Background Guide Amun

8/6/2019 Background Guide Amun

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Background guide

About g8

The Group of Eight (G8, and formerly the G6 or Group of Six) is a forum,

created by France in 1975,[1] for the governments of six major economies:

France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In

1976, Canada joined the group (thus creating the G7). In 1997, the group added

Russia, thus becoming the G8. In addition, the European Union is represented

within the G8, but cannot host or chair. [2] "G8" can refer to the member states or

to the annual summit meeting of the G8 heads of government.. G8 ministers also

meet throughout the year, such as the G7/8 finance ministers (who meet four

times a year), G8 foreign ministers, or G8 environment ministers.

Collectively, the G8 nations comprise 53.0% of global nominal GDP and 42.5% of

global GDP (PPP). Each calendar year, the responsibility of hosting the G8

rotates through the member states in the following order: France, United States,

United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. The holder of the

presidency sets the agenda, hosts the summit for that year, and determines

which ministerial meetings will take place. Lately, both France and the United

Kingdom have expressed a desire to expand the group to include five developing

countries, referred to as the Outreach Five (O5) or the Plus Five: Brazil, People's

Republic of China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. These countries have

participated as guests in previous meetings, which are sometimes called G8+5

the annual G8 leaders summit is attended by eight of the world's most powerful

heads of government. However, as noted by commentators the G -8 summit is not

the place to flesh out the details of any difficult or controversial policy issue in

the context of a three-day event. Rather, the meeting is to bring a range of

complex and sometimes inter-related issues. The G8 summit brings leaders

together not so they can dream up quick fixes, but to talk and think about them

together.[16]

The member country holding the G8 presidency is responsible fororganizing

and hosting the year's summit.


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Each of the 36 G8 summit meetings have been called a success . The G8 annualsummit sets the stage for what needs to be done and establishes an idea of how

to do it.

Core G8 participants

These summit participants represent the current "core members" of the

international forum:[9]

Member Title

Canada Prime Minister

France President

Germany Chancellor

Italy Prime Minister

Japan Prime Minister

Russia President

United Kingdom Prime Minister

United States President

European Commission PresidentEuropean Council President


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Past summits

DateHost

country

Host

leaderLocation held

1st

Novembe

r 1517,

1975

Fran

ce

Valry Giscard

d'Estaing

2ndJune 27

28, 1976

Unit

ed StatesGerald R. Ford

3rdMay 78,

1977

United

Kingdom

James

Callaghan

4thJuly 16

17, 1978

Ger

manyHelmut Schmidt

5thJune 28

29, 1979

Jap

an

Masayoshi

hira

6thJune 22

23, 1980Italy

Francesco

Cossiga

7thJuly 20

21, 1981

Can

ada

Pierre E.

Trudeau

8thJune 4

6, 1982

Fran

ce

Franois

Mitterrand

9thMay 28

30, 1983

Unit

ed StatesRonald Reagan

10thJune 7

9, 1984

Unit

ed

Kingdom

Margaret

Thatcher

11thMay 24,

1985

Wes

t

Germany

Helmut Kohl

12thMay 46,

1986

Jap

an

Yasuhiro

Nakasone


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13thJune 8

10, 1987Italy

AmintoreFanfan

i

14thJune 19

21, 1988

Can

adaBrian Mulroney

15th July 1416, 1989

France

FranoisMitterrand

16thJuly 9

11, 1990

Unit

ed States

George H. W.

Bush

17thJuly 15

17, 1991

Unit

ed

Kingdom

John Major

18thJuly 68,

1992

Ger

many

Helmut Kohl

19thJuly 79,

1993

Jap

anKiichi Miyazawa

20thJuly 8

10, 1994Italy

Silvio

Berlusconi

21stJune 15

17, 1995

Can

adaJean Chrtien

22ndJune 27

29, 1996

Fran

ceJacques Chirac

23rdJune 20

22, 1997

Unit

ed StatesBill Clinton

24thMay 15

17, 1998

Unit

ed

Kingdom

Tony Blair

25thJune 18

20, 1999

Ger

many

Gerhard

Schrder

26thJuly 21

23, 2000

Jap

anYoshiro Mori

27thJuly 20

22, 2001Italy

Silvio

Berlusconi

28thJune 26

27, 2002

Can

adaJean Chrtien

29th June 2 Fran Jacques Chirac


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3, 2003 ce

30thJune 8

10, 2004

Unit

ed States

George W.

