PAKISTAN: Ten dead in a burning tanker truck NATO

AFP - At least 15 people were killed Saturday near the Afghan-Pakistan border in the fire, caused by a bomb, a truck that NATO was en route to Afghanistan, Pakistani officials said .

The victims were youths who had gathered to collect the leaking fuel tank near the town of Landi Kotal in the Frontier Province du Nord-Ouest, said an official of the local government, Shafeerullah Wazir.

"The tanker caught fire after an explosion caused by a small bomb," he said."The villagers of nearby houses rushed to collect leaking gasoline truck damaged after the fire was under control," he added.

"Suddenly, the fire resumed and at least 15 people, including five young boys, who collected the fuel in buckets, were fatally burned."

According to another Pakistani official Iqbal Khattak, eleven trucks and tanker trucks from NATO were destroyed Friday around midnight near Torkham (northwest). The vehicles caught fire after the explosion caused one of them, it seems, by a bomb placed under his frame.

No casualties have deplored, "saidKhattak told AFP.

These 12 destruction have not been claimed, but authorities suspect the Taliban of being the authors.

These attacks occurred in the aftermath of the attack against two cars in the U.S. consulate in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, which slightly wounded two Americans and killed a passerby. It was the first direct attack on the United States since the death of Osama bin Laden.

The Pakistani Taliban insurgents who have pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in 2007 and lead since a very bloody campaign of bombings in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack to avenge the mastermind of the Sept. 11, killed on 2 May in the north by a helicopter-borne U.S. commandos.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND: The maneuvers have begun for the succession of DSK

Reuters - Interned in the huge prison complex Rikers Island since Monday evening, Dominique Strauss-Kahn to add to a prison daily increasing pressure for his resignation as director of the IMF.

Then he will appear a second time on Friday before a criminal court in Manhattan to respond to alleged sexual assault, DSK is increasingly isolated and keeping him at the head of the International Monetary Fund is seen as an embarrassment .

The IMF has tried to contact its Director General to determine whether he intended to remain at this station during the course of the investigation or whether he planned to retire.

In a statement, the international institution has lamented the fact that such a relationship could not take place since the inquiry of DSK Saturday afternoon at JFK Airport in New York on a plane to Paris.

An IMF spokesman said that "it is obviously important that contact can be established within a reasonable time."

"I know there is a problem concerning his status in the IMF, but it is hoped that this will be put in brackets the time that we see clearer in this case," said Bill Taylor, one of the lawyers DSK.

Washington calls for an interim Director

Two sources at the IMF confirmed to Reuters that the board has tried Tuesday to join DSK considering whether or not to remain at his post.

One source said that IMF chief's resignation is the ideal solution, while the second source said that this sentiment was not shared by the 24 members of the board of directors.

The IMF chief is currently in custody at Rikers Island prison after rejecting his request for bail in a case of alleged sexual assault on a woman in a hotel room in New York.

According to the regulations of the prison administration of the city, inmates may receive three visits per week in addition to their lawyers.

The U.S. treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, said it was important that the Fund can continue to operate normally at a time when he intervened in the rescue of several European Union countries.

"I can not comment on the case, but obviously he (DSK) is not in a position where it may lead the IMF," said Geithner.

"It is important that the Board of Directors of the IMF formally appoint someone to a transitional period and that person is acting as director," he added.

The White House is already thinking of replacing John Lipsky, number 2 of the Fund who is temporarily acting, and plans to push the candidacy of Councillor David Lipton to this post.

"Given the situation, the release on bail was refused, he should (resign) to avoid penalizing the institution," said Maria Fekter, Austrian Minister of Finance.

"It is important to ensure the stability of the institution, but we must also rely on the intelligence of Mr. Strauss-Kahn.And in this case it does not seem to have demonstrated, "said Elena Delgado, Spanish Minister of Economy.

Rivalry between emerging European and

If it is not yet officially opened, a succession of DSK to head the IMF is already the subject of rivalries, especially between emerging markets and European Union.

China, which last year became the third largest contributor to the Fund, called for "fairness, transparency and merit" in choosing the new head of the organization.

Brazil and South Africa echoed this position by stating that the choice of the next executive director must be on the basis of his qualifications and not his
nationality.

"We believe it is appropriate to have someone from a country emerging.We believe that India and Brazil are good options, but we also believe that Europe will try to maintain its leading position and we're going to press, "said an official of Brazil.

The three main tasks of the director who will eventually be named are: the debt crisis in Europe, the establishment of a political agreement on reducing debt in the U.S. and the risk of an inflationary bubble in emerging markets .

Waiting to be re-heard by American justice, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was under continuous surveillance designed to prevent any suicide attempt.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has shown no signs to that effect and it is simply a precautionary measure, said a source within the prison service.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn will be monitored more frequently than other inmates, the source said, without elaborating.

FRANCE: Dominique Strauss-Kahn is charged with "sexual assault" in New York

The Director General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the French Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been formally charged Sunday with sexual assault and attempted rape a few hours after being arrested at the airport in New York, officials said Source police.

Strauss-Kahn, known as "DSK", Socialist candidate preferred by the French presidential polls for 2012, "has been charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement and one of attempted rape on a young person 32 year old woman in a hotel room in New York, "Ryan told reporters Sesa, a spokesman for police in Harlem (north of Manhattan).

Mr.Strauss-Kahn, 62, was still detained at the police station in Harlem, where he was taken in the afternoon of Saturday, after being arrested while preparing to leave for Europe.

It should be referred to the prosecutor in the day Sunday, and should remain at the police station in Harlem by then, it was clear from the same source.

INTERNET: Syria Goes to War against Facebook

Served to suppress the popular uprising that opposes the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian leadership does not forget all the social media front. These days, Damascus has decided to launch an attack on Facebook.The "crime" of the famous social network? Having closed last Friday, the page electronic Syrian Army that supports the Syrian president without having informed his leaders when it had over 60,000 fans, reported Tuesday the Arabic version of the American CNN news site.

A few hours later, the ax fell on a clone of this page of pro-Bashar created by "sympathizers" in the words of the Syrian government daily Al-Thawra.

Earlier this week, the newspaper also accused Facebook of "supporting the alleged Syrian revolution."In short: Damascus suspected site of playing a double game, recalling in passing that the pages of the opposition continued, they, on their merry path digital.

If leaders of the social network have always kept to stand at the recent events that have affected the Arab world, it must be noted, however, he allowed the protesters to organize the Egyptian and Tunisian easier. Remains that Facebook is not accustomed to close the pages and do not typically occur in cases of flagrant and repeated violations against its rules.Contacted by FRANCE 24, the company declined to respond.

Call to spam

The directors of the famous Egyptian Facebook page "We are all Khaled Said", which was particularly illustrated in the uprising against the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak, advance, them, the following explanation for the closure of page E-Syrian Army: they ensure that its officers have violated the code of conduct on Facebook.

"We are all Khaled Said" reproduced well, a message posted on the "wall" of the electronic page of the Syrian Army to its members explaining the procedure for "spam" (flood of spam) - which is prohibited - Facebook groups calling for revolution in Syria.

But Internet Syrian lend, themselves, to Facebook noblest motives. The social network would react to the information of the British daily "The Telegraph" that in recent days, opponents of Syria were tortured to reveal their access codes to Facebook, they say.

Much refute accusations that Damascus.The daily Al-Thawra "said, meanwhile, that" those responsible for the electronic page of the Syrian army preparing to launch an offensive that Facebook will remember "to avenge the alleged bias of the social network.

FOOTBALL - THE CASE OF QUOTA: Zidane broke his silence and defends Laurent Blanc

AFP - The case of quotas was marked Saturday by Zinedine Zidane in support of Laurent Blanc, who has had a hectic day, between his private flight from Merano (Italy) Bordeaux, tracked by the press, and a denial of the French Football Federation (FFF) following the announcement by a regional media of his alleged resignation.

The position of Zidane, beacon generation black-blanc-beur, was eagerly awaited.Her silence became heavy while the world champions in 1998 tore at each other on the White case, with Vieira and Thuram accusers and Dugarry, Lizarazu, Desailly and Jacquet, coach of the defenders.

"It would be crazy to let him go because of it"

To the question "Should he step down as coach?" Zidane replied in an interview published Sunday in L'Equipe: "Of course not. But I can tell you it was very, very touched. I think he started doing a great job. And he has a real project, but you must leave things in their place, it would be crazy to let him go because of this. It must continue. "

"Regarding Lawrence, we'll make it simple and clear: I know him well, he is obviously not racist, says 'Zizou'.I'm going even further: it never reasons like that because it's not an issue for him! I think that's also how he has made clear in a discussion take.

