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| Yemen votes, Damascus revolts – live updates | Yemen votes, Damascus revolts – live updates |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 11.16am: @WomanfromYemen, whose tweets we quoted earlier, has written a blogpost discussing the Yemeni opposition's arguments for and against voting in today's one-candidate election. She writes: | |
| I wholeheartedly believe that a political process is necessary and a transitional period is vital for peace and stability in Yemen, nevertheless this election is quite a disappointment for me ... do we really want to start a new Yemen with a flawed process? | |
| In short, I will not vote because I believe we deserve better. I believe in democracy, and I know this is not it. Elections are not democracy, they are just one component of a democratic process. | |
| The real moment of celebration for me will be when military restructuring, and judicial and constitutional reforms actually take place as a step towards independent institutions. Of course things will take time, but we need to remember what we went out to the street for: real systematic change not just Saleh's removal from power. | |
| 11.12am: A video posted online claims to show a demonstration outside the Air Force Intelligence base near Damascus last night. ir Force Intelligence, one of the most feared state agencies that has been involved in putting down protests against Bashar al-Assad, was attacked by the Free Syrian Army in November last year. . | |
| AFP reports that the British-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights claimed security forces opened fire overnight to disperse a demonstration in Damascus: | |
| Security forces opened fire at demonstrators who took to the streets in the capital's Al-Hajar Al-Aswad neighbourhood, it said. | |
| Protesters during the night also blocked the roads leading to Baramkeh Square in the centre of the capital, according to Mohammed Shami, a spokesman for activists in Damascus province. | |
| He said demonstrators used "burning materials" to shut the roads, triggering a security alert that saw "heavily armed forces" deployed in the area in few minutes. | |
| The demonstrators were acting as part of a "campaign of civil disobedience in Damascus in support of Homs and afflicted Syrian cities," Shami said in a statement. | |
| 10.57am: Yemen election: as the saying goes – vote early, vote often. | |
| Spoke to a 16 year-old who had voted and one man with two purple thumbs until he realised this was wrong and hid one. | |
| — Iona Craig (@ionacraig) February 21, 2012 | |
| 10.29am: An interesting exercise in election monitoring is under way in Yemen. Members of the public are invited to report "any violations or suspicious activities" via SMS, Twitter or a special website. The Yemen Times says: | 10.29am: An interesting exercise in election monitoring is under way in Yemen. Members of the public are invited to report "any violations or suspicious activities" via SMS, Twitter or a special website. The Yemen Times says: |
| Each text message then goes to a committee that will investigate any alleged violations, such as the use of state-owned cars to transport voters, threatening and intimidating voters, or failing to check ID cards. | Each text message then goes to a committee that will investigate any alleged violations, such as the use of state-owned cars to transport voters, threatening and intimidating voters, or failing to check ID cards. |
| All reports will be uploaded to an interactive map that will be on the project website, where people will be able to track the election. | All reports will be uploaded to an interactive map that will be on the project website, where people will be able to track the election. |
| There are pictures here and here of the young people working on the project. | There are pictures here and here of the young people working on the project. |
| In today's election, of course, any instances of cheating are not going to make a difference to the result. But putting the system to the test now could bring some benefits when Yemen gets around to holding elections that are more – shall we say – competitive. | |
| 10.05am: The Syrian Revolution General Commission says 16 people have been killed by shelling in the Baba Amr district of Homs this morning, al-Arabiya reports. A Syrian activist on Twitter says more than 300 have been injured. | 10.05am: The Syrian Revolution General Commission says 16 people have been killed by shelling in the Baba Amr district of Homs this morning, al-Arabiya reports. A Syrian activist on Twitter says more than 300 have been injured. |