Bush

31stJuly 68,

2005

Unit

edKingdom

Tony Blair

32ndJuly 15

17, 2006

Rus

siaVladimir Putin

33rdJune 6

8, 2007

Ger

manyAngela Merkel

34thJuly 79,

2008

Jap

anYasuo Fukuda

35th July 810, 2009 Italy SilvioBerlusconi

36th

June 25

26,

2010[33]

Can

adaStephen Harper

37thMay 26

27, 2011

Fran

ceNicolas Sarkozy

38th 2012Unit

ed StatesBarack Obama

About the agenda ;

the series of protests and demonstrations across the Middle East and North

Africa has become known as the "Arab Spring",[28][29][30][31][32][33] and

sometimes as the "Arab Spring and Winter",[34] "Arab Awakening"[35] or "Arab

Uprisings"[36] even though not all participants in protests identify as Arab. It was

sparked by the first protests that occurred in Tunisia on 18 December 2010

following Mohamed Bouazizi'sself-immolation in protest of police corruption and

ill treatment.[37][38] With the success of the protests in Tunisia, a wave of unrest

struck Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, and Yemen,[39] then spread to other countries, with


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the largest, most organised demonstrations often occurring on a "day of rage",

usually Friday after noon prayers.[40][41][42] The protests have also triggered

similar unrest outside the region.

As of July 2011, demonstrations have resulted in the overthrow of two heads of

state: Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on 14

January following the Tunisian revolution protests, and in Egypt, PresidentHosni

Mubarak resigned on 11 February 2011, after 18 days of massive protests, ending

his 30-year presidency. During this period of regiona l unrest, several leaders

announced their intentions to step down at the end of their current terms.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashirannounced that he would not seek re-

election in 2015,[43] as did Iraqi Prime MinisterNouri al-Maliki, whose term ends

in 2014,[44] although there have been increasingly violent demonstrations

demanding his immediate resignation. [45] Protests in Jordan have also causedthe resignation of the government [46] resulting in former Prime Minister and

Ambassador to IsraelMarouf al-Bakhit being appointed prime minister by King

Abdullah and tasked with forming a new government. [47] Another leader,

President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, announced on 23 April that he would step

down within 30 days in exchange for immunity, [48] a deal the Yemeni opposition

informally accepted on 26 April; [49]Saleh then reneged on the deal, prolonging

the Yemeni uprising. [50]Libyan leaderMuammar al-Gaddafi has refused to step

down, causing a civil warbetween his loyalists and rebels based in Benghazi.[51]


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Tunisian revolution

Demonstrators in downtown Tunis on 14 January 2011

Main article: Tunisian revolution

Following the self-immolation ofMohamed Bouazizi in SidiBouzid, a series of

increasingly violent street demonstrations through December 2010 ultimately led

to the ouster of longtime PresidentZine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January 2011.

The demonstrations were precipitated by high unemployment, food inflation,

corruption, [164] lack offreedom of speech and other forms ofpolitical

freedom,[165] and poorliving conditions. The protests constituted the most

dramatic wave of social and political unrest in Tunisia in three decades,[166][167]

and have resulted in scores of deaths and injuries, most of which were the result

of action by police and security forces against demonstrators. Ben Ali fled intoexile in Saudi Arabia, ending his 23 years in power.[168][169]

Following Ben Ali's departure, a state of emergency was declared and a caretaker

coalition government was created, which included members of Ben Ali's party,

the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD), as well as opposition figures from

other ministries. However, the five newly appointed non-RCD ministers resigned

almost immediately.[170][171] As a result of continued daily protests, on 27

January Prime MinisterMohamed Ghannouchi reshuffled the government,

removing all former RCD members other than himself, and on 6 February the

former ruling party was suspended;[172] later, on 9 March, it was dissolved.[173]

Following further public protests, Ghannouchi himself resigned on 27 February,

and BejiCaid el Sebsi became Prime Minister.

[edit]

Egyptian revolution


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Main article: 2011 Egyptian revolution

See also: Supreme Council of the Armed Forces#Actions

Celebrations in Tahrir Square afterOmar Suleiman's statement concerning Hosni Mubarak'sresignation

Following the uprising in Tunisia and prior to his entry as a central figure in

Egyptian politics, potential presidential candidateMohamed ElBaradei warned of

a 'Tunisia-style explosion' in Egypt.[174]

Protests in Egypt began on 25 January and ran for 18 days. Beginning around

midnight on 28 January, the Egyptian government attempted, somewhat

successfully, to eliminate the nation's internet access, in order to inhibit the

protesters' ability to organize through social media.[175] Later that day, as tens ofthousands protested on the streets of Egypt's major cities, President Mubarak

dismissed his government, later appointing a new cabinet. Mubarak also

appointed the first Vice President in almost 30 years.[citation needed] On 2

February, pro-Mubarak activists led a counter-protest that turned violent.[citation

needed] Many international journalists complained of harassment and one local

journalist was killed in the protests. [citation needed]

