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Syria, Egypt and Algeria - live updates Syria, Egypt and Algeria - live updates
(40 minutes later)
12.14pm: Syria: Syria: The French daily, Liberation, has interviewed Peter Harling, the Damascus-based Syria specialist at the International Crisis Group about the deteriorating situation and the survival prospects for the Annan plan. Harling says:
The UN mission would have collapsed already if there was a credible alternative. But the Annan plan was born precisely out of the inability of the international community to agree on a clear policy on the Syrian issue.
This, ironically, is what should give it some resilience: in the absence of plan B, stick to plan A without necessarily believing in it. Thus, those who apparently defend the mission do little to help it in practice: the Russians exert only weak pressure on the regime, while some Arab and western states gradually increase their support for the opposition.
Harling also suggests that military intervention could in the end become unavoidable:
Military intervention in Syria would undoubtedly have happened already if the consequences were not to to be feared ... Because of this, the regime tends to conclude that the decision to "do something" is too difficult for westerners to take. What it misunderstands is that the decision to "do nothing" is at least as difficult.
Beyond the political denunciations and economic sanctions, it is likely that the west will let itself be sucked into this conflict little by little, gradually increasing its support for the opposition up to the point where an intervention will appear inevitable.
12.09pm: Syria: US defence secretary Leon Panetta says intelligence indicates that al-Qaida does have a presence in Syria.
He did not comment specifically on whether the terrorist group was responsible for yesterday Damascus bombs. He added: "We don't have very good intelligence as to just exactly what there activities are."

Panetta also said that the ceasefire "does not appear to be working".

12.01pm: Egypt: Egyptian expatriates in 166 countries are heading to the polls in the presidential elections, according to AP.
Elections authorities say less than a million Egyptians out of nearly 10 million living abroad registered to vote. Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Egyptian voters.
Expatriate voting starts today and ends May 17. Voters inside Egypt will cast their ballots on May 23-24. If no candidate wins 50% of the votes, a runoff is scheduled for June.
11.17am: Syria: Videos of now familiar Friday demonstrations are starting to emerge. In Damascus one demonstrator flew a Turkish flag, an apparent reference to Ankara's increasingly hostile rhetoric against the Assad regime.11.17am: Syria: Videos of now familiar Friday demonstrations are starting to emerge. In Damascus one demonstrator flew a Turkish flag, an apparent reference to Ankara's increasingly hostile rhetoric against the Assad regime.
One of the placards reads: "The explosions in Damascus remind us of the assassinations in Lebanon." Demonstrations have also been filmed in Haas, Idlib and Aleppo where many Kurdish flags were waved.One of the placards reads: "The explosions in Damascus remind us of the assassinations in Lebanon." Demonstrations have also been filmed in Haas, Idlib and Aleppo where many Kurdish flags were waved.
11.10am: Syria: The opposition Syrian National Council's line on who is to blame for the Damascus bombings seems to be confused, or shifting, or both.11.10am: Syria: The opposition Syrian National Council's line on who is to blame for the Damascus bombings seems to be confused, or shifting, or both.
It has issued a statement blaming the regime for "orchestrating the explosions".It has issued a statement blaming the regime for "orchestrating the explosions".
But its leader, Burhan Ghalioun (pictured), has now suggested that the government was somehow in league with al-Qaida, according to AP.But its leader, Burhan Ghalioun (pictured), has now suggested that the government was somehow in league with al-Qaida, according to AP.
"The relationship between the Syrian regime and al-Qaida is very strong," he said, adding that the Syrian government had co-operated with al-Qaida against US forces in Iraq, as well as in its movements in Lebanon."The relationship between the Syrian regime and al-Qaida is very strong," he said, adding that the Syrian government had co-operated with al-Qaida against US forces in Iraq, as well as in its movements in Lebanon.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Tokyo, Ghalioun said he didn't think "these radical forces [responsible for the attacks] ... are isolated from the regime."Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Tokyo, Ghalioun said he didn't think "these radical forces [responsible for the attacks] ... are isolated from the regime."