White spent a Saturday in leading media.The FFF had formally denied to AFP his resignation presented by the conditional site-West France on Saturday morning, also denied information by the Ministry of Sports.

"I got the phone (...) at no time was there any question about it (...) It does not have to tell me everything, but at no time did I felt on the verge of resignation, "for his part told AFP press chief of the Blues, Philippe Tournon.

Laurent Blanc is silent before being heard by the Commissions of Inquiry

White left Meran (northern Italy) in early afternoon Saturday, when he was in treatment, said a reporter from AFP.The coach is then arrived at about 5:15 p.m. on board a private plane at the airport Bordeaux-Merignac, found a photographer for AFP.

"Out of respect for the Committees preparing to audition, Laurent Blanc will not make any statements before the hearings and render findings. He will speak, however much later," said Mr.Tournon.

The coach has until Monday morning to even be heard by the mission of the Department of Sports and by the internal commission of the FFF, a source familiar with the matter.

Davenas Lawrence, one of two members of the Committee of Inquiry of the FFF, said Saturday at the AFP: "Until further notice, a hearing will be in Paris, probably during the weekend," the later Monday.

Chantal Jouanno Sports Minister must present the findings of the investigation department on Monday afternoon.Those of the internal investigation of the FFF should be reserved for a special federal council next Thursday.

In the case of quotas, for now, only the national technical director (DTN) François Blaquart, which depends on both the department and the FFF is temporarily suspended. It is seems likely that the heavier penalty.

Brussels unveils several proposals to reform the Schengen area

The European Commission will propose on Wednesday a greater flexibility to restore the checks within the Schengen area without borders, under pressure from Paris and Rome who are concerned about the arrival of thousands of Tunisian immigrants.

Temporary restoration of national borders is a "possibility among others" to be used in exceptional circumstances, "said Commission President José Manuel Barroso, in a letter sent late last week in France and the Italy.

But most said one European diplomat, is that of restoring border controls is clearly signified.

This review could "undermine the philosophy of the Schengen system, which relies on mutual trust between States, but warned Yves PASCOUAU, a European expert on migration issues, in a study released Tuesday by the European Policy Centre (European Policy Center) .

Paris, in conflict with Rome about the reception of migrants in Tunisia, estimates that the current "safeguard clauses" that allow states to reinstate the controls are too restrictive.

France wants such that they can do so not only in cases of "serious threat to public order or national security" - as is expected today - but also in cases of "failure" of a state in monitoring its borders.

A European diplomat cited the example of Greek-Turkish border, which is one of the main crossing points for illegal immigration in Europe.

It is "essential" that the border control at the borders of Europe should be "effective and credible," the text that the Commission should present Wednesday and which AFP has obtained a copy still subject to change.

Temporary restoration of national borders should be "an incitement to virtue to compel these countries to be more rigorous, more demanding," said one diplomat.

A capacity of Frontex?

European Commissioner for immigration Cecilia Malmström should also propose a strengthening of skills and capacity for action of Frontex, the agency responsible for overseeing the external borders of the EU.

Its proposals will then be on the agenda of a meeting of EU interior ministers on May 12 in Brussels before being finalized in June at a summit of Heads of State and Government of the EU.

"The goal is to go as fast as possible to strengthen the governance of the Schengen area," said one diplomat from a major European country.

However, if the proposals are in line with Brussels wanted by Paris and Rome, the debate on how best to implement them is unresolved.France calls for new legislation changing the Schengen code to give more weight to the amendments, while the Commission and some capitals look for a less cumbersome for simple "clarification" of existing rules, according to diplomats.

The German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle has placed limits on changing the rules. "Freedom of movement in Europe is such a success that it should not be renegotiated," he said.

The Schengen Area comprises 25 Member States with three non-EU members (Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, Liechtenstein and soon).It allows more than 400 million citizens to move freely from Finland to Greece, from Portugal to the Polish border, without showing their passports.

The accession of Bulgaria and Romania, initially scheduled for March, is still pending.

EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood created their own political party

AFP - The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the most influential movement oppositon, have created their own party Saturday, with the ambition to contest half the seats in parliamentary elections scheduled for September, the first since the fall of the regime of Hosni Mubarak .

The new party, dubbed the "Party of Freedom and Justice", has denied having an orientation "theocratic" and said he would be "independent" of the Brotherhood, whose pronouncements are often the distrust of the population.

The Advisory Board of the movement decided to launch the party and adopted at the same time its political program, said at a news conference Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General of the brotherhood born there over 80 years.

The party, headed by a politburo member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed al-Mursi, will coordinate its positions with the Brotherhood while remaining an independent body.

"It will be a civil party and not theocratic," repeated Mr. Mursi. The Egyptian constitution bans parties based on religion.

According to Dr. Mursi, the Party for Freedom and justice will run for between 45 and 50% of seats in parliamentary elections in September, the first poll since Mr.Mubarak has stepped down under pressure from the streets Feb. 11.

The army, which Mr.Mubarak handed over the reins of the country to his departure, announced in late March it would give legislative power to the future parliament elected in September, then the executive power at the head of state chosen by ballot at the end of the year .

The ambitions of the new party should raise the dismay of other political parties who have engaged in rebellion against the old regime and who may fear being marginalized if they do not present a united front.

"This announcement is depressing to political forces in the country," he told AFP Rashawan Dia, an expert on Islamist movements at the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

"The revolution was not Islamic.We must now reconsider the idea that the Muslim Brotherhood are the most important force in the country, "he said.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the Mubarak regime nemesis, were officially banned from the Egyptian political sphere, but were tolerated in practice.Drawing on influential social support networks, he presented their candidates as "independents".

After a breakthrough in the legislative elections of 2005, which saw them win nearly 20% of the seats, the Muslim Brotherhood came out empty handed from the first round of the legislative end of 2010, and had decided to boycott the second round, alleging massive fraud and violence.

The brotherhood is particularly active in the mosques, where it carries out actions to help the disadvantaged, in universities and within unions.

Founded in 1928 in Egypt by Hassan al-Banna, it is the oldest movement of Sunni Islam.His doctrine organized around the doctrine of "Tawheed" (Oneness of God), the fusion of religion and politics.

During its history it has oscillated between violent opposition to power and collaboration, between pleas for an Islamic state and insurance companies respect the democratic game. It thus remains an enigma and creates fear of Westerners, who fear the establishment of an Islamic regime in Egypt.

UNITED STATES: The Federal Reserve has revolutionized the communication

Chairman of the Central Bank of the United States (Fed), Ben Bernanke, has dealt a further blow to the reputation of secrecy and opacity of the institution in deciding to hold regular press briefings.

Mr. Bernanke will hold press briefings four times a year to present the latest economic forecasts Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed and to provide additional circumstantial evidence on the Committee's decisions, "the Fed said in a statement.

The first briefing is scheduled for April 27, after the next monetary policy meeting of the Federal Reserve.Two more are planned for 2011: June 22 and November 2.

It is a revolution in communication and transparency for the Fed, which until 1994 did not communicate the decisions taken during meetings of its Monetary Policy Committee (FOMC).

It was then scrutinize the evolution of the interbank lending market on a daily basis, on which the Fed has daily, to get an idea of ​​what she had decided.

Since then, the FOMC announces its decision in a statement issued at the end of its meetings and whose every word is weighed and analyzed by experts.

The Fed said that "the launch of regular press briefings designed to further improve the clarity and timeliness of [his] communication."

The FOMC holds a regular meeting every six weeks, eight times a year.

At the Committee meeting in December, several members had insisted on "communication challenges" facing the Federal Reserve to make it understand as precisely as possible its intentions.

Quiet by nature, Mr. Bernanke seemed rather reluctant to exercise press conferences.

He had participated in early February at a Washington press conference - where the questions were filtered by a moderator - who had the air of a trial run.

Mr.Bernanke said last year that his institution had not yet taken the decision "difficult" to communicate more often, just like what the European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of Japan, whose respective presidents, Jean -Claude Trichet and Masaaki Shirakawa, give regular press conference.

"We do not want to create inappropriately uncertainty or volatility in financial markets by saying things that could be misinterpreted," he had said the same.

At the head of the Fed since 2006, Mr.Bernanke has profoundly changed the habits in the central bank, rejecting the "cult" which was under his predecessor Alan Greenspan, and leading the Fed to communicate a lot about his action.

Where Mr. Greenspan had made a specialty of small cryptic sentences, Mr. Bernanke, a former economics professor, is trying to explain in the simplest possible action.

