Syrians lined up to vote Tuesday morning across government-controlled areas in a disputed ballot—denounced as “fake” by the French—that is certain to hand Bashar al-Assad another seven-year term. Opposition groups urged a boycott of what they called a “blood election,” as exiled opposition leader Ahmad Jarba warned that the regime was preparing attacks on “so-called polling stations” that would be blamed on rebels. Security was tight at more than 9,000 polling stations as some insurgent groups declared that anyone not remaining at home was a legitimate military target. But state employees in Damascus said that they had little choice but to vote, having received strict orders to show up for work and go to the polls or face questioning by security agencies. University exams were scheduled on election day, compelling students to show up on campuses, where representatives from the governing Ba’ath Party would be sure to notice if they did not vote at polling stations there. [NYT, AFP, WSJ, AP, BBC, 6/3/2014]
EGYPT | LIBYA | SYRIA | TUNISIA | YEMEN | RELATED ISSUES
Liberal parties threaten to boycott parliamentary elections
Two new laws aimed at regulating Egypt’s upcoming parliamentary elections and the performance of the House of Representatives have triggered a sharp backlash from most political parties, in particular due to a decision to allow 80 percent of seats to be contested via the individual candidacy system, and 20 percent from party lists. Several political parties have condemned the law, among them the Wafd, Free Egyptians, Egypt Social Democratic Parties and Constitution Parties. Both ESDP and the Constitution Parties are among those threatening a boycott of the elections. Meanwhile, the Salafi Nour Party said the law would allow members of the Muslim Brotherhood to run. The National Council for Human Rights also issued a statement criticizing several articles, among them one that protects presidential appointees from appeal. However, Mahmoud Fawzi, a spokesman of the technical committee tasked with amending the law claimed that most parties opposed to the law had previously agreed to a larger allocation for individual candidates. [Ahram Online, Shorouk (Arabic), 6/3/2014]
Due to pressure Bassem Youssef announces end of satirical show
Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef said Monday he has canceled his landmark TV show, which broke ground by lambasting the nation’s politicians and elites and mocking the pro-military fervor of the past year. Youssef said the atmosphere in the country no longer allows for political satire. Youssef told a news conference that Saudi-based MBC-Misr, which had been carrying his show, had come under pressure to halt it, though he would not say from whom. “Stopping the program sends a much stronger message than if it continued,” he said. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) cited concern regarding the show’s shut-down in a statement released on Monday. [Ahram Online, DNE, Egypt Independent, AP, Reuters, Mada Masr, 6/3/2014]
Ministry of information says TV channels pressured PEC to extend voting period
A committee formed by the Ministry of Information to evaluate coverage of the presidential elections reported violations by a number of satellite channels and presenters. In a report released on Sunday, the committee said that a number of channels were biased in their coverage including al-Qahera wal Nas, Sada al-Balad, al-Faraeen, al-Mehwar, al-Tahrir, al-Nahar, CBC, and ONTV. Investigators said channels aired the results of the expatriate votes on the news ticker, which may have affected domestic public opinion, violated the elections blackout period, and criticized hosts who expressed themselves in a “non-objective manner,” and rebuked citizens for not voting. The report also said private channels pressured the Presidential Elections Committee to extend voting for a third day. [Egypt Independent, 6/2/2014]
Egypt summons Turkish charges d’affaires over comments on presidential elections
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned on Tuesday Turkish Charge d’Affaires Hedayet Pastor over comments made by Turkish officials about Egypt’s presidential elections. Ministry spokesman Badr Abdel Atty said in a press release that the decision to summon the Turkish diplomat was in order “to express resentment over remarks made by some Turkish officials regarding Egypt’s presidential elections.” He said the assistant foreign minister told the Turkish envoy that the remarks “reflect a lack of knowledge or willful neglect of the facts regarding the electoral process, which was held in a fair and transparent manner, received the attention of the international community and was followed up by local, regional and international organizations.” According to Aswat Masriya, a Turkish official described the presidential elections as a “comedy.” [World Bulletin, Shorouk (Arabic), Aswat Masriya (Arabic), 6/3/2014]
Islamist militia help new prime minister seize office
Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteg has taken charge of his office with the help of an Islamist militia. An advisor says the move came after the Islamist-dominated General National Congress (GNC) ordered Maiteg to assume his post even though the incumbent, caretaker Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni, refused to give up office. In a brief statement following a cabinet meeting, Maiteg denounced the latest clashes in Benghazi, vowing to improve security and fight terrorism. There was no immediate comment from al-Thinni, but the GNC’s first deputy speaker said that al-Thinni, who denies playing a role in the current prime ministerial crisis, had told him he had not handed over the office to Maiteg. [AP, Reuters, Libya Herald, 6/3/2014]
Haftar forces claim to control most of Benghazi
The Libyan National Army, a force loyal to retired General Khalifa Haftar, has claimed control of the majority of Benghazi’s districts following the most recent clashes and airstrikes. A spokesman said the force was well on its way to pushing Ansar al-Sharia and its affiliated organizations out of the city. The death toll from the latest violence has risen to twenty people, with nearly seventy wounded. The General National Congress (GNC) is to convene today to discuss the recent violence. Benghazi citizens criticize Tripoli for ignoring their plight. Several GNC members from Benghazi will not be present at the session, however; many are boycotting the legislature, while others will not be able to fly to the capital given the continued closure of Benina Airport. [Libya Herald, 6/2/2014]
Over 1.5 million new voters register for House of Representatives elections
The Higher National Electoral Commission (HNEC) has released final figures for the most recent round of voter registration, saying that 1.5 million new voters had registered. Posting the final tally of voters that will cast ballots in the House of Representatives elections, HNEC announced that 905,420 men and 603,708 women were on the electoral roll. The date of the elections for Libya’s new parliament has been set for June 25. Libyans living abroad will be able to vote on June 21 or 22 at polling stations in thirteen countries. [Libya Herald, 6/2/2014]
Amid fear and pressure, Syrians vote for president
Syrians lined up to vote Tuesday morning across government-controlled areas in a disputed ballot—denounced as “fake” by the French—that is certain to hand Bashar al-Assad another seven-year term. Opposition groups urged a boycott of what they called a “blood election,” as exiled opposition leader Ahmad Jarba warned that the regime was preparing attacks on “so-called polling stations” that would be blamed on rebels. Security was tight at more than 9,000 polling stations as some insurgent groups declared that anyone not remaining at home was a legitimate military target. But state employees in Damascus said that they had little choice but to vote, having received strict orders to show up for work and go to the polls or face questioning by security agencies. University exams were scheduled on election day, compelling students to show up on campuses, where representatives from the governing Ba’ath Party would be sure to notice if they did not vote at polling stations there. [NYT, AFP, WSJ, AP, BBC, 6/3/2014]
Several rebel groups pledge to not target polling centers
Despite rumors of election violence, a number of armed groups fighting against the government have said they will not target poll centers, according to a statement released Tuesday. Issued on social media by the Islamic Front, the Army of Mujahedeen, Ahrar al-Sham, and al-Sham Soldiers’ Islamic Union, the statement said that polling stations would not be the target of military operations in order to keep civilians away from conflict. [Daily Star, 6/3/2014]
Facebook pressured to refuse access to Assad campaign
On the eve of the presidential election, human-rights activists called on Facebook to refuse access to its services to the political campaign of Bashar al-Assad. The Syria Campaign on Monday launched an online petition, calling on the social-media giant to cut off Assad’s Sawa (meaning “together” in Arabic) campaign. The Sawa Facebook site, launched on May 10, has so far attracted more than 200,000 “likes.” Advertisements for the Sawa campaign have appeared alongside some Facebook pages, including those of Syrians who oppose the Assad regime. [The Guardian, 6/2/2014]
New report raises estimate of foreign fighters in Syria
The war in Syria already appears to have drawn more foreign fighters than the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, and may prove an even more dangerous incubator for terrorism in the long run, according to a new report by a private security company. The report, by the Soufan Group, estimates that 12,000 foreign fighters have traveled to Syria—up sharply from 7,000 that US and Israeli intelligence estimated at the start of 2014, and more than the 10,000 thought to have fought the Soviets in Afghanistan, the decade-long conflict that spawned al-