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| Syria: China sends envoy to Damascus – Thursday 16 February | Syria: China sends envoy to Damascus – Thursday 16 February |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 11.56am: Reports are coming in that Syrian government forces have killed at least 14 people in Kfar Nubouzeh, Hama province. | |
| There are no details at present, though it appears to part of a continuing attack on the city of Hama and surrounding areas which the regime launched on Tuesday. | |
| 11.38am: The authorities in Bahrain have launched another crackdown on "illegal" clinics – those treating injured protesters who are liable to be arrested if they go to recognised hospitals. The Bahrain-based Gulf Daily News reports: | |
| People running one such centre were caught red-handed following a police raid, said National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) chief executive officer Dr Baha Eldin Fateha. | |
| He said "dozens" of such facilities existed and police had launched a crackdown. | |
| "More such places are being identified and there could be more closures in the coming days," he told the GDN. "We are cracking down on them since these are illegal and are a serious threat to people's safety." | |
| The latest crackdown seems to have been triggered on Tuesday when someone tweeted a mobile phone number which people could call if they needed medical assistance. | |
| Last year, Bahraini police raided the local office of the international medical aid group, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and closed it down. | |
| 11.10am: A frustrated court case in Benghazi yesterday underlines the enduring power of Libyan militias that has been highlighted by Amnesty International. | 11.10am: A frustrated court case in Benghazi yesterday underlines the enduring power of Libyan militias that has been highlighted by Amnesty International. |
| Maggie Michael of Associated Press reports: | Maggie Michael of Associated Press reports: |
| A Gaddafi-era judge in a Gaddafi-era military courtroom planned to hear evidence against 50 people accused of the Gaddafi-era crime of "treason against the revolution". | A Gaddafi-era judge in a Gaddafi-era military courtroom planned to hear evidence against 50 people accused of the Gaddafi-era crime of "treason against the revolution". |
| But the judge postponed the hearing because the militia that has detained the defendants refused to bring them to court ... | But the judge postponed the hearing because the militia that has detained the defendants refused to bring them to court ... |
| Wednesday's hearing was the second for 50 men detained by a powerful Benghazi militia known as the February 17 Martyrs. The men are accused of having links to Gadhafi's regime. The judge served under Gadhafi before the war but defected to the rebels early in the uprising. Since the NTC has yet to write new laws, the defendants were being tried under the Gadhafi-era legal code. | Wednesday's hearing was the second for 50 men detained by a powerful Benghazi militia known as the February 17 Martyrs. The men are accused of having links to Gadhafi's regime. The judge served under Gadhafi before the war but defected to the rebels early in the uprising. Since the NTC has yet to write new laws, the defendants were being tried under the Gadhafi-era legal code. |
| The trial's first session on 6 February was postponed because the defendants didn't have a lawyer. On Wednesday, their lawyer arrived, but the military prosecutor informed the judge that the militia had refused to bring the 47 accused men in its custody to court, citing security reasons ... | The trial's first session on 6 February was postponed because the defendants didn't have a lawyer. On Wednesday, their lawyer arrived, but the military prosecutor informed the judge that the militia had refused to bring the 47 accused men in its custody to court, citing security reasons ... |
| Three of the accused have been put under house arrest and attended the hearing. One of them, Sherif al-Ashafi, said the militia beat him and tortured him with electric shocks. | Three of the accused have been put under house arrest and attended the hearing. One of them, Sherif al-Ashafi, said the militia beat him and tortured him with electric shocks. |
| 10.41am: An email from Chris Stephen, who is reporting for the Guardian from Libya. He writes: | 10.41am: An email from Chris Stephen, who is reporting for the Guardian from Libya. He writes: |
| Libya is preparing big commemorations in Tripoli and Benghazi for the 17 February anniversary tomorrow, and Tripoli is bedecked with flags and crammed with militias from outside the city patrolling after threats from Saadi Gaddafi that an "uprising" will be staged. | Libya is preparing big commemorations in Tripoli and Benghazi for the 17 February anniversary tomorrow, and Tripoli is bedecked with flags and crammed with militias from outside the city patrolling after threats from Saadi Gaddafi that an "uprising" will be staged. |