The announcement of regular press briefings of the President of the Fed takes place while the U.S. central bank will soon have to clarify how it intends to fly the "crisis", that is to say how she intends to use to return smoothly to the hundreds of billions of dollars it has pumped into the U.S. economy to enable it through the crisis.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Third day of fighting on the border between Thailand and Cambodia

Fighting with heavy weapons broke out Sunday morning for the third consecutive day between Cambodian and Thai troops at the disputed border between the two countries, hours after the UN call for a cease-fire.

According to a Cambodian military official, the clashes resumed around 10:00 local time (0300 GMT) around a disputed group of temples.

A Thai official has confirmed new incidents."Cambodia opened fire first," he added.

As usual, the two neighbors blame the cause of clashes that killed six soldiers and four Cambodian Thai since Friday.

The gunfire was clearly audible 20 km away fighting the Cambodian side, where villagers were evacuated found shelter in schools and temples, according to an AFP photographer.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the two neighbors to "take immediate steps to implement a cease-fire effective and verifiable," said a spokesman.

Cambodia and Thailand have clashed several times in recent years in the jungle near the ancient temples located on a border that has never been fully demarcated, partly because of mines left by decades of civil war in Cambodia.

Phnom Penh on Saturday accused the Thai army have used "heavy weapons containing poison gas," that the Thai authorities have denied.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit him Sunday accused its neighbor of wanting to "internationalize" the conflict.

Cambodia calls since the latest fighting in February mediation to resolve the border disputes, but Bangkok urges bilateral talks.

After these clashes, the two countries had given their agreement to send observers to the border, after mediation organized by the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) in February.

But since the Thai military said that these observers were not welcome and they were never deployed.

The fighting of February 4 to 7, which had ten dead, including civilians, were held in more than 100 km further east, near the Khmer temple of Preah Vihear.

These ruins of the eleventh century, whose classification by UNESCO in 2008 had rekindled tensions within the sovereignty of Cambodia by a ruling of the International Court of Justice in 1962.

But the Thais its main access control, and both countries claim an area of ​​4.6 km2 below the building that has not been delineated.

COTE D'IVOIRE - EXCLUSIVE: The reconciliation of the country through the people of Duékoué

Some images may offend the sensibilities of viewers.

Ten days after the effective takeover of the Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara, the new government must now begin on a gigantic construction: that of reconciliation. The Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI), which brought to power Ouattara, are now sovereign and crisscross the country to collect weapons in circulation and safety.

In Duékoué, Caroline Dumay, special correspondent for FRANCE 24, followed FRCI patrols in the heart of one of the cities most affected by the clashes between pro-and pro-Gbagbo Ouattara.Their mission focuses on two areas: ensuring the safety of people and uncover possible weapons caches.

"Duekoué was the nest of the militia and Liberian mercenaries. The amount of weapons we have recovered is below the estimates we made on the number of weapons distributed here," said the commander of the gendarmerie Konda Duékoué responsible for operations in the region.

In recent weeks the clashes, several reports have confirmed that the armed forces loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo had out massively distributed weapons to civilians.For the commander Konda, this weapon is a threat to the newfound peace in Côte d'Ivoire.

Massacres

Securing Duékoué by FRCI is now one of the priorities of government Ouattara, while residents return to their homes and attempt to identify the many dead.

In recent weeks, several humanitarian agencies have accused the pro-Ouattara of committing atrocities in the region of Duekoue. The Red Cross had even suggested a figure of 800 deaths in one district of Carrefour.

The Government believes that the balance Ouattara civil clashes is 330 deaths in the region.Officials of the UN mission on site, for their part, said they had conducted the burial of 198 bodies.

According to FRANCE 24 journalists in Duékoué, it is likely that many civilians were summarily executed. Images they filmed, the lifeless body emerged, particularly that of a pastor who tried to surrender before being shot.

The time of reconstruction

The authorities said the residents of Duekoue that the area was now secure and that they could return to their city.But for many people, the main concern now is to know where to sleep, while many houses were swept away by the fighting.

Father Bertin, parish of Diahouin, chose to return. But the return is difficult. His chapel was burned, his house was looted and the well is filled with corpses. "It is not difficult to return, but once you're there, where to stay Where to live?" Asks he.

At 85, like many others, he can not afford to rebuild. This heavy burden will be the new power in place. A "major challenge", recognizes Sidiki Konate, a government minister Ouattara."If it solves the problem of reconciliation in Duékoué, it solves the problem of reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire," he says.

A scenario that can take shape without the rapid reconstruction of infrastructure.

LIBYA - Feature: In Misrata, the fighting is taking place amid a ruined city

Misrata reached April 12, Matthieu Mabin and Alexandra Fox, FRANCE 24 correspondents, are alongside the rebellion Libyan Misrata when she comes back to a neighborhood to the forces of Colonel Gaddafi.

Beach shoes and sweatpants, five weeks ago, insurgents Misrata were students, dentists and masons. Today they have become combatants. This is the case of Muhammad, who fights in his neighborhood, close to his own house: "I stay in my city to defend it. If someone comes to you and tries to kill you, what do you do? You defend yourself! We only defend themselves by fighting .... "

Within days, the fighting turned into a battlefield Misrata."Look at the streets of Tripoli on 6 or 7 miles, everything is destroyed, nothing remains," said Muhamad.

The battles are played out street by street, house by house, and leave behind a city totally devastated.

LIBYA: In Doha, the "contact group" trying to prevent the stagnation of the conflict Libyan

The foreign ministers of the "contact group" on Libya will meet in Qatar on Wednesday when the stalemate of the situation causes a tension among the allies.

On the eve of this meeting, France and Great Britain, who were at the forefront of military intervention in the sky Libyan Tuesday urged NATO to step up its raids to destroy heavy weapons forces of Muammar Gaddafi.

In Luxembourg, where he attended a meeting of European ministers, Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister said Tuesday that NATO, which took over the United States, Great Britain and France March 31, did not play its role adequately.

"NATO has absolutely wanted to conduct this operation on the military.Well now, there is now (...) It is not acceptable Misrata can continue to be under fire from the bombing of Qaddafi's troops, "he said.

His British counterpart, William Hague, also requested that the Alliance is intensifying its efforts."We must maintain and strengthen our efforts within NATO," said the Foreign Secretary.

For more than three weeks after the first air strikes against the regular forces Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi is still in place and the insurgents, whose representatives will travel to Qatar, do not seem able to overthrow him by force.

With the failure of mediation attempts by the African Union, the prospects for a compromise were parallel remote.

"A new Somalia?"

Established at the London conference, March 29, the "contact group" on Libya to fly the political aspect of the Allied intervention.

Representatives of the National Transitional Council (CNT), established by the rebels in their stronghold of Benghazi (East), will be heard by the Ministers in Doha.

They should also hold talks with Musa Kusa, a former Libyan foreign minister who defected and fled to London last month, said the British government.Koussa was concerned that his country from becoming "another Somalia".

The Doha meeting comes as the stalemate threat and that the humanitarian crisis is accentuated in Misrata, the last major town held by rebels in western Libya and besieged for weeks the troops of Muammar Gaddafi.

At least 250 people died in six weeks in this city located 220 km east of Tripoli.

"When one pulls gun on Misrata is that there are many guns that must be identified and neutralized (...) It should be on it more efficient," stressed Alain Juppe.

NATO, which has intensified its air attacks during the weekend around Misrata and Ajdabiah, destroying several tanks forces Gaddafi rejects criticism of the French and British.

In a statement, she said it "vigorously conducts its military operations in Libya under the mandate given to it" and that "the pace of operations is determined by the need to protect the civilian population."

Late Tuesday night, the Alliance announced that its air force had destroyed five tanks in the area of ​​Misrata."Our aviation continues to strike targets around Misrata regime," the Canadian General Charles Bouchard, Commander of NATO.

The rebels have announced they have demanded weapons to countries that have recognized their Transitional National Council as the sole representative of the country, namely France, Qatar and Italy.

"We presented a list of military equipment and technology we need," said Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, official spokesman of the CNT in Benghazi.

COTE D'IVOIRE: The battle continues Abidjan, Laurent Gbagbo called for "resistance" against France

The battle of Abidjan Saturday saw a new rise in power with the attack against the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, the headquarters of the president recognized by the international community, Alassane Ouattara, by men of outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo.

His spokesman, Ahoua Don Mello, however, strongly denied in the evening to AFP that the attack was carried out by his forces: "This is absolutely false.There was no attack of Golf, "he said, calling the incident an" imaginary attack. "

"President Gbagbo called for resistance against the bombing and the actions of the French army in Ivory Coast, because ultimately it is the French army that attacked us," he also said Ahoua Don Mello.

"Our troops are trying to rebuild after suffering a barbaric attack of the rebels backed by the UN and Licorne," he added.

