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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.