| President Mustafa Abdul Jalil last night gave a rare TV interview promising a cash bonanza for the Libyan people, with immediate gifts of 2,000 dinars (about £1,000) per family and 65 dinars (about £33) to each citizen, each month. | President Mustafa Abdul Jalil last night gave a rare TV interview promising a cash bonanza for the Libyan people, with immediate gifts of 2,000 dinars (about £1,000) per family and 65 dinars (about £33) to each citizen, each month. |
| He coupled this with an announcement he will form a political party dedicated to being both "Muslim and Liberal' although it seems at odds with his pledge to step down from politics following the June elections. He also announced he is in favour of inviting Israel to open an embassy in Tripoli. | He coupled this with an announcement he will form a political party dedicated to being both "Muslim and Liberal' although it seems at odds with his pledge to step down from politics following the June elections. He also announced he is in favour of inviting Israel to open an embassy in Tripoli. |
| 10.31am: A video posted on YouTube, apparently filmed from a vehicle driving around the Bab Amr district of Homs, shows deserted streets and damage from shelling. | 10.31am: A video posted on YouTube, apparently filmed from a vehicle driving around the Bab Amr district of Homs, shows deserted streets and damage from shelling. |
| 10.09am: Another senior al-Qaida figure is reported to have been killed in Yemen – not by a drone this time, but by his own family. | 10.09am: Another senior al-Qaida figure is reported to have been killed in Yemen – not by a drone this time, but by his own family. |
| Tariq al-Dahab (pictured here) was killed at his home in the village of al-Masameh by his half brother, Hizam, and other family members early today, a security official and tribal elders have told Associated Press. | Tariq al-Dahab (pictured here) was killed at his home in the village of al-Masameh by his half brother, Hizam, and other family members early today, a security official and tribal elders have told Associated Press. |
| Hizam and his supporters then fled the scene, taking refuge in another house. Dahab's followers pursued them and a battle ensued, leaving 16 dead, including Hizam, the sources said. | Hizam and his supporters then fled the scene, taking refuge in another house. Dahab's followers pursued them and a battle ensued, leaving 16 dead, including Hizam, the sources said. |
| Dahab's sister was married to the late Anwar al-Awlaki who was killed last year. | Dahab's sister was married to the late Anwar al-Awlaki who was killed last year. |
| A lengthy article by Jeremy Scahill in The Nation looks at US efforts to combat al-Qaida in Yemen and concludes that they have backfired. US-funded counterterrorism efforts provided the Saleh regime with a cash cow – and an incentive not to eradicate terrorism. | A lengthy article by Jeremy Scahill in The Nation looks at US efforts to combat al-Qaida in Yemen and concludes that they have backfired. US-funded counterterrorism efforts provided the Saleh regime with a cash cow – and an incentive not to eradicate terrorism. |
| 9.46am: Lara Jakes of Associated Press has been looking at arms smuggling from Iraq into Syria. Business has never been better for the smugglers and the selling price for a Kalashnikov rifle has leapt to $1,000 – prompting al-Qaida leaders in Iraq to complain about profiteering. | 9.46am: Lara Jakes of Associated Press has been looking at arms smuggling from Iraq into Syria. Business has never been better for the smugglers and the selling price for a Kalashnikov rifle has leapt to $1,000 – prompting al-Qaida leaders in Iraq to complain about profiteering. |
| The article notes that there is a long history of smuggling cross the 363-mile Iraqi-Syrian border which, for most of its length, is marked only by a dirt berm with no signs or fences. | The article notes that there is a long history of smuggling cross the 363-mile Iraqi-Syrian border which, for most of its length, is marked only by a dirt berm with no signs or fences. |
| Younis al-Lehaibi, the smuggler interviewed by AP, has been in the business for more than 10 years: | Younis al-Lehaibi, the smuggler interviewed by AP, has been in the business for more than 10 years: |
| He began sneaking food rations into the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq in the 1990s while Saddam Hussein was in power. Later, he smuggled satellite receivers, cigarettes and kerosene between Syria and the Kurdish region. | He began sneaking food rations into the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq in the 1990s while Saddam Hussein was in power. Later, he smuggled satellite receivers, cigarettes and kerosene between Syria and the Kurdish region. |
