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Syria crisis - live updates Syria crisis - live updates
(40 minutes later)
11.54am: UN peacekeeping experts will travel to Damascus in the next two days, Reuters reports.
An advance team from the UN peacekeeping department is expected in Damascus within 48 hours to discuss deployment of observers to monitor a ceasefire in Syria, the spokesman for international mediator Kofi Annan said on Tuesday.
"A DPKO (Department of Peacekeeping Operations) planning mission should be arriving in Damascus within 48 hours," Annan spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told Reuters in Geneva.
11.37am: Morocco: Novelist Laila Lalami describes a return visit to her homeland in an article for the Daily Beast and finds widespread frustration, despite the king's efforts to avert an uprising with a new constitution and other reforms. She writes:
The big question, the question that weighed on my mind throughout my stay, was whether these extremely modest reforms had had any effect on ordinary people—people like my family. But I didn't hear the long and thorny discussions of democracy I had expected.
Democracy was a word used by other people – the king, the protesters, the politicians, the media – and they were using it to mean different things. Instead, the conversations I heard focused on issues that were more mundane and arguably more urgent: the cost of living, the ubiquitous corruption, the shoddy state of hospital care, the appalling state of public education, the waste of government money on flashy projects.

The unemployment rate, she says, is 16% among university graduates and as high as 30% among urban youths. Attending a fairly small demonstration in Casablanca, she continues:

I couldn't help noticing all the plainclothes police. They stood around the plaza, scowling at protesters and occasionally taking pictures. The protesters didn't seem to care. They had broken up into smaller groups to listen to one speaker or another or to chat among themselves.
Gone were the moderate demands of a year ago. Now one of the signs put it more bluntly: "Down with M6." M6 is a nickname for King Mohammed, the sixth by that name.
11.29am: The Assad regime appears to be imposing its own terms on implementation of Annan's six-plan, writes Time's Tony Karon.
Western and Arab powers have been forced to walk back from the demand that Assad stand down as a pre-condition for resolving the crisis; Annan's plan involves a cease-fire, demilitarising the conflict and creating space for peaceful political opposition, but its key dimension is the recognition that the political negotiations over Syria's future will be conducted with the regime, rather than after it has been dispatched.
Negotiating with Assad remains unpalatable to the opposition ... not least because it hasn't manifested itself in the form of a single, organized body with sufficient strength on the ground to have forced its way into a more dominant position in Annan's reckoning ...
Compromise solutions to violent political conflicts are more likely to be successful when the combatants find themselves locked in a stalemate where each side recognises that while it can survive the attacks of its opponent, its own attacks are unable to eliminate that opponent. But there's no such symmetry currently at work on the Syrian battlefield — the rebels remain able to harass the regime, but their attempts to hold territory have largely failed.
11.01am: Egypt needs to be led by a statesman, not a businessman, presidential contender Amr Moussa said last night (report in Arabic). Presumably the statesman he has in mind is Amr Moussa himself.11.01am: Egypt needs to be led by a statesman, not a businessman, presidential contender Amr Moussa said last night (report in Arabic). Presumably the statesman he has in mind is Amr Moussa himself.
The "businessman" reference alludes to the millionaire al-Shater, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate.The "businessman" reference alludes to the millionaire al-Shater, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Cairo posted a rather intriguing statement on its website, under the heading "Correction for the Record". It says:Meanwhile, the US embassy in Cairo posted a rather intriguing statement on its website, under the heading "Correction for the Record". It says:
Contrary to recent press reports claiming to characterize meetings that US Senator John McCain and US ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson held with the Muslim Brotherhood during the Senator's recent visit to Cairo, there was no discussion of whether the Muslim Brotherhood would or should run a candidate in the upcoming presidential election in Egypt. Senator McCain and Ambassador Patterson were not asked for their support, nor did they offer their support, for such a proposal from the Muslim Brotherhood. The question of who will run for office in Egypt is an internal matter that is entirely up to the Egyptian people. The United States takes no position on this subject.Contrary to recent press reports claiming to characterize meetings that US Senator John McCain and US ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson held with the Muslim Brotherhood during the Senator's recent visit to Cairo, there was no discussion of whether the Muslim Brotherhood would or should run a candidate in the upcoming presidential election in Egypt. Senator McCain and Ambassador Patterson were not asked for their support, nor did they offer their support, for such a proposal from the Muslim Brotherhood. The question of who will run for office in Egypt is an internal matter that is entirely up to the Egyptian people. The United States takes no position on this subject.
