Unrest in Middle East and North Africa
CNN Wire Staff
(CNN) - Unrest has spread across the Middle East and North Africa. Here's a look at what has happened - and what is happening - in various countries:
ALGERIA
Authorities in Algeria said Monday that they would lift a 20-year state of emergency in the "coming days." They acted after anti-government protesters chanting "change the power!" clashed with security forces in the capital over the weekend, witnesses said. The state of emergency was imposed in 1992 to quell a civil war that led to the deaths of what U.S. officials estimate to be more than 150,000 people. About 100 protesters were arrested during the protests in Algiers on Saturday, according to the opposition Algerian League for Human Rights.
BAHRAIN
Protests were scheduled to take place Monday afternoon in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain, where at least three police officers and one demonstrator were injured in clashes Sunday, the state new agency reported. The injuries occurred during an attack on a police station during protests Sunday evening, the news agency said. After three officers were injured, police fired on protesters with rubber bullets, causing one injury, the news agency said.
EGYPT
Unrest persisted in Egypt on Monday even after an 18-day revolution toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak, who stepped down Friday. Egypt's banks remained closed Monday after protests by National Bank workers apparently drove out the head of the institution. The nation's stock market remained closed until further notice because of turmoil in the banking sector. In addition, current and former police officers continued a peaceful protest Monday in front of the Interior Ministry, saying they want higher pay, shorter hours, better benefits and more respect. And some police officers told reporters they were ordered to shoot protesters during demonstrations last week and threatened with prison if they did not.
IRAN
Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched along Revolution Avenue in downtown Tehran on Monday, protesting the government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, witnesses said. The wave of people remained largely silent as they walked toward the capital city's Azadi Square, though some clashes between security forces and demonstrators broke out in several parts of Tehran, according to witnesses. Security forces fired tear gas in some places and detained demonstrators in other areas of the city. The Iranian government rounded up activists last week after opposition leaders Mehdi Karrubi and Mir Hossein Moussavi called for supporters to gather at Azadi Square - the site of mass protests by Iran's opposition movement after the disputed 2009 presidential elections.
|
|
Filed under: 360° Radar • 360º Follow • Middle East |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
Anderson. I just want to let you know the video you showed on protesters crack down in Tehran that a group was beating a young man, was not what you told. It was exactly vise-versa. Protesters were striking somebody who was trying to pick picture of Iran's former leader Ayt. Khomeini from the ground (protesters were trying to put fire on it, and they did at the end). I know you may face trouble if you don't cover this event as your administration wants, but at least don't try to fool yourself and your American audiences.
I thought what happened in Egypt was almost unbelievable but to see it spreading over the Middle East is almost overwhelming. Has anyone analyzed these revolutions and conjectured what may come out of the revolutions and how it will affect those countries and their relationship with the US? No more support for tyrants I hope.