the desperately poor country under the guise of social work during his reign. Human rights groups criticised his return on Monday, saying he should be arrested and prosecuted. "Duvalier's return to Haiti should be for one purpose only: to face justice," Jose Miguel Vivanco, the Americas director of Human Rights Watch, said. "Under the presidency of Duvalier and his Tonton Macoutes, thousands were killed and tortured, and hundreds of thousands of Haitians fled into exile. His time to be held accountable is long overdue. "Haiti has enough troubles without Duvalier. Duvalier's presence - unless he is immediately arrested - is a slap in the face to a people which has already suffered so much."

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Puntland shuns Somali government

Autonomous region says it is breaking away from the federation until 'legitimate' one is put in place. Last Modified: 18 Jan 2011 10:07 GMT

Fighting between rebels and the federal government has forced people to flee to Puntland [EPA] The autonomous region of Puntland in Somalia has announced that it will break with the federal government based in the embattled capital, Mogadishu. After a special meeting of Abdirahman Mohammed Farole's presidential cabinet on Sunday, the government issued a statement saying that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) "does not represent Puntland in international forums" and that the United Nations Political Office for Somalia should "reconsider its position and support for the TFG at the expense of other Somali stakeholders." Puntland, unlike the breakaway region of Somaliland to the west, does not consider itself an independent country. Until now, it had supported the federal government, which is backed by the international community but has been greatly weakened by an ongoing war against rebels who are seeking its overthrow. The statement, read by Daud Mohamed Omar, the planning and international cooperation minister, criticised the Mogadishu government for its "unwillingness to actively support federalism for Somalia in violation of the TFG charter," according to a report by Radio Garowe, a community radio station based in Garowe, the Puntland capital. Losing Puntland is a blow to the government in Mogadishu, which is led by 45-year-old president Sharif Ahmed and exerts very little control over Somalia, relying on military support from Western governments, such as the United States, to keep rebels from the Al-Shebab movement from overrunning the capital. Al-Shebab has declared that it is fighting to overthrow the federal government and institute sharia, Islamic law. Miffed In its statement on Sunday, the Puntland government complained that Ahmed had left it out of the recent UN-led Djibouti Peace Process, which laid out the terms of cooperation between the federal government and other groups within Somalia. "Puntland shall not cooperate with the TFG until a legitimate and representative federal government is established and agreed upon by the legitimate stakeholders in Somalia," the statement said, adding that Puntland also opposed any extension in the TFG's authority, which is set to expire this year. Puntland is regarded as one of the most stable areas inside Somalia. Many people displaced from the southern parts of the country have moved to Boosaaso, a major port on its north coast. Puntland also recently organised and hosted a national football tournament, the first of its kind in Somalia in 23 years.

Source: Agencies