The United States will continue to support the Egyptian people and their goal of a democratically-elected civilian government that respects universal human rights, including the protection of women, minorities and the press, and will help them address their economic challenges and meet their aspirations for dignity, freedom and a better life.The United States will continue to support the Egyptian people and their goal of a democratically-elected civilian government that respects universal human rights, including the protection of women, minorities and the press, and will help them address their economic challenges and meet their aspirations for dignity, freedom and a better life.
10.34am: Egypt: Former foreign minister and head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, came out of top in poll of presidential hopefuls conducted by Ahram before the entry into the race of Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Khairat al-Shater.10.34am: Egypt: Former foreign minister and head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, came out of top in poll of presidential hopefuls conducted by Ahram before the entry into the race of Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Khairat al-Shater.
The polling will have already changed significantly, the Arabist notes, but he translates what it found:The polling will have already changed significantly, the Arabist notes, but he translates what it found:
1. Amr Moussa, former head of the Arab League: 31.5%1. Amr Moussa, former head of the Arab League: 31.5%
2. Salafi sheikh Hazem Salah Abu Ismail: 22.7%2. Salafi sheikh Hazem Salah Abu Ismail: 22.7%
3. Mubarak-appointed (and short-lived) interim prime minister Ahmad Shafiq: 10.2%3. Mubarak-appointed (and short-lived) interim prime minister Ahmad Shafiq: 10.2%
4. Mubarak intelligence chief Omar Suleiman (who has not officially announced his candidacy): 9.3%4. Mubarak intelligence chief Omar Suleiman (who has not officially announced his candidacy): 9.3%
5. Former Brotherhood leader and Islamist moderate Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh: 8.3%5. Former Brotherhood leader and Islamist moderate Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh: 8.3%
6. Leftist opposition figure Hamdeen Sabahi: 4.9%6. Leftist opposition figure Hamdeen Sabahi: 4.9%
10.26am: There's excitement in Bahrain – or at least in the offices of the Information Affairs Authority and the Gulf Daily News – over a visit from members of the US Congress.10.26am: There's excitement in Bahrain – or at least in the offices of the Information Affairs Authority and the Gulf Daily News – over a visit from members of the US Congress.
The group were reportedly briefed on "Bahrain's accomplishments" and
"expressed pleasure at visiting the kingdom, praising the development witnessed in Bahrain and the democratic stride".		The group were reportedly briefed on "Bahrain's accomplishments" and
"expressed pleasure at visiting the kingdom, praising the development witnessed in Bahrain and the democratic stride".
According to the Gulf Daily News, "they lauded the bold Royal steps, citing particularly the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and the implementation of the recommendations". (The recommendations have not been properly implemented, Human Rights Watch said in a report last week.)According to the Gulf Daily News, "they lauded the bold Royal steps, citing particularly the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and the implementation of the recommendations". (The recommendations have not been properly implemented, Human Rights Watch said in a report last week.)
Under the headline "Bahrain propaganda special", EA WorldView takes a detailed look at the visiting Congress members and their relationships with the regime.Under the headline "Bahrain propaganda special", EA WorldView takes a detailed look at the visiting Congress members and their relationships with the regime.
Whether the delegation's views of the situation were as glowing as they have been portrayed in the regime's media remains to be seen. The regime has a history of making up favourable quotes from foreigners.Whether the delegation's views of the situation were as glowing as they have been portrayed in the regime's media remains to be seen. The regime has a history of making up favourable quotes from foreigners.
