Syria, Egypt (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Protest Creep

Activist Zainab Alkhawaja (@angryarabiya) stands in front of police after security forces attacked a protest in A'ali in Bahrain

Bahrain 1st-Hand: How Activist Zainab Alkhawaja Defied the Police...And Escaped Arrest

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2114 GMT: After losing an appeal, it appears as though Libya's former Prime Minister, Al-Baghdadi Al-Mahmoudi, will be extradited from Tunisia to Libya to face trial. However, the move could still be blocked when the new government takes over in Tunisia:

It was unclear whether Tunisia's incoming president, who is a former head of the country's best-known human rights group, would sign the order. Al-Mahmoudi's lawyers have also appealed to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, asking them to grant him a status of political refuge.

2103 GMT: Earlier, we carried an LCCS report of a protest in the Sheikh Maqsood district of Aleppo. We now have a more specific map, and a claimed video of the protest. If this claim is accurate, this is a protest near the very center of the city, a neighborhood with a very large Kurdish and Armenian-Catholic population:

2046 GMT: Huge news in Egypt --- Egyptian activist and Presidential candidate Mohammed ElBaradei has released a statement saying that he is interested in forming a National Salvation coalition government, and if asked to would drop his candidacy for President.

2040 GMT: Freelance journalist Tom Finn tweets that Yemen State TV is saying that President Saleh is back in the capital, Sana'a. However, Finn also notes that there is no power in Sana'a, and no celebratory gunfire, so it is unlikely that anyone knows Saleh has returned from Saudi Arabia.

If Saleh is in Yemen, it raises many questions and concerns, as he is due to transfer power within the month. We'll keep you posted.2028 GMT: Over 1000 physicians have signed a petition to release all detained Bahraini medical personnel who have been imprisoned for treating injured protesters, primarily during the peak of unrest in February and March.

The group was scheduled to lead a march on the Bahrain Embassy in Washington, DC, today at noon.

2017 GMT: After a major news source badly mangled this report, Sky News comes to the rescue to confirm what we've been hearing for the last hour:

Arab League publishes draft document after passing of deadline for Syrian government to allow observers into country. Will freeze assets of Syrian government; sanctions will not include basic commodities needed by Syrian people.

The earlier rumor that the Arab League had voted for a "no fly zone" was completely false. In fact, the Arab League will halt the travels of Syrian leaders in and out of member countries. It is still uncertain whether or not all flights in and out of Syria will be halted, so we'll see if we can find a comprehensive report.

2009 GMT: The people of Taftanaz, Idlib, protest under the watch of tanks and snipers. No violence was reported:

2001 GMT: Now Lebanon, citing various activist groups, is reporting that at least 16 civilians and 8 soldiers were killed today in Syria. Of the 16 civilians, 15 were killed in Homs and Qusayr, and 1 was killed in Deir Ez Zor:

Deserters killed eight soldiers and members of the security forces and wounded 40 more in an attack in Edleb in northwest Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"A group of deserters attacked a squad of soldiers and security agents in a convoy of seven vehicles, including three all-terrain vehicles, on the road from Ghadka to Maaret an-Naaman," the Britain-based watchdog said.

"Eight were killed and at least 40 more were wounded. The deserters were able to withdraw without suffering any casualties," it added.

1951 GMT: Compare this picture, protesters holding flowers today in Bahrain, to Zainab Alkhawaja's account of her near-arrest today, where the police were arguing among themselves whether to beat her:

1940 GMT: James Miller returns from a yardwork break to find some potentially major news in Syria.

The LCCS is reporting a protest in the Sheikh Maksoud district of Aleppo, which, after extensive digging, we believe is here (MAP).

The neighborhood is central, important, and home to many Armenian Catholics, another minority group. We'll look out for pictures or video of the event.

1850 GMT: Here's a video of the protests in Bahrain in A'ali today. Notice the kid with a red shirt wrapped around his head: 

1830 GMT: Documentary film-maker Jehane Nojaim speaks of her detention in Cairo: 

1800 GMT: Katherine Maher who is currently in Alexandria, Egypt tweets that while Cairo's Tahrir Square is relatively calm, Alexandria's protests are much more violent. She says that organizers and protesters told her that there are reports of 7 deaths and 150 arrests from last night alone. The casualties have not been confriemd yet. She adds that female protesters were groped and journalists were kept out to restrict coverage. 

