Indians stage anti-corruption rallies

Thousands of Indians supporting Anna Hazare shout anti-government slogans in New Delhi on August 17, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/194361.html

More and more Indians are taking to the streets across to publicly show their discontent with the rampant corruption in the country.

Massive rallies were also held in reported in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Chennai, Patna, Lucknow, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Ranchi and Bhopal.

Massive protests have also been reported from several smaller cities and towns across India.

The crowds chanted anti-corruption slogans and urged the government to step up its anti-graft activities.

The developments come after India arrested activist Anna Hazare for going on an indefinite hunger strike in protest to the new anti-corruption law

The 74-year-old Hazare, who was arrested on Tuesday, has refused to end his hunger strike or leave prison despite the government decision to release him.

At least 1,200 of Hazare's supporters were also arrested.

Hazare has emerged as a prominent national figure for his anti-graft campaign in India where a series of corruption scandals have hit the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in recent months.

Congress-led Indian government has promised to increase the penalty and speed up trials for those accused of corruption.

Thousands call for reforms in Morocco

A file photo of nationwide protests in Morocco

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/191776.html

Thousands of protesters have poured into the streets across Morocco, demanding better living conditions and social justice.

About 4,000 people protested in the country's biggest city Casablanca and about 5,000 in the northern city of Tangier on Sunday, local government officials said, Reuters reported.

The protesters also demanded that the power of the North African country's King Mohammed VI be further curbed.

Also in the capital Rabat, hundreds of protesters chanted slogans against King Mohammed, calling for a "change that marks a break with the past.”

The demonstrations coincided with the ceremony of allegiance with the king, where hundreds of regional representatives pledged their allegiance to the Moroccan monarch.

The protesters also challenged the newly amended constitution, arguing that the reforms proposed by the king don't go far enough.

Based on the draft of the new constitution that has been announced by the king -- and amended by a special committee chosen by the king himself -- more power has been given to the country's prime minister and the parliament.

Moreover, under the new constitution, the king, who has a “spiritual” position, is allowed to interfere in selecting ministers, military commanders, and other national figures.

The Sunday rallies came a day after King Mohammed called for speedy parliamentary elections, saying, “A new head of government can be named from the party which comes first."

"This protest is not meant to be a response to the allegiance ceremony. It is our response to the overall political climate in the country," said activist Mohamed al-Aouni.

Inspired by popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, tens of thousands of Moroccans have been taking part in protests in Casablanca, Rabat and other Moroccan towns since February 20, calling for political and social reforms.

Tunisian PM grilled over new deputy FM

Tunisian protesters and activists in clash with government forces (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/187313.html

Tunisian activists say Prime Minister Beji Caid Sebsi is seeking normalization of ties with the Israeli regime after he appointed Khamis al-Jihnavi as deputy foreign minister.

The activists slammed the move as illegal, saying the appointment of Jihnavi, the former head of Tunisia's Interest Section in Israel, is a step towards normalization of relations with Tel Aviv, DPA reported.

They said his appointment violated the regulations of Tunisia's High Commission for Political Reforms and Democratic Transition.

The High Commission has recently adopted a “pact of reform” which supports the Palestinian cause and prohibits normalization of relations with Israel.

Jihnavi and Shalom Cohen - the former head of Israel's Interest Section in Tunisia - were both appointed to the positions in 1996, but stopped their activities in 2000, when the second Palestinian Intifada began.

The reform pact will provide the basis for a new constitution in Tunisia following the ouster of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in a January revolution.

Tunisians are expected to elect an assembly in October to draft a new constitution.

Moroccans approve new constitution

Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/187126.html

Moroccans have approved a new constitution that curbs the powers of King Mohammed VI, the interior minister has announced.

Moroccan Interior Minister Taib Cherkaoui said the referendum on a new constitution was approved by 98 percent of voters and the turnout was 72.65 percent at the 94 percent of the polling stations reporting so far, AFP reported on Saturday.

"The referendum went ahead in a normal atmosphere, and showed the degree of interaction between the people and the content of the constitutional project," Cherkaoui said.

Thirty percent of voters were under the age of 35, according to the Moroccan interior minister.

