Egypt assures U.S. no more raids on democracy groups

Egyptian officials have assured the United States they will halt raids on pro-democracy and human rights groups and return property seized in a crackdown that strained ties with Washington, U.S. officials said on Friday. (more…)

Russians vote in election test for Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin’s ruling party could see its vast parliamentary majority cut back in elections that began Sunday in the icy tundra and sparsely-populated swathes of Russia’s far east.

At polling stations from the Arctic to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the election will indicate the scope of fatigue with Putin’s 12-year rule just three months before he asks voters to endorse his return to the Kremlin as president. (more…)

U.N. urges ‘immediate’ world ‘measures’ to protect Syrians

A top U.N. official deplored the “devastatingly remorseless toll of human lives” in Syria on Friday and exhorted the world community “to take immediate measures” to protect citizens.
(more…)

Syrian poll finds optimism for future, but little support for Assad

Syrians have little confidence that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime can solve the country’s current problems, although they are optimistic about the future, a poll conducted by Pepperdine University shows.

The survey, which was conducted in conjunction with the Democracy Council of California, also found that eight out of 10 Syrians questioned want al-Assad’s regime to leave power (more…)

Syrian protesters call for foreign help

President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents have appealed for foreign help to stop the killing of civilians by regime forces after six months of pro-democracy protests. (more…)

For Turkish military, a telling change of tactics

ISTANBUL — Turkey awoke to a new era Saturday, one in which military generals irked by their government’s behavior don’t stage a coup or throw a tantrum — they seek early retirement. (more…)

Syria talks reform while executing deadly crackdown

Syria’s government has endorsed a draft law that it says will allow the formation of political parties alongside President Bashar Assad’s ruling Baath Party, part of a series of promised reforms that the opposition has dismissed as largely symbolic. He has coupled his pledges of reform with a deadly crackdown on protesters that activists say has killed at least 1,600 people. (more…)

Chomsky denounces old friend Chávez for ‘assault’ on democracy

Hugo Chávez has long considered Noam Chomsky one of his best friends in the west. He has basked in the renowned scholar’s praise for Venezuela’s socialist revolution and echoed his denunciations of US imperialism. (more…)

Hezbollah chief slammed for backing Assad

Arabs have reacted sharply to the speech on Friday by Syed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, with people in Qatar saying the charismatic Shia leader has lost his credibility because of his stand on the pro-reform protests in Bahrain and Syria. (more…)

Syrian opposition to meet over ‘transition to a democratic civil state’

Syrian Independent opposition figures announced that they will hold a consultative meeting in Damascus on Monday to discuss “how to solve the crisis” in the country that has been rocked by unprecedented pro-democracy protests for over 100 days.

The motto of the gathering will be:”Syria is for all in a civil democratic state”. (more…)