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Syria crisis: new evidence of war crimes - live updates Syria crisis: new evidence of war crimes - live updates
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12.46pm: Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court has adjourned for the judges to consider their verdict. They are expected to announce their decision this afternoon, Ahram Online reports.
12.24pm: The UK's foreign secretary William Hague has lobbied Russia to back a political transition in Syria.12.24pm: The UK's foreign secretary William Hague has lobbied Russia to back a political transition in Syria.
He met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov at the sidelines of a summit on Afghanistan.He met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov at the sidelines of a summit on Afghanistan.
Held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on crisis in #Syria & proposal for international conference on Annan plan & transitionHeld talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on crisis in #Syria & proposal for international conference on Annan plan & transition
— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) June 14, 2012— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) June 14, 2012
11.59am: Syria: An army offensive in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor killed at least 11 people after the rebel Free Syrian Army destroyed at least one government tank.11.59am: Syria: An army offensive in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor killed at least 11 people after the rebel Free Syrian Army destroyed at least one government tank.
Activists uploaded footage purporting to show the remains of a tank in the city.Activists uploaded footage purporting to show the remains of a tank in the city.
An overnight barrage from nearby hills followed the withdrawal of hundreds of troops backed by tanks that had entered the city on Wednesday to root out rebels, sources told Reuters.An overnight barrage from nearby hills followed the withdrawal of hundreds of troops backed by tanks that had entered the city on Wednesday to root out rebels, sources told Reuters.
"Deir Ezzor was hit by a few artillery rounds during the first army attack on the city back in August, but this is the first time we have seen sustained shelling," said a source at a hospital in the city, who spoke on condition of anonymity."Deir Ezzor was hit by a few artillery rounds during the first army attack on the city back in August, but this is the first time we have seen sustained shelling," said a source at a hospital in the city, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Two rebels were among those killed. The rest of the casualties were mostly civilians.""Two rebels were among those killed. The rest of the casualties were mostly civilians."
The shelling damaged dozens of houses on Port Saeed street and in the al-Jubeila neighbourhood, where a Ministry of Finance department building was hit, opposition campaigners said.The shelling damaged dozens of houses on Port Saeed street and in the al-Jubeila neighbourhood, where a Ministry of Finance department building was hit, opposition campaigners said.
Two rounds fell on the site of regular rallies against Assad in the al-Hamidiyeh neighbourhood, but no protesters were there, the sources said.Two rounds fell on the site of regular rallies against Assad in the al-Hamidiyeh neighbourhood, but no protesters were there, the sources said.
Insurgents fought back against the ground offensive on Wednesday with rocket-propelled grenades, hitting four armoured vehicles. Saleh al-Shohat, a rebel commander, was killed by tank fire, they said.Insurgents fought back against the ground offensive on Wednesday with rocket-propelled grenades, hitting four armoured vehicles. Saleh al-Shohat, a rebel commander, was killed by tank fire, they said.
The activist group the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria reported heavy fire on Al-Nahr Street.The activist group the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria reported heavy fire on Al-Nahr Street.
11.41am: Egypt: Dozens of protesters have gathered outside the Supreme Constitutional Court in the Cairo neighborhood of Maadi, the Egypt Independent reports.11.41am: Egypt: Dozens of protesters have gathered outside the Supreme Constitutional Court in the Cairo neighborhood of Maadi, the Egypt Independent reports.
The protesters chanted to demand the court uphold the Political Isolation Law, which would likely disqualify former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq from the presidential runoff scheduled for Saturday and Sunday ...The protesters chanted to demand the court uphold the Political Isolation Law, which would likely disqualify former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq from the presidential runoff scheduled for Saturday and Sunday ...
Traffic on the Nile Corniche was paralysed, with cars lined up for several kilometers, prompting police to redirect vehicles to alternative routes.Traffic on the Nile Corniche was paralysed, with cars lined up for several kilometers, prompting police to redirect vehicles to alternative routes.
The judges arrived at the court guarded by police and army forces at 9am. Tight security measures were enforced in the surrounding area and hundreds of soldiers and Central Security Forces, with their armoured vehicles, lined up around the court.The judges arrived at the court guarded by police and army forces at 9am. Tight security measures were enforced in the surrounding area and hundreds of soldiers and Central Security Forces, with their armoured vehicles, lined up around the court.
11.23am: Tunisia: Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi has called for demonstrations tomorrow to "protect the revolution and things considered sacred".11.23am: Tunisia: Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi has called for demonstrations tomorrow to "protect the revolution and things considered sacred".