The constitutional referendum was the first under King Mohammed's 12-year rule.

The new constitution grants executive powers to a prime minister. However, the king remains the head of the military, religious authorities, and judiciary.

King Mohammed has described the reforms as a “decisive historic transition.”

Tunis court sentences Ben Ali to 35 yrs

Tunisia's ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila Trabelsi

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/185571.html

A court in Tunisia has sentenced ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife to 35 years in prison after finding them guilty of embezzlement and other charges.

The conviction in absentia of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Leila Trabelsi came after a day-long trial before the Tunis criminal court.

The couple fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 after a month-long revolution that sparked a string of other uprisings in the Arab world.

Ben Ali has denied the charges against him and says his departure was part of the plot against him. He said on Monday he had been deceived into leaving the country and denied giving orders for security forces to shoot at protesters demanding that he step down.

A statement issued by his lawyers at the Tunisian court where he was tried in absentia said he had agreed to take a plane to Saudi Arabia to bring his family to safety and had planned to return immediately. The statement added that the aircraft left Saudi Arabia without him after the crew ignored his instructions.

The couple will also have to pay more than $65 million in fines.

The verdict on other charges, including illegal possession of drugs and weapons, will be pronounced on June 30.

Ben Ali is also due to face a separate trial in a military court on charges of manslaughter and conspiracy against the state.

French protest upcoming G-8 summit

Anti-G8 protest in Le Havre in northwestern France, May 21, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/181050.html

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to streets in the northwestern French city of Le Havre to protest the upcoming G-8 summit of world leaders.

Less than 10 days before the summit of the group of eight industrialized countries, several thousands of people marched peacefully in the streets of Le Havre on Saturday, carrying banners which read "Put People First, Not Finance. G-8 Out!"

The march, which would be followed by speeches and a concert, was organized by associations, unions and left wing political parties, AP reported.

France is hosting the annual summit of the group of eight industrialized countries in Normandy's town of Deauville from May 26 to 27, 2011.

A total of 18 presidents, 25 heads of delegations, 2,500 members of delegations and 3,500 journalists will attend the event in Deauville.

More than 12,000 police officers, gendarmes, and military officers will be mobilized to protect the participants attending the summit.

The Group of Eight, which was established by France in 1975, comprises of Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, Canada joined the group and Russia.

Ben Ali trial begins in Tunisia

Tunisian ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/179987.html

A military court in Tunisia has begun the trial of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, his wife Leila Trabelsi and his Interior Minister Rafik Belhadj Kazem.

The three are accused of plotting against national security as well as inflaming riots and looting in Tunisia, Xinhua reported.

The Tunisian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that the former head of the police intervention units, the former director of public security, and the previous chief of special services were also arrested for their involvement in the case.

Ben Ali is said to have ordered troops to open fire on peaceful protesters.

Tunisian authorities had earlier prepared 18 legal cases against the deposed president. The cases include voluntary manslaughter and drug trafficking.

Ben Ali and his family fled to Saudi Arabia on January 15 when protests, triggered by economic issues, escalated into mass demonstrations that eventually put an end to his 23-year-long authoritarian rule.

On May 11, a court handed over the file of the former president to the Tunisian military tribunal, in accordance with the current legislation.

Tunisian police attack protesters

Hundreds of Tunisian protesters hold an anti-government rally in central Tunis on Friday

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/178582.html

Tunisian Police have attacked hundreds of anti-government protesters in a second day of mass protests in the capital, killing at least one person and wounding several others.

Police have used teargas to break up a demonstration demanding the resignation of the entire government, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Sources say several cameramen were also hit in the demonstrations in central Tunis.

Friday's protests come after a former interior minister warned that loyalists of the ousted president would mount a coup if what he called “Islamists” win the ballot in an election set for July 23.

The protest is the second of its kind since the popular revolution that ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia as the Tunisian Revolution was gaining momentum.

Ben Ali's 23 years of dictatorship, which was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture, ended in mid-January after weeks of street protests.

The demonstrators are opposed to the new government as it still includes figures from the ousted regime.

The developments come days after ousted president and his wife were charged with plotting against the internal security of the state.

