SYRIA: Government fires on protesters, cuts off Internet.
Syrian security forces opened fire during one of the largest anti- government protests so far in the 10-week uprising. Activists said at least 34 people were killed in the city of Hama.
Authorities also cut Internet service across most of the country, a potentially dire blow for a movement that motivates people with graphic YouTube videos of the crackdown and organizes protests on Facebook.
A witness in Hama said there were about 150,000 demonstrators, an unprecedented number if confirmed.
LIBYA: Rebels report victories.
Libyan rebels forced government troops from three western towns and broke the siege on another, a rebel commander said, and NATO pounded targets across the country.
The heavy bombing and rebel victory, plus the first publicized diplomatic contact between China and the rebel leadership, reflected the continued erosion of Moammar Khadafy’s power.
A rebel military leader said local fighters won control of four towns in the western Nafusa mountain range, where government forces have besieged and randomly shelled rebel-held areas for months.
BAHRAIN: Protesters met with tear gas.
Bahraini police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters marching toward the landmark Pearl Square in the country’s capital, two days after emergency rule ended.
The downtown square was the focus of weeks of Shiite-led protests against the Persian Gulf nation’s Sunni rulers earlier this year. There were no reports of casualties among the hundreds of opposition supporters who took their grievances to the streets for the first time since martial law was imposed more than two months ago.
EGYPT: 500 rally for quick trial of Mubarak.
Close to 500 protesters rallied in Cairo’s downtown Tahrir Square, carrying signs and chanting for the speedy trial of former President Hosni Mubarak. Some called for Mubarak, his wife, Suzanne, and other members of his regime to be tried publicly or on TV.
JORDAN: Crowds call for prime minister’s resignation.
Pro-reform activists took to the streets across Jordan, stepping up their calls for the prime minister to resign because they say he has failed to fight corruption.
About 3,000 people, including leftists and members of Jordan’s powerful Muslim Brotherhood, protested in seven cities. The opposition also accuses Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit of stalling on demands for political reforms and new parliamentary elections.
TUNISIA: Ousted strongman to be tried.
A trial is expected to begin this month for Tunisia’s ousted strongman, who is facing charges in connection with the discovery of caches of millions of euros worth of foreign currency, drugs and arms, the Justice Ministry spokesman said. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia in January.
Denver Post wire services