10.02am: The Syrian president is unlikely to hold on to power much longer, according to his uncle, Rifaat al-Assad (pictured).10.02am: The Syrian president is unlikely to hold on to power much longer, according to his uncle, Rifaat al-Assad (pictured).
"The problems are now general to all parts of Syria – there are no places that have escaped violence – so I don't think he can stay in power," Rifaat has told the BBC."The problems are now general to all parts of Syria – there are no places that have escaped violence – so I don't think he can stay in power," Rifaat has told the BBC.
However, he suggested Bashar should "co-operate with a new government and offer the experience he has" – adding that the Assad family was still "pretty much accepted by the Syrian people".However, he suggested Bashar should "co-operate with a new government and offer the experience he has" – adding that the Assad family was still "pretty much accepted by the Syrian people".
Rifaat, who is the 74-year-old younger brother of the late President Hafez al-Assad, personally oversaw the 1982 Hama massacre and later went into exile after trying to stage a coup against his brother. He continued to have a political voice through Arab News Network, a satellite TV channel run by his son, Sumer.Rifaat, who is the 74-year-old younger brother of the late President Hafez al-Assad, personally oversaw the 1982 Hama massacre and later went into exile after trying to stage a coup against his brother. He continued to have a political voice through Arab News Network, a satellite TV channel run by his son, Sumer.
Another of his sons, Ribal, runs the Organisation for Democracy and Freedom in Syria (ODFS), a non-profit company registered in Britain. The ODFS has been trying to drum up political support in the west as part of the Syrian opposition, though it is not recognised as such by most other opponents of the regime.Another of his sons, Ribal, runs the Organisation for Democracy and Freedom in Syria (ODFS), a non-profit company registered in Britain. The ODFS has been trying to drum up political support in the west as part of the Syrian opposition, though it is not recognised as such by most other opponents of the regime.
The BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen suggests Rifaat's latest remarks are a sign that he has ambitions for a future role in Syria. In the interview, Rifaat says:The BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen suggests Rifaat's latest remarks are a sign that he has ambitions for a future role in Syria. In the interview, Rifaat says:
A commission should go from the Arab League and the [UN] Security Council to monitor free and transparent elections.A commission should go from the Arab League and the [UN] Security Council to monitor free and transparent elections.
"Then you will see that the Assad family has got much more importance and support than some of the meaningless figures [of the opposition Syrian National Council] who we see on TV screens now."Then you will see that the Assad family has got much more importance and support than some of the meaningless figures [of the opposition Syrian National Council] who we see on TV screens now.
9.53am: Maryam Alkhawaja, spokeswoman for the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, describes her nine-hour ordeal trying to get into Egypt yesterday.9.53am: Maryam Alkhawaja, spokeswoman for the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, describes her nine-hour ordeal trying to get into Egypt yesterday.
Speaking to al-Jazeera Alkhawaja says she was "blown away" by the response from Egyptian activists after she initially tweeted that she had been deported.Speaking to al-Jazeera Alkhawaja says she was "blown away" by the response from Egyptian activists after she initially tweeted that she had been deported.
9.28am: Syria's state news agency Sana suggests Syria will only agree to Kofi Annan's peace plan if the opposition lays down its arms first.9.28am: Syria's state news agency Sana suggests Syria will only agree to Kofi Annan's peace plan if the opposition lays down its arms first.
It said:It said:
Annan informed members of the UNSC of his mission in Syria, saying that Syria has agreed his plan, but it awaits a commitment by the opposition to halt violence and withdraw the armed terrorist groups.Annan informed members of the UNSC of his mission in Syria, saying that Syria has agreed his plan, but it awaits a commitment by the opposition to halt violence and withdraw the armed terrorist groups.
