· February, 2011

Stories about West Asia & North Africa from February, 2011

Iran: A Blogger Who Prayed to See Protesters Beaten

After widespread protests in Iran on February 14, Iranian cyber-activists flooded the internet with videos, photos and tweets from the demonstrations. Meanwhile, a different interpretation of events exists on the internet too. Iranian pro-government Islamist bloggers are also prolific when it comes to sharing their thoughts online.

28 February 2011

Bahrain: Protests Block National Assembly Building

Anti government protesters on Monday morning blocked the National Council building where both Parliament and the Shura (Consultative) Councils hold their weekly sessions. The reason for the protest in front of the National Assembly is to topple the bicameral system in addition to the protesters' other demands for a new constitution and the toppling of the regime.

28 February 2011

Oman: Protests Continue in Sohar

The waves of Arab revolt have reached the shores of Oman as hundreds of Omanis take to the streets in calls for reform and the end of corruption in different areas across the Sultanate. The killing of protesters by riot police sparked more anger - as protesters burned property in retaliation.

28 February 2011

Libya: “The only thing we want is our freedom” (Audio)

Sunday, February 27 brought another day of bloodshed in Libya, as an uprising against Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi's 40-year rule continued into the 11th day. Phone calls with Libyans that have been shared online and translated, show that citizens are still struggling with even basic security.

28 February 2011

Libya: Fear and Chaos at Tripoli Airport

Fear, chaos, hysteria and despair - all these words have been used to describe Libyan capital Tripoli's airport over the past few days. Since uprisings began against the country's leader Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi on the night of February 16, 2011 (#Feb17), Libya has been in a state of uncertainty.

27 February 2011

Tunisia: Prime Minister Resigns Following a Bloody Saturday

Interim government Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannoushi has stepped down following a bloody Saturday in the capital Tunis. The clashes that started on Friday night in Habib Bourguiba Avenue, between security forces and protesters led to the death of three persons.

27 February 2011

Lebanon: March Against Sectarianism #Feb27 #uniteLB

Lebanese activists are marching today, Feb27, at noon, to demand the end of the confessional system that rules Lebanon. The activists are using this Facebook group to organize. The Unite Lebanon hashtag #uniteLb is also used for...

27 February 2011

Oman: The People Want an End to Corruption

"The people want an end to corruption" chanted thousands of Omanis, who have been protesting since Friday in Salalah and Sohar, as well as other parts of Oman. Ministerial changes announced earlier today did little to make protesters return to their homes and demands range from an end to corruption to more social, economic and political reforms.

26 February 2011

Latin America: On teleSUR's Coverage of Libya Uprising

Latin American news channel teleSUR managed earlier this week to send several journalists into Tripoli to cover the ongoing uprising in Libya. Nonetheless, its coverage, which seems quite different to the one provided by other international news media, has caught the attention of many Latin American netizens.

26 February 2011

Armenia: Social Networks for Social Revolution?

With uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world, the extra-parliamentary opposition in Armenia is now seeking to replicate events in the former Soviet republic, and not least because 1 March 2011 will mark the 3rd anniversary of post-presidential election clashes which left 10 people dead.

26 February 2011

Yemen: “I beg you to help us NOW”

While much of Yemen protested peacefully, the country's military used tear gas and fired live weapons on protesters in the sea port of Aden. President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the demonstrations had been hijacked by separatists. But those on the ground claim non-violent protesters were shot and killed.

26 February 2011

Bahrain: Minor Ministerial Changes

Ministerial changes were announced in Bahrain last night to appease protesters calling for reforms since February 14. Here are reactions to the changes, which are yet to be officially announced.

26 February 2011

Tunisia: Peaceful Protests Turn into Violent Confrontations

Protests calling for immediate political reforms and the resignation of Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannoushi continue in Tunisia. Apparently, the ousting of the former President Ben Ali is not good enough for a large portion of Tunisians who seek an overthrow of the whole regime and cutting all ties with the past.

26 February 2011

Armenia: Apathy or revolution?

Footprints compares the situation in Armenia with that in Egypt, but says that despite the problems it is unlikely a similar uprising will occur. In particular, the blog blames apathy...

26 February 2011

Iraq: To the entire WORLD, #IRAQIS are coming…

Iraqi people were inspired the revolutions around the Arab world and announced their own day of rage on the 25th February. The main demonstration centred on Tahrir square in Baghdad but there were similar protests all over the country.

26 February 2011

Egypt: Revolution's Not Over, Army Attacks Protestors

One month after a revolution began to demand political reform, Cairo's Tahrir Square was again the scene for bloody violence as the Egyptian army moved to quash continued protests for civilian rule. Two weeks since the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak, Egypt remains grappled in a tug of war between protestor demands for immediate democratic reform and a potent military refusing to cede power.

26 February 2011

Bahrain: Day of Mourning Observed

Friday (Feb 25) was officially announced as a 'Day of Mourning' for all the martyrs who have fallen since Bahrain's Day of Wrath protests, which started on February 14th 2011. Netizens reflect on the day.

26 February 2011

About our West Asia & North Africa coverage

Walid El Houri
Walid El Houri is the West Asia and North Africa Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.