On 10 February, Mubarak ceded all presidential power to Vice President Omar

Suleiman, but soon thereafter announced that he would remain as President untilthe end of his term.[176] However, protests continued the next day, and Suleiman

quickly announced that Mubarak had resigned from the presidency and

transferred power to the Armed Forces of Egypt.[177] The military immediately

dissolved the Egyptian Parliament, suspended the Constitution of Egypt, and

promised to lift the nation's thirty-year "emergency laws". It further promised to

hold free, open elections within the next six months, or by the end of the year at

the latest.[citation needed] A civilian, EssamSharaf, was appointed as Prime Minister

of Egypt on 4 March to widespread approval among Egyptians in Tahrir

Square.[178] Protests have continued through July 2011, however, in response to

Sharaf and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' perceived sluggishness in

instituting reforms.[179]

[edit]

Libyan civil war


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Thousands of demonstrators gather in Al Bayda

Main article: 2011 Libyan civil war

The protest began in Libya, after the success of the revolution of Tunisia and

went out the first demonstration to protest living conditions in the city of Al

Bayda on 14 January, and protesters clashed with police and attackedgovernment offices.[180][181] Anti-government protests began in Libya on 15

February 2011. By 18 February, the opposition controlled most ofBenghazi, the

country's second-largest city. The government dispatched elite troops and

mercenaries in an attempt to recapture it, but they were repelled. By 20 February,

protests had spread to the capital Tripoli, leading to a television address by Seif

al-Islam Gaddafi, who warned the protestors that their country could descend

into civil war. The rising death toll, which currently numbers in the thousands,

was drawing international condemnation, resulting in the resignation of several

Libyan diplomats and their call for the regime's dismantlement. [citation needed]

On 26 February 2011, amidst ongoing efforts by demonstrators and rebel forces

to wrest control of Tripoli from thejamahiriya, the opposition set up an interim

government in Benghazi to oppose Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's rule.[182][183]

However, despite initial opposition success, government forces subsequently

took back much of the Mediterranean coast.[citation needed]

On 17 March, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 was adopted,

authorising a no-fly zone over Libya, and "all necessary measures" to protect

civilians. Two days later, France, the United States and the UnitedKingdomintervened in Libya with a bombing campaign against pro-Gaddafi

forces. A coalition of 27 states from Europe and the Middle East soon joined the

intervention. The forces were driven back from the outskirts of Benghazi, and the

rebels mounted an offensive, capturing scores of towns across the coast of

Libya. The offensive stalled however, and a counter-offensive by the government


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retook most of the towns, until a stalemate was formed between Brega and

Ajdabiya, the former being held by the government and the latter in the hands of

the rebels. Focus then shifted to the west of the country, where bitter fighting

continued. After a three-month-long battle, a loyalist siege of rebel-held Misrata,

the third largest city in Libya, was broken in large part due to coalition air strikes.The three major fronts of combat are generally considered to be the Nafusa

Mountains (also known as the Western Mountains), Misrata District, and the Gulf

of Sidra,[184] though a fourth front may have opened as of late July 2011 in the

southern Libyan Desert.[185]

[edit]

Syrian uprising

Main article: 2011 Syrian uprising

Large protests in Al-Assysquare in Hama

Protests in Syria started on 26 January, when one case of self-immolation wasreported. Protesters have been calling for political reforms and the reinstatement

of civil rights, as well as an end to the state of emergency which has been in

place since 1963.[186] A "day of rage" was set for 45 February, but it was

uneventful.[187][188]

Thousands of protestors gathered in Damascus, Aleppo, al-Hasakah, Daraa,

Deirez-Zor, and Hama on 15 March,[189][190][191][192] with recently released

politician SuhairAtassi becoming an unofficial spokesperson for the 'Syrian

revolution'.[193][194][195][196] The next day there were reports of approximately3000 arrests and a few 'martyrs', but there are no official figures on the number of

deaths.[197] Protests have continued through July 2011, with the government

responding with harsh security clampdowns and military operations in several

districts, especially in the north.[198]

[edit]


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Yemeni uprising

Main article: 2011 Yemeni uprising

Protesters in Sana'a on 3 February.