Conducted after a relatively quiet day in Abidjan, the shooting against the Golf Hotel are the first aimed directly at the hotel where Mr. entrenchedOuattara and his government since the beginning of the post-election crisis in Ivory Coast, there are more than four months.

"We are being attacked with heavy weapons and light. It shook the walls, the staff are being evacuated in the basement," said a hotel employee. According to several witnesses, the fire started before 5:00 p.m. local and GMT and was completed shortly after 18:00.

Defence Forces and Security (SDS pro-Gbagbo) "are now attacking us and trying to push them," said a veteran Republican Forces of Mr. Ouattara.

"The shots are very, very close. Snipers fired bursts of Kalashnikov.The pro-Gbagbo attack us on all fronts ", including from the opposite edge of the lagoon along the Golf Hotel, said a resident of the Golf Hotel.

"Before the attack on the golf hotel, a convoy of soldiers FRCI Forces (Republican, pro-Ouattara) was ambushed as he left the hotel to Abobo (north of Abijan)," he told AFP an official military camp Ouattara.

"There are at least four dead and ten wounded," he added.It was not immediately possible to confirm this assessment.

Peacekeepers defending HQ Ouattara returned fire Saturday after the mortar attack, said the UN mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

"It came from the other side of the lagoon (south of the hotel) and the residence of President Gbagbo (located in the same district of Cocody)," said Hamadoun Toure, spokesman of the UNOCI.

"In accordance with their mandate to protect the golf hotel where the president and his team Ouattara, peacekeepers have responded by targeting the source of the shots coming from the other side of the Lagoon.We purposely avoided the residence of President Gbagbo, "added the spokesman.

In Washington, the spokesman for the State Department reiterated on Saturday condemned the violence perpetrated by the forces of Laurent Gbagbo, describing his attempts to negotiate a "ruse to regroup and rearm.

On the ground, a lull prevailed in Abidjan Saturday after heavy fighting the previous day's heavy machine gun and small arms fire that raged on the perimeter that includes the residence of Mr. Gbagbo, the RTI and the school gendarmerie.

Laurent Gbagbo's troops are fighting hard in the fiefs they held and where they enjoy a degree of mobility, according to testimony consistent.

Alassane Ouattara troops trying to secure the rest of the economic capital that suffers from a serious food situation.

The organization of human rights Human Rights Watch on Saturday accused forces pro-Ouattara and the pro-Gbagbo of committing massacres in western Ivory Coast, claiming possession of new evidence of atrocities already denounced by the UN and NGOs.

Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara raped or killed hundreds of people and burned villages in late March in western Côte d'Ivoire, HRW said in a report published in New York.

The NGO also claims to have evidence of atrocities committed by the forces of Laurent Gbagbo, including a massacre at Blolequin March 28 more than a hundred men, women and children from northern Côte d'Ivoire and neighboring countries .On the 29th, ten of the same origin were killed and eight Togolese Guiglo in a village near Blolequin, HRW added.

In this context, the UN and the French Licorne force have confirmed their presence Saturday in the strategic port of Abidjan after the lifting of European sanctions, announced Friday against two major ports of Côte d'Ivoire - Abidjan San Pedro - as well as against several related companies including the cocoa sector.

Large stocks of cocoa beans, the main source of foreign currency, the world's largest producer, have been waiting for weeks to go for export.

On the other hand, an Air France flight arrived Saturday morning at the Abidjan airport, according to a French military source, who for the resumption of commercial flights is "effective."

LIBYA: Gaddafi After the message, the White House calls for "action, not words"

AFP - The White House insisted Wednesday Muammar Gaddafi deeds and not words after receiving a message from the leader following the withdrawal of U.S. fighter planes to Libya.

"We can confirm that there was a letter, obviously not the first" the Libyan leader, told reporters the spokesman of President Barack Obama, Jay Carney, aboard Air Force One carrying President Philadelphia (Pennsylvania East) for a meeting focused on the economy.

But without disclosing the content of the message, Mr.Carney said that Obama had been saying for weeks that a cease-fire in Libya would depend "acts and not words (and) an end to violence."

"The words, this is not the same as action," insisted the spokesman.

Earlier Wednesday, state news agency Jana announced that Colonel Gaddafi had "Wednesday sent a message to President Barack Obama after the withdrawal of U.S. coalition aggressive colonialist cross against Libya," the agency said without give details on the contents of the message.

The U.S. military had withdrawn Monday that fighter jets were involved in the international campaign in Libya. It should now provide more than had intended to conduct air refueling missions as well as jamming and surveillance.

CHINA: dissident artist Ai Weiwei arrested at Beijing airport

AFP - The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, outspoken government critic, was arrested when he was about to board a plane for Hong Kong and police raided his studio outside Beijing, have announced its employees on Twitter.

The arrest of Ai Weiwei, 53, comes just days after he announced his intention to move abroad to avoid being harassed by the time the authorities have further strengthened their crackdown on people criticizing the regime.On Tuesday, he spoke German.

Have announced in mid-February the cancellation of his first major exhibition held in China in March, organizers had explained to him that the timing was inappropriate and they wanted to reschedule.

According to messages on Twitter accounts assistant to the artist, police visited his studio in the District Caochangdi equipped with a search warrant.

Eight of his assistants were taken by police for questioning while his wife was under police surveillance at their homes, according to these same sources.

The mobile phone of the artist was off Sunday and did not answer the phone at his studio in Beijing.

In January, the artist's studio in the suburbs of Shanghai had been demolished. Ai was briefly placed under house arrest last November for trying to "celebrate" with her fans announcing the forced demolition.

Have defended many humanitarian causes and won renown with a broad inquiry into the collapses of school buildings during the earthquake in Sichuan province (southwest) in 2008, apparently related to corruption.

JAPAN: Authorities put all the nuclear reactors of the archipelago under surveillance

AFP - The Japanese government on Wednesday ordered an urgent check of all the country's nuclear reactors to ensure they do not meet one day the same damage as those endured by the power plant in Fukushima damaged by the earthquake of March 11 .

A letter to that effect, made public, was addressed by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Banri Kaieda, CEOs of the nine regional electricity companies in Japan and two other operators nuclear power plants.

Japan has more than 50 reactors, all located on the seafront, on an archipelago that is integrally threat of earthquakes.

The central Fukushima Daiichi (1 Fukushima, north-east) faces an extreme situation, power was cut off by the earthquake and tsunami, embedded generators and cooling devices turned off, all leading to overheating fuel, explosions and radiation leaks.
;
As for facilities that are currently under arrest or under construction, they can not be used without having been vetted, "said Minister of Industry, Banri Kaieda, at a press conference partially televised.

The Department also requests that the exercises are conducted to train the teams to deal with such emergencies.

Measures will also be implemented to secure sources of emergency power and a means to cool the fuel, especially in cooling ponds.

The minister stressed that Japan could hardly do without nuclear power, given their needs and lack of resources.

"The nuclear electricity makes up 30% of production in Japan," he said.

The arrest of more than a dozen reactors after the earthquake of March 11 requires the company Tokyo Electric Power, which manages Fukushima Daiichi and supplies the capital, to schedule outages and forcing users to limit their consumption.

UK: Hundreds of thousands of Britons in the streets against the austerity plans

AFP - Britons are descended en masse on Saturday in the streets of London to say no to austerity, a manifestation of a magnitude rare in a country not customary for such demonstrations social, but tarnished by vandals.

The unions, who dreamed of making this day a milestone in the mobilization against the austerity policy, believe they have won their bet, even if they complain clashes with police at the march, which ended in nine arrests five policemen injured.

"We are absolutely delighted: there are hundreds of thousands of people, perhaps half a million, welcomed Paul Nowak, an official of the organization.

A spokesman for the Confederation of British unions, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said that "between 250,000 and 300,000 people" had responded, and some media evoked in the absence of police estimates, 400,000 to 500,000 participants.

"This is the biggest event in London for a generation," enthused the union Unite.

This rally is actually the largest in London since the war against Iraq, which brought together nearly one million people in 2003.It is also the largest social movement since the riots two decades ago and which precipitated the fall of Margaret Thatcher.

A large police contingent had been set up by the TUC, in addition to the 4,500 police officers mobilized, not to relive the excesses of student demonstrations this fall, who had stunned the British.

But clashes have broken out anyway in the march. Disrupters were attacked with paint and glass bottles of stores and banks and smashed windows, around Oxford Street, a major shopping street.

Bulbs filled with ammonia were thrown at the police, police said.The Ritz has been made the target of projectiles and activists broke into the famous department store Fortnum & Mason.