Tunisia Online says representatives of other political parties have been trying to persuade him to call off the protests, for fear they could lead to clashes with religious extremists.Tunisia Online says representatives of other political parties have been trying to persuade him to call off the protests, for fear they could lead to clashes with religious extremists.
Selim Abu Ahmed Ayoub, a prominent Tunisian Islamist who announced a "holy war" against the Ennahda-led government, has also called for protests tomorrow.Selim Abu Ahmed Ayoub, a prominent Tunisian Islamist who announced a "holy war" against the Ennahda-led government, has also called for protests tomorrow.
Ennahda has also come under fire from al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri. In an audio message posted online last Sunday, Zawahiri said:Ennahda has also come under fire from al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri. In an audio message posted online last Sunday, Zawahiri said:
The leaders of the Ennahda party claim to be a part of what they call moderate, enlightened Islam. Well, let them call themselves whatever they want, but they are ... one of the symptoms of our civilisational diseases.The leaders of the Ennahda party claim to be a part of what they call moderate, enlightened Islam. Well, let them call themselves whatever they want, but they are ... one of the symptoms of our civilisational diseases.
Ghannouchi shrugged it off, saying "Zawahiri does not have any influence in our country."Ghannouchi shrugged it off, saying "Zawahiri does not have any influence in our country."
10.58am: The Palestinian cause "has always been and will remain the compass for the Syrian people", President Assad said yesterday according to a report from the government news agency, Sana.10.58am: The Palestinian cause "has always been and will remain the compass for the Syrian people", President Assad said yesterday according to a report from the government news agency, Sana.
He was meeting a delegation from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command, led by its secretary-general Ahmad Jibril.He was meeting a delegation from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command, led by its secretary-general Ahmad Jibril.
Talks during the meeting dealt with the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the violations that are being daily committed by the Israeli occupation forces ...Talks during the meeting dealt with the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the violations that are being daily committed by the Israeli occupation forces ...
Discussion also touched upon the situation in Syria, with Jibril stressing that the Front stands by Syria who has always stood by the Palestinian people and the national resistance movements.Discussion also touched upon the situation in Syria, with Jibril stressing that the Front stands by Syria who has always stood by the Palestinian people and the national resistance movements.
The Assad regime's claims to legitimacy are largely based on resistance to Israel – which some argue is a reason not to support the uprising in Syria. In an article for the Lebanese al-Akhbar yesterday, Amal Saad-Ghorayeb wrote:The Assad regime's claims to legitimacy are largely based on resistance to Israel – which some argue is a reason not to support the uprising in Syria. In an article for the Lebanese al-Akhbar yesterday, Amal Saad-Ghorayeb wrote:
The real litmus [test] of Arab intellectuals' and activists' commitment to the Palestinian cause is no longer their support for Palestinian rights, but rather, their support for the Assad leadership's struggle against the imperialist-Zionist-Arab moderate axis' onslaught against it.The real litmus [test] of Arab intellectuals' and activists' commitment to the Palestinian cause is no longer their support for Palestinian rights, but rather, their support for the Assad leadership's struggle against the imperialist-Zionist-Arab moderate axis' onslaught against it.
Supporting Assad's struggle against this multi-pronged assault is supporting Palestine today because Syria has become the new front line of the war between Empire and those resisting it.Supporting Assad's struggle against this multi-pronged assault is supporting Palestine today because Syria has become the new front line of the war between Empire and those resisting it.
The article was widely criticised on Twitter, and there is a response to it on the Maysaloon blog.The article was widely criticised on Twitter, and there is a response to it on the Maysaloon blog.
10.50am: Syria: UN monitors have arrived in the town of the north-west town of Haffeh, after government forces 'cleared' the area of 'terrorists'.10.50am: Syria: UN monitors have arrived in the town of the north-west town of Haffeh, after government forces 'cleared' the area of 'terrorists'.
On Tuesday Assad supporters prevented monitors reaching the besieged town, and they were shot at as they left.On Tuesday Assad supporters prevented monitors reaching the besieged town, and they were shot at as they left.
10.32am: Iran's state media has been blamed for mistranslating Lavrov's reported claim about the US arming the Syrian opposition, Bloomberg reports.10.32am: Iran's state media has been blamed for mistranslating Lavrov's reported claim about the US arming the Syrian opposition, Bloomberg reports.