It quoted Syria's UN ambassador, Bashar al-Ja'fari, as saying: "We expect Annan will contact the other sides, particularly those who are involved in arming the terrorist groups to end acts of violence."It quoted Syria's UN ambassador, Bashar al-Ja'fari, as saying: "We expect Annan will contact the other sides, particularly those who are involved in arming the terrorist groups to end acts of violence."
Ja'fari also accused the Friends of Syria group of undermining Annan's plan.Ja'fari also accused the Friends of Syria group of undermining Annan's plan.
8.59am: There are conflicting accounts of a possible Free Syrian Army raid against the national hospital in Homs, yesterday.8.59am: There are conflicting accounts of a possible Free Syrian Army raid against the national hospital in Homs, yesterday.
Some activist claimed the hospital was "liberated" but this is far from verified.Some activist claimed the hospital was "liberated" but this is far from verified.
Video footage has emerged purporting to show fighting around the buildingVideo footage has emerged purporting to show fighting around the building
Homs activist Abu Abdel Rahman, told the Guardian that the FSA attacked a military checkpoint in front of the hospital to retrieve bodies being kept in a morgue.Homs activist Abu Abdel Rahman, told the Guardian that the FSA attacked a military checkpoint in front of the hospital to retrieve bodies being kept in a morgue.
He claimed that the authorities had converted hospitals into military barracks across Syria to prevent injured protesters being treated. He said he didn't know whether the rebels controlled the hospital.He claimed that the authorities had converted hospitals into military barracks across Syria to prevent injured protesters being treated. He said he didn't know whether the rebels controlled the hospital.
The activist group the Syrian Revolution General Commission, said 64 bodies were found in the hospital yesterday. Another activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, said 75 unidentified corpses were found there.The activist group the Syrian Revolution General Commission, said 64 bodies were found in the hospital yesterday. Another activist group, the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, said 75 unidentified corpses were found there.
EA WorldView is treating the story with caution but says it is potentially an important development.EA WorldView is treating the story with caution but says it is potentially an important development.
The death toll and the lack of information from Homs obscured what appears to be a significant story. If insurgents can re-take one of Syria's largest hospitals, after weeks of siege and attack by regime forces, what did this say about the possibilities for President Assad's military to put down resistance once and for all?The death toll and the lack of information from Homs obscured what appears to be a significant story. If insurgents can re-take one of Syria's largest hospitals, after weeks of siege and attack by regime forces, what did this say about the possibilities for President Assad's military to put down resistance once and for all?
8.52am: The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger, is in Damascus lobbying for a two-hour daily ceasefire.8.52am: The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger, is in Damascus lobbying for a two-hour daily ceasefire.
Kellengber has meet foreign minister Walid al-Moualem, according to tweets from foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi.Kellengber has meet foreign minister Walid al-Moualem, according to tweets from foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi.
Minister Moualim is having a positiveand constructive talks now with the head of the ICRC and Head of SARCMinister Moualim is having a positiveand constructive talks now with the head of the ICRC and Head of SARC
— Dr.Jihad Makdissi (@Makdissi) April 3, 2012— Dr.Jihad Makdissi (@Makdissi) April 3, 2012
They explored ways to improve access and cooperation with ICRC... Channels of Com are open ..Syria is engaging positively undoubtfullyThey explored ways to improve access and cooperation with ICRC... Channels of Com are open ..Syria is engaging positively undoubtfully
— Dr.Jihad Makdissi (@Makdissi) April 3, 2012— Dr.Jihad Makdissi (@Makdissi) April 3, 2012
8.07am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. Syria's pledge to partially implement Kofi Annan's peace plan by 10 April has been greeted with widespread scepticism.8.07am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. Syria's pledge to partially implement Kofi Annan's peace plan by 10 April has been greeted with widespread scepticism.