Unions have bitterly deplored the violence scenes, especially as the parade itself was held for more than five hours in a friendly atmosphere.

Many had come with family, strollers and vuvuzelas, the famous horns used by fans at football matches in South Africa.

Scots played the bagpipes and musicians and dancers have joined the march, giving it an air of carnival.

"Do not break Britain," "Defending our public services," proclaimed the banners.

"I'm here because the government wants us to pay to repair what did the bankers.It is currently building a society where the rich are even more, and weak, the poor, "said Gillian Siddons, a retiree of 60 years.

"People are gathered today the spokespeople of Great Britain deep," shouted the leader of the opposition Labour Ed Miliband as a warning to the government, which imposed a cure to the country of unprecedented stringency with wage freeze for civil servants and removal of more than 300,000 public sector jobs.

"Of course people are worried and even angry at times, but we inherited an economic situation that we must take steps to bring public finances back in balance," pleaded the Minister of Education Michael Gove.

MIDDLE EAST: Islamic Jihad claims two new rockets at Israel

Al-Quds Brigades, armed wing of the radical Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility on Wednesday morning the firing of two rockets at Israel, in a statement released in Gaza.

Al-Quds Brigades have attributed the authorship of two rocket attacks against the town of Beersheba in the Negev (southern Israel) and that of Ashdod, near the border with the Gaza Strip.

"This is an initial response to the Zionist crimes committed against our people in Gaza," the statement said.

These new rockets are part of an escalation of violence since Saturday between armed Palestinian groups in Gaza and Israel.

Eight Palestinians, four civilians including two minors, and four Islamic Jihad fighters were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza on Tuesday, the deadliest day in the Palestinian territory controlled by Hamas for more than two years.

On the night of Wednesday, two Islamic Jihad militants were wounded, one seriously, during an Israeli air strike in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

Liveblogging: France launches military action in Libya

What you should remember:

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that French fighter planes had penetrated into Libyan airspace to prevent the forces of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to attack the city of Benghazi, a stronghold of the opposition.


The statement by the French head of state concluded an international summit on the situation in Libya, which gathered in Paris this Saturday the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Prime Minister David Cameron and many Arab and European politicians.
A military plane was shot Saturday morning while flying over the city of Benghazi.The aircraft belongs to the opponents of Muammar Gaddafi.
According to the insurgents in Benghazi, forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi bombed roads leading into town. The regime denies the accusations and says its planes remained on the ground, according to the cease-fire it announced Friday.

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BAHRAIN: The king declared a state of emergency for three months

AFP - The King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa has declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for three months, following the arrival of troops from the Gulf came to help contain the Shiite challenge.

"Due to circumstances that crosses Bahrain (...) King declares a state of emergency for a period of three months," said a statement broadcast by state television.

The statement said the king instructed the commander of the armed forces to restore order by using the army, police forces, units of the National Guard and "any other force, if necessary" .

This last statement appears to refer to units sent to Bahrain by its partners of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

This decision comes as Shiite protesters block streets in Manama and are gathered in a square in the capital, following the arrival of troops from the joint force of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called "Shield Peninsula ", in this small kingdom ruled by a Sunni dynasty.

SAUDI ARABIA: Violent repression of a Shiite demonstration in the eastern United

AFP - Three Shiite demonstrators were injured Thursday in eastern Saudi Arabia by gunfire from police attempting to disperse a rally, according to a witness on the eve of a call for protests in the kingdom.

The shootings have occurred, while between 600 and 800 people, including women, demonstrating in Al-Qatif to demand the release of nine prisoners Shiite, said the witness, who requested anonymity.

"While walking in the heart of the city was completed, the soldiers started shooting at demonstrators, and three of them were injured," he added.

The three injured men were hospitalized but their injuries were "moderate," the source said, that the shooting lasted about 10 minutes.

These incidents occurred on the eve of a call to protest launched on Facebook.

The call claims that "the leader and members of the Majlis al-Shura (consultative council appointed) be elected", "the release of political prisoners" and "freedom of speech and assembly" in the kingdom.

Saudi officials have stated several times in recent days that the demonstrations were banned in the kingdom and that the police were authorized to intervene to enforce the law.

In Riyadh, the situation was normal on Thursday but police patrols were more numerous than usual, residents said.

In Washington, Deputy Adviser for National Security President Barack Obama, Ben Rhodes, said the U.S. closely monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia, one of its main allies in the Middle East, and defended " universal values ​​"such as the right to protest.

The prospect of turmoil in the heart of the world's largest exporter of crude oil has contributed to nervousness in the oil market.Brent Thursday evolved around $ 114 a barrel.

"The attention is focused on the crisis in the Middle East, while demonstrations potential for + the + day of rage Friday in Saudi Arabia could push crude prices, with Brent who could brush against the new $ 120 barrel, "he told AFP analyst Sokou Myrto.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, had told reporters Wednesday the "rejection of any interference in internal affairs" of his country.

"Reform can not be done through demonstrations," he said, adding that "dialogue" was the best way for citizens to make their voices heard.

Following appeals on Facebook, a few hundred people had already expressed last week in eastern Arabia, where Shiites are concentrated, demanding the release of a cleric.

This dignitary, Sheikh Toufic al-Aamer, was released on March 6 and 26 Shiites arrested during demonstrations last week have been released in recent days.

Inmates whose demonstrators demanded the release Thursday are nine people arrested in 1996 after the assassination of anti-American Khobar in eastern kingdom.

The Shiites are concentrated especially in the eastern province, rich in oil, make up about 10% of the population of Saudi Arabia.The community complains of marginalization in a country ruled by Wahhabism, a puritanical Sunni doctrine.

LUXURY: Bulgari, the end of independence

And in the end, he won the bet. French luxury giant LVMH was not alone in taking a close look at Bulgari. But so far, the Italian jeweler had resisted all the sirens. A determination that Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH and the world's No. 1 luxury, finally came to end. His group has acquired, on Monday, 51% of Bulgari in a transaction valued at 1.84 billion euros. And to mourn its independence, the Bulgari family has received 16.5 million shares LVMH, or 3.5% of the group.

The French group hopes through this acquisition to double its revenue in an area where it is still not number 1.Bulgari should enable it to achieve a turnover of 1.8 billion euros in 2011 in the jewelry against 985 million euros in 2010.

Paolo and Nicola Bulgari for, respectively President and Vice-Chair of the Italian family, the benefits are less obvious. They put forward "guarantees for the future" made by LVMH to justify the operation. But it is mainly a reversal of unexpected situations.

A climb that quickly attracted the covetous

The house has always prided itself Bulgari to be one of the last major family-owned businesses in the world of luxury. In 2007, its CEO, Francesco Trapani told the daily La Tribune that his "business [was] not for sale.It has never been and we do not expect to sell. "

Founded in 1884 in Rome, Bulgari has managed to become the third largest jewelry brand in the world behind Cartier (part of the world's No. 2 luxury Richemont) and Tiffany. Climb to the podium that is actually relatively recent. In the 1980s, Bulgari had only five stores and 80 employees. Over 30 years later, Bulgari can boast of having 3300 employees and sells products in more than 250 shops. Floated in 1995, the title of the Roman house gained nearly 900% of its value.

In these circumstances it is natural that the jeweler has aroused the envy of all the industry heavyweights.Especially in 2006, Bulgari has for the first time exceeded the billion turnover. They all declared their love to the Italian group. PPR (Pinault Printemps Redoute), the French rival LVMH, Bulgari have sought to acquire in 2006. A year later, it was the turn of Swatch to declare interest. While Richemont who has never ruled on the case Bulgari, the Swiss group, which owns Cartier, could hardly stay out of negotiations on the fate of his Italian rival.

Expansion halted by 2009

But until then had always preferred Bulgari continue to grow alone.Spurred by Francesco Trapani, CEO since 1984, the Italian company has successfully launched, diversify in perfumes, leather goods and even luxury hotels (in partnership with the Marriott group).

Until the 2008 financial crisis, Bulgari seemed not to have known of missteps. But in 2009, the company posted a net loss - its first since 1995 - from 1.38 million. A bad year that Bulgari has placed on the account of a broad expansion of its distribution started before the crisis erupted.

It is perhaps this reversal of fortune that LVMH has decided to take action.Perhaps also the desire to prove to another family business coveted Hermes, the companies that seem attached to their independence may also eventually be seduced.

GERMANY: The thesis of an Islamist attack raised after the shooting Frankfurt

German federal prosecutors suspected that the shooting Thursday in which two U.S. soldiers were killed the day before in Frankfurt Airport (West) was an attack "motivated Islamist."