Iran's state-run Mehr news agency had Lavrov saying:Iran's state-run Mehr news agency had Lavrov saying:
Unlike the US, which supplies arms to the Syrian opposition that can be used against the Syrian government, we don't take such action.Unlike the US, which supplies arms to the Syrian opposition that can be used against the Syrian government, we don't take such action.
Audio recording reveal that what he actually said was:Audio recording reveal that what he actually said was:
We aren't shipping to Syria or anywhere else things that can be used against peaceful demonstrators. Unlike the United States, for example, which regularly delivers such special equipment to the region, including a recent delivery to one of the countries of the Persian Gulf.We aren't shipping to Syria or anywhere else things that can be used against peaceful demonstrators. Unlike the United States, for example, which regularly delivers such special equipment to the region, including a recent delivery to one of the countries of the Persian Gulf.
10.21am: Russia's foreign ministry has repeated Sergei Lavrov's denials about arming Syria, but it has again underlined that it does not back the Assad regime "but the fundamentals of state".10.21am: Russia's foreign ministry has repeated Sergei Lavrov's denials about arming Syria, but it has again underlined that it does not back the Assad regime "but the fundamentals of state".
It's a distinction that suggests Moscow may be open to backing the so-called "Yemenski Variant" - named after a Gulf brokered deal to remove Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh in return for granting him immunity from prosecution.It's a distinction that suggests Moscow may be open to backing the so-called "Yemenski Variant" - named after a Gulf brokered deal to remove Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh in return for granting him immunity from prosecution.
Sergey #Lavrov: Russia does not supply #Syria or any other country with special equipment that is used against peaceful protestersSergey #Lavrov: Russia does not supply #Syria or any other country with special equipment that is used against peaceful protesters
— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) June 14, 2012— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) June 14, 2012
#Lavrov: It is not the #Syrian regime that Russia supports but the fundamentals of state, which are cornerstones of stability in the region#Lavrov: It is not the #Syrian regime that Russia supports but the fundamentals of state, which are cornerstones of stability in the region
— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) June 14, 2012— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) June 14, 2012
10.12am: Egypt: The post-Mubarak transition could be doubly derailed today – and we should know in a couple of hours or so. The Supreme Constitutional Court is meeting to consider whether former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq is legally qualified to stand in the presidential election this weekend, and also whether the recent parliamentary election was legally valid.10.12am: Egypt: The post-Mubarak transition could be doubly derailed today – and we should know in a couple of hours or so. The Supreme Constitutional Court is meeting to consider whether former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq is legally qualified to stand in the presidential election this weekend, and also whether the recent parliamentary election was legally valid.
There are various possible outcomes, which Zeinobia discusses on her Egyptian Chronicles blog, though almost everyone expects the court's decision to be driven more by politics than strict legal niceties.There are various possible outcomes, which Zeinobia discusses on her Egyptian Chronicles blog, though almost everyone expects the court's decision to be driven more by politics than strict legal niceties.
According to legal expert Ibrahim Yousry, quoted by Ahram Online, "it is unlikely the verdicts will mean halting the elections and reversing the democratic process because that may have serious consequences". More likely, Yousry says, these potential verdicts are being used as negotiating cards with Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate in the presidential election.According to legal expert Ibrahim Yousry, quoted by Ahram Online, "it is unlikely the verdicts will mean halting the elections and reversing the democratic process because that may have serious consequences". More likely, Yousry says, these potential verdicts are being used as negotiating cards with Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate in the presidential election.
Ahram Online continues:Ahram Online continues:
Political analyst Ibrahim El-Hodeiby believes the most likely scenario is that nothing will be changed, as the Disenfranchisement Law [excluding Shafiq from the presidential election] would be considered unconstitutional and the parliamentary elections constitutional.Political analyst Ibrahim El-Hodeiby believes the most likely scenario is that nothing will be changed, as the Disenfranchisement Law [excluding Shafiq from the presidential election] would be considered unconstitutional and the parliamentary elections constitutional.
"I think Shafiq will become president and the Brotherhood will be offered the government instead. That way the Brotherhood will be made responsible for three difficult issues including the gas cylinders crisis, the shortage of bread and the shortage of gasoline," El-Hodeiby speculated."I think Shafiq will become president and the Brotherhood will be offered the government instead. That way the Brotherhood will be made responsible for three difficult issues including the gas cylinders crisis, the shortage of bread and the shortage of gasoline," El-Hodeiby speculated.
