As I write this response to your post MG, I've been watching coverage on the Middle East situation continuously for the last few weeks.
Firstly, you cannot link the situation in Libya with the one in Bahrain. At the moment we are experiencing historical events in the Arab world that have already seen the fall of dictatorships in Tunisia and Egypt. Several other uprisings are taking place currently in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and to a lesser extent in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Each country has different situations to deal with. Not all uprisings are calling for a regime change, others are demanding their human rights - more jobs, better standard of living and a right to free and fair elections - a democratic change through peaceful negotiations. Unrest is also occurring in other Arab countries.
Let's turn to the three countries where the situation has deteriorated has turned into violent confrontation in the last few weeks.
Bahrain - violent crackdowns by government forces and police on demonstrations at Pearl Roundabout in the capitol Manama.
Saudi forces called in to protect certain key buildings/areas. Many deaths and injuries. US naval base in Bahrain.
Situation under control at the moment but the ruling family has to address the situation by negotiation to reach a solution.
More difficulties lie ahead.
Yemen - mounting demonstrations demanding that Ali Abdulla Saleh step down resulted in 52 dead and over 200 injured on Saturday.
Nothing less than cold-blooded murder by government backed snipers firing on unarmed protesters. Horrific. Only solution to the problem is for Saleh to go.
Libya - focus of the main conflict at the moment is a different situation to the other Arab nations. Muammar Gaddafi has ruled this country as a ruthless dictator for 42 years now. The UN has voted a go-ahead for mandate 1973 to protect Libyan citizens from onslaught by Gaddafi forces and from last night aircraft from France and the UK have launched an attack on key Gaddafi air defences.
The important thing here is to realise that the UN mandate is for the protection of Libyan civilians only
not to support the revolutionary/rebels based in Benghazi. No troops on the ground. The mandate does
not endorse a regime change even though most UN members would welcome this.
A propaganda war is also raging on the situation depending on who one believes. It's an unfolding situation that changes by the hour at the moment.
In all three countries, journalists and reporters have been arrested or expelled.
I don't know if you can receive the news channel
www.aljazeera.net/english but I suggest that you follow that channel to understand current events in the Middle East.
I have to say I was shocked at the news of the event in California at the protest against Muslims last week.
I suspect many Americans think that all citizens of the Arab world are Muslims and must by association have a connection to Al-Qaeda.
The US's involvement in the current conflict appears to be in a supporting role rather than leading from the front. I heard a comment from the media yesterday that they are "leading from behind".
I can understand their reluctance to get involved in another conflict with their presence in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. and have left the spotlight to France, UK and other European nations plus several Arab countries.
Just my thoughts on what's happening at the moment........