Protests occurred in many towns in both the north and south of Yemen starting

in mid-January. Demonstrators initially protested against governmental

proposals to modify the constitution of Yemen, unemployment and economic

conditions,[199] and corruption,[200] but their demands soon included a call for

the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh,[119][200][201] who had been facing

internal opposition from his closest advisors since 2009.[202] A major

demonstration of over 16,000 protesters took place in Sana'a on 27 January,[203]

and soon thereafterhuman rights activist and politician Tawakel Karman called

for a "Day of Rage" on 3 February.[204] According to Xinhua News, organizerswere calling for a million protesters.[205] In response to the planned protest, Ali

Abdullah Saleh stated that he would not seek anotherpresidential term in

2013.[206]

On 3 February, 20,000 protesters demonstrated against the government in

Sana'a,[207][208] others participated in a "Day of Rage" in Aden[209] that was

called for by Tawakel Karman,[204] while soldiers, armed members of the General

People's Congress, and many protestors held a pro-government rally in

Sana'a.[210] Concurrent with the resignation of Egyptian president Mubarak,

Yemenis again took to the streets protesting President Saleh on 11 February, in

what has been dubbed a "Friday of Rage".[211] The protests continued in the days

following despite clashes with government advocates.[212] In a "Friday of Anger"

held on 18 February, tens of thousands of Yemenis took part in anti-government

demonstrations in the major cities ofSana'a, Taiz, and Aden. In the capital,

Sana'a, the crowd marched towards the Presidential Palace, chanting anti-


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government slogans, despite the attempts of riot police to stop them. Three

people were killed in the demonstrations, one of whom was killed by a hand

grenade in Taiz. There were also reports of gunfire in Aden during a rally, and as

the riots continued overnight protesters set fire to a local government building.

Security forces killed one demonstrator, and killed another demonstrator duringprotests the following day.[213] Protests continued over the following months,

especially in the three major cities, and briefly intensified in late May into urban

warfare between Hashid tribesmen and army defectors allied with the opposition

on one side and security forces and militias loyal to Saleh on the other.[214]

After Saleh agreed to accept a Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered plan allowing

him to cede power in exchange for immunity only to back away before signing

three separate times,[215][216] an assassination attempt on 3 June left him and

several other high-ranking Yemeni officials injured by a blast in the presidentialcompound's mosque.[217]Saleh was evacuated to Saudi Arabia for treatment, but

he handed over power to Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi, who has

largely continued his policies[218] and ordered the arrest of several Yemenis in

connection with the attack on the presidential compound.[217] It is unclear

whether Saleh will return from Saudi Arabia or when he might do so, but he

appeared briefly on television from Riyadh to address the Yemeni people on 7

July.[219] Protests have continued in his absence and are ongoing as of July

2011.[220]

[edit]

Concurrent incidents

Concurrent with the events in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen, protests

flared up in other parts of the region, some of them becoming violent, some of

them facing strong suppression efforts, and some of them resulting in various

political changes.

[edit]

AlgeriaMain article: 20102011 Algerian protests

8 January protests in Algeria.

On 29 December, protests began in Algiers over the lack of housing, quickly

escalating to violent confrontations with the police. At least 53 people were


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reported injured and another 29 arrested.[221] Over the course of the Algerian

protests, three demonstrators were killed, over 800 were injured, and at least

1,100 were arrested.[citation needed] From 1219 January, a wave of self-immolation

attempts swept the country, beginning with Mohamed Aouichia, who set himself

on fire in BordjMenaiel in protest at his family's housing. On 13 January, MohsenBouterfifset himself on fire after a meeting with the mayor ofBoukhadra in

Tebessa, who had been unable to offer Bouterfif a job and a house. Bouterfif

reportedly died a few days later, and about 100 youths protested his death,

resulting in the mayor's dismissal by the provincial governor. At least ten other

self-immolation attempts were reported that week.[citation needed] On 22 January,

the RCD party organised a demonstration for democracy in Algiers, and though

illegal under the State of Emergency enacted in 1992, it was attended by about

300 people. The demonstration was suppressed by police, with 42 reported

injuries. On 29 January, at least ten thousand people marched in the northeastern

city ofBjaa.[222]

In an apparent bid to stave off unrest, President AbdelazizBouteflika announced

on 3 February that the 19-year state of emergency would be lifted,[223] a promise

fulfilled on 22 February when Algeria's cabinet adopted an order to lift the state of

emergency.[224][225]Bouteflika said on 15 April that he would seek revisions to

the country's constitution as part of a broad push for democratic reforms.[226]

[edit]

BahrainMain article: 2011 Bahraini uprising

Thousands of demonstrators gather for "National demands: An elected government" rally inKarrana, Bahrain on July, 8