If the motive is confirmed, this is the first time since September 11, 2001 killed an Islamist attack in Germany - which were partially prepared the 2001 attacks in the United States and which have failed for several projects terrorists.

"Given the circumstances, we may suspect that this attack is an act motivated Islamist," said federal prosecutors in Karlsruhe (West), responsible for terrorism cases, which took up the investigation.

On Wednesday, a source close Kosovar identified as investigators Arid Uka, 21 years old and lives in Frankfurt, drew on military U.S. Air Force who came from England and had to travel by bus to Ramstein base, 140 miles away. Two soldiers died and two others were seriously injured. One remained in critical condition Thursday.

According to Boris Rhein, interior minister of the regional state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located, the suspected killer would be a "radical Islamist" who acted alone and apparently unrelated to a "network" terrorist. He worked at the postal facility of the airport and allegedly confessed, saidRhein.

The new Federal Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich found it unnecessary to address the security measures in Germany.

A special committee comprising the police U.S. investigators was established to elucidate the motivations of young Kosovar stopped just after the fact.

According to information from the public channel ARD, his weapon was "apparently stopped.The man shouted "Allah Akhbar" (Allah is the greatest ") before opening fire and was arrested in possession of many ammunition, reported several media.

It was not known by the German authorities as a dangerous Islamist, security sources said, but after ARD was close to a radical Moroccan preacher arrested a few days ago during a "crackdown".

The young Kosovar to be presented Thursday to a judge of the Federal Court to adjudicate on his detention.

Kosovo Albanian origin in Mitrovica (north), he had no criminal record in his country, a senior police official in Kosovo.

He lived in Germany with some of her family and investigators are looking in particular on his Facebook page where he made no secret of his convictions radical media reported.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday U.S. President Barack Obama "outraged by this attack," no effort be spared in this folder. And the chief diplomat Westerwelle pledged Thursday to his counterpart Hillary Clinton "a rapid and complete clarification of this attack."

Ramstein hosts a major U.S. base, which serves as a platform for logistics and other operations in Afghanistan.The U.S. Army has several other bases in the region.

An Islamist group disbanded in the fall of 2007 before he proceeds to act, "Sauerland cell" Ramstein was in sight. Its members were convicted in March 2010 for having dreamed of "a new Sept. 11.

Germany had previously eluded other Islamist attacks. In July 2006 particular, bombs placed by Islamists in suitcases on two regional trains did not explode. In 2003, attacks against Jewish interests had been foiled.

AFRICAN CINEMA: Diary: Opening of the 22nd edition of Fespaco

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Arriving on a flying

Epic. When traveling to an African destination, we know that the journey will not be trivial. So when we boarded in Paris yesterday morning, towards Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to cover the largest film festival on the continent, Fespaco, we were prepared for a great adventure.

The flight was very nice with all the cream of African cinema on board such Dora Bouchoucha, director and producer of Tunisia, Missa Hébié, Burkinabe filmmaker ... My English colleague, Leela Jacinto, had never come in black Africa, and for her it was a real discovery.I am from Senegal, experienced in this type of travel, thought he had seen others.

Cassandras often castigate African airlines to their lack of organization and management of hazardous passengers. What was not my surprise to discover that traveling with Air France, the luggage could never happen. But that is what happened, my suitcase remained at the airport in Paris! First contact with the ground in Burkina total confusion. Fortunately, the legendary warmth and friendliness of Burkina Faso make you quickly forget what kind of inconvenience.Even the customs officers sympathize, some even offer to lend you a toilet, or even to stay at home (very friendly!).

The Independence hotel gave us a warm welcome. As the nerve center of Fespaco, we come across every festival. Some of them welcomed us for coverage FRANCE 24 events in the Maghreb and the Middle East.The jury of the festival, Dora Bouchoucha, says that thanks to the work of our chain that many of his countrymen have seen pictures of this historic uprising that led to the downfall of the regime of Ben Ali, January 14.

Today, festivities begin with, culminating in the opening ceremony of the festival in the stadium August 4

Sunday, February 27, 2011

In search of the precious badge ...

Upon awakening the morning of the opening of the festival, we were cheered up and determined to get our precious card: press accreditation gives access to all projections.Again, the African adventure has kept its promises.

Two young volunteers of the festival, many working for Fespaco, indicated on signs at the entrance of the hotel, change the place of withdrawal impromptu press kits and accreditation.

The direction Liptako an administrative building guarded by security guards. A hotel taxi fares tourism practitioner with a large margin during the festival period, is not knowing the place. Finally, we arrive at Liptako and after a quarter of an hour long queue, we eventually call the manager, posted among the fifteen persons entrusted to the withdrawal of accreditation.We ask him if he needs our press card or our identity card so that we can recover our precious sesame. "I need the badges!" He replied. "But wait, we have just to remove them," rétorquons us in charge. "Ah ... but this is not ladies," cried he with the utmost relaxation.

Thus, under the astonished gaze of Leela Jacinto, my alter ego speaking, we rapidly engulf in a taxi towards the center of Fespaco.From there, assisted by another volunteer, we succeed in dodging the dense crowd massed around and inside the imposing building ocher style post-colonial place to find the withdrawal of the international press.

Again, the kindness of Burkina Faso has been a great comfort. Badges in hand, we finally leave the premises. On the steps, we meet Michel Ouédraogo, Deputy General Fespaco. In an advanced state of nervousness, just a few hours of opening, it does not wish to answer our questions ... But appointment is made for the next day.

The 24-hour general strike marred by incidents in Athens

Clashes erupted Wednesday in central Athens between dozens of youths and riot police, splitting in two a procession of demonstrators protesting against the austerity as part of a general strike for 24 hours, was a journalist the AFP.

The security forces, deployed by cable to the Ministry of Finance, at the bottom of the central square of Syntagma fired tear gas to repel irritants and young people, who were of various projectiles.

The police then deployed to push beyond the square mass of protesters split into two incidents and many were coughing and choking.But échaufourrées continued down from the parliament with the firing of Molotov cocktails by young troublemakers.

Police said the various processions union in Athens and Piraeus have collected some 20,000 people, and more than 60,000 according to union estimates, a significant mobilization. In Salonika, the police amounted to some 16,000 demonstrators.

Some 5,000 policemen were deployed in central Athens against the possibility of such excesses, almost automatically give in recent years at events and in particular that had marred the last union demonstration accompanying a general strike on December 14.

The Minister of Citizen Protection, Christos Papoutsis on Tuesday called for calm and "responsibility" to safeguard the country's image in front of the "international community".

The demonstrations were organized by the two major power plants in the country, the GSEE and ADEDY private to the public, and by the communist trade union front Pame, as part of a day of action against the treatment of 24H austerity prescribed in the country by the Union duropéenne and the International Monetary Fund in exchange for his financial rescue.

MADAGASCAR: Back from exile compromise Marc Ravalomanana

AFP - Former President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana was prevented from returning to Antananarivo on Saturday after being denied boarding at Johannesburg airport by an airline citing an order from the Malagasy civil aviation, was a journalist the AFP.

"I'm going to Madagascar for the sake of peace, not war, why does blocking me is here now?" Said the press Ravalomanana, visibly angry after the airline Airlink signified to him the refusal boarding at the airport OR Tambo.

A company employee showed him a letter from the Civil Aviation Authority Malagasy saying: "Marc Ravalomanana is persona non grata in Madagascar.Also to preserve public order, do not take on board ".

In Madagascar, at the airport Antanananarivo, several thousand supporters of Marc Ravalomanana had gathered Saturday morning in anticipation of the arrival of former president who had announced his return home today after two years of exile.

The Malagasy regime in place Rajoelina had estimated that his return was announced a "big bluff" and warned it would stop immediately deposed president if he continued to return.

LIBYA: In Benghazi, the police dispersed a rally against the government

AFP - The Libyan police forcibly dispersed the night from Tuesday to Wednesday a sit-in against the power in Benghazi (east), and hundreds of supporters of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi soon after marched in several cities, it was learned from sources.

Family members of prisoners killed in 1996 in a shootout in the prison of Abu Slim in Tripoli, gathered outside a police station in Benghazi to demand the release of their coordinator, the lawyer Fethi Tarbel, the newspaper reported Online Al-Manara.

Ms. Tarbell, whose reasons for arrest are unknown, was released under pressure from families, according to the newspaper's website Qurina near Seif Al-Islam, son of Colonel Gaddafi.

But the crowd did not move out and others joined the protest, prompting the police to disperse them by force, according to the website Libya al-Youm.

The demonstrators chanted slogans against the regime: "Benghazi wake up is the day you were waiting for" the blood of martyrs is not shed in vain, "or" the people want to bring down corruption, "according these media.