"In other words, the deep state [military, secret service and media] will work to make the Brotherhood lose popular support. The Brotherhood will agree to this deal because they do not want to be responsible for the presidency.""In other words, the deep state [military, secret service and media] will work to make the Brotherhood lose popular support. The Brotherhood will agree to this deal because they do not want to be responsible for the presidency."
10.00am: Bahrain: AP has the latest on mixed fate of medics accuses of treating protesters in last year's uprising.10.00am: Bahrain: AP has the latest on mixed fate of medics accuses of treating protesters in last year's uprising.
A defense lawyer in Bahrain says a court has sentenced nine medical professionals to prison terms ranging from five years to one month in a retrial on charges of aiding the Gulf kingdom's uprising.A defense lawyer in Bahrain says a court has sentenced nine medical professionals to prison terms ranging from five years to one month in a retrial on charges of aiding the Gulf kingdom's uprising.
Lawyer Jalila al-Sayed says nine other doctors and nurses were cleared of charges Thursday. Fifteen-year sentences against two doctors who fled Bahrain also stood.Lawyer Jalila al-Sayed says nine other doctors and nurses were cleared of charges Thursday. Fifteen-year sentences against two doctors who fled Bahrain also stood.
The 20-member group had been sentenced to prison terms of between five and 15 years by a now-disbanded security tribunal, which was set up by the Sunni monarchy as part of crackdowns against Shiite-led protests that began 16 months ago.The 20-member group had been sentenced to prison terms of between five and 15 years by a now-disbanded security tribunal, which was set up by the Sunni monarchy as part of crackdowns against Shiite-led protests that began 16 months ago.
A retrial in civilian court was ordered earlier this year. Bahrain authorities accused staff at the state-run Salmaniya Hospital of siding with protesters. Medical personnel deny the allegations.A retrial in civilian court was ordered earlier this year. Bahrain authorities accused staff at the state-run Salmaniya Hospital of siding with protesters. Medical personnel deny the allegations.
Commenting on the mixed verdicts activist Ala'a Shehabi tweeted:Commenting on the mixed verdicts activist Ala'a Shehabi tweeted:
Medics trial is microcosm of govt's half-measures for PR, perpetuating crisis, avoiding a resolution thru justice & accountability #bahrainMedics trial is microcosm of govt's half-measures for PR, perpetuating crisis, avoiding a resolution thru justice & accountability #bahrain
— Dr Ala'a Shehabi (@alaashehabi) June 14, 2012— Dr Ala'a Shehabi (@alaashehabi) June 14, 2012
Activist Mohammed Ashoor tweeted:Activist Mohammed Ashoor tweeted:
I'm happy for the doctors proved innocent but justice is still not fully done. All of them are innocent. #BahrainI'm happy for the doctors proved innocent but justice is still not fully done. All of them are innocent. #Bahrain
— Mohammed Ashoor (@MohmdAshoor) June 14, 2012— Mohammed Ashoor (@MohmdAshoor) June 14, 2012
9.49am: "Virtually everyone I met [in Syria] asked one thing and that was 'why is the world not doing anything to help us?'" said Amnesty's senior crisis response adviser Donatella Rovera.9.49am: "Virtually everyone I met [in Syria] asked one thing and that was 'why is the world not doing anything to help us?'" said Amnesty's senior crisis response adviser Donatella Rovera.
Speaking in a video to accompany Amnesty's new report, she added: "Everyday I saw people being killed and injured."Speaking in a video to accompany Amnesty's new report, she added: "Everyday I saw people being killed and injured."
9.43am: China has again signalled its backing for Syria.9.43am: China has again signalled its backing for Syria.
China's foreign ministry said it does not approve of excessive reliance on pressure or sanctions to address the crisis, al-Jazeera reports.China's foreign ministry said it does not approve of excessive reliance on pressure or sanctions to address the crisis, al-Jazeera reports.
SyriaSyria
• Amnesty International has documented fresh evidence of crimes against humanity and war crimes being perpetrated as part of state policy, based on the more than 200 interviews with eyewitnesses, victims and their families. Donatella Rovera, who spent several weeks undercover in Syria conducting the research, urged the UN to take decisive action to stop attacks civilians.• Amnesty International has documented fresh evidence of crimes against humanity and war crimes being perpetrated as part of state policy, based on the more than 200 interviews with eyewitnesses, victims and their families. Donatella Rovera, who spent several weeks undercover in Syria conducting the research, urged the UN to take decisive action to stop attacks civilians.