Here's a roundup of the main developmentsHere's a roundup of the main developments
SyriaSyria
• Syria has told the international envoy Kofi Annan that its military will withdraw troops and heavy weapons from populated areas by 10 April. Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said: "We have seen commitments to end the violence followed by massive intensifications of violence. So the United States, for one, would look at these commitments and say, yet again, the proof is the actions, not in the words."• Syria has told the international envoy Kofi Annan that its military will withdraw troops and heavy weapons from populated areas by 10 April. Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said: "We have seen commitments to end the violence followed by massive intensifications of violence. So the United States, for one, would look at these commitments and say, yet again, the proof is the actions, not in the words."
• Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan have been recounting the violence and persecution that they fled from. • Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan have been recounting the violence and persecution that they fled from.
Mohammed, a former Idlib prison guard who defected to the opposition and then fled to Turkey, describes the torture he witnessed:Mohammed, a former Idlib prison guard who defected to the opposition and then fled to Turkey, describes the torture he witnessed:
One man lost an eye in a beating. If prisoners refused to say that 'Assad is our leader', they sat them down naked on to a glass bottle. The bottleneck penetrated [their anus].One man lost an eye in a beating. If prisoners refused to say that 'Assad is our leader', they sat them down naked on to a glass bottle. The bottleneck penetrated [their anus].
Um Eddine, a mother of four whose husband was arrested in December, describes fleeing across the border to Jordan where a family were helped by soldiers:Um Eddine, a mother of four whose husband was arrested in December, describes fleeing across the border to Jordan where a family were helped by soldiers:
My three-and-a-half year-old asked me, why do these soldiers gave us tea while the ones at home kill people? I said: 'Because that is Syria.' My sons haven't gone to school for a whole year. They haven't been able to play in the streets for a year. In Daraa, they were in a state of fear the whole time. I pray that I will see my husband again. I pray for him and all those who are arrested.My three-and-a-half year-old asked me, why do these soldiers gave us tea while the ones at home kill people? I said: 'Because that is Syria.' My sons haven't gone to school for a whole year. They haven't been able to play in the streets for a year. In Daraa, they were in a state of fear the whole time. I pray that I will see my husband again. I pray for him and all those who are arrested.
• Egypt's foreign minister has warned that arming Syrian rebels could lead to civil war, the Egyptian Independent reports. Mohamed Kamel Amr also called for meeting with the Syrian opposition at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo.• Egypt's foreign minister has warned that arming Syrian rebels could lead to civil war, the Egyptian Independent reports. Mohamed Kamel Amr also called for meeting with the Syrian opposition at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo.
• Syria's rebels have been forced to abandon efforts to hold territory and focus instead on guerilla tactics, a senior opposition commander told the Telegraph. He said: "After what happened in Deraa, in Homs, in Idlib, the Free Syrian Army is not focusing on holding cities anymore. We are now adopting guerilla tactics; we have watchers who spy on checkpoints and attack." Brown_Moses, a frequent commenter on this blog, notes an increase in IED attacks against Assad's forces and compiles a series of videos purporting to show such incidents on his new blog.• Syria's rebels have been forced to abandon efforts to hold territory and focus instead on guerilla tactics, a senior opposition commander told the Telegraph. He said: "After what happened in Deraa, in Homs, in Idlib, the Free Syrian Army is not focusing on holding cities anymore. We are now adopting guerilla tactics; we have watchers who spy on checkpoints and attack." Brown_Moses, a frequent commenter on this blog, notes an increase in IED attacks against Assad's forces and compiles a series of videos purporting to show such incidents on his new blog.
EgyptEgypt
• The Muslim Brotherhood's decision to field Khairat al-Shater as a candidate in the presidential election is seen by some as a panicky response to manoeuvring by the generals who ousted Hosni Mubarak. Rumours that Mubarak's intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, is about to declare his candidacy have fuelled expectations of a dramatic fight.• The Muslim Brotherhood's decision to field Khairat al-Shater as a candidate in the presidential election is seen by some as a panicky response to manoeuvring by the generals who ousted Hosni Mubarak. Rumours that Mubarak's intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, is about to declare his candidacy have fuelled expectations of a dramatic fight.