This appears to contradict the SNC's own statement which criticises the Syrian government for being quick to blame al-Qaida for the attack.This appears to contradict the SNC's own statement which criticises the Syrian government for being quick to blame al-Qaida for the attack.
Ghalioun also said the ceasefire brokered by UN envoy Kofi Annan was "in crisis" because it lacks teeth and there would be "no peaceful solution" in Syria without "a threat of force against those who don't implement the plan".Ghalioun also said the ceasefire brokered by UN envoy Kofi Annan was "in crisis" because it lacks teeth and there would be "no peaceful solution" in Syria without "a threat of force against those who don't implement the plan".
10.47am: Egypt: Despite spending 10 years as Egypt's foreign minister, plus another 10 as head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa's knowledge of the Middle East seems a bit deficient.10.47am: Egypt: Despite spending 10 years as Egypt's foreign minister, plus another 10 as head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa's knowledge of the Middle East seems a bit deficient.
Twitter user Sultan al Qassemi points out an extraordinary gaffe in last night's presidential debate where Moussa said: "Iran is an Arab state."Twitter user Sultan al Qassemi points out an extraordinary gaffe in last night's presidential debate where Moussa said: "Iran is an Arab state."
Amr Moussa: Iran is an Arab state with which we have many disputes bit.ly/JHleJn Arabic video min 3:14:45Amr Moussa: Iran is an Arab state with which we have many disputes bit.ly/JHleJn Arabic video min 3:14:45
— Sultan Al Qassemi (@SultanAlQassemi) May 11, 2012— Sultan Al Qassemi (@SultanAlQassemi) May 11, 2012
It's also here in the English-language transcript.It's also here in the English-language transcript.
It quotes him saying: "I am against a war with Iran ... Iran is an Arab country! and we have to listen and talk ... this means we don't agree at all to attacking Iran."It quotes him saying: "I am against a war with Iran ... Iran is an Arab country! and we have to listen and talk ... this means we don't agree at all to attacking Iran."
10.36am: Syria: Our colleague Mona Mahmood has translated another exchange between activists and a Red Cross official in Homs.10.36am: Syria: Our colleague Mona Mahmood has translated another exchange between activists and a Red Cross official in Homs.
Two men are shown haranguing the official in the bib.Two men are shown haranguing the official in the bib.
First man: All the families in Baba Amr are now shabiha (regime thugs) families. None of the indigenous population live their now. We want the aid to reach these people. We want your help in bringing back the indigenous families to Baba Amru.First man: All the families in Baba Amr are now shabiha (regime thugs) families. None of the indigenous population live their now. We want the aid to reach these people. We want your help in bringing back the indigenous families to Baba Amru.
Second man: The problem is out of 90,000 people, you have only 1,500 in Baba Amr. They need to help them to get back.Second man: The problem is out of 90,000 people, you have only 1,500 in Baba Amr. They need to help them to get back.
First man: This is a humanitarian request, it does not have any relation with terror whatsoever, just bring back these families ...
All of them want to get back but there are so many barriers around Baba Amr, in a way they can not get back. They are not allowing the indigenous people to come back. The army is not allowing people to get back under the pretext that if the indigenous people got back, a resistance will break out again. Baba Amr will turn to a military barrack. This is a humanitarian request from us.		First man: This is a humanitarian request, it does not have any relation with terror whatsoever, just bring back these families ...
All of them want to get back but there are so many barriers around Baba Amr, in a way they can not get back. They are not allowing the indigenous people to come back. The army is not allowing people to get back under the pretext that if the indigenous people got back, a resistance will break out again. Baba Amr will turn to a military barrack. This is a humanitarian request from us.
The Red Cross official: We have met the real families, we know where they are ... we cannot force them.The Red Cross official: We have met the real families, we know where they are ... we cannot force them.