The 2011 protests in Bahrain were initially aimed at achieving greaterpolitical


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freedom and respect forhuman rights, and were not intended to threaten the

monarchy.[227] Lingering frustration among the Shiite majority with being ruled

by the Sunni government was a major root cause, but the pro tests in Tunisia and

Egypt are cited as the inspiration for the demonstrations. [228][229] The protests

began in Bahrain on 14 February [227] and were largely peaceful, until a raid bypolice on the night of 17 February against protestors sleeping at the Pearl

Roundabout in Manama, in which police killed three protestors. [230][231]

Following the deadly raid, the protestors' aims expanded to a call for the end of

the monarchy.[232] On 18 February, government forces opened fire on protesters,

mourners, and news journalists,[233] prompting protesters to begin calling for the

overthrow of the Bahraini monarchy and government. [234] On 19 February,

protesters occupied Pearl Square after the government ordered troops and police

to withdraw.[235][236][237] On 22 February, an estimated one hundred thousand

people, one fifth of the nation's population, ma rched. On 14 March, at the request

of the Crown Prince, GCC Saudi Arabian troops entered the country, [238] and

opened fire on the protesters, several of whom wer e killed.[239][240] Later

thousands ofShia protesters arose in Iraq and Qatifin opposition to the Saudi-

led intervention in Bahrain. [241][242][243]

KingHamad bin Isa Al Khalifa declared a three-month state of emergency on 15

March and asked the military to reassert its control as clashes spread across the

country.[244] It was later lifted on 1 June 2011. [245] On 16 March 2011, the

protesters' camp in the Pearl Roundabout was evacuated, bulldozed, and set on

fire by the Bahraini Defense Force, riot police, and the Peninsula Shield Force,

the military arm of the Gulf Cooperation Council , which intervened reportedly at

King Hamad's behest.[246] Later on 18 March, the Pearl Roundabout monument

was torn down as part of the crackdown on protesters. [247]

Since the lifting of emergency law on 1 June, several large rallies have been

staged by the Shi'ite community demanding the release of detained protesters,

greater political representation, and an end to sectarian discrimination. As of July

2011, medical personnel are being prosecuted for treating injured protesters, andseveral human rights groups and news organizations have alleged they have

been deliberately targeted by the Bahraini government. [248]

[edit]

Iraq

Main article: 2011 Iraqi protests


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In an effort to prevent unrest, Iraqi Prime MinisterNouri al-Maliki announced that

he would not run for a third term in 2014. [249] Nevertheless, hundreds of

protesters gathered in several major urban areas (notably Baghdad and Karbala)

on 12 February, demanding a more effective approach to national security, to the

investigation of federal corruption cases, as well as increased governmentinvolvement in making public services fair and accessible.[250][251][252] In

response, the government promised to subsidize electricity costs.[253]

Israel's Haaretz reported that a 31-year-old man in Mosul died from self-

immolation, while protesting high unemployment. Haaretz also reported a

planned 'Revolution of Iraqi Rage' to be held on 25 February near the Green

Zone.[254]

On 16 February, up to 2,000 protesters took over a provincial council building in

the city of Kut. The protesters demanded that the provincial governor resignbecause of the lack of basic services such as electricity and water. As many as

three people were killed and 30 injured.[citation needed] On 24 February, Hawijah,

Mosul, and Baghdad featured violent protests.[255]

[edit]

Israeli border

Main article: 2011 Israeli border demonstrations

See also: ArabIsraeli conflict

Free Palestine rally in Cairo

Inspired by the uprisings and revolutions taking place in the Arab world,

Palestinians used Facebook to call for mass protests throughout the region on 15

May 2011, Nakba Day.[256][257] A page calling for a "Third Palestinian Intifada" to

begin on 15 May garnered more than 350,000 "likes" before being taken down by

Facebook managers at the end ofMarch after complaints from the Israeli

government that the page encouraged violence.[258][unreliable source?][259] The

page called for mass marches to Palestine from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria andJordan to commemorate the Nakba and demand the right of return for all

Palestinian refugees.[260] Palestinians from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the

Gaza Strip and the West Bank attempted to reach and cross the Israeli border.

