SYRIA: Crackdown leaves at least 23 dead.
At least 23 anti-government demonstrators have been killed and many others injured in the past three days during a crackdown by Syrian security forces on the central city of Homs and surrounding towns.
EGYPT: Protests planned over claims of abuse, “virginity tests.”
Activists and bloggers are pressing Egypt’s military rulers to investigate accusations of serious abuses against protesters, including claims that soldiers subjected female detainees to “virginity tests.” Bloggers say they will hold a day of online protest today.
LIBYA: Gadhafi pledges to stay; several military commanders leave.
Moammar Gadhafi insists he will not leave his country, South African President Jacob Zuma said Tuesday after he met the embattled Libyan ruler. On Tuesday, Italy’s foreign minister pledged to provide Libya’s rebels with fuel and hundreds of millions of dollars backed by frozen assets of Gadhafi’s regime. Defections from the Gadhafi regime appear to be speeding up. Thirteen servicemen loyal to Gadhafi, including a colonel and four commanders, have fled to neighboring Tunisia, the official Tunisian news agency said.
Denver Post wire services