10.34am: Syria: Activists in al-Qusayr in Homs have expressed their anger at what they perceive as the slow response of the International Committee of the Red Cross during a humanitarian visit yesterday, according to video footage of the encounter.10.34am: Syria: Activists in al-Qusayr in Homs have expressed their anger at what they perceive as the slow response of the International Committee of the Red Cross during a humanitarian visit yesterday, according to video footage of the encounter.
At the end of the clip a member of the Red Cross team responds to their concerns. He said:At the end of the clip a member of the Red Cross team responds to their concerns. He said:
We understand your frustration, that it has been a long time that you have had to wait for this assistance to come ... but we do not carry weapons we are not political, we are not affiliated with any side. Therefore we need certain guarantees of security from both sides in order to enter a place safely so that we can first guarantee the safety of our own staff and also the safety of the people we assist.We understand your frustration, that it has been a long time that you have had to wait for this assistance to come ... but we do not carry weapons we are not political, we are not affiliated with any side. Therefore we need certain guarantees of security from both sides in order to enter a place safely so that we can first guarantee the safety of our own staff and also the safety of the people we assist.
10.07am: Algeria: Less than half of the country's registered voters went to the polls in yesterday's parliamentary election. According to interior minister, Daho Ould Kablia, turnout was 42.9% – low, but an increase on the 35% turnout reported in the 2007 election.10.07am: Algeria: Less than half of the country's registered voters went to the polls in yesterday's parliamentary election. According to interior minister, Daho Ould Kablia, turnout was 42.9% – low, but an increase on the 35% turnout reported in the 2007 election.
There have been reports of widespread cynicism about the election, especially among young and urban voters. The Associated Press reports:There have been reports of widespread cynicism about the election, especially among young and urban voters. The Associated Press reports:
At one voting centre in Algiers' working class neighborhood of Bab el-Oued ... turnout at the close of the station was just between 25% and 30%.At one voting centre in Algiers' working class neighborhood of Bab el-Oued ... turnout at the close of the station was just between 25% and 30%.
Of those who did bother voting, 22% of the ballots were either void or defaced, with the Islamist "Green Alliance" coming in a close second.Of those who did bother voting, 22% of the ballots were either void or defaced, with the Islamist "Green Alliance" coming in a close second.
Most Algerians, however, have shown little interest in the elections — if not outright scorn — citing a weak parliament and a history of rigged contests.Most Algerians, however, have shown little interest in the elections — if not outright scorn — citing a weak parliament and a history of rigged contests.
"These elections are nothing," said Marwan Bou Amama, 32, as he sat with friends on a hillside park overlooking Algiers' bay, not far from a voting station. "We here in Algeria, we live in a huge coffin. We are the living dead. At my age I should be married, I should have a house. It's a basic right.""These elections are nothing," said Marwan Bou Amama, 32, as he sat with friends on a hillside park overlooking Algiers' bay, not far from a voting station. "We here in Algeria, we live in a huge coffin. We are the living dead. At my age I should be married, I should have a house. It's a basic right."
Results are expected this afternoon and a coalition of Islamist parties is expected to do well, though no party is likely to dominate the parliament (which in any case has less influence than the ruling elite known as le pouvoir – "the power").Results are expected this afternoon and a coalition of Islamist parties is expected to do well, though no party is likely to dominate the parliament (which in any case has less influence than the ruling elite known as le pouvoir – "the power").
9.55am: Syria: Russia's foreign ministry is also still backing Kofi Annan's battered peace initiative.9.55am: Syria: Russia's foreign ministry is also still backing Kofi Annan's battered peace initiative.