However, they were all stopped and 12 were shot and killed by Israeli security

forces. Lebanese armed forces also made efforts, including the use of live fire

according to some reports, to stop protestors from approaching the Israeli


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border. Almost 300 people were injured, including 13 Israeli soldiers. There were

also clashes across the annexed east Jerusalem. [261]

On 5 June, 23 Syrian demonstrators were killed and hundreds injured by Israeli

forces after entering the Golan Heights to protest the controversial Israeli

occupation of the territory. [262][263][264] Included among the dead was an

unarmed 12-year old boy.[265] In the aftermath, thousands began a sit-in near the

Golan Heights,[266][unreliable source?] resulting in the Syrian government creating a

security buffer zone to prevent more demonstrators from approaching the

border.[262]Lebanese President Michel Sleiman accused Israel of genocide over

the incident,[267]U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights NavanethemPillay

condemned the Israeli Defense Force's use of force against unarmed, civilian

protesters,[268] and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party called for an international

response to the incident, calling it a " massacre".[269] An IDF spokeswoman calledthe Golan Heights violence "an attempt to divert international attention from the

bloodbath going on in Syria."[263] Several days later, The Daily Telegraph

reported that leaked Syrian state documents seemed to support Israel's claim

that the Syrian government orchestrated the Nakba Day protests as a deliberate

provocation to distract from the ongoing uprising in Syria proper.[270]

[edit]

Jordan

Main article: 2011 Jordanian protestsOn 14 January, protests commenced in the capital Amman, as well as at Ma'an, Al

Karak, Salt and Irbid, and others. The protests, led by trade unionists and leftist

parties, occurred afterFriday prayers, and called for the government of Prime

MinisterSamir Rifai to step down.[271] The Muslim Brotherhood and 14 trade

unions said that they would hold a sit -down protest outside parliament the next

day to "denounce government economic policies". [272] Following the protest, the

government reversed a rise in fuel prices, [273] but 5,000 protested on 21 January

in Amman despite this effort to alleviate Jordan's economic misery. [274]

On 1 February, the Royal Palace announced that King Abdullah had dismissed

the government on account of the street protests, and had asked Marouf al-

Bakhit, a former army general, to form a new Cabinet. [275] King Abdullah charged

Bakhit to "take quick, concrete and practical steps to launch a genuine political

reform process". The monarch added that the reforms should put Jordan on the

path "to strengthen democracy", and provide Jordanians with the "dignified life


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they deserve".[276] This move did not end protests, however, which peaked with a

rally of between 6,000 and 10,000 Jordanians on 25 February.[277] A protest camp

led by students calling for democratic reforms was established on 24 March in

Gamal Abdel Nasser Circle in downtown Amman,[278] but at least one person was

killed and over 100 injured the next day after pro-government vigilantes clashedwith the protesters in the camp, forcing police to intervene.[279] These clashes

and belated police interventions have become a hallmark of the Jordanian

protests, with a major rally in central Amman planned for 15 July being derailed

by belligerent regime supporters.[280] As of July 2011, protests are ongoing.

[edit]

Morocco

Main article: 2011 Moroccan protests

Thousands of demonstrators gathered inCasablanca.

Inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, at least fourMoroccans set themselves

on fire on 30 January 2011 at a protest gathering in Tangier.[281] According to a

media report, Moroccan authorities approved the anti-government protest that

was planned through the popular social networking site Facebook. The same

report said that the government had welcomed the plan by several Moroccan

youth movements to organize an Egypt-style anti-government protest on 20

February.[282][283]On 20 February, at least 37,000 Moroccans rallied in the capital, Rabat, to demand

that King Mohammed relinquish some of his power. [284] The protests were not

aimed at overthrowing the king, however, as he remains revered by

Moroccans[285] Everything calmed down for about a week following the

demonstration, but on 26 February about 1000 demonstrators gathered in

Casablanca to demand political reform.[286]

On 9 March, in a live televised address, King Mohammed VI announced that he

would begin a comprehensive constitutional reform aimed at improvingdemocracy and the rule of law. He promised to form a commission to work on

constitutional revisions, which would make proposals to him by June, after which

a referendum would be held on the draft constitution. [287]

On 20 March, at least 20,000 people,[288] including many Islamists, participated in

peaceful protests in more than 60 cities across the nation. Some of the


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demonstrators demanded greater political change than what King Mohammed

had promised in his 9 March address, while others continued pressuring the

government to make the promised reforms.[289] The police did not intervene and

no violent acts were reported.