Soon after, hundreds of demonstrators marched pro-regime in Benghazi, the second largest city, 1,000 km east of Tripoli, but also in Sirte (east), Sebha (south) and Tripoli, according to images state television.

Since 4:00 local time (0200 GMT), the channel al-Jamahiriya broadcast live images of protesters marching on foot and in cars, waving flags and pictures of Colonel Qaddafi and chanting slogans in praise of the Guide of the Libyan revolution and cons channel Al-Jazeera accused by the regime to incite rebellion in Arab individuals.

The string "al-Jazeera despicable, we do not want anything other than our leader," chanted the demonstrators particular.

These events occur on the eve of the "day of anger" Libyan scheduled for Thursday, according to appeals on Facebook.

Under the slogan "Revolt of February 17, 2011: to make a day of anger in Libya," a Facebook group, which calls for an uprising against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, has risen from 4,400 members Monday at 9600 Wednesday morning.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), at least 1,200 prisoners were killed by police during a shootout in the prison of Abu Salim in 1996, under circumstances that remain unclear.

In recent years their families, much of which originated in Benghazi, continues to claim that light and justice are made on the massacre.

EGYPT: The army promised a "peaceful transition" towards "an elected civilian power"

The army, custodian of power after the fall of President Hosni Mubarak promised on Saturday a "peaceful transition" towards "an elected civilian power" and pledged to respect international treaties signed by Egypt, whose agreements peace with Israel.

Tens of thousands of Egyptians continued into the evening to celebrate the fall of the rais, the day before fallen under pressure from the street after three decades in power, on Tahrir Square in Cairo, the epicenter of the revolt launched on 25 January.

The supreme council of the armed forces, an instance of military leaders who took control of the country, announced that the government appointed by Mr.Mubarak a few days before his departure remain in place to manage the current business.

Egypt "will remain committed to all its regional and international treaties," he said.Egypt is with Jordan, the only Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel.

The Jewish State, which did not hide his fears in recent days in Cairo to see emerge a new power hostile to the agreement, welcomed these "assurances", adding that the treaty was "a cornerstone for peace and stability throughout the Middle East. "

The army has also committed to a "peaceful transition of power" who "prepare the ground for an elected civilian authority to build a free democratic state," said the council in the text read by a soldier on TV State, without giving a timetable.

The U.S. president, Barack Obama, praised in the evening that promise a return to civilian rule and respect for international obligations of Egypt.

"This government and the governors will continue to work until a new government is formed," added the council, headed by Defence Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, 75, the new strongman of the country.

The government held its first meeting Sunday since the resignation of Mr. Mubarak, the agency Mena.

In the evening, tens of thousands of people were still gathered in Tahrir Square.In a friendly atmosphere, they listened to a group sing Arabic folk music and patriotic songs.

Earlier, many volunteers, armed with brooms and bags, had engaged in cleaning the place."Yesterday I showed today, I'm building," proclaimed sheets taped to their clothes.

The Army has cleared barricades and barbed wire around the square and cranes removed the carcasses of burned cars, reminders of the violent clashes between police and demonstrators, and between pro-and anti-Mubarak, during the revolt killed at least 300 deaths, according to UN and Human Rights Watch.

A Ismailiya, a large town on the Suez Canal, hundreds of police in protest against corruption in their ranks.

But 600 prisoners escaped Saturday from a prison in Cairo after the riots, according to security services who report several casualties.

On the Judiciary, the Attorney General has banned the former Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif and the current Minister of Information Anas el-Fekkai leave the country "in light of complaints filed against them," Mena reported , without elaborating on what they were accused. Public television has announced shortly after the resignation of Mr. Fekkai.

Despite the euphoria and uncertainty, life resumed its course. The curfew has been eased: it will begin at midnight instead of 20:00 (1800 GMT) and lasted until 6:00 am (0400 GMT). The Cairo Stock Exchange, closed since Jan. 27, should reopen Wednesday, said on state television.

The announcement of the resignation of Mr.Mubarak intervened in the 18th day of the uprising, while over a million people demonstrating against the rais through Egypt, a country of more than 80 million people. According to his party, he left Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh (Sinai), where he has a residence.

Saudi Arabia, who had supported Mr.Mubarak during the revolt, Saturday welcomed the "peaceful transition", and the organization of Islamic Conference has "welcomed" the Egyptians and urged other Arab and Muslim leaders to accelerate their reforms.

Beyond Egypt, the announcement of the fall of the regime has caused an explosion of joy in many countries of the region, especially in Tunis, where a similar protest movement had driven President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali four weeks earlier.

In Yemen, thousands of young people demonstrated on Saturday in Sana'a to call for resignation of President Ali Abdallah Saleh, and Gaza, close to 2,000 students of the Islamist movement Hamas celebrated the fall of Mr. Mubarak.A thousand Israeli Arabs have also marched in Nazareth (northern Israel).

KOREA: Talks between the two Koreas ended in failure

The talks between senior military officers South and North Korea have ended abruptly Wednesday without reaching an agreement, when the delegation from Pyongyang walked out of the meeting, said the South Korean Ministry of Defense.

This meeting between the two neighbors was the first since the deadly bombing in November from an island in South Korea by forces from Pyongyang, which had heightened tensions between the two neighbors.

The delegation from North Korea crossed the border ten minutes after leaving the negotiating table, taking place since yesterday in a border village in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), told AFP spokesman department.

"They did not even try to discuss a future meeting of this kind.Given the current situation, we can say that the talks have failed, "he added.

No official explanation was advanced to explain this sudden departure, according to the spokesman.

An official with the Ministry of Defence, quoted by Yonhap news agency, attributed the failure of the meeting to "differences over the agenda."

According to another official, quoted by YTN television, the atmosphere "was pretty emotional."

South Korea demanded during the meeting that the North apologizes and pledges to punish those responsible for two serious incidents in 2010: the sinking of a corvette South Korean who killed 46 people and the bombing November 23 (4 people including 2 soldiers).

Pyongyang denies being behind the sinking, as acknowledged by an international investigation.As for the bombing, it was undertaken in retaliation for the South Korean military exercises in which shells were fired into the waters of North Korea, said North.

Pyongyang wanted the meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday should make a commitment to "stop all military action could be interpreted as a provocation by the other party".

These talks were also to set the date, place and agenda of an upcoming meeting with high-level contacts, probably the Ministers of Defence.

Wednesday morning, Seoul announced it had agreed to open talks with Pyongyang on the meetings of families separated since the Korean War (1950-1953), under the auspices of the Red Cross.

But Seoul bound these discussions, proposed by Pyongyang, the conclusion of military talks this Wednesday.

RBS Six Nations: Victory reassuring XV de France face Scotland

AFP - XV de France has started its title defense in the RBS Six Nations rugby victory (34-21) against Scotland on Saturday at the Stade de France during the first day.

France, who scored four tries against three conceded, was a first point for the reconquest of his audience, two months after the correction (16-59) received against Australia at St. Denis during the tours in November.

The second stage of the tournament will be held next Sunday in Ireland, victorious (13-11) Saturday in Italy. Meanwhile, France is ranked first ahead of England and Ireland with a better points difference.

The French took the score came through a try for winger Maxime Medard transformed by Morgan Parra on a ball recovery.Fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc, a drop, giving ten points ahead of his team before the test of Scottish captain Alastair Kellock, converted by Dan Parks.

France took over the seven-point lead before the interval by pushing the Scots to concede a penalty try after five mixed difficult to board their online test. Transformed Parra (17-7).

The Scots saw their chances diminish in the 55th minute with the third try scored by French Imanol Harinordoquy, cleverly used by Trinh-Duc.Yachvili transformed (24-7, 55th).

Courageous, XV of the Thistle reduced the scoring in the 60th minute with the test line 3 Kelly Brown, converted by Parks, but the French regained 17 points ahead with a try between the posts for Damien Traille converted by Yachvili, before the third Test Scottish Sean Lamont.

Yachvili concluded the discussion by writing an ultimate penalty.

FRANCE: Michele Alliot-Marie criticized for its friendly relationship with someone close to Ben Ali

AFP - The head of French diplomacy, Michele Alliot-Marie, was used in 2010 in Tunisia in a private jet Tunisian businessman, presented by the weekly Le Canard Enchaine as a member "of the clan Ben Ali" what was denied on Tuesday the cabinet of the Minister.

The newspaper reveals that the minister used between Christmas and New Year's Day this aircraft to connect to the city of Tunis Tabarka, with her husband Patrick Ollier, Minister for Relations with Parliament, and members of their families.

Tunisian revolt began some two weeks ago, after self-immolation of a young Tunisian, December 17 in Sidi Bouzid, in the center of the country.

