The Contagion – Today

Factbox - Quotes from witnesses on Libyan unrest

Libya: Celebrations in opposition-controlled east (BBC) The BBC's Jon Leyne is one of the first foreign journalists to enter Libya since the anti-government protests erupted last week.

Kuwait with problems of its own sees protesters take the streets over citizenship dispute “Thanks to events in Tunisia and Egypt, we have broken the fear barrier, and many Bedouin joined the demonstrations, including children,” Musaad Al-Shamari, a 35-year-old resident of Kuwait without citizenship papers, told The Media Line. “The street refuses the restrictions imposed on it by the government. People are demanding their honor.” The number of Bedouin, an Arabic abbreviation of Bidoon Jinsiyah or “without citizenship,” is estimated at between 100,000 and 120,000 in a population of 2.8 million.

Kuwait Denies Death of Protesters Kuwait on Sunday denied that police crackdown on protests in the past two days by stateless Arabs led to death and severe injuries. The Interior Ministry said "some minor injuries were treated at the location, while others were taken to hospital. The protests took place Friday and Saturday, at this stage, it is unknown if the Bedouins have staged more demonstrations.

More on the story Kuwait urges end to protests by nomadic tribes seeking state recognition (Canadian Press)

Jordan's Muslim opposition say protests to resume; Government condemns Libya's ... AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan's powerful Muslim Brotherhood vowed to resume protests, saying Tuesday that the government did not keep a promise of speedy reforms.

Jordan's politicians demand limit to king's powers AMMAN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah faces unprecedented calls by a mix of Islamists, liberals and traditional supporters for moves towards a constitutional monarchy, Jordanian politicians said on Tuesday.

Algeria govt adopts order ending emergency powers Reuters ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algeria's cabinet on Tuesday adopted an order to lift the 19-year-old state of emergency, a concession designed to keep out a wave of protests sweeping the Arab world.

Algeria's state of emergency to be lifted 'imminently' BBC Algeria's government has adopted a draft order to lift the country's 19-year-old state of emergency, the official APS news agency reports.

Morocco tense after new riots erupt Unconfirmed Demonstrators clashed with police in Imzouren in the north Monday, media reported. Four people were reported to have been injured and several arrested. The demonstrators were marching to demand the release of other protesters who had been detained Sunday. Rallies were also staged in Fez, Tangier and the capital Rabat Monday. Several people were reportedly arrested in Fez.

If Libya revolts, Saudi Arabia could be next (Financial Times) It is a very dangerous game to try and predict what will happen next in the Middle East and North Africa at the moment, …./…The key assumption as far as Libya was concerned was that with high oil revenues and a small population, Gaddafi was safe…./… But it seems now that people want more than just financial security and the stability that comes with high oil revenues: they want freedom. And if they want that in Libya, which has a GDP-per-capita of around $12,000, why shouldn’t they want the same in Saudi Arabia, whose income per head is only slightly higher at $14,000 a year?

Spain's Repsol suspends oil production in Libya

Yemen protesters clash Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied across Yemen on Tuesday, burning a car belonging to supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the capital of Sanaa and chanting for the ruler to leave.

Exuberance, song and cucumbers at Yemen rally SANAA, Feb 22 (Reuters) - A woman veiled from head to toe takes the stage at a student rally against President Ali Abdullah Saleh and addresses the mostly male gathering. "I come from the province of Mareb, which is even more conservative than here. I ask you to let your women join the demonstrations," she tells the cheering crowd.

Thousands of Protesters Take to Streets in Hadramout (Yemen)

Masses of Pro-government supporters gather in Taiz (Yemen)

Bahrain's king orders the release of political prisoners as anti-government ... By Daily Mail Reporter Bahrain's king has ordered the release of some political prisoners, conceding to another opposition demand as the embattled monarchy tries to engage protesters in talks aimed at ending an uprising.

In Bahrain, Shiites Turn Out to Protest New York Times MANAMA, Bahrain — More than 100,000 protesters poured into the central Pearl Square here on Tuesday in an unbroken stream stretching back for miles along a central highway in the biggest antigovernment demonstration yet in this tiny Persian Gulf kingdom.

Protests continue in Bahrain as Shiite leader calls for end of monarchy Washington Post