The justice ministry said the charges pressed against Ben Ali and Leila Trabelsi also include inciting disorder, murders and looting. The ex-president also faces over 18 other lawsuits.

Egypt claims price difference from Israel

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Elarabi

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173030.html

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi says the Camp David Accord includes no articles which would oblige his country to sell cheap oil and gas to Israel.

He told an Egyptian TV network that anyone who interprets the accord as such is truly mistaken.

Therefore, the top Egyptian diplomat said, Cairo is to claim the difference of the price charged for the natural gas exported to Israel and the real market rate.

He said former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was Israel's “strategic treasure,” meaning this would not be the case from now on.

Al-arabi also underlined that Iran should not be regarded as a hostile country.

Jordanians renew call for premier ouster

Jordanian protesters at the central square on March 25, 2011 in Amman, Jordan, Getty Images

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171747.html

The opposition to Jordan's government has renewed calls for the ouster of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit amid violent crackdown on protesters which has left two people dead and many others injured.

"We demand the prime minister and intelligence chief [Mohammed Raqqad] quit," Firas Mahadin of the Youth of March 24 Movement stated at a news conference on Saturday.

"We have reached a point of no return," AFP quoted him as saying.

The leader of Islamic Action Front, the main opposition party, went on to say that the regime has carried out "crimes against humanity."

Trade unionists along with opposition politicians have joined the youth movement.

The opposition began a protest camp at the Interior Circle in Gamal Abdel Nasser Square in the capital Amman on Thursday, March 24.

Their camp was attacked by around 200 pro-regime loyalists, who assaulted protesters with rocks and stones, on Thursday night. The loyalists then raided the camp after police cut the power supply to the square, killing two and injuring at least 130 others, three of them remain in critical condition.

Riot police arrested several protesters and used water cannons to break up the camp on Friday.

Police chief Hussein Majali said a protester -- 55-year-old Khairy Saad Jamil -- has died of a heart attack. Jamil's son, however, insists that his father had suffered several blows to his body. The family now refuses to bury Jamil until Interior Minister Saad Srur quits and security officials are fired.

Srur, who accuses the opposition of seeking to create chaos in the country, says an investigation has been launched to determine who's responsible for the violence.

Friday's unrest in Amman was the second of its kind since protests erupted in the country three months ago. Jordan's opposition wants political reforms including those that would strip King Abdullah II of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister.

Jordan's king, who has already offered a series of concessions to end the protests, has reportedly called for an early election by the end of 2011.

Jordan loyalists attack student protest

Jordanian anti-government protesters in Amman, January 21

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171548.html

Several young Jordanian protesters have been hospitalized after government loyalists attacked their protest camp in the capital Amman on Friday.

Witnesses say security forces stood by and did not intervene as demonstrators were attacked, AFP reported.

Around 500 students were camping next to Gamal Abdel Nasser Square in the capital when the government loyalist assaulted them on Friday.

At least 35 people were injured when security forces and supporters of King Abdullah II cracked down on the crowd.

Police spokesman Mohamad Khatib claimed he was not aware of any casualties.

At nightfall, police had tried to disperse the crowd by cutting off electricity to the square.

Protesters say they will continue with street protests until their demands are met.

Thursday's protest saw the most violence since the demonstrations began three months ago.

The Jordanian Youth Movement used Facebook to organize the protest camp. The group has now reportedly changed its name to Youth of March 24 to mark the beginning of an open-ended demonstration at the main square.

"Today is the dawning of the Jordanian revolution,'' said group spokesman Ziad al-Khawaldeh. "We will not move an inch from here until our demands are met,'' he added.

Jordanians have held protest rallies since January, demanding reforms. They are calling for the dissolution of parliament and constitutional amendments.

Their demands include the ouster of newly-appointed Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and the prosecution of officials accused of corruption and nepotism.

Jordan's opposition also wants to strip the king of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister.

Jordan's king, who has already offered a series of concessions to end the protests, has reportedly called for an early election by the end of 2011.

Jordan protesters attacked in capital

Jordanian protesters hold flags and banners during a demonstration organized by a group called itself March 24th Youth Movement in Jordanian capital of Amman, on March 24, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171544.html

In Jordan, government loyalists have attacked protesters in the capital Amman leaving several demonstrators injured.