| Activist Nader al-Husseini told Reuters from Baba Amr: "The Free Syrian Army is not letting the army enter Baba Amr. It [the army] responded this morning by 130 mm artillery that hit the neighbourhood at random ... Several shells are falling each minute." Two children were among the victims, he said. The reports cannot be independently confirmed but a video has been posted online purporting to be of a child killed by shrapnel wounds (warning: very graphic). | Activist Nader al-Husseini told Reuters from Baba Amr: "The Free Syrian Army is not letting the army enter Baba Amr. It [the army] responded this morning by 130 mm artillery that hit the neighbourhood at random ... Several shells are falling each minute." Two children were among the victims, he said. The reports cannot be independently confirmed but a video has been posted online purporting to be of a child killed by shrapnel wounds (warning: very graphic). |
| The BBC's Jim Muir (in Beirut) said "the bombardment is the heaviest for some days, with several shells landing every minute". | The BBC's Jim Muir (in Beirut) said "the bombardment is the heaviest for some days, with several shells landing every minute". |
| The video below claims to show shelling in Baba Amr this morning. | The video below claims to show shelling in Baba Amr this morning. |
| Another purports to show the effects of the shelling: | Another purports to show the effects of the shelling: |
| There has also been a livestream from Baba Amr this morning on Bambuser. | There has also been a livestream from Baba Amr this morning on Bambuser. |
| 9.51am: In Bahrain, the ever-entertaining Daily Tribune has some advice for the owners of pets: keep them away from teargas. | 9.51am: In Bahrain, the ever-entertaining Daily Tribune has some advice for the owners of pets: keep them away from teargas. |
| People living in areas where the gas is used to control riots, have been urged to keep their animals and birds indoors. The advice follows on the heels of pet owners voicing concerns about their pets' safety and questioning if tear gas could harm their pets. | People living in areas where the gas is used to control riots, have been urged to keep their animals and birds indoors. The advice follows on the heels of pet owners voicing concerns about their pets' safety and questioning if tear gas could harm their pets. |
| The gas can be fatal for birds and it may cause serious complications in dogs. Cats though are better equipped as they perspire through their skins and can ventilate anything toxic that enters its body. | The gas can be fatal for birds and it may cause serious complications in dogs. Cats though are better equipped as they perspire through their skins and can ventilate anything toxic that enters its body. |
| Dr Ahmed Al Ameer, a vet, said that keeping the animal or bird inside the home, especially in the presence of thick, fog-like tear gas, should be the first step in ensuring the well-being of a pet. | Dr Ahmed Al Ameer, a vet, said that keeping the animal or bird inside the home, especially in the presence of thick, fog-like tear gas, should be the first step in ensuring the well-being of a pet. |
| 9.41am: Following the electoral successes of religious parties in Egypt, controversy has erupted over whether police officers should be allowed to grow beards. The Egypt Independent reports: | 9.41am: Following the electoral successes of religious parties in Egypt, controversy has erupted over whether police officers should be allowed to grow beards. The Egypt Independent reports: |
| An Egyptian policeman has been suspended for allowing his beard to grow in violation of regulations, a security official said on Monday. | An Egyptian policeman has been suspended for allowing his beard to grow in violation of regulations, a security official said on Monday. |
| Mohamed al-Sayyed will also face questioning over his beard, the sign of a religious Muslim ... The security source said Sayyed was not the first police officer to face disciplinary action for growing a beard. | Mohamed al-Sayyed will also face questioning over his beard, the sign of a religious Muslim ... The security source said Sayyed was not the first police officer to face disciplinary action for growing a beard. |
| Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim warned on Monday during a visit to Upper Egypt that policemen who insisted on letting their beards grow would be suspended and may also be subject to further disciplinary action. | Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim warned on Monday during a visit to Upper Egypt that policemen who insisted on letting their beards grow would be suspended and may also be subject to further disciplinary action. |
| Al-Arabiyya reports the formation of a Facebook group called "I am a bearded police officer", adding that it is "stirring much controversy over the right to a religious appearance in the workplace." | Al-Arabiyya reports the formation of a Facebook group called "I am a bearded police officer", adding that it is "stirring much controversy over the right to a religious appearance in the workplace." |
| The group's spokesman, Captain Hani al-Shakeri, is quoted as saying: | The group's spokesman, Captain Hani al-Shakeri, is quoted as saying: |