| Sometimes al-Lehaibi trades his guns for sheep — which gives him a convenient cover as a sheep dealer in the rare times border police have accosted him. | Sometimes al-Lehaibi trades his guns for sheep — which gives him a convenient cover as a sheep dealer in the rare times border police have accosted him. |
| "We do fear being caught, but a fundamental principle of our work is to put fear behind us," he said. "There are tighter security measures in Mosul, but there are dozens of smugglers who do this job after years of relations and help from bordering villages who have these needs." | "We do fear being caught, but a fundamental principle of our work is to put fear behind us," he said. "There are tighter security measures in Mosul, but there are dozens of smugglers who do this job after years of relations and help from bordering villages who have these needs." |
| 9.29am: Fighting in Deraa broke out around dawn, with exchanges of fire between the Assad regime's forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA). | 9.29am: Fighting in Deraa broke out around dawn, with exchanges of fire between the Assad regime's forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA). |
| The sound of explosions and machinegun fire echoed through the city's al-Balad, al-Mahatta and al-Sad districts as government troops attacked rebels, Reuters reports – and the rebels responded by firing at army roadblocks and buildings housing security police and militiamen, according to residents and activists. | The sound of explosions and machinegun fire echoed through the city's al-Balad, al-Mahatta and al-Sad districts as government troops attacked rebels, Reuters reports – and the rebels responded by firing at army roadblocks and buildings housing security police and militiamen, according to residents and activists. |
| It appears that the goal of the regime's forces is to clear out FSA elements that have gained control of parts of the city. | It appears that the goal of the regime's forces is to clear out FSA elements that have gained control of parts of the city. |
| "We have been hearing of a military build-up around Deraa for two weeks," Hussam Izzedine, a member of the Syrian human rights organisation Swasiah, told Reuters from Deraa. | "We have been hearing of a military build-up around Deraa for two weeks," Hussam Izzedine, a member of the Syrian human rights organisation Swasiah, told Reuters from Deraa. |
| "Deraa has been regaining its role in the uprising. Demonstrations have resumed and the Free Syrian Army has been providing security for protests in some parts of the city," he added. | "Deraa has been regaining its role in the uprising. Demonstrations have resumed and the Free Syrian Army has been providing security for protests in some parts of the city," he added. |
| Yesterday, Fatima Qadri, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, was shot dead by security forces near the city, according to the Avaaz organisation. Speaking via Skype, an eyewitness told Avaaz: "She was hit by two bullets while traveling with her father to Deraa. Local security forces and Shabiha militiamen searched them and then fired on their car, leading to her death." Gruesome images, said to be of the dead girl, have been posted on YouTube. | Yesterday, Fatima Qadri, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, was shot dead by security forces near the city, according to the Avaaz organisation. Speaking via Skype, an eyewitness told Avaaz: "She was hit by two bullets while traveling with her father to Deraa. Local security forces and Shabiha militiamen searched them and then fired on their car, leading to her death." Gruesome images, said to be of the dead girl, have been posted on YouTube. |
| Also in Deraa province, Avaaz says three members of the security forces were killed in the town of Maarba yesterday following clashes against the FSA, and that the FSA also destroyed a military vehicle as it was trying to enter the town. | Also in Deraa province, Avaaz says three members of the security forces were killed in the town of Maarba yesterday following clashes against the FSA, and that the FSA also destroyed a military vehicle as it was trying to enter the town. |
| 8.52am: A commentary this morning in the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, casts some more light on the background to China's decision to send an envoy to Syria. It warns about the risk of stirring up a hornets' nest of bloodshed and instability in the region. | 8.52am: A commentary this morning in the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, casts some more light on the background to China's decision to send an envoy to Syria. It warns about the risk of stirring up a hornets' nest of bloodshed and instability in the region. |