Witnesses say security forces stood by as demonstrators were attacked, AFP reported.

Around 2,000 Jordanians gathered for a protest camp at the Interior Circle of Jamal Abdul Nasser Square in Amman, following demonstrations held in the city on Thursday.

At least 35 people were injured when security forces and supporters of King Abdullah II cracked down on the crowd.

Thursday's protest saw the most violence since the demonstrations began three months ago.

The Jordanian Youth Movement used Facebook to organize the protest camp. The group has now reportedly changed its name to Youth of March 24 to mark the beginning of an open-ended demonstration at the main square.

“Today is the dawning of the Jordanian revolution,'' said group spokesman Ziad al-Khawaldeh. “We will not move an inch from here until our demands are met,'' he added.

Jordanians have held protest rallies since January demanding reforms. They are calling for the dissolution of parliament and constitutional amendments.

Their demands include the ouster of newly-appointed Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and the prosecution of officials accused of corruption and nepotism.

Jordan's opposition also wants to strip the king of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister.

Jordan's king, who has already offered a series of concessions to end the protests, has reportedly called for an early election by the end of 2011.

Yemen opposition rejects emergency state

Yemeni anti-government protesters (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171426.html

Yemeni opposition groups have rejected the state of emergency approved by the parliament and vowed to push ahead with their anti-government protests.

"Youth protesters will not accept anything other than President [Ali Abdullah] Saleh leaving," said opposition parliamentarian Fuad Dahaba on Wednesday, adding the Yemenis will pay no attention to any proposal from Yemen's incumbent president.

On Wednesday, the Yemeni parliament approved a state of emergency, proposed by Saleh, which suspends the constitution, bars street protests, allows media censorship and gives security forces 30 days of far-reaching powers to arrest and detain suspects without judicial process.

Opposition bloc Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) announced in a statement “This law justifies the president shedding blood, transgressing properties and privacy, and restricting movements and freedoms.”

The law contradicts the constitution as well as Islamic Sharia law, the statement added.

Opposition groups dispute the legality of the state of emergency vote, saying its adoption was a virtual certainty as Saleh's ruling party dominates the 301-seat legislature.

In defiance of the Yemeni regime's initiative, thousands of people gathered in front of Sana'a University, calling for massive nationwide protests on Friday.

The Yemeni president declared the state of emergency on Friday after security forces and regime vigilantes gunned down more than 50 protesters near Sana'a University - the epicenter of anti-government protests in the capital.

The anti-government protesters are calling for an end to Saleh's three-decade rule.

So far, a number of army commanders, including Major General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, and some of the major tribes have expressed their support for the protesters.

In an attempt to appease the protesters on Tuesday, Saleh announced that he would quit office by January 2012, 20 months earlier than planned. But the measure failed to contain nearly two months of anti-government demonstrations.

Since the beginning of anti-Saleh demonstrations in January, nearly 100 protesters have been killed and many others injured during clashes with security forces or supporters of Saleh, who are armed with knives and batons.

Major Yemeni tribe abandons Saleh

Yemen's Hashid tribal chief Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar (R)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171308.html

A major Yemeni tribe has withdrawn its support from embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh and joined the anti-government movement in the impoverished Arab nation.

“We emphasize that we are determined to support you just as I said yesterday. We will defend you God willing and will not leave your revolution. This revolution is yours. Anyone who wants to divide us is a liar,” Hashid tribal chief Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar said on Tuesday. The announcement was warmly received by a large crowd of tribesmen.

On Monday, the influential tribal leader called for the departure from power of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. "I announce in the name of all the members of my tribe that I am joining the revolution," Ahmar said, calling on Saleh "to exempt Yemen from the bloodshed and make a quiet exit."

The Hashids, from which President Saleh hails, are considered Yemen's most powerful tribal confederation and include nine clans. All Hashid tribesmen have joined opposition protesters and their leader says the revolution in Yemen will be victorious.

Hashid's support for the anti-regime movement has further eroded the public support that Saleh had enjoyed over the last three decades.