1730 GMT: Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi just issued a decree that claims elections will held next year on February 21st, according to the state news agency, Saba. Protester still gathered in Sana'a today to decry the GCC deal that will allow Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave power, but receive immunity from prosecution. 

1700 GMT: Activist @AngryArabiya's sister Maryam AlKhwaja just tweeted about her safe return home as well as what transpired: 

there was only one woman with the police in civilian clothing, so when she attempted to arrest @angryarabiya, @angryarabiya sat on the floor 1 of the men hit her in the back but the others told him that there are orders not to hit her #bahrain

they surrounded her with jeeps so no one could see what was happening, hence why it appeared to eyewitnesses that she had been taken 

the woman kept trying to drag her to the car but @angryarabiya sat and wouldnt move, woman asking if she should handcuff her #bahrain

.@angryarabiya kept doing the victory sign and the woman kept holding her hand in an attempt to prevent her #bahrain

after a while, and in what appears to be due to the noise made about her case they got an order to release her and retreat #bahrain

she (@angryarabiya) was roughed up and dragged in an attempt to put her in the car, only reason she wasnt taken was CONTD #bahrain

bcz the one woman on the scene was not strong enough to drag her sitting down, and the men were ordered not to touch her 

1625 GMT: The Telegraph reports that things might not be going so smoothly in Libya between rival factions after all. Yesterday, the country's most powerful Islamist Abdulhakim Belhadj, who is also head of the Tripoli Military Council and the former leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, was accused of travelling on a fake passport and detained briefly at Tripoli Airport by members of the Zintan Brigade. 

Belhadj was later released under orders from President Mustafa Abdul Jalil. 

1620 GMT: Egypt's new Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri said today that Egypt could end up "becoming another Somalia" if disunity continued. He also added the country will ratify a new consitution by June 30 next year.

1550 GMT: Major developments in Bahrain. First, an EA correspondent supplies this video, the police attack on the A'ali protests today:

And our correspondent gives the narrative of what happened:

Zainab Alkhawaja the daughter of the human rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who is serving life in prison, was arrested today in A'ali after standing in front police force preventing them from getting to the village.

Below are her sister "Mariam Alkhawaja's tweets about the arrest:

MARYAMALKHAWAJA

Urgent: Arrest of @angryarabiya now #bahrain #feb14 #arabspring

A woman in civilian clothing was pulling @angryarabiya from her arm to put her in a civilian car minutes ago #bahrain #feb14 #arabspring

@angryarabiya was performing a sit-in in front of police jeeps 2 protest the excessive use of force on protesters today #bahrain #arabspring

These reports match the picture and eyewitness account that we posted below in our most recent Bahrain update. That photo, according to our correspondent, was taken before she was arrested. This photo shows a member of the youth movement trying to stop her before she confronted the police:

1542 GMT: In Sana'a, Yemen, the Youth Movement has rallied many thousands of protesters to demand the trial of those responsible for the violence, namely President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who accepted the GCC brokered deal to trade immunity for stepping down earlier this week:

1525 GMT: We've been watching the protests in Bahrain this morning. On the question of whether protesters provoked security forces before attack this afternoon, we now have an answer. According to economist and activist Dr. Ala'a Shehabi, "Not a single stone was thrown. I was on the frontline. Though I always remember Edward Said's iconic photo & get an urge."

Photographer Matthew Cassel adds his own account of today's protests:

Owner of home tells me "this is your house if you need anything. Even after other people (hiding) leave you can stay"

Protest over people back in rainy streets. Everyone saying police tactics were different today. No one sure why.

On different police tactics: they waited before firing gas. Once inside village they fired gas, but not as much as normal.

Saw one women carrying flag and giving peace sign not flinch as charging police passed her firing into aali.

