SYRIA - The opposition had difficulties in organizing

While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights calls for the release of demonstrators arrested March 16 in Damascus during a demonstration of families of political prisoners, the Syrian government continues to deny the very existence of a dispute. "In a country or state of emergency is in force since 1963, it is difficult to organize a rally or to defy the security services," said Elaph.

However, the Syrians were able to organize the 15 and 16 March a few rallies in cities across the country and on the thirty-two demonstrators arrested five were released on March 17. Moreover, "a page called 'the Syrian Revolution 2011' has been created on Facebook and has already attracted over 47,000 supporters."

• War Cycling Tour of Libya Suspended (17/03/2011)
• Where will it all end? (via Voting American) (27/03/2011)
• Corey Pein: Privatizing war inevitably prolongs it, interviewed by Peter B. Collins and Sibel Edmonds (13/01/2011)
• " The Daily " à peine sorti et déjà " piraté " | Belgium iPhone (09/02/2011)
• Henry Wellcome: from backwoods boy to medicine man (09/01/2011)

Qatar recognizes the council as the sole representative Libyan rebel

Cairo. .- Qatar announced today that it has decided to recognize as the sole representative of Libya to the National Transition Council, the political leadership of the Libyan rebels, sources with the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The sources, quoted by the Qatari news agency, said the Doha Government believes that the rebel council, based in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, "has practically become the representative of Libya and its people." He added, "enjoys the acceptance of the Libyan people." On 12 March the Arab League, of which Qatar is one of its most prominent members, announced that it had recognized the Libyan rebel command as a partner.

Released to the young woman after she reported she had been raped by pro-Gaddafi

Eman Al Obaidi, the woman who reported Saturday at the Rixos Hotel in Benghazi had been raped and beaten by the militia of Muammar Gaddafi, has been released. This was reported on CNN, according to statements by the Libyan government spokesman, Ibrahim Moussa. The young man approached the hotel where he concentrates much of the foreign press to tell if and when in a few minutes was brutally arrested by security personnel, who took her in a car.

Merkel not reform their government despite the defeat in Baden-Württemberg

Berlin. .- German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has no intention to reform its government after the electoral defeat of the parties in his coalition in regional elections held on Sunday in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. This was stated today his official spokesman, Steffeb Seibert, who said "the Chancellor has no plans so" in the usual appearance before reporters Monday.

"Moreover, such decisions are made within the parties, if taken," said Seibbert when commenting on the results of regional elections. Chancellor Merkel herself, minutes depsues, an assessment of the results: "This is a profound change in the history of Baden-Württemberg and the CDU," admitted the president, for whom the "obvious reason" for the defeat is that look at the consequences of nuclear disaster in Japan and its strong influence on the debate and nuclear energy in Germany.

Government and opposition blame each other for the possible entry of the IMF in Portugal

Portugal's political future is in the hands of its president. Aníbal Cavaco Silva on Monday continued his round of contacts, this time with the President of the Assembly of the Republic, the socialist Jaime Gama, after Friday saw all the parties represented in parliament, after the crisis opened by the resignation Luso Prime Minister Jose Socrates.

Before calling early elections, which will most likely be held the last Sunday of May or first of June, Cavaco Silva will formally accept the resignation of Socrates and dissolve Parliament. Although there is no official announcement of the elections, the two major parties have started exchanging accusations in a tone of pre season.

TUNISIA - The American impresses most Tunisians

Hard times for Western diplomacy in this era of revolution in Tunisia. A question raised by a colleague the Ambassador of France: "What lesson of France will not give us now" (and that was a bit mad!). One of us could, March 17, if the press conference was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to ask that question to Mrs.

Clinton: "What America invent new threat to keep Tunisia on a leash?" [One hundred people opposed to the arrival of Hillary Clinton in Tunisia had organized a sit-in outside the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where draconian security measures were put in place, giving rise to tensions between the teams Tunisian and American security.

Libya frees women to the media who reported being raped

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - Imam al-Obeidy, the woman who introduced herself in a hotel in Tripoli to complain to foreign journalists that Gaddafi's 15 men had raped and she was detained by Secret Service members, has been released and is with his family, assured the Libyan government. Iman al-Obeidi said troops had detained pro-Gaddafi at a checkpoint had been tied up and abused her.

The Libyan government has reported that four men have been questioned about the case, including the son of a senior state official. Government spokesman Ibrahim Moussa, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the woman was a prostitute who refused to undergo a medical examination and is now with her sister in the Libyan capital.