[edit]Oman

Main article: 2011 Omani protests

Protesters set ablaze Lulu Hypermarket in Sohar, Oman on 28 February 2011

In the Gulfcountry ofOman, 200 protesters marched on 17 January 2011,

demanding salary increases and a lower cost of living. The protest shocked some

journalists who generally view Oman as a 'politically stable and sleepy

country'.[290] Renewed protests occurred on 18 February, with 350 protesters

demanding an end to corruption and better distribution of oil revenue. [291] Some

protesters also carried signs with slogans of support for the Sultan. [292]

On 26 February, protesters in Soharcalled for more jobs.[293] On the following

day, tensions escalated with protesters burning shops and cars.[294] The police

responded using tear gas to contain and disperse the crowds of protesters. [295]

Demonstrations also spread to the region ofSalalah, where protesters had

reportedly been camping outside the provincial governor's house since 25

February.[295][296] In Sohar, witnesses claimed that two protesters were killedwhen police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.[80][81][82][297] Witnesses

further reported that protesters burnt a police station as well as the Wali's house

(where the representative of the Sultan to Sohar stays).[298] The Omani protesters

insisted that they were not challenging the rule ofSultan Qaboos, who has been

in power since 1970, but were merely calling for jobs and reform.[299] The

protesters even apologized to the Sultan for allowing violence rattle the city of

Soharon 28 February 2011.[300]

The Sultan continued with his reform campaign by dissolving the Ministry ofNational Economy, setting up a state audit committee, granting student and

unemployment benefits,[301] dismissing scores of ministers, and reshuffling his

cabinet three times.[302] In addition, nearly 50,000 jobs are being created in the

public sector, including 10,000 new jobs in the Royal Oman Police.[303]) The

Omani Ministry ofManpower has furthermore directed various companies (both

private and public) to formulate their own employment plans. The Royal Army of


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Oman has also initiated employment drives by publishing recruitment

advertisements in newspapers, etc.[304] The government's efforts largely placated

protesters, and Oman has not seen significant demonstrations since May 2011,

when increasingly violent protests in Salalah were subdued.[305]

[edit]Saudi Arabia

Main article:

Poster for the Saudi Arabia's #women2drive Movement, artwork by Carlos Latuff

In Saudi Arabia hundreds of people protested against the poor infrastructure in

Jeddah following flooding. [306][307] At the same time, an online campaign began

calling for major political and economic changes. On 5 February, forty women

demonstrated for the release of prisoners held without trial.[308] Several protests

of a few hundred demonstrators each took place in late February, and also in

early March in the north-east, mostly in Qatif[309] but also in Hofuf, in al-

Awamiyah, as well as in Riyadh.[310][311] Security in the north-east was tightened

on 5 March,[312] and a 'significant' police presence in Riyadh[313] and Jeddah[314]

prevented protests from occurring on 11 March. A day earlier, three protesters

were injured by police gunfire in Qatif. [309] Nonetheless, protests calling for the

release of prisoners took place outside the Ministry of the Interiorin Riyadh on 12

March.[315][316]

Following the crackdown during the 2011 Bahraini uprising, frequentdemonstrations of a few hundred to a few thousand [84][85] people occurred in and

around Qatif from 15[83] to 25[317][318]March, which demanded the release of

prisoners and the withdrawal of the Peninsula Shield Force from Bahrain.[319][320]

On 2223 March, men-only municipal elections to elect half the members of local

councils were announced for 22 September 2011.[88][89]

On June 17, the anti-government movement "Women2Drive" has organized a

drive-in to demand fairer treatment of women in the country. It was sparked by

the arrest and imprisonment ofManal al-Sharif[321] for driving a vehicle withanother woman. al-Sharif has been called a modern Rosa Parks.[322] Reports of

desperation within the government surfaced as the rally is expected to highlight

one of the worst gender rights' regimes in the world.[323] On June 9, several

women were arrested north of Riyadh for practicing in a parking lot. [324][325][326]

On June 15, female drivers in the United States have organized a protest in


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solidarity with Saudi women, planning to encircle the Saudi embassy in Foggy

Bottom.[327] During the month three females from Minnesota, supported by an

advocacy group, announced a gender discrimination complaint against the

kingdom's livery services in Rochester to coincide with the "Women2Drive"

campaign.[328][329][edit]

Others

In Kuwait, the EmirofKuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,

gave every citizen [1.12 million people] 'free food rations and a grant of $4,000

[1,000 dinars]'.[330] Officially the grant was in commemoration of the 20th

anniversary of Kuwait's liberation from occupying Iraqi forces, as well as of the

50th anniversary of the state's independence.[331] Dozens ofBedouns

demonstrated in Kuwait on 19 February[332] and opposition groups called forprotests on 8 March.[333][334]

In June, hundreds of Kuwaitis marched in an anti -government protest, calling for

the resignation of the prime minister.[335] A 10-year old Egyptian boy named

Bassem, whose father is an academic[vague] at Kuwait University, was expelled

from education[vague] in the country for asking "Why didn't you have a revolution

in your country?" Accused of inciting a revolution, the expulsion sparked an

outcry, resulting in his reinstatement later that month.[336][337] Soon thereafter,

reports surfaced of a crisis growing in the country as a rebellious parliamentstepped up pressure on the ruling family over allegations of mismanagement of

public funds, corruption and inefficiency. [338]