| I know that many Egyptians are keen to see police officers in Egypt grow their beards and follow the example of their prophet. | I know that many Egyptians are keen to see police officers in Egypt grow their beards and follow the example of their prophet. |
| 9.27am: Russia's foreign ministry has taken to Twitter to urge the UN to send a special envoy to Syria. | 9.27am: Russia's foreign ministry has taken to Twitter to urge the UN to send a special envoy to Syria. |
| Russia proposes that the SC call on the UN Sec-Gen to send a special envoy to Syria to coordinate security issues, humanitarian aid delivery | Russia proposes that the SC call on the UN Sec-Gen to send a special envoy to Syria to coordinate security issues, humanitarian aid delivery |
| — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 | — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 |
| Russia has been subjected to strong condemnation from the west for – along with China – vetoing two UN security council resolutions aimed at putting pressure on the Assad regime to halt the bloodshed in Syria. | Russia has been subjected to strong condemnation from the west for – along with China – vetoing two UN security council resolutions aimed at putting pressure on the Assad regime to halt the bloodshed in Syria. |
| The foreign ministry also quoted spokesman Alexander Lukashevich as saying Russia would not participate in the planned "friends of Syria" in Tunisia at the end of the week, noting that no members of the Syrian government have been invited and accusing participants of assembling an "international coalition". | The foreign ministry also quoted spokesman Alexander Lukashevich as saying Russia would not participate in the planned "friends of Syria" in Tunisia at the end of the week, noting that no members of the Syrian government have been invited and accusing participants of assembling an "international coalition". |
| Alexander #Lukashevich: Russia does not believe it possible for it to participate in the Friends of #Syria meeting in #Tunisia | Alexander #Lukashevich: Russia does not believe it possible for it to participate in the Friends of #Syria meeting in #Tunisia |
| — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 | — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 |
| Alexander #Lukashevich on the Friends of #Syria meeting: Its real agenda is not clear. No members of the Syrian government have been invited | Alexander #Lukashevich on the Friends of #Syria meeting: Its real agenda is not clear. No members of the Syrian government have been invited |
| — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 | — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 |
| Alexander #Lukashevich on the Friends of #Syria meeting: It seems that an international coalition is being knocked together | Alexander #Lukashevich on the Friends of #Syria meeting: It seems that an international coalition is being knocked together |
| — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 | — MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) February 21, 2012 |
| On Monday Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the world body should help solve humanitarian issues in Syria, after Syria allowed the Red Cross to bring humanitarian aid to some regions. | On Monday Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the world body should help solve humanitarian issues in Syria, after Syria allowed the Red Cross to bring humanitarian aid to some regions. |
| 9.22am: Vice-President Hadi voted early – presumably for himself. AP says he cast his ballot at a hastily improvised polling station near his home in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, after a bomb threat forced the authorities to shut the centre where he was supposed to vote. | 9.22am: Vice-President Hadi voted early – presumably for himself. AP says he cast his ballot at a hastily improvised polling station near his home in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, after a bomb threat forced the authorities to shut the centre where he was supposed to vote. |
| There are conflicting accounts of the level of female participation. @tomfinn2 tweets: | There are conflicting accounts of the level of female participation. @tomfinn2 tweets: |
| Where I'm at there's about one female voter to every 15 men. | Where I'm at there's about one female voter to every 15 men. |
| On the other hand, @helenamerriman (of the BBC) tweets: | On the other hand, @helenamerriman (of the BBC) tweets: |
| The polling station we're at in Sanaa has many more women voting than men. They say they are hoping for a new Yemen. | The polling station we're at in Sanaa has many more women voting than men. They say they are hoping for a new Yemen. |