Pressure on Ali Abdullah Saleh to resign has increased as other tribes, including Yemen's second largest tribe, the Baqil, have abandoned Yemen's president and joined protesters.

Meanwhile, Yemeni opposition groups have called on anti-government forces to march on the presidential palace in the capital Sana'a on Friday and urged President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

"Friday will be the 'Friday of the March Forward', with hundreds of thousands of people... We will arrive where you are and we will remove you,” opposition spokesman Mohamed Qahtan said on Wednesday.

Saleh reportedly informed senior Yemeni officials, military commanders and tribal leaders Monday night of his intention to step down by the year's end to prepare for a peaceful transfer of power in Yemen.

The announcement reflected a reversal of his earlier comments in which he had said he would remain in power until the end of his term in 2013.

President Saleh has been in office for more than three decades, with several opposition members arguing that his long-promised reforms have not materialized.

There are concerns that intermittent skirmishes between anti-government demonstrators and forces loyal to embattled Ali Abdullah Saleh could eventually spiral out of control and trigger a large-scale violence.

Yemeni opposition vows Friday protests

Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a rally to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh outside Sana'a University on March 22, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171293.html

Yemeni opposition groups have called on anti-government forces to march on the presidential palace in the capital Sana'a and urged President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

"Friday will be the 'Friday of the March Forward', with hundreds of thousands of people... We will arrive where you are and we will remove you,” Reuter quoted opposition spokesman Mohamed Qahtan as telling al- Jazeera news network on Wednesday.

Saleh reportedly informed senior Yemeni officials, military commanders and tribal leaders Monday night of his intention to step down by the year's end to prepare for a peaceful transfer of power in Yemen.

The announcement reflected a reversal of his earlier comments in which he had said he would remain in power until the end of his term in 2013.

Yemeni opposition and religious figures have envisioned a roadmap for the Saleh's departure before the end of this year.

President Saleh has been in office for more than three decades, with several opposition members arguing that his long-promised reforms have not materialized.

Protests began to sweep Yemen in January. Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds more have been injured in a brutal crackdown by state security forces.

There are concerns that intermittent skirmishes between anti-government demonstrators and forces loyal to embattled Ali Abdullah Saleh could eventually spiral out of control and trigger a large-scale violence.

'US, Saudis lead Yemen to civil war'

Yemeni anti-government protesters (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171310.html

A former Pentagon official predicts that a civil war may break out in Yemen as a result of US and Saudi efforts to support the country's dictatorial regime to keep it in power.

“We're headed for a civil war in Yemen … As long as the US and Saudi Arabia is backing the president, he's going to feel emboldened to continue on,” Michael Malouf told Press TV.

Malouf noted that from the US and Saudi standpoint, Yemen “is a very strategic area and they will try to help him (Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh) as much as possible to hang on.”

That is why Washington and Riyadh do not call for the removal of the “autocrats” in troubled Yemen, the former Pentagon official opined.

However, he warned that “the longer Saleh stays on, the intensity of the conflict is going to grow internally” and that will result in a civil war in the crisis-hit country.

Saleh has been in office for more than three decades, with several opposition members arguing that his long-promised political and economic reforms have not materialized.

Inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, anti-government protests began to sweep Yemen in January.

More than 50 people have so far been killed and scores of others wounded during armed attacks by Saleh loyalists since the beginning of the popular revolution in January.

Yemen opposition rejects Saleh offer

A defected Republican Guard officer gestures to anti-government protesters as he joins their rally to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh outside Sanaa University March 22

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171237.html

A coalition of opposition groups in Yemen has dismissed President Ali Abdullah Saleh's proposal of quitting power after organizing parliamentary elections by January 2012.

"The opposition rejects the offer as the coming hours will be decisive," Reuters quoted Mohammed al-Sabry, spokesman for the main umbrella opposition group, as saying on Tuesday.

Saleh had previously vowed not to run for presidency after his current term finishes in 2013. He had once promised to leave office in 2005 and broken it, providing reasons not to be trusted.

As pressure is mounting on Saleh, the opposition groups have given him a 48-hour ultimatum to step down.

Saleh has suffered another setback as more high-ranking army generals, ambassadors and tribe chiefs have supported anti-government protesters.