The #UN observer mission in #Syria must continue performing its tasks in spite of the terrorist actsThe #UN observer mission in #Syria must continue performing its tasks in spite of the terrorist acts
— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) May 11, 2012— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) May 11, 2012
The terrorist acts in #Syria are aimed at wrecking the Kofi Annan plan and are pushing the country into a dangerous bloody cycle of violenceThe terrorist acts in #Syria are aimed at wrecking the Kofi Annan plan and are pushing the country into a dangerous bloody cycle of violence
— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) May 11, 2012— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) May 11, 2012
9.38am: Syria: It is too early to write off Kofi Annan's peace plan as a failure, according to Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN.9.38am: Syria: It is too early to write off Kofi Annan's peace plan as a failure, according to Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN.
Speaking to Reuters she said: "I don't think it's time yet to say that the mission and the Annan initiative has failed. Although we've been sceptical of the Syrian government's readiness and willingness to implement its commitments, what Annan is trying to do makes eminent sense and we support it."Speaking to Reuters she said: "I don't think it's time yet to say that the mission and the Annan initiative has failed. Although we've been sceptical of the Syrian government's readiness and willingness to implement its commitments, what Annan is trying to do makes eminent sense and we support it."
She also repeated US reluctance to arm the Syrian opposition. She said yesterday's bomb attacks were "a great example that this situation is already militarised and violent enough and we don't think it's wise to contribute to that by pouring more weapons or armaments into it."She also repeated US reluctance to arm the Syrian opposition. She said yesterday's bomb attacks were "a great example that this situation is already militarised and violent enough and we don't think it's wise to contribute to that by pouring more weapons or armaments into it."
9.09am: Egypt: Here's Juan Cole's summary and commentary on last night's debate between Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh and Amr Moussa.9.09am: Egypt: Here's Juan Cole's summary and commentary on last night's debate between Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh and Amr Moussa.
Cole said:Cole said:
Abul Fotouh knows that the New Left youth do not forgive Moussa for having served under Mubarak and at one point, and he stressed Moussa's background in this regard. He also promised to appoint very large numbers of young people to high positions, noting that in 2008 the US got a young president but that Egypt is ruled by the geriatric set. Abul Fotouh tried to reassure the secular middle classes and the Copts, both of which probably favour Moussa, that he wouldn't turn Egypt into a religious state like Saudi Arabia. He knows that the Salafi leaders have already endorsed him. But the Muslim Brotherhood has its own candidate, Muhammad al-Mursi, who will likely draw votes away from Abul Fotouh.Abul Fotouh knows that the New Left youth do not forgive Moussa for having served under Mubarak and at one point, and he stressed Moussa's background in this regard. He also promised to appoint very large numbers of young people to high positions, noting that in 2008 the US got a young president but that Egypt is ruled by the geriatric set. Abul Fotouh tried to reassure the secular middle classes and the Copts, both of which probably favour Moussa, that he wouldn't turn Egypt into a religious state like Saudi Arabia. He knows that the Salafi leaders have already endorsed him. But the Muslim Brotherhood has its own candidate, Muhammad al-Mursi, who will likely draw votes away from Abul Fotouh.
Moussa stressed both respect for Islam and the important role Islamic law plays in underpinning most Egyptian laws. This was his attempt to steal some votes of the committed Muslims from Abul Fotouh. But he also stressed that these Islamic laws could not be applied to Coptic Christians, who have their own personal status laws.Moussa stressed both respect for Islam and the important role Islamic law plays in underpinning most Egyptian laws. This was his attempt to steal some votes of the committed Muslims from Abul Fotouh. But he also stressed that these Islamic laws could not be applied to Coptic Christians, who have their own personal status laws.
Moftasa has a full English transcript of the debate in two sections: part one and part two.Moftasa has a full English transcript of the debate in two sections: part one and part two.
Al-Jazeera has edited highlights in this report on the debate.Al-Jazeera has edited highlights in this report on the debate.
8.28am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. At this stage today looks set to be dominated by reaction to both yesterday's bombings in Damascus and Egypt's first presidential debate. Parliamentary election results are also due in Algeria.8.28am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. At this stage today looks set to be dominated by reaction to both yesterday's bombings in Damascus and Egypt's first presidential debate. Parliamentary election results are also due in Algeria.
