YEMEN: Saleh returns after 3 months in Saudi Arabia.
State television and radio say President Ali Abdullah Saleh has returned to the country from Saudi Arabia after an absence of more than three months.
The media say Saleh arrived in Sana by private plane at dawn today as heavy fighting raged in the Yemeni capital. There were no other details.
Saleh left Yemen for Saudi Arabia in June after he was seriously injured in a rocket attack on his presidential compound.
Yemen’s turmoil began in February as the unrest spreading through the Arab world set off largely peaceful protests in the deeply impoverished and unstable country.
On Thursday, renewed violence in Sana killed at least 15 people as forces loyal to the regime and its opponents shelled each other’s strategic positions from hills surrounding the city. The shelling terrified residents and emptied out city streets already pockmarked by battles between rival forces in different corners of the capital.
SYRIA: Student protesters beaten up; activists flee to Libya.
Students chanting for revolution marched outside the capital and other areas Thursday after class in a new tactic that brought a swift response from security services, who beat up or detained many of the young protesters.
Children as young as 10 have been taking to the streets since the new school year started Sunday, according to witnesses and online videos posted by activists.
ALGERIA: Libyan council gains recognition.
Algeria recognized the National Transitional Council as the legitimate government of Libya. The Foreign Ministry statement declares the government’s willingness to “work closely with the new Libyan authorities.” A close ally of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Algeria withheld its recognition long after the rest of the Arab world and the West backed the rebels in their struggle. Gadhafi’s wife and daughter and two of his sons took refuge in Algeria after rebels stormed the capital.
BAHRAIN: Government warns dissidents ahead of elections.
Bahrain is stepping up pressure on anti-government activists ahead of elections this week, warning they could face jail for posting Web messages urging protests or other acts of dissent. The Interior Ministry statement was part of wider security measures taking shape before the highly charged parliamentary elections Saturday.
Denver Post wire services
