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.