Friday, February 18, 2011

02/18/11

* Security Forces in Bahrain Open Fire on Mourners Government forces opened fire on hundreds of mourners marching toward Pearl Square Friday.

* Egypt approves passage of Iranian warships Egypt has approved the passage of two Iranian warships through the Suez Canal.

* Fatalities mount as Arab unrest continues Clashes broke out Friday in Jordan's capital between government supporters and opponents at a protest calling for more freedom and lower food prices, injuring eight.

* Brotherhood: Decision on peace up to 'entire people' The Muslim Brotherhood said on Friday that any decision on Egpt's peace treaty with Israel was up to the Egyptian people and it would not impose its view on them.

* PA Ignores Obama, Seeks UN Condemnation of Israel The Palestinian Authority is seeking international condemnation of Israel, despite the Obama administration's attempts to discourage the move.

* EU calls for dialogue as Bahrain, Yemen, Libya kill protesters The European Union has called for restraint and dialogue after Bahrain's absolutist monarchy launched a military crackdown on protesters.

* Syria to EU: tackle Israel, not Egypt for Middle East peace The EU should take firm action against Israeli settlement-building and human rights abuses instead of playing politics in Egypt if it wants to calm tension in the Middle East.

* Revered Islamic preacher rallies Egyptians in Tahrir, signaling larger role for Islam Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a leading Egyptian Islamic theologian popularized by Al Jazeera, returned to Cairo today to deliver a stirring but overtly political sermon.

* Arab World: The bad news from Egypt What does the Egyptian revolution mean for Israel? A great deal and, unfortunately, none of it is particularly good.

* Ahmadinejad: Obama can't spell his own name Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attacked Barack Obama on Friday, saying the American president "doesn't even know how to spell his own name properly."