| Reuters has more detail about the article: | Reuters has more detail about the article: |
| "The political ecology in the Middle East is extremely frail, a tangled mess of thousands of years of ethnic and religious conflict," the commentary said. | "The political ecology in the Middle East is extremely frail, a tangled mess of thousands of years of ethnic and religious conflict," the commentary said. |
| World powers must realise this and handle bloodshed in Syria and Middle East tensions with a sense of realism, the paper said, adding that the spread of conflict would be a "catastrophe" in a crucial phase of global economic recovery. | World powers must realise this and handle bloodshed in Syria and Middle East tensions with a sense of realism, the paper said, adding that the spread of conflict would be a "catastrophe" in a crucial phase of global economic recovery. |
| "The Middle East is the world's most important fuel depot. If gripped by chaos, oil prices would skyrocket, shocking the stock market, financial systems and economies," the paper said. | "The Middle East is the world's most important fuel depot. If gripped by chaos, oil prices would skyrocket, shocking the stock market, financial systems and economies," the paper said. |
| Washington's aim was to install a friendly government in Syria to counter the influence in the region of Iran, it said. | Washington's aim was to install a friendly government in Syria to counter the influence in the region of Iran, it said. |
| 8.35am: Good morning and welcome to Middle East live. Today we'll be keeping our eyes on the continuing bloodshed in Syria as well as developments in Libya ahead of tomorrow's anniversary of the uprising against the Gaddafi regime. | 8.35am: Good morning and welcome to Middle East live. Today we'll be keeping our eyes on the continuing bloodshed in Syria as well as developments in Libya ahead of tomorrow's anniversary of the uprising against the Gaddafi regime. |
| For the moment, here's a brief summary of developments across the region: | For the moment, here's a brief summary of developments across the region: |
| Syria | Syria |
| China – which along with Russia vetoed the recent UN security council resolution on Syria – says it is sending it deputy foreign minister, Zhai Jun, for talks in Damascus tomorrow. Zhai met a Syrian opposition delegation in Beijing last week. Reuters quotes a Chinese spokesman as saying that China wants to play a constructive role in mediating an end to 11 months of bloodshed. | China – which along with Russia vetoed the recent UN security council resolution on Syria – says it is sending it deputy foreign minister, Zhai Jun, for talks in Damascus tomorrow. Zhai met a Syrian opposition delegation in Beijing last week. Reuters quotes a Chinese spokesman as saying that China wants to play a constructive role in mediating an end to 11 months of bloodshed. |
| Syrian troops have attacked the southern city of Deraa today, residents and opposition activists told Reuters. Deraa, close to the Jordanian border, is where the uprising began last March after some youths were arrested for painting graffiti that said "The people want the fall of the regime". | Syrian troops have attacked the southern city of Deraa today, residents and opposition activists told Reuters. Deraa, close to the Jordanian border, is where the uprising began last March after some youths were arrested for painting graffiti that said "The people want the fall of the regime". |
| President Assad's announcement of a referendum on a new constitutions, to be followed by multiparty elections, has been welcomed by Russia but dismissed as "laughable" by the United States. A widespread view this morning is that even if Assad is sincere in his proposed reforms, they have come far too late to salvage the situation. | President Assad's announcement of a referendum on a new constitutions, to be followed by multiparty elections, has been welcomed by Russia but dismissed as "laughable" by the United States. A widespread view this morning is that even if Assad is sincere in his proposed reforms, they have come far too late to salvage the situation. |
| Libya | Libya |
| The problems of post-Gaddafi Libya are highlighted in a report from Amnesty International as the government struggles to extend its control over the whole country. It has largely failed to rein the the militias that fought in the war and continue to assert themselves – some of them operating their own detention centres for those suspected of being linked to the old regime. | The problems of post-Gaddafi Libya are highlighted in a report from Amnesty International as the government struggles to extend its control over the whole country. It has largely failed to rein the the militias that fought in the war and continue to assert themselves – some of them operating their own detention centres for those suspected of being linked to the old regime. |