Here's pic (not taken by me) of brave woman I described earlier, ppl saying its @angryarabiya (see top of entry)

1523 GMT: Claimed footage of the scene this morning in front of the Cabinet building in Cairo, as as a demonstrator, Ahmed El Sayed Soroor, was run over and killed by a security forces' vehicle:

1513 GMT: James Miller takes the liveblog for a bit.

The UN has rejected a proposal, made by France, that would establish "humanitarian corridors" into Syria. UN humanitarian coordinator Valerie Amos explains:

"Before any further discussion of these options, it is essential to get a clearer sense of what exactly people need, and where," Amos said in a statement.

This, however, is just an excuse. Teh establishment of humanitarian corridors would mean the establishment of a conflict-free zone in which aid groups could move materials and workers in and refugees or injured persons out, an option which the Syrian regime has rejected. This would potentially pit the UN against the Syrian regime militarily, the real reason why the option is not yet on the table.

The entire debate does show, however, that France is interested in getting more involved in Syria. This may also be a signal to Turkey or Jordan that, if they were interested in creating "buffer zones" or "humanitarian corridors," or other buzz words for a demilitarized no-fly zone, then the UN may not stand in their way, and at least some member states could join the effort.

1420 GMT: The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights gives an answer to our opening question this morning, "How many regime troops died in an ambush near Deir Ez Zor on Friday?".

Claims yesterday said up to 40 soldiers had been killed, but the Observatory told news services today that "at least 10" had been slain.

1400 GMT: Security forces have attacked protesters after the funeral procession in A'ali with tear gas, after thousands of mourners had chanted, "Down Down [King] Hamad".

The police moved after demonstrators, faces wrapped in t-shirts, began closing roads.

A photographer sends the message, "Police marching through streets no longer shooting gas. Call to prayer sounds as sky darkens on this rainy day in Bahrain."

An earlier picture of the women in the procession:

An Egyptian Minister of Interior spokesman has said, "We issued a statement of apology for the death and expressed our condolences" to the family of 19-year-old Ahmed Soroor, killed this morning by a Central Security Forces truck in front of the Cabinet buildings as police threatened a move against a sit-in protest.

A Ministry source has insisted that the CSF did not try to disperse the sit-in with force.  About six CSF vans approached a thousand demonstrators --- the Ministry claimed in an official statement that the vans were only transporting some police forces to its headquarters.

1245 GMT: The end of the funeral ceremony for Abdulnadi Qadhem, killed early this week after an alleged incident with a police jeep, is underway in A'ali in Bahrain. Video has already been posted.

1238 GMT: More video of yesterday's events in Wadian village in Bahrain (see 1155 GMT), as security forces try to disperse a protest:

Police throw a sound grenade as a woman as she enters her home in the village:

1235 GMT: Syrian military alongside the coffins of 17 troops, including six elite pilots, killed in clashes in Homs Province (Photo: EPA):

1225 GMT: Mokhtar al-Molla, a member of Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, has said that God inspired them not to use force against protesters, which would have led to a catastrophe that would affect the image of Egypt in the world.

Al-Molla called for dialogue but added, in a meeting with businessmen and media professionals,  “Who would protect Egypt if the armed forces left power?”

1155 GMT: Footage of women in Bahrain protesting by blocking a road --- in the background, the standard "Ttn, tn, tn (Down, Down, King Hamad)" can be heard:

An EA correspondent explains, "The video is from yesterday's clashes in Wadian village. Protests was organized in the afternoon with women participating. Men and youth had confronted the police near the main road but the roads on the back were not blocked, so the women took the initiative and started blocking it."

1115 GMT: Twenty Kuwaiti youth, arrested this week, have started a hunger strike claiming "senseless accusations", inhumane living conditions, lack of medical care, and cruel and unlawful imprisonment. Their statement say some face life imprisonment on charges which include "stealing the Parliamentary gavel belonging to National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al Kharafi".

1105 GMT: Representatives of revolutionary movements, in front of the Cabinet building in Cairo, have announced the hames of five people for a "national salvation government".

Rejecting the military rulers' appointment of Kamel El-Ganzouri as Prime Minister, the representatives have named Mohamed El Baradei, the Nobel Prize winner and former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as the head of the government. Former Presidential candidates  Hamdeen Sabahi and Abdel-Moneim Aboul-Futtouh were put forward as members, as were economic journalist Ahmed El-Naggar and Judge Ashraf Baroudy.

