Egypt army behaves as if Mubarak ouster ‘was coup d’etat’
CAIRO - Its tanks were cheered by raucous crowds during the January revolt, but today the army is under fire for pulling the reins on reform as it scrambles to retain some influence in Egypt's future, analysts say.As Egyptians prepare to vote Monday in the country's first legislative elections since the uprising, the military which took...It’s January again in Tahrir Square
CAIRO (IPS) — Days of clashes between protesters and security forces culminated on Tuesday evening in what was estimated to be a million-man rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square to demand an end to military rule. The new political crisis has prompted fears that Egypt's first post-Mubarak parliamentary polls, slated to begin only five days...Protests flare anew in Saudi Arabia
Two men shot dead in gunfight between police, gunmen who "infiltrated" funeral of another protester in Qatif.RIYADH - Two men were shot dead during renewed Shi'a protests in Saudi Arabia, as police exchanged fire with gunmen who "infiltrated" the funeral of another protester, the interior ministry said Thursday.It said the new deaths...
Lebanon: Mikati to quit if STL funding fails
November 28th, 20110 BEIRUT - Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Thursday night he would resign if the Cabinet failed next week to approve the payment of Lebanon’s share to the funding of a U.N.-backed court, in a dramatic move that would plunge the divided country into further political turmoil.Mikati warned that failure to fund the Special Tribunal...
Militarization of Syria revolt would lead to war, analysts say
November 28th, 20110 A militarization of the anti-government revolt in Syria, an option favored by some within the opposition, would inevitably lead to civil war, analysts warn."For now, the majority of the protesters want the movement to remain peaceful but after months of repression there is a risk of militarization," said Agnes Levallois, a Paris-based...
Saudi brokered deal grants Saleh ‘immunity’
November 27th, 20110 SANAA — Yemen's autocratic leader agreed Wednesday to step down after months of demonstrations against his 33-year rule, pleasing the U.S. and its Gulf allies who feared that collapsing security in the impoverished nation was allowing an active al-Qaida franchise to step up operations.President Ali Abdullah Saleh is the fourth leader...Leaked UN report reveals torture, lynchings and abuse in post-Gaddafi Libya
NEW YORK — Thousands of people, including women and children, are being illegally detained by rebel militias in Libya, according to a report by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Many of the prisoners are suffering torture and systematic mistreatment while being held in private jails outside the control of the country's new...
Hizbullah claims ‘victory’ over CIA
November 27th, 20110 Hizbullah boasts it has succeeded in exposing CIA operatives in Lebanon, urges government to take measures against U.S. embassy.BEIRUT - Hizbullah boasted last Wednesday that it has succeeded in exposing CIA operatives in Lebanon and urged the government to take immediate measures against the U.S. embassy near...
Use of torture confirmed by Bahrain commission
November 27th, 20110 WASHINGTON/Manama — The use of torture and the systematic mistreatment of detainees by the authorities have been confirmed by an independent commission set up by the government of Bahrain to look into the violence surrounding the rise and suppression of the Arab Spring movement in the Gulf state earlier this year.Mahmoud Cherif...
Romney Middle East advisor tied to brutal Lebanese militia
November 26th, 20110 Recently-announced Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Middle East advisory group co-chair has raised concerns after details about his role in Lebanon's brutal 15-year civil war have surfaced. Walid Phares is a college professor, author, and prides himself as a counter-terrorism expert, but hidden beyond the pages of his...Poll: Gingrich takes lead in GOP field, Romney drops to third
Both Romney & Gingrich in dead heat with ObamaUTICA, NY — Newt Gingrich has surged into the lead of the Republican field for President among primary voters with 32%, followed by Herman Cain at 26%, Mitt Romney at 14% and Ron Paul at 8%. In theoretical match-ups with Barack Obama among all voters, both Romney and Gingrich are...Lebanon of two minds: Syria conflict deepens rift between political rivals
BEIRUT (MEO) — Lebanon's decision to stand by Syria's embattled Bashar al-Assad has deepened the rift between the Hizbullah-dominated government and the opposition. People wave Syrian flags and carry a poster depicting Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon's Hizbullah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during a rally to show...Palestinian president to pledge swift action on unity government
RAMALLAH — Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas was to pledge on Wednesday swift efforts with Hamas to form an interim government, in a speech marking seven years since Yasser Arafat's death.The public address, details of which were explained by a Palestinian official, was timed to coincide with the 23rd anniversary of the Palestinian...
Arab League decision deepens Syrian divide, escalates tension
November 18th, 20110 WASHINGTON — Actions by the Arab League this week have given a regional seal of approval to Syrian opposition forces and could mark the beginning of the end of the Assad family which has ruled Syria for more than 40 years. Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani (L) and Arab League Secretary-General...
Kuwaiti Emir orders firm security response to political turmoil
November 18th, 20110 Kuwait City — Kuwait's emir on Thursday ordered authorities to take all necessary measures to maintain security after angry protesters stormed parliament, but the opposition remained defiant. Protesters force open the door of the National Assembly Debate hall during a demonstration in Kuwait City November 16, 2011. Kuwait's emir......
Militia warning as Libyan PM forms government
November 18th, 20110 TRIPOLI — A commander of Libyan former rebels has warned that his men could overthrow the incoming government if it fails to meet their demands for representation. Tripoli's revolutionary fighters take part in a military parade in Tripoli November 17, 2011. REUTERS/Mohammed SalemThe credibility of the threat, made by Tripoli...
Ron Paul talks economics, foreign policy before debate
November 11th, 20110 Paul: “I'm trying to protect America so I don't think we should be in the weapons business, the foreign aid business, and I don't think we should have our foreign policy dictated by any single country." The Texas Congressman spoke with TAAN prior to Wednesday’s debate in his hotel room near Oakland University. PHOTO: Nafeh...
Dearborn Decides: Guido, McDonald win school board seats, proposals 1, 2 pass
November 11th, 20110 Student volunteers and officers from the Arab American Political Action Committee celebrate with newly-elected Dearborn School Board member Roxanne McDonald on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Habib’s Cuisine in Dearborn. ...
Abdel-Hak falls short in Dearborn Heights; millage passes
November 11th, 20110 Haidous re-elected Wayne Mayor for another term, Algazali fails to recapture Hamtramck council seat Kareem Naimi was found voting at the school with his wife and children voting at William Ford Elementary School on Nov. 8. PHOTO: Natasha Dado/TAAN DEARBORN HEIGHTS — After falling short of current Dearborn Heights City Councilman......
Precincts slow in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights
The number of people who came out to vote on Nov. 8 was less than anticipated according to election volunteers from different precincts. William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn had about 2,000 registered voters, but at 3 p.m. on election day less than 100 had voted. According to an Arab American Political Action Committee volunteer,...More killed as Syria begins laying mines along border with Lebanon
DAMASCUS — Syrian security forces killed three people, including a teenager, in two flashpoint provinces on Thursday, amid reports that the army had laid mines along the border with Lebanon."A 15-year-old minor was killed and three people were wounded by security forces during raids" in Dael, a protest hub near the southern city of......
Obama confirms full withdrawal from Iraq by Christmas
WASHINGTON — In a decision promptly denounced by Republicans, President Barack Obama announced here Friday that all U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the Christmas holidays in late December."Today I can say that our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays," Obama told reporters at the White House. "…After...
Nayef named Saudi crown prince
October 30th, 20110 DUBAI — Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has appointed Interior Minister Prince Nayef as the new crown prince, the Royal Court said in a statement issued Friday, signaling an orderly process of future succession in the world's largest oil exporter. Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister Prince Nayef attends a news conference in Mecca in this......
