The 87-year-old Saudi monarch Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has returned to his kingdom after three months of sick leave is the 87-year-old Saudi monarch Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on Wednesday returned to his kingdom. A month earlier than expected, he had set out from Morocco, where he had four weeks recovering from two operations on his spine in the New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Even the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, had a hurry to meet with the powerful colleagues. In Riyadh discussed both the situation in Bahrain, where a strong opposition movement, the future of the Al Khalifa is the first time in question. Abdullah welcomed with the traditional sword dance Ardah at the airport and with waving passers-by along the way to the city could not hide, that Saudi Arabia is under the spell of upheaval in the Arab world.
An hour before landing Abdullah, state media announced the benefits worth 27 billion euros, which will allow the Kingdom to come to his subjects. Offered more of the popular monarch not the people. Some had hoped for political signals, such as the 40 young human rights activists who wrote to the king's return to an open letter.
They wrote that the youth of other Arab states and the call of the king to the national dialogue would have inspired them. Now they demand the election of the Majlis al Shura, the previously appointed Saudi parliament, also the active and passive voting rights for women. You want effective action against corruption, fiscal transparency and accountability in government.
Of these, did not the king. After all, he has outlined the conditions under which political prisoners were released. Some small demonstrations have occurred in the Saudi port city of Jiddah and in the Shiite stronghold of Qatif already. A new Facebook group now calls for 11 March for a "day of anger in Saudi Arabia" on.
The Arab world is changing and more and more Saudis want to see this change in their country. Nevertheless, the Kingdom has so far been largely immune to protests. For the reformers represent only a small part of the predominantly conservative population, whose life style has changed little over the decades, and is a growing national sentiment, as in Tunisia and Egypt in the not until 1932, founded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Also, the Sunni Wahhabi clergy locked against changes. The better educated youth passes, but on more freedom and greater participation. Even in Saudi Arabia to face young people the question of why many items go first to members of the Al Saud and not on the best qualified. The open letter of the 40 young people to the king calls, therefore, reduce the average age of 65 years in the cabinet for two decades.
A reshuffle of the Cabinet is expected in early April. Many Saudis believe their king more reforms. Apparently this has for far-reaching changes in his family but not a majority. The next two in line of succession, Defense Minister Sultan and Interior Minister Nayef considered as opposed to any reform needs.
Shall try the royal house, to buy with his petrodollars, the loyalty of the young subjects. Half the population is 20 years and younger. A year are 700 000 men and women, each year 100 000 Saudis leave the universities with a diploma. If you are offered a job, could also in Saudi Arabia caused unrest.
To almost one tenth of the gross domestic product, the cost of the benefits that King Abdullah promised now. They increase government spending for 2011 by a quarter. In particular, young and unemployed Saudis will provide the benefit, including associations, leisure activities. Nearly 30 percent of the funds go into the state fund that awards favorable mortgage and take the housing shortage, the young couples should reduce.
The repayment of the loan is extended. For the first time out of Saudi Arabia support for the unemployed, there is a new social welfare, and government employees get a lifetime allowance of 15 percent of their salary against inflation. Funding for scholarships for studies abroad will be expanded and a newly appointed commission is to submit in four months, a strategy to create new jobs.
The pressure inside is well known. Protests in the neighboring states of Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain strengthen him. put in the tong Saudi Arabia is not so - the early return of the king and the 27-billion-euro plan, however, show that the nervousness is increasing also in the Al Saud.
Even the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, had a hurry to meet with the powerful colleagues. In Riyadh discussed both the situation in Bahrain, where a strong opposition movement, the future of the Al Khalifa is the first time in question. Abdullah welcomed with the traditional sword dance Ardah at the airport and with waving passers-by along the way to the city could not hide, that Saudi Arabia is under the spell of upheaval in the Arab world.
An hour before landing Abdullah, state media announced the benefits worth 27 billion euros, which will allow the Kingdom to come to his subjects. Offered more of the popular monarch not the people. Some had hoped for political signals, such as the 40 young human rights activists who wrote to the king's return to an open letter.
They wrote that the youth of other Arab states and the call of the king to the national dialogue would have inspired them. Now they demand the election of the Majlis al Shura, the previously appointed Saudi parliament, also the active and passive voting rights for women. You want effective action against corruption, fiscal transparency and accountability in government.
Of these, did not the king. After all, he has outlined the conditions under which political prisoners were released. Some small demonstrations have occurred in the Saudi port city of Jiddah and in the Shiite stronghold of Qatif already. A new Facebook group now calls for 11 March for a "day of anger in Saudi Arabia" on.
The Arab world is changing and more and more Saudis want to see this change in their country. Nevertheless, the Kingdom has so far been largely immune to protests. For the reformers represent only a small part of the predominantly conservative population, whose life style has changed little over the decades, and is a growing national sentiment, as in Tunisia and Egypt in the not until 1932, founded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Also, the Sunni Wahhabi clergy locked against changes. The better educated youth passes, but on more freedom and greater participation. Even in Saudi Arabia to face young people the question of why many items go first to members of the Al Saud and not on the best qualified. The open letter of the 40 young people to the king calls, therefore, reduce the average age of 65 years in the cabinet for two decades.
A reshuffle of the Cabinet is expected in early April. Many Saudis believe their king more reforms. Apparently this has for far-reaching changes in his family but not a majority. The next two in line of succession, Defense Minister Sultan and Interior Minister Nayef considered as opposed to any reform needs.
Shall try the royal house, to buy with his petrodollars, the loyalty of the young subjects. Half the population is 20 years and younger. A year are 700 000 men and women, each year 100 000 Saudis leave the universities with a diploma. If you are offered a job, could also in Saudi Arabia caused unrest.
To almost one tenth of the gross domestic product, the cost of the benefits that King Abdullah promised now. They increase government spending for 2011 by a quarter. In particular, young and unemployed Saudis will provide the benefit, including associations, leisure activities. Nearly 30 percent of the funds go into the state fund that awards favorable mortgage and take the housing shortage, the young couples should reduce.
The repayment of the loan is extended. For the first time out of Saudi Arabia support for the unemployed, there is a new social welfare, and government employees get a lifetime allowance of 15 percent of their salary against inflation. Funding for scholarships for studies abroad will be expanded and a newly appointed commission is to submit in four months, a strategy to create new jobs.
The pressure inside is well known. Protests in the neighboring states of Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain strengthen him. put in the tong Saudi Arabia is not so - the early return of the king and the 27-billion-euro plan, however, show that the nervousness is increasing also in the Al Saud.
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- King Abdullah Welcomed Home By Saudi People (24/02/2011)
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