| 9.07am: @WomanfromYemen tweets that many southerners are boycotting the election because they see it as representing a vote for Yemen's continued "unity". There is strong separatist sentiment in the south, which was an independent state before 1990. | 9.07am: @WomanfromYemen tweets that many southerners are boycotting the election because they see it as representing a vote for Yemen's continued "unity". There is strong separatist sentiment in the south, which was an independent state before 1990. |
| According to @imothanaYemen, almost no one seems to be voting in the southern city of Aden. Here is a picture said to show deserted streets in the Ma'alla district this morning. | According to @imothanaYemen, almost no one seems to be voting in the southern city of Aden. Here is a picture said to show deserted streets in the Ma'alla district this morning. |
| There are some unconfirmed reports of violence in the south. More details when they become available. | There are some unconfirmed reports of violence in the south. More details when they become available. |
| 8.54am: Voting seems to have got off to a brisk start in Yemen's capital, Sana'a. However, some voters are boycotting because there is only one candidate. There are also some grumbles about the $48m cost of the election, given that the result is a foregone conclusion. | 8.54am: Voting seems to have got off to a brisk start in Yemen's capital, Sana'a. However, some voters are boycotting because there is only one candidate. There are also some grumbles about the $48m cost of the election, given that the result is a foregone conclusion. |
| Here are a few of today's tweets: | Here are a few of today's tweets: |
| i think we can start calling Hadi, Mr. President. we dont really have to wait until the votes are counted. #yemen | i think we can start calling Hadi, Mr. President. we dont really have to wait until the votes are counted. #yemen |
| — Atiaf Alwazir (@WomanfromYemen) February 21, 2012 | — Atiaf Alwazir (@WomanfromYemen) February 21, 2012 |
| #Yemen Elections: there's no minimum turnout for the vote to be valid. If only one person turns out to vote for him #Hadi will still win! | #Yemen Elections: there's no minimum turnout for the vote to be valid. If only one person turns out to vote for him #Hadi will still win! |
| — Rose Marie(@rosemarie1570) February 21, 2012 | — Rose Marie(@rosemarie1570) February 21, 2012 |
| Polling station in Sanaa busy, near-jovial, women here too, lots of talk of building a new #Yemen. | Polling station in Sanaa busy, near-jovial, women here too, lots of talk of building a new #Yemen. |
| — tom finn (@tomfinn2) February 21, 2012 | — tom finn (@tomfinn2) February 21, 2012 |
| 48million US dollars for an election between a man and his shadow would feed a lot of starving people in #Yemen #Carryonstarving @NoonArabia | 48million US dollars for an election between a man and his shadow would feed a lot of starving people in #Yemen #Carryonstarving @NoonArabia |
| — Anthony Carpenter (@Carpe177) February 21, 2012 | — Anthony Carpenter (@Carpe177) February 21, 2012 |
| 8.37am: (all times GMT) Welcome to Middle East Live. Here is a roundup of the situation this morning: | 8.37am: (all times GMT) Welcome to Middle East Live. Here is a roundup of the situation this morning: |
| Yemen | Yemen |
| • Yemenis have begun voting for their new president this morning. The result is a foregone conclusion, since Vice-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is the only candidate. | • Yemenis have begun voting for their new president this morning. The result is a foregone conclusion, since Vice-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is the only candidate. |
| Syria | Syria |
| • Syrian forces opened fire with live ammunition on demonstrators in Damascus overnight as unrest continued to spread in the capital. At least least four people were wounded, according to activists. | • Syrian forces opened fire with live ammunition on demonstrators in Damascus overnight as unrest continued to spread in the capital. At least least four people were wounded, according to activists. |
| • Russia says it will not attend this week's international conference in Tunis aimed at seeking political change in Syria. In a statement quoted by AFP, the foreign ministry said the meeting had been called "for the purpose of supporting one side against another in an internal conflict". | • Russia says it will not attend this week's international conference in Tunis aimed at seeking political change in Syria. In a statement quoted by AFP, the foreign ministry said the meeting had been called "for the purpose of supporting one side against another in an internal conflict". |
| • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it is negotiating with Syrian authorities and opposition fighters for a temporary ceasefire to bring life-saving aid to civilians hardest hit by the conflict. | • The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it is negotiating with Syrian authorities and opposition fighters for a temporary ceasefire to bring life-saving aid to civilians hardest hit by the conflict. |