Major-General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the head of the northwestern military zone, and General Ali Abdullah Aliewa, an adviser to the Yemeni supreme leader of the army, have ceased supporting the president, joining the country's popular revolution.

On Tuesday, the president warned against “coups,” saying defiance from military officers will push the country to a “bloody” civil war.

"Those who want to climb up to power through coups should know that this is out of the question. The homeland will not be stable; there will be a civil war, a bloody war. They should carefully consider this," he said.

This is while the defected generals have said they do not aim at power by supporting anti-regime protesters, reports said.

Yemen's ambassadors to Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, the Arab League and China, as well as the country's Human Rights Minister, Huda al-Baan, have shown support for protesters, some by resigning from their posts.

The Arab League has strongly condemned the harsh clampdown on protesters, calling for "dialogue and democratic methods to deal with the demands of the Yemeni people in a peaceful manner."

Meanwhile, Yemen's most powerful tribal confederation, which includes Saleh's tribe, has reportedly called on the president to meet people's demands and step down peacefully.

More than 50 people have been killed and scores of others wounded during armed attacks by Saleh loyalists since the beginning of the popular revolution in January.

Yemeni Army deploys in Aden port

Yemeni armored personnel carriers (APC)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171163.html

The Yemeni Army has been deployed in the southern port city of Aden as police abandon duties amid growing anti-government protests in the country.

This comes as three soldiers have also been killed in clashes between army troops and Republican Guards in the city of al-Mukalla.

Thousands of protesters across the country have been calling for the ouster of the embattled ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh since mid-January.

Dozens have been killed and hundreds more wounded during anti-government demonstrations in Yemen.

Fresh protests break out in Morocco

Pro-democratic protests in Morocco

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170929.html

Amid escalating unrest in Middle East and North of Africa, Moroccans have also taken to the streets to protest corruption in Morocco and demand better civil rights.

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered in Rabat and Casablanca on Sunday shouting "the Moroccan people demand change!" and holding up placards reading "For the freedom and dignity of the Moroccan people."

Protests in Morocco began earlier this year following revolutions in Egypt and Tunis which led to the overthrow of the governments in both countries.

In February thousands of Moroccans staged peaceful demonstrations across the country, prompting Morocco's King Mohammed VI to emphasize his commitment to “pursuing the realization of structural reforms.”

The king announced on March 9 that he had appointed a committee to draft a reform of the constitution widening the prerogatives of elected officials and ensuring officials are accountable and the judiciary independent.

Mohammed VI added that the new proposals would be announced in June and the draft constitution will be put to a referendum.

On March 14, however, Morocco's riot police armed with truncheons broke up peaceful protest in Casablanca in an unusual show of violence, injuring 13 people and arresting 54 others.

Yemenis remember revolution 'martyrs'

Yemenis mourn for those killed in an attack by the military's snipers, March 20, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170946.html

Tens of thousands of Yemenis gather in the capital to mourn the “martyrdom” of tens of people during a ferocious crackdown on recent anti-government protests.

On Sunday, the crowd swarmed the square near the Sana'a University, commemorating the 30 people, who died along with 22 others on Friday in an attack by the military's snipers, AFP reported.

“These people must be held responsible for every drop of blood that has been shed,” said Ali Abed Rabbo al-Qadi, the head of the independent parliamentary bloc, who had joined the mourners.

The gathering defied a state of emergency enforced by the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The protests have been raging on since January, calling for an end to the 32-year-long rule of Saleh.

Since the beginning of the popular revolution, scores of people have been killed and hundreds more wounded during the armed attacks by the loyalists to the Saleh regime.

The opposition has accused Saleh of committing crimes against humanity and the government-sanctioned violence has prompted condemnation from the United Nations.

The country's influential Muslim clergymen have released a statement, calling on the Army and the security forces “to not carry out any order from anyone to kill and repress” the demonstrators.

Despite the countrywide rallies, the head of state has said he would remain in power until the end of his term in 2013.

His tribe and several senior religious leaders have joined the protesters' camp, calling for his removal.

Prominent members of the president's ruling General People Congress party, including the human rights minister and the country's ambassadors to Lebanon and the UN, have resigned in protest at the deadly attacks.