Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (Reuters) Saudi Arabia pro-democracy activists say the government is monitoring social networks to curb any event inspired by the riots that have swept the Arab world and ousted the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia. Activists have Facebook pages open protests calling for 11 and 20 March, with over 17,000 fans in total, but the police managed to foil protests in the city of Jeddah, along the Red Sea, highlighting the difficulties such mobilization in the conservative kingdom.
In one case, around 30 or 50 people were detained by police when they met in the streets, witnesses said. In the second, the security forces flooded the area in a protest that had been posted on Facebook, by threatening the protesters, who fled. "They're closely monitoring what people are saying on Facebook and Twitter," said the Saudi blogger Ahmed al-Omran.
"Obviously, they are anxious because they are surrounded by concerned and want to ensure that we achieve," he added. Saudi Arabia's leading oil producer in the world, banning public protests and political parties. In 2004, Saudi security forces armed with batons and shields thwarted protests in Riyadh and Jeddah, convened by Saudi dissident group in London.
Last week, King Abdullah, a U.S. ally, ordered a pay rise for the Saudis, along with other benefits, on his return home after three months of medical treatment abroad. The measure, valued at 37,000 million dollars, was an apparent attempt to isolate the regime of the wave of protests that affect the Arab countries, but activists want more than money.
There have been signs that the kingdom is to introduce elections to the Shura Assembly, which works almost like a parliament, or a new round of municipal elections. "They've been watching Internet, Facebook and other sites for some time, but now requires more attention," said Mai Yamani, Saudi analyst based in London.
"The Saudis are no different than their brothers or sisters in the region are formed, connected and angry," he added. Taboo protests is difficult to estimate how many Saudis would be prepared to carry out protests. There are three main population centers in the great state of the Arabian peninsula where protests could birth: Riyadh, with a population of over 4 million people, Jeddah, with more than two million Shia areas of the East.
The Shiites, who have long complained of a second-class status, are watching the protests in neighboring Bahrain, where Shiites demand democratic reforms. Approximately 60 percent of the Saudi population of 18 million people are under 30 years, most of them grown in the era of information revolution that has raised concern about the rights of protesters in other places and they has helped to organize.
But the clerics, who have wide powers, have traditionally said that the rulers question is taboo. Activists say that a cabinet reshuffle might help curb Internet activism if it brings new faces. "All reformers hope the long awaited cabinet reshuffle," said Mahmoud Sabagh columnist. "If it be something superficial, my analysis is that the reformists regrouped and strengthened," he added.
In a letter published on Sunday, some 100 intellectuals, activists and academics called on Saudi King to launch major economic reforms that allow citizens to have a greater voice in decision-making in the country. Its main application is in the Assembly elections of the Shura. The Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheik, the main government authority on religious issues, said on its Web site Monday it was opposed to women are integrated into political life.
"These claims should be reconsidered. Will serve Islam? Join the Islamic nation," he asked. 
In one case, around 30 or 50 people were detained by police when they met in the streets, witnesses said. In the second, the security forces flooded the area in a protest that had been posted on Facebook, by threatening the protesters, who fled. "They're closely monitoring what people are saying on Facebook and Twitter," said the Saudi blogger Ahmed al-Omran.
"Obviously, they are anxious because they are surrounded by concerned and want to ensure that we achieve," he added. Saudi Arabia's leading oil producer in the world, banning public protests and political parties. In 2004, Saudi security forces armed with batons and shields thwarted protests in Riyadh and Jeddah, convened by Saudi dissident group in London.
Last week, King Abdullah, a U.S. ally, ordered a pay rise for the Saudis, along with other benefits, on his return home after three months of medical treatment abroad. The measure, valued at 37,000 million dollars, was an apparent attempt to isolate the regime of the wave of protests that affect the Arab countries, but activists want more than money.
There have been signs that the kingdom is to introduce elections to the Shura Assembly, which works almost like a parliament, or a new round of municipal elections. "They've been watching Internet, Facebook and other sites for some time, but now requires more attention," said Mai Yamani, Saudi analyst based in London.
"The Saudis are no different than their brothers or sisters in the region are formed, connected and angry," he added. Taboo protests is difficult to estimate how many Saudis would be prepared to carry out protests. There are three main population centers in the great state of the Arabian peninsula where protests could birth: Riyadh, with a population of over 4 million people, Jeddah, with more than two million Shia areas of the East.
The Shiites, who have long complained of a second-class status, are watching the protests in neighboring Bahrain, where Shiites demand democratic reforms. Approximately 60 percent of the Saudi population of 18 million people are under 30 years, most of them grown in the era of information revolution that has raised concern about the rights of protesters in other places and they has helped to organize.
But the clerics, who have wide powers, have traditionally said that the rulers question is taboo. Activists say that a cabinet reshuffle might help curb Internet activism if it brings new faces. "All reformers hope the long awaited cabinet reshuffle," said Mahmoud Sabagh columnist. "If it be something superficial, my analysis is that the reformists regrouped and strengthened," he added.
In a letter published on Sunday, some 100 intellectuals, activists and academics called on Saudi King to launch major economic reforms that allow citizens to have a greater voice in decision-making in the country. Its main application is in the Assembly elections of the Shura. The Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheik, the main government authority on religious issues, said on its Web site Monday it was opposed to women are integrated into political life.
"These claims should be reconsidered. Will serve Islam? Join the Islamic nation," he asked.
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