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Hague condemns violence in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen | Hague condemns violence in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen |
(40 minutes later) | |
Foreign Secretary William Hague has said he is "deeply concerned" by the "unacceptable violence" used against protesters in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen. | Foreign Secretary William Hague has said he is "deeply concerned" by the "unacceptable violence" used against protesters in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen. |
In a statement, Mr Hague condemned the violence in Libya, saying reports of the use of heavy weapons fire and a unit of snipers were "horrifying". | In a statement, Mr Hague condemned the violence in Libya, saying reports of the use of heavy weapons fire and a unit of snipers were "horrifying". |
He called on the government to stop using force and rein back the army. | He called on the government to stop using force and rein back the army. |
He also urged the Bahraini authorities to hold to account those responsible for deaths of protesters in Bahrain. | He also urged the Bahraini authorities to hold to account those responsible for deaths of protesters in Bahrain. |
Mr Hague said: "Governments must respond to legitimate aspirations of their people rather than resort to the use of force, and must respect the right to peaceful protest." | Mr Hague said: "Governments must respond to legitimate aspirations of their people rather than resort to the use of force, and must respect the right to peaceful protest." |
Media access 'restricted' | Media access 'restricted' |
He said he had received reports that 35 bodies were brought to one hospital alone during the violence in Libya and media access had been "severely restricted". | He said he had received reports that 35 bodies were brought to one hospital alone during the violence in Libya and media access had been "severely restricted". |
"I call on the authorities to stop using force and to rein back the army in confronting the demonstrators. | "I call on the authorities to stop using force and to rein back the army in confronting the demonstrators. |
"The absence of TV cameras does not mean the attention of the world should not be focussed on the actions of the Libyan government," he said. | "The absence of TV cameras does not mean the attention of the world should not be focussed on the actions of the Libyan government," he said. |
He went on to say he was "deeply concerned" by reports of the harassment of journalists in Bahrain. | He went on to say he was "deeply concerned" by reports of the harassment of journalists in Bahrain. |
"I urge the Bahraini authorities to reach out to the protesters and to hold to account those responsible for deaths," he said. | "I urge the Bahraini authorities to reach out to the protesters and to hold to account those responsible for deaths," he said. |
At least 50 people were wounded in Bahrain on Friday as the army fired on protesters following the funerals for four demonstrators killed when troops cleared Pearl Square early on Thursday. | At least 50 people were wounded in Bahrain on Friday as the army fired on protesters following the funerals for four demonstrators killed when troops cleared Pearl Square early on Thursday. |
In Libya, the number of people killed in three days of protests has risen to 84, according to the New York-based group Human Rights Watch. | In Libya, the number of people killed in three days of protests has risen to 84, according to the New York-based group Human Rights Watch. |
The main focus of the demonstrations against Col Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year rule has been the second city Benghazi, where security forces are said to have attacked protesters again on Saturday. | The main focus of the demonstrations against Col Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year rule has been the second city Benghazi, where security forces are said to have attacked protesters again on Saturday. |
'Lost legitimacy' | |
At least five people have been killed during widespread anti-government demonstrations in Yemen. | At least five people have been killed during widespread anti-government demonstrations in Yemen. |
Earlier, the former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind - who now chairs the Commons intelligence and security committee - told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme the protests across the Middle East resembled events in eastern Europe in 1989. | |
"Although the problem in Eastern Europe ultimately was Soviet control, that had led to a lack of legitimacy in the eyes of their own people, the people who lived in Poland, Hungary and these other countries. | |
"The same problem now exists in the Middle East. These governments - these regimes that have existed for 20, 30, sometimes 40 years in the case of Gadaffi - they've lost legitimacy. And once that happens, then the habit of loyalty disappears with it," he said. | |
Britons have been advised against all but essential travel to Bahrain and non-essential travel to certain areas of Libya has also been advised. | Britons have been advised against all but essential travel to Bahrain and non-essential travel to certain areas of Libya has also been advised. |
The UK has revoked several arms export licences to Bahrain following concern over the suppression of demonstrations. | The UK has revoked several arms export licences to Bahrain following concern over the suppression of demonstrations. |