For more than a year the UN Security Council has dithered, while a human rights crisis unfolded in Syria. It must now break the impasse and take concrete action to end to these violations and to hold to account those responsible.For more than a year the UN Security Council has dithered, while a human rights crisis unfolded in Syria. It must now break the impasse and take concrete action to end to these violations and to hold to account those responsible.
The report calls on Russia and China to halt arms sales to Syria and for Assad regime to be referred to the international criminal court.The report calls on Russia and China to halt arms sales to Syria and for Assad regime to be referred to the international criminal court.
• A bus bomb has exploded in the capital Damascus, the state news agency Sana reported. Security reinforcement rushed to the area, and heavy gunfire was heard afterwards, an activist in the city said.• A bus bomb has exploded in the capital Damascus, the state news agency Sana reported. Security reinforcement rushed to the area, and heavy gunfire was heard afterwards, an activist in the city said.
• The US has alleged that Russian-made weapons are killing Syrians on "an hourly basis" as the accusations fly between Washington and Moscow over arms supplied to Syria. In the face of a strong denial from the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, stood by her assertion that Russian attack helicopters are on their way to Syria.• The US has alleged that Russian-made weapons are killing Syrians on "an hourly basis" as the accusations fly between Washington and Moscow over arms supplied to Syria. In the face of a strong denial from the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, stood by her assertion that Russian attack helicopters are on their way to Syria.
Here's a run-down of the diplomatic ding-dong so far:Here's a run-down of the diplomatic ding-dong so far:
Clinton: "They have, from time to time, said that we shouldn't worry, [that] everything they're shipping is unrelated to [Syria's] actions internally. That's patently untrue, and we are concerned about the latest information we have that there are attack helicopters on the way from Russia to Syria which will escalate the conflict quite dramatically."Clinton: "They have, from time to time, said that we shouldn't worry, [that] everything they're shipping is unrelated to [Syria's] actions internally. That's patently untrue, and we are concerned about the latest information we have that there are attack helicopters on the way from Russia to Syria which will escalate the conflict quite dramatically."
Lavrov: "We are not delivering to Syria, or anywhere else, items that could be used against peaceful demonstrators. In this we differ from the United States, which regularly delivers riot control equipment to the region, including a recent delivery to a Persian Gulf country [Bahrain]. But for some reason the Americans consider this to be fine ... [The US is] providing arms and weapons to the Syrian opposition that can be used in fighting against the Damascus government."Lavrov: "We are not delivering to Syria, or anywhere else, items that could be used against peaceful demonstrators. In this we differ from the United States, which regularly delivers riot control equipment to the region, including a recent delivery to a Persian Gulf country [Bahrain]. But for some reason the Americans consider this to be fine ... [The US is] providing arms and weapons to the Syrian opposition that can be used in fighting against the Damascus government."
Clinton: "We have repeatedly urged the Russian Government to cut these military ties completely and to suspend all further support and deliveries. Obviously, we know [Russia is supplying helicopters], because they confirm that they continue to deliver .. The United States has provided no military support to the Syrian opposition, none. All of our support has been medical and humanitarian to help relieve the suffering of the Syrian people, a total of $52m so far. We have also provided nonlethal support to the opposition, including things like communications gear."Clinton: "We have repeatedly urged the Russian Government to cut these military ties completely and to suspend all further support and deliveries. Obviously, we know [Russia is supplying helicopters], because they confirm that they continue to deliver .. The United States has provided no military support to the Syrian opposition, none. All of our support has been medical and humanitarian to help relieve the suffering of the Syrian people, a total of $52m so far. We have also provided nonlethal support to the opposition, including things like communications gear."
• The helicopters on their way from Russia to Syria maybe not be new, officials and analyst have told the New York Times.• The helicopters on their way from Russia to Syria maybe not be new, officials and analyst have told the New York Times.
What Clinton did not say, however, was whether the aircraft were new shipments or, as administration officials say is more likely, helicopters that Syria had sent to Russia a few months ago for routine repairs and refurbishing, and which were now about to be returned.What Clinton did not say, however, was whether the aircraft were new shipments or, as administration officials say is more likely, helicopters that Syria had sent to Russia a few months ago for routine repairs and refurbishing, and which were now about to be returned.
• The UN has backtracked on the claims by its peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous that Syria has descended into civil, Foreign Policy reports. It quotes a spokesman for UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon as saying: "it's clear it's not for us to determine or formally characterize the nature of the conflict in Syria."• The UN has backtracked on the claims by its peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous that Syria has descended into civil, Foreign Policy reports. It quotes a spokesman for UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon as saying: "it's clear it's not for us to determine or formally characterize the nature of the conflict in Syria."