Michèle Alliot-Marie was sharply criticized in France since 11 January for having underestimated the Revolution of jasmine and have proposed to the National Assembly security cooperation regime in the Ben Ali.

The private plane and the destination hotel Michèle Alliot-Marie owned Aziz Miled, longtime friend of the Minister and presented by Le Canard Enchaine as close Belhassen Trabelsi, brother of former President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali.

"It is true that Michele Alliot-Marie, after taking a commercial flight from Paris to Tunis, then took a private plane to Tabarka," he told AFP his cabinet."It was at the invitation of Aziz Miled, a friend for several years, which is the owner of an airline called Nouvelair. Miled Aziz was on the plane and took them with her parents and her husband" sources said the same source.

"But Aziz Miled is not a clan member Ben Ali," said the minister's office. "He was caught by a family member Trabelsi 20% of its shares in the airline and the presidency of this society," we sure of the source. Family Trabelsi is the wife of the former president.

"Mr.Miled is even less a friend of Ben Ali as the new Tunisian authorities, after the latter's departure and his family, he gave back all its shares so that the chair of Nouvelair, "argued the firm the minister. "In any case, it was a clan for Ben Ali", it was stressed from the same source.

However Aziz Miled is part of the list of which Switzerland has frozen the assets on January 19 after the fall of Ben Ali. He is featured on this list, published by the Swiss government as a partner Belhassen Trabelsi.

Sunday, in an interview with Paris, Michèle Alliot-Marie had admitted being on vacation in 2010 in Tunisia. "Like millions of French, I'm going to Tunisia.That's all, "she had said.

She added he had not thought about resigning after his controversial remarks on police assistance that France could make to Tunisia, saying had "learned to have thick leather" faced with controversy.

Last week, Segolene Royal, Socialist former candidate for president in 2007, was deemed "hateful" about the minister before the deputies and found that having "very personal ties with Tunisia" made "blind".

The Chained Duck also states that it sought in vain to who had paid the hotel bill of Tabarka stayed where the minister and his family."It was settled by Ms. Alliot-Marie and her family," assured the minister's entourage without elaborating.

EGYPT - EXCLUSIVE: Mohamed el-Baradei: "It is time that Mubarak parte"

As thousands of demonstrators gathered again on Saturday morning in Cairo and a new government must be designated in the day, the opponent Mohamed el-Baradei called, in an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, the departure of President Hosni Mubarak.

"I will continue to participate [events] to ensure that the Mubarak regime to leave," says FRANCE 24 this Saturday the former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), returned Thursday in Egypt.

A speech "meaningless"

One who is ordinarily resident in Vienna, Austria, said he was ready when he left for Cairo to drive the transition in the event of departure of President Mubarak.

"Friday night we were hoping qu'Hosni Mubarak would decide to leave, but at the last minute it became a meaningless speech, which was a big disappointment for the Egyptians," said Mohamed el-Baradei.

"Hosni Mubarak does not clearly understood the message that emanated from the Egyptian people," says Mohamed el-Baradei. His only response was to form a new government, it was almost an insult to the intelligence of the people. People know although he too is responsible for directing all aspects of the country, it offered no political or economic reform. "

The former head of the IAEA believes that this scheme, which he describes as "dictatorial", has "failed on the economic and political.""We need a fresh start with a free, democratic," he said. We will need a transition period. "

"When a system behaves with such meanness, and opens the water cannon at anyone who won the Nobel Peace Prize, this indicates that it is the beginning of the end for this regime and is time he left, "he added, referring to the events of yesterday in Cairo in which he participated.

"The army did not used to confront the Egyptians"

Mohamed el-Baradei said he hoped that new events "even broader" take place this Saturday. "The police no longer on the streets, the army has taken over," he adds. Traditionally, the army did not used to confront the Egyptians.I hope qu'Hosni Mubarak will get the message before things become very serious. "

During the night, U.S. President Barack Obama for his part called Hosni Mubarak to "keep its promises to work for democracy" and to undertake economic and political reforms. A message found "extremely disappointing" by the opponent.

"The United States said they would work with the Egyptian people and government, then it must make a choice," says Mohamed El-Baradei. It is an authoritarian government and the people suffer hardships for 58 years.Although I have great respect for Barack Obama, assign the task to implement economic reforms and policies to a man who is the head of an authoritarian system and in power for 30 years is a paradox. The first real change to democracy would be to assign this task to a Democrat. "

Although Egyptian officials security said Friday that Mohamed el-Baradei was under house arrest, it has so much going forward. "There are no troops stationed in front of me says it Saturday morning. At least I do not think I'll check it out in my house. I do not know to what extent it correct.In my opinion, it is primarily a message to deter people from participating in peaceful demonstrations. "

BELGIUM: "We want a government!" 30,000 demonstrators chanted in Brussels

AFP - More than 30,000 Belgians took part Sunday in Brussels in a march of "shame" to expose the unprecedented political crisis lasting record that threatens the unity of the country, due to differences between Flemish and Francophone, and ask formation of a government.

This is the first time since the Belgian parliamentary elections of 13 June 2010, ordinary citizens are expressing their exasperation with massively to the current impasse.

They were responding to a call via the Internet popularized five young Flanders and Brussels, three students and two employees, claiming no political affiliation even if one of them is the son of Minister of Justice, a Flemish Christian Democrat .Their motto: a march of "shame" for the kingdom.

"A beard for Belgium"

"What we want? We want a government," chanted the protesters, often young, the 224th day of the crisis which saw the country deprived of effective government, a record in Europe.

Many demonstrators wore also on Sunday a placard with the slogan "Divide? Not in our name!" Slogan of a meeting of artists and intellectuals held in Brussels on Friday evening, which caused a stir.

The participants, mixed Flemish and Francophone, have denounced the line defended by the Nationalist party emerged as the winner of legislative independence, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), which contributes to the current political stalemate.

The tone of humor, speaking Geluck Philippe, the famous designer of the "Cat", is called a "revolution of mussels and fries," the Belgian national dish, along the lines of "jasmine revolution" Tunisian .

Other successful slogan, "A beard for Belgium" could be read on stickers flown Sunday some 34,000 demonstrators (by police), following a call from the Belgian actor Benoît Poelvoorde no longer to shave until the denouement of the crisis.

A text divides the Flemish majority

"We want a solution.Not this trench warfare between political parties, "said one protester Flemish, Christopher, 27, researcher in sociology from the University of Antwerp (Flanders, north).

For him, Sunday's protest reflects "the beginning of a rift between Flemings," since the right Flemish - N-VA and the Christian Democrats VCT - dismissed on January 6 a draft agreement prepared by a socialist Flemish with a mission of conciliation.

This text was instead supported by the Flemish and Francophone left participant for more than seven months in the endless negotiations in September

Single incident of the gathering on Sunday, five Flemish extremists were detained by police when they tried to destroy tracts for demonstrators.

One of the organizers of the march, Vandereecken Simon, a graphic designer for 23 years, welcomed a success "has exceeded our expectations."

"Our politicians will have to react after such a mobilization. Otherwise, we'll see what steps to take," he told AFP.

Belgium has been administered since 2010 by a firm responsible for caretaker absence of agreement on a new reform of its institutions.

The Francophone Wallonia and Brussels want to limit the autonomy demanded by the Flemish reinforced (60% of the estimated 11 million Belgians), particularly in tax matters, lest it be the beginning of the end for the country.

Opening the trial of the perpetrator of a cartoonist Muhammad

The trial of a 29 year old Somali man accused of attempted murder against the Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard of Mohammed opened Wednesday just before 9:30 am (0830 GMT) in the court of Aarhus (center), noted AFP.

The hearing of the trial court was transferred into the premises of the Court of Appeal because of the busy media, surrounded by extraordinary security measures with police dogs and metal detectors.

Geele Mohamed, whose name was revealed for the first time publicly at the hearing, had burst a year ago at night in the house of the cartoonist, armed with a hatchet and a knife, shouting that he wanted kill him, according to the testimony of the draftsman.

"My client admits only possession of knives and intrusion into people's property," he said at the hearing counsel for the Somali, Mr. Niels Strauss.

Kurt Westergaard, 75 years old today, had been spared by hiding in her bathroom, before the police stop a suspect after having wounded twice.

The Somali, who has denied the charges since his arrest on the evening of 1 January 2010, faces life in prison.He is charged with attempted murder and terrorism as well as assaulting a police officer and illegal possession of weapons.

According to the Danish intelligence service, he was close to Somalia's Islamist al-Shabab and leaders of Al Qaeda in East Africa.

Nine days of hearings are scheduled and the verdict is expected around the first week of February.