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Syria crisis and Bahrain's 'days of rage' - live updates Syria crisis and Bahrain's 'days of rage' - live updates
(40 minutes later)
9.20am: Syria: The UN security council is reluctant to authorise more monitors to Syria until the Assad government allows the existing team free access, according to the US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice.
Rice, who is the current president of the council, told reporters:
The advance mission already authorized by the Council, while still small, is an important test of whether the Syrian government will allow the effective operation of UN monitors.
The onus remains on the Syrian authorities to demonstrate that it will allow these monitors to do their job, and that's why the role of the advance team is so important. We could authorize—theoretically, the Council could authorize tomorrow the full complement of observers, but if they are not able to move freely, if they're not able to visit the hot spots, if their freedom is hindered then they won't be effective. And obviously we all have a shared interest in any monitoring mission being effective.
8.57am: Bahrain: On the eve of the first grand prix practice session, protests flared in villages surrounding the capital, far from the circuit where the race will be held, according to Reuters.8.57am: Bahrain: On the eve of the first grand prix practice session, protests flared in villages surrounding the capital, far from the circuit where the race will be held, according to Reuters.
Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators in clashes that have been building in the week leading to Sunday's round of the World Championship.Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators in clashes that have been building in the week leading to Sunday's round of the World Championship.
Several hundred demonstrators tried to stage protests in the capital, Manama, on Thursday. Police broke up the protesters, who are vowing to intensify their actions over the three-day race meeting.Several hundred demonstrators tried to stage protests in the capital, Manama, on Thursday. Police broke up the protesters, who are vowing to intensify their actions over the three-day race meeting.
However, it was not clear if al-Wefaq, the leading Shia opposition party, would organise large rallies, as this could open it to government accusations of acting against the nation's interest. Wefaq has said it is not against staging the race.However, it was not clear if al-Wefaq, the leading Shia opposition party, would organise large rallies, as this could open it to government accusations of acting against the nation's interest. Wefaq has said it is not against staging the race.
Manama is under tight security, with police stationed on bridges linking the capital to the rest of the country and the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.Manama is under tight security, with police stationed on bridges linking the capital to the rest of the country and the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Activist Ala'a Shehabi has this update on injuries from last night's unrest:Activist Ala'a Shehabi has this update on injuries from last night's unrest:
Welcome 2 #BahrainGP #F1Disgrace. At least 20 injured last nite from shotgun pellets-prob more than the number of foreign fans attending #F1Welcome 2 #BahrainGP #F1Disgrace. At least 20 injured last nite from shotgun pellets-prob more than the number of foreign fans attending #F1
— Dr Ala'a Shehabi (@alaashehabi) April 20, 2012— Dr Ala'a Shehabi (@alaashehabi) April 20, 2012
8.25am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. Widespread protests are expected in both Syria and Bahrain today. In Syria, it is the first Friday since the arrival of a small team of UN observers sent to monitor an incomplete ceasefire. Will their presence encourage more demonstrators to take to the streets in post-Friday prayer rallies? In Bahrain, pro-democracy activists plan to start three 'days of rage' as practice sessions for Sunday's controversial grand prix get under way.8.25am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. Widespread protests are expected in both Syria and Bahrain today. In Syria, it is the first Friday since the arrival of a small team of UN observers sent to monitor an incomplete ceasefire. Will their presence encourage more demonstrators to take to the streets in post-Friday prayer rallies? In Bahrain, pro-democracy activists plan to start three 'days of rage' as practice sessions for Sunday's controversial grand prix get under way.
Here's a roundup of the latest developments:Here's a roundup of the latest developments:
SyriaSyria
• UN observers must be swiftly deployed to Syria or "other options" will be considered, President Bashar al-Assad was warned as western countries kept up pressure on him to maintain a shaky ceasefire and comply with an internationally backed peace plan to end the crisis. Ministers from the Friends of Syria group met in Paris to discuss next steps. In a draft statement they agreed that Kofi Annan's peace plan represented a "last hope" and that if failed "other options" would have to be considered.• UN observers must be swiftly deployed to Syria or "other options" will be considered, President Bashar al-Assad was warned as western countries kept up pressure on him to maintain a shaky ceasefire and comply with an internationally backed peace plan to end the crisis. Ministers from the Friends of Syria group met in Paris to discuss next steps. In a draft statement they agreed that Kofi Annan's peace plan represented a "last hope" and that if failed "other options" would have to be considered.
• US defence secretary Leon Panetta revealed that Pentagon has plans in place for establishing humanitarian corridors in Syria, an idea publicly aired by French president Nicholas Sarkozy. Giving evidence to the House armed services committee, Panetta said the plan for humanitarian corridors was under review in the Pentagon along with other military options for intervention aimed at helping the Syrian opposition and toppling Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.• US defence secretary Leon Panetta revealed that Pentagon has plans in place for establishing humanitarian corridors in Syria, an idea publicly aired by French president Nicholas Sarkozy. Giving evidence to the House armed services committee, Panetta said the plan for humanitarian corridors was under review in the Pentagon along with other military options for intervention aimed at helping the Syrian opposition and toppling Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
• US secretary of state Hillary Clinton called for the UN security council to adopt an arms embargo and other tough measures against Syria.• US secretary of state Hillary Clinton called for the UN security council to adopt an arms embargo and other tough measures against Syria.