• France insists the crisis is a civil war and that all means, including force, should be used under international supervision to help restore peace, the Wall Street Journal reports. French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said he would propose that the UN security council vote on a resolution giving UN members a mandate to intervene in Syria, possibly as part of a military operation.• France insists the crisis is a civil war and that all means, including force, should be used under international supervision to help restore peace, the Wall Street Journal reports. French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said he would propose that the UN security council vote on a resolution giving UN members a mandate to intervene in Syria, possibly as part of a military operation.
• Russia's position on Syria is "shocking, mendacious and indefensible," but Moscow will have to bargained with to find a solution to the crisis, according to Timothy Garton Ash.• Russia's position on Syria is "shocking, mendacious and indefensible," but Moscow will have to bargained with to find a solution to the crisis, according to Timothy Garton Ash.
Have they no other national interests, which might eventually outweigh this one? Now that's a question worth asking. If we are really serious about our commitment to stopping the slaughter in Syria, we in the west have to consider if there are any larger carrots and sticks we can still show Russia, even at some cost to ourselves, so as to achieve a shift in its position.Have they no other national interests, which might eventually outweigh this one? Now that's a question worth asking. If we are really serious about our commitment to stopping the slaughter in Syria, we in the west have to consider if there are any larger carrots and sticks we can still show Russia, even at some cost to ourselves, so as to achieve a shift in its position.
EgyptEgypt
• The future of Egypt's political transition hangs in the balance as the country awaits a court verdict on the constitutionality of both the new parliament and the presidential election, Ahram online reports. The High Constitutional Court is due to rule on two cases. The first could dissolve the new parliament on the grounds that the way MPs were elected was unconstitutional. The second could disqualify former prime Ahmed Shafiq as a candidate in the this weekend's president runoff on the grounds that as a member of the former regime he is prohibited from standing.• The future of Egypt's political transition hangs in the balance as the country awaits a court verdict on the constitutionality of both the new parliament and the presidential election, Ahram online reports. The High Constitutional Court is due to rule on two cases. The first could dissolve the new parliament on the grounds that the way MPs were elected was unconstitutional. The second could disqualify former prime Ahmed Shafiq as a candidate in the this weekend's president runoff on the grounds that as a member of the former regime he is prohibited from standing.
TunisiaTunisia
• A military court has sentenced former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to life in prison in connection with the killing of 23 demonstrators by police during the revolt that sparked the Arab spring. The mixed panel of military and civilian judges pronounced Ben Ali guilty of complicity in murder and attempted murder. Prosecuting lawyers had sought to prove there were high-level orders to kill protesters. However, lawyers on both sides said they were disappointed that investigating magistrates had failed to reconstruct the exact sequence of events in the hours leading up to the deaths.• A military court has sentenced former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to life in prison in connection with the killing of 23 demonstrators by police during the revolt that sparked the Arab spring. The mixed panel of military and civilian judges pronounced Ben Ali guilty of complicity in murder and attempted murder. Prosecuting lawyers had sought to prove there were high-level orders to kill protesters. However, lawyers on both sides said they were disappointed that investigating magistrates had failed to reconstruct the exact sequence of events in the hours leading up to the deaths.
LibyaLibya
• The Libyan leadership said it was powerless to release four officials from the international criminal court who are being detained after visiting Muammar Gaddafi's imprisoned son, Saif al-Islam, writes Julian Borger. • The Libyan leadership said it was powerless to release four officials from the international criminal court who are being detained after visiting Muammar Gaddafi's imprisoned son, Saif al-Islam, writes Julian Borger.
The Libyan attorney general's office said that the ICC detainees, who were organising Saif's legal defence, would be held for 45 days during the investigation, deepening the crisis in relations between Libya and the international community over the incident. The four appear to have been caught in a three-way tussle between the Tripoli government, the Zintan militia holding Saif, and the ICC over where Saif should be put on trial for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the Libyan insurrection last year.The Libyan attorney general's office said that the ICC detainees, who were organising Saif's legal defence, would be held for 45 days during the investigation, deepening the crisis in relations between Libya and the international community over the incident. The four appear to have been caught in a three-way tussle between the Tripoli government, the Zintan militia holding Saif, and the ICC over where Saif should be put on trial for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the Libyan insurrection last year.