In Lebanon, hundreds or protesters rallied in Beirut on 27 February in a

march referred to as "The Laique pride", calling for reform of the country's

confessionalpolitical system. At the same time, a peaceful sit-in took place in

Saida.[339] On 13 March, tens of thousands of supporters of the March 14

coalition called for the disarmament ofHezbollah in Beirut, rejecting the

supremacy of Hezbollah's weapons over political life. They also showed support

for the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) after the fall of the

Haririgovernment and the creation of the Mikatigovernment.[340]

In Mauritania, YacoubOuldDahoud, a protester, burned himselfnear the

Presidential Palace on 17 January, in opposition to the policies of Mauritanian

president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.[341][342] The following week, hundreds of

people took to the streets of the capital Nouakchott. The mayor of the city of


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Awjeft, Mohamed El MoctarOuldEhmeyen Amar, resigned from the ruling party to

politically support what he called "the just cause of youngsters". [343] In addition

to the capital Noukchott, cities such as Atar, Zouerate, and Aleg also organised

sporadic protests.[344] Despite minor economic concessions by the authorities,

on 25 April protesters again took to the streets to call for the resignation of theprime-minister, MoulayeOuld Mohamed Laghdaf.[345]

In Qatar, a campaign called "The Freedom Revolution, March 16, Qatar"

has been launched on Facebook calling for a revolution against the regime of

Qatari EmirHamad binKhalifa Al Thani. However, on 28 February 2011, all the

content of the main page of the revolution was deleted and replaced with content

in support of the emir. [346] However there were no reports of major protests

taking place. the Qatari media claims that the call for a Qatari Revolution was

created by Pro-Assad Syrians against Al-Jazeera for its negative reports againstBashar Al-Assad's crackdown.[347]

In Sudan, protests took place on 30 January and 1 February, when

hundreds called forSudanesePresidentOmar al-Bashirto step down. On 21

February, President Omar al-Bashir announced that he would not seek to run in

the next presidential election (in 2015).[348]

In the United Arab Emirates, a group of intellectuals petitioned their ruler

for comprehensive reform of the Federal National Council, including demands for

universal suffrage. About 160 people signed the petition, many of whom wereacademics and former members of the FNC.[349] On 12 April, Ahmed Mansoor, a

prominent blogger and pro-democracy activist, was charged with possession of

alcohol. According to his lawyer, two other men, a blogger and a political

commentator, were detained a few days earlier, a charge denied by the

police.[350] In May, the government started expanding its network of surveillance

cameras, as a preventive measure against revolts.[351] In June, Mansoor and 4

other reform activists pleaded not guilty to insulting the ruling family after being

charged.[352]

In the Palestinian Territories, Haaretz suggested that an announcement by

the Palestinian Authority on 1 February to hold municipal elections in July was a

reaction to the anti-government protests in Egypt. On 14 February, amid pan-Arab

calls for reform, the Palestinian Authority's Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad,

submitted his resignation along with that of his cabinet to President Abbas. [353]

After consultations with other factions, institutions, and civil society groups,


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Abbas asked him to form a new government. [354] The reshuffle had long been

demanded by Fayyad as well as members of Abbas's Fatah faction. [354]

In Western Sahara, young Sahrawis held a series of minor demonstrations to

protest labour discrimination, lack of jobs, looting of resources, and human

rights abuses.[162] Although protests from February 2011 onward were related to

a series ofSahrawi demonstrations outside El Aaiun that originated in October

2010 and died down the following month, protesters cited inspiration from the

events in other parts of the region. A few academics, notably Noam Chomsky,

viewed the October protests as the starting point from which 'the current wave of

protests actually began'.[355]

United nations response to the revolts ;

theUnited Nations Security Council voted to authorize military action, a risky

foreign intervention aimed at averting a bloody rout of the rebels by loyalist

forces. On March 19, American and European forces began a broad campaign

of strikes against Colonel Qaddafi and his government, unleashing warplanes

and missiles in a military intervention on a scale not seen in the Arab world

since the Iraq war.

Please addmention response


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of world leaders.

Changes andaddition are always

welcome .What is expected from delegates-

1. How do you fix economies slowed down by the Arab

Uprisings? If economies are taking a serious hit - was it worth

it?

2. The role that capitalism and Islam should play in future

Arab societies.

Background Guide Amun

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