Speaking after the Friends of Syria meeting in Paris she said:Speaking after the Friends of Syria meeting in Paris she said:
We have to keep Assad off balance by leaving options on the table ... we have to increase our support for the opposition. I can only speak for the United States. I know that others are pursuing different types of support. But we are expanding our communications, logistics, and other support for the Syrian opposition. And in cooperation with Turkey, we are considering establishing an assistance hub that will try to co-locate Syrian activists and help them coordinate the collection and distribution of assistance to opposition groups inside SyriaWe have to keep Assad off balance by leaving options on the table ... we have to increase our support for the opposition. I can only speak for the United States. I know that others are pursuing different types of support. But we are expanding our communications, logistics, and other support for the Syrian opposition. And in cooperation with Turkey, we are considering establishing an assistance hub that will try to co-locate Syrian activists and help them coordinate the collection and distribution of assistance to opposition groups inside Syria
BahrainBahrain
• Bahrain is braced for three days of protests to coincide with the controversial Formula One grand prix as the government and organisers insisted that the event would proceed as planned. Riot police fired teargas and stun grenades in sporadic clashes with protesters as the authorities in the Gulf island state sought to project an image of stability before Sunday's race.• Bahrain is braced for three days of protests to coincide with the controversial Formula One grand prix as the government and organisers insisted that the event would proceed as planned. Riot police fired teargas and stun grenades in sporadic clashes with protesters as the authorities in the Gulf island state sought to project an image of stability before Sunday's race.
YemenYemen
• US defence secretary Leon Panetta defended the use of drones to kill terror suspects amid reports that the CIA is seeking permission to expand strikes in Yemen, a move that renewed debate about the legality of the strategy. According to the Washington Post the CIA wants to widen definition of targets in Yemen so it can launch drones against individuals engaged in behaviour deemed suspicious, such as unloading explosives or gathering at suspected al-Qaida compounds.• US defence secretary Leon Panetta defended the use of drones to kill terror suspects amid reports that the CIA is seeking permission to expand strikes in Yemen, a move that renewed debate about the legality of the strategy. According to the Washington Post the CIA wants to widen definition of targets in Yemen so it can launch drones against individuals engaged in behaviour deemed suspicious, such as unloading explosives or gathering at suspected al-Qaida compounds.
EgyptEgypt
• The Muslim Brotherhood is suffering a dip in the polls ahead of the presidential election, writes Steve Negus for the Arabist. A recent survey by the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Center suggest that some 45 percent of those who backed the Brothers in parliament won't vote for it in the next elections. Negus has this explanation:• The Muslim Brotherhood is suffering a dip in the polls ahead of the presidential election, writes Steve Negus for the Arabist. A recent survey by the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Center suggest that some 45 percent of those who backed the Brothers in parliament won't vote for it in the next elections. Negus has this explanation:
On their right, their bid for mainstream respectability left a vacuum, which the Salafis hastily filled. In order not to be overly threatening, the Brothers declared they would not nominate anyone for president – but then went back on that pledge, presumably because they did not like seeing their members inspired by Aboul Futuh and Abu Ismail candidacies. This abrupt and dramatic reversal of a high-profile pledge has done much to erode the perception that the Brothers in any way represent a higher, more principled form of politics.On their right, their bid for mainstream respectability left a vacuum, which the Salafis hastily filled. In order not to be overly threatening, the Brothers declared they would not nominate anyone for president – but then went back on that pledge, presumably because they did not like seeing their members inspired by Aboul Futuh and Abu Ismail candidacies. This abrupt and dramatic reversal of a high-profile pledge has done much to erode the perception that the Brothers in any way represent a higher, more principled form of politics.
• The paucity of decent candidates in presidential elections highlights the lack of choice facing Egyptians, argues writer and activist Mona Elathawy.• The paucity of decent candidates in presidential elections highlights the lack of choice facing Egyptians, argues writer and activist Mona Elathawy.
There isn't a single candidate I find either qualified or deserving to lead revolutionary Egypt, and I don't believe the elections will be free or fair – how can they be, under a military junta that has run Egypt since 18 days of revolution forced Hosni Mubarak to step down on 11 February 2011? ...
I look at this "choice" and hear the tortured justifications made in their favour and they sound awfully similar: hollow.		There isn't a single candidate I find either qualified or deserving to lead revolutionary Egypt, and I don't believe the elections will be free or fair – how can they be, under a military junta that has run Egypt since 18 days of revolution forced Hosni Mubarak to step down on 11 February 2011? ...
I look at this "choice" and hear the tortured justifications made in their favour and they sound awfully similar: hollow.
The whole point of overthrowing Mubarak was that we had ended fear. The revolution continues, not just to end military rule but to provide alternatives to the best of the worst. We still have a way to go.The whole point of overthrowing Mubarak was that we had ended fear. The revolution continues, not just to end military rule but to provide alternatives to the best of the worst. We still have a way to go.