Here's a round up of the latest developments:Here's a round up of the latest developments:
SyriaSyria
• Syria suffered its worst terrorist attack since the start of the uprising when at least 55 people were reported killed and nearly 400 injured in twin car bomb blasts near a government intelligence building in Damascus. Syrian officials and media blamed foreign-backed terrorist groups for the attack. The opposition accused the regime of President Bashar al-Assad of carrying out the bombings to smear them. The blasts were condemned internationally. Kofi Annan, the special envoy for the UN and Arab League, said it was vital to implement his six-point plan for peace in Syria. Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said the bombings "remind us of the urgent need for a political solution in Syria before it is too late". The UN security council condemned the attacks.• Syria suffered its worst terrorist attack since the start of the uprising when at least 55 people were reported killed and nearly 400 injured in twin car bomb blasts near a government intelligence building in Damascus. Syrian officials and media blamed foreign-backed terrorist groups for the attack. The opposition accused the regime of President Bashar al-Assad of carrying out the bombings to smear them. The blasts were condemned internationally. Kofi Annan, the special envoy for the UN and Arab League, said it was vital to implement his six-point plan for peace in Syria. Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said the bombings "remind us of the urgent need for a political solution in Syria before it is too late". The UN security council condemned the attacks.
• Syria's ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja'afari, suggested al-Qaida was behind the bombings. He also claimed 12 "foreign terrorists" including individuals from Britain and France, have been killed in Syria.• Syria's ambassador to the UN, Bashar Ja'afari, suggested al-Qaida was behind the bombings. He also claimed 12 "foreign terrorists" including individuals from Britain and France, have been killed in Syria.
• The rebel Free Syrian Army has condemned the bombing and urged the UN monitors to investigate its claim that the regime was responsible. In a statement, translated by the opposition site Ayyam, it said:• The rebel Free Syrian Army has condemned the bombing and urged the UN monitors to investigate its claim that the regime was responsible. In a statement, translated by the opposition site Ayyam, it said:
We condemn this cowardly terrorist act and hold the regime fully responsible for it. We request that the UN form a team of international experts to investigate these bombings, and ask Kofi Annan to declare the failure of his peace plan, and to hold the regime accountable for its failure. We also request the arming of the Free Syrian Army and request an emergency UN meeting, so a chapter 7 resolution facilitating the protection of Syrian civilians can be passed.We condemn this cowardly terrorist act and hold the regime fully responsible for it. We request that the UN form a team of international experts to investigate these bombings, and ask Kofi Annan to declare the failure of his peace plan, and to hold the regime accountable for its failure. We also request the arming of the Free Syrian Army and request an emergency UN meeting, so a chapter 7 resolution facilitating the protection of Syrian civilians can be passed.
• Opposition claims that the regime was behind the bombings are not plausible, according to Middle East analyst Juan Cole.• Opposition claims that the regime was behind the bombings are not plausible, according to Middle East analyst Juan Cole.
The perpetrators were almost certainly regime opponents. The similarities between this bombing and the ones we see in Baghdad raises the question of whether these guerrillas are linked or even the same. It has been reported that fighters once based in Iraq have flocked to Syria. It is possible that a forensics team could get at this issue more precisely.The perpetrators were almost certainly regime opponents. The similarities between this bombing and the ones we see in Baghdad raises the question of whether these guerrillas are linked or even the same. It has been reported that fighters once based in Iraq have flocked to Syria. It is possible that a forensics team could get at this issue more precisely.
If the bombing issues from some such quarter, is is politically stupid. Some 70 UN inspectors are in Syria trying to get a sense of where they country is going amid all this turbulence, and they flocked to the bomb site.If the bombing issues from some such quarter, is is politically stupid. Some 70 UN inspectors are in Syria trying to get a sense of where they country is going amid all this turbulence, and they flocked to the bomb site.
