The Arab world’s eyes and ears continue to strain to better gauge the situation in Libya, where Muammar Gaddafi appears to be using all means at his disposal to hold on to power.
A R A B I C A ارابيكا
By Kristen Gillespie
FUZZY PICTURE
*The Arab world’s eyes and ears continue to strain to better gauge the situation in Libya, where Muammar Gaddafi appears to be using all means at his disposal to hold on to power. There are reports of a major assault underway by loyal Gaddafi troops on rebel forces, and the Colonel gave another rambling televised discourse, accusing protesters of serving the interests of Al-Qaeda and trying drugging the coffee and milk of Libyans “to take control of them.” Meanwhile, defections from his regime continued, with Libya’s ambassador to Jordan announcing his resignation and support for the revolution.
*Lebanon reportedly refused to allow a private plane carrying the wife of Gaddafi’s son, Hannibal, among others. Aline Skaf is of Lebanese origin.
Hannibal and Aline were arrested in Switzerland in 2008 for allegedly abusing their servants, sparking a serious diplomatic crisis between Libya and Switzerland.
‘SHOCKING” (IN THE GOOD SENSE) VIDEO
*This YouTube video shows an elongated Egyptian flag connecting a church to a mosque in the port city of Alexandria as people in the streets honk horns, applaud and cheer. Referring to widespread beliefs that the Egyptian government fomented sectarian strife between Muslims and Christians, one commentator wrote, “people in the state intelligence video would have a heart attack if they saw this video.”
A QUESTION
*Democracy activist Wael Ghonim reminds his 94,000 Twitter followers about former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s son, Gamal Mubarak, a former adviser to his father who reportedly helped amass those hidden billions of dollars: “Gamal Mubarak is still free although all his friends are being tried or have had their assets frozen… Why?”
VIOLENT CLASH IN JORDAN
*The Jordanian government arrests two people in connection with violence against protesters last Friday; 11 more arrest warrants issued. Another opposition protest is scheduled for this Friday following afternoon prayers.
NON-VIOLENT CLASH IN JORDAN
*Employees of Jordan’s state-run newspaper, Al Rai, staged the first sit-in in the paper’s history, demanding higher salaries – and journalism standards. Omar Assaf, the former assistant editor who resigned in protest against the paper’s editorial policies, said “We tried to reform the paper and make it more professional, but ran into a wall.”
Feb. 24, 2011
photo credit: illustir
