The Contagion Today

Egypt army apologizes for beating protesters CAIRO — Egypt's ruling military council apologized on Saturday after military police beat protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, but activists called for fresh protests to denounce violence by the authorities.

Egypt backs constitution changes (BBC) The army in Egypt has passed a draft of constitutional amendments to be submitted to a national referendum. Under the proposed changes, the president would only be allowed to serve two four-year terms.

After Iraq's Day of Rage, a Crackdown on Intellectuals (Washington Post)Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who only recently formed a fragile governing coalition that is supported by the United States, was apparently concerned about the protest billed as Iraq's "Day of Rage."

Algerian police block new protests (AFP) ALGIERS — Several hundred riot police blocked a new opposition attempt to stage an anti-government march in the centre of the Algerian capital Saturday.

Algerian nationality will be withdrawn from those who chose the French one According to corroborating sources, the interest felt by first head of State for this issue would be due to the fact that many Algerians who have two nationalities, French and Algerian represent a threat to the country.

At least three killed in Tunisian clashes Renewed clashes in Tunisia left at least three people killed and a dozen injured late Saturday, the Tunisian Interior Ministry said, dpa reported.
The demonstrators were killed in violent clashes in Tunis, the ministry said.

Mostly peaceful protests in Morocco today According to the Moroccan media 'Yabiladi' - the only one covering today's protests - the largest protests had gathered in Casablanca, Morocco's largest city. The 'Yabiladi' journalist present estimated the crowd at around 4000, while organisers put it ...

Unrest in the Middle East and Africa -- country by country

Turkey objects to sanctions against Libya New York, 26 February – Ahead of today's meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss a draft resolution forwarded by the US, Great Britain, France and Germany calling for an arms embargo on Libya and a travel ban as well as an asset freeze against Colonel Ghadafi, his family and top officials supporting him, Turkey voiced out its strong objections.

Leading Yemeni tribal figure says Saleh must go (Reuters) - A prominent Yemeni tribal figure resigned from President Ali Abdullah Saleh's ruling party on Saturday and called for the veteran Arab leader's overthrow, a day after fierce clashes in Aden killed seven people.

Reform best antidote to Yemen secessionists "Yemen is in dire need of a political settlement. Otherwise those advocating southern secession will gain the upper hand," Ali Hussein Ashal told Reuters in an interview in Sanaa.

Bahrain opposition demands resignation of prime minister Bahrain’s increasingly assertive opposition movement flexed its muscles on Saturday, staging a massive demonstration in central Manama at short notice to demand the ousting of the kingdom’s prime minister.

Peaceful protests spread to other parts of Oman A woman blogger, who writes Random Ramblings about Life in Salalah under the name of Dhofari Gucci, has written: "Protesters gathered outside the Governor's office after Friday prayers and evidently they have not moved and won't until their demands have been fulfilled. I sent my brother to investigate. They've been chanting ‘People want an end to corruption'."

Online call for protests in China prompts crackdown Authorities have responded to the anonymous campaign calling for pro-democracy demonstrations across China with detention of human rights activists, greater Internet censorship and pressure on foreign journalists