But it would be wrong to tar the Syrian National Council with this horrible act. Their strategy has mainly been peaceful demonstrations. The SNC is saying absurd things such as that the regime bombed itself in order to avoid having the world community swing around and come to view it as a terrorist organisation.But it would be wrong to tar the Syrian National Council with this horrible act. Their strategy has mainly been peaceful demonstrations. The SNC is saying absurd things such as that the regime bombed itself in order to avoid having the world community swing around and come to view it as a terrorist organisation.
• The Damascus bombings add to the sense of despair and make the likelihood of international action even more remote, according to Richard Spencer in the Telegraph.• The Damascus bombings add to the sense of despair and make the likelihood of international action even more remote, according to Richard Spencer in the Telegraph.
It does not really matter who is responsible; the image conjured up is of the Lebanon 30 years ago, an unwished-for but uncontrollable rush to ungovernable chaos, some of it sectarian, much of it indiscriminate ... this crisis will linger on, perhaps indefinitely, ever more painfully, now seems sure. Only decisiveness would change the trajectory of events, and if politicians around the world can agree on anything, it is that now is not a time for decisiveness.It does not really matter who is responsible; the image conjured up is of the Lebanon 30 years ago, an unwished-for but uncontrollable rush to ungovernable chaos, some of it sectarian, much of it indiscriminate ... this crisis will linger on, perhaps indefinitely, ever more painfully, now seems sure. Only decisiveness would change the trajectory of events, and if politicians around the world can agree on anything, it is that now is not a time for decisiveness.
EgyptEgypt
• Egypt has hosted its first televised presidential debate between frontrunners Amr Moussa and Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh - who exemplify the fault-lines of the upcoming election. In a four and a half hour debate Abul-Futoh alluded to Moussa's ties to the Mubarak regime many times, while Moussa reciprocated by attacking Abul Fotouh's affiliation to the Muslim Brotherhood. Follow how the debate unfolded in our minute-by-minute coverage.• Egypt has hosted its first televised presidential debate between frontrunners Amr Moussa and Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh - who exemplify the fault-lines of the upcoming election. In a four and a half hour debate Abul-Futoh alluded to Moussa's ties to the Mubarak regime many times, while Moussa reciprocated by attacking Abul Fotouh's affiliation to the Muslim Brotherhood. Follow how the debate unfolded in our minute-by-minute coverage.
YemenYemen
• Conflicts between the Gulf states and Iran and the US and al-Qaida have reduced parts of Yemen to rubble and are pushing Yeminis into the arms of the jihadis, writes Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in Aden.• Conflicts between the Gulf states and Iran and the US and al-Qaida have reduced parts of Yemen to rubble and are pushing Yeminis into the arms of the jihadis, writes Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in Aden.
When the Iranians approached him, Jemajem was asked to gather a group of Hirak activists and a week later they were flown to Damascus, where they met two officials from the Iranian embassy. According to Jemajem and other activists who travelled with him, the officials told the Yemeni delegation that they would support demands for federalism within Yemen, but not the separate state that Hirak was calling for.When the Iranians approached him, Jemajem was asked to gather a group of Hirak activists and a week later they were flown to Damascus, where they met two officials from the Iranian embassy. According to Jemajem and other activists who travelled with him, the officials told the Yemeni delegation that they would support demands for federalism within Yemen, but not the separate state that Hirak was calling for.
IranIran
• Cartoonists have condemned the conviction of an Iranian colleague Mahmoud Shokraye who was sentenced to 25 lashes for drawing a caricature of an MP that was deemed insulting. His sentence has sparked an outcry among cartoonists, including the Guardian's Martin Rowson, who have responded with cartoons in support of Shokraye.• Cartoonists have condemned the conviction of an Iranian colleague Mahmoud Shokraye who was sentenced to 25 lashes for drawing a caricature of an MP that was deemed insulting. His sentence has sparked an outcry among cartoonists, including the Guardian's Martin Rowson, who have responded with cartoons in support of Shokraye.