Meanwhile, El Ganzouri has called on the revolutionary forces to give him time while denouncing the demonstration in front of the Cabinet building: “Protests and sit-ins will make my mission harder. The demonstrators have to give the new government the chance, at least for two months, to fulfill its tasks.”

1100 GMT: Friday's protest in Safwa in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, with the chant, "Death to the House of Al Saud":

Video of youth throwing stones at armoured vehicles in Qatif in Saudi Arabia, after mass protests and the killing of four people by security forces:

1005 GMT: Back from a weekend break to the confirmation that a man was killed in the attack by Egypt's Central Security Forces on a protest sit-in at the Cabinet building this morning. Ahmed El Sayed Soroor had his pelvis crushed,apparently by a CSF vehicle.

Soroor's body is carried by chanting protesters to a vehicle:

0825 GMT: An AFP photographer reports that slogans against the royal family have been daubed on walls in Qatif in eastern Saudi Arabia.

The graffiti in the largely-Shi'a area, following clashes with security forces that killed at least four people, said the Al-Saud rulers must be "held responsible for the blood of the martyrs" and declared, "Down with Mohammed bin Fahd [bin Abdul Aziz]," the governor of the kingdom's Eastern Province.

0805 GMT: The Justice and Development Party has declared that it has won the largest share of the vote in Morocco's Parliamentary election.

Abdelilah Benkirane, leader of the "moderate Islamist" PJD, announced, "Based on the information that we have received so far we are set to exceed our expectations. I think we are on course to obtain between 90 and 100 seats" in the 395-seat chamber. Government officials could not immediately confirm the Party's assertion.

The Minister of Interior said that voter turnout was 45%, amidst calls by opposition groups and activists to boycott the ballot as inadequate to meet their demands for reform of the monarchy's powers. Even the 45% claim may come under pressure --- only 40% of Morocco's population were registered to vote.

The minister said first results would be issued later on Saturday.

0725 GMT: There have been clashes in front of the Cabinet building in Cairo, with security forces trying to clear a sit-in. Reports indicated indicate hundreds of protesters arrived from Tahrir Square to help fend off the operation.

0645 GMT: In Egypt, tens of thousands of protesters filled Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday, continuing their demand that military rulers hand over power.

For the first time in a week, there was little violence, however, as the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces tried to give the impression of a return to political stability. It formally announced the appointment of Kamal El Ganzouri as Prime Minister and said Parliamentary elections would begin on Monday as planned.

There were clashes in the second city Alexandria, where thousands marched towards military headquarters after a loud rally in the main square.

0625 GMT: There is a distinction about the uprising in Syria. In every other case of protests against regimes, the demonstrations have started from the centre (Iran, Yemen, Bahrain), soon arisen in the centre (Tunisia), or at least made an impression in the centre (Libya). 

In Syria, the challenge in March started on the "outside", from Daraa in the south to Deir Ez Zor in the northeast. Even though Homs and Hama soon saw mass rallies, the capital Damascus and the second city Aleppo were secure to the point of smaller, carefully-watched gatherings.

But, in the phrase coined by James Miller, we are seeing "protest creep". On a Friday when up to 40 people were reportedly slain, we noted footage from Damascus and even Aleppo. Slowly, the marches are moving towards the centre, and they are gathering strength.

At the same time, we are seeing the escalation of uprising. We are still looking for confirmation of the claim by insurgent forces that they killed 40 regime soldiers in an ambush near Deir Ez Zor, but the State news agency SANA said 10 troops, including six elite military pilots, in Homs Province.

State media also offered indirect confirmation of the news from Thursday that the military had shelled the hideouts of defectors in Rastan, near Homs. SANA reported that 16 "terrorists" had died.

Meanwhile, on the diplomatic, Syria took no notice of the Arab League's deadline to sign an agreement under which observers would be sent into the country. The League, which had extended the deadline to midday on Friday, has said that it will today to consider economic sanctions against Damascus.

Protest last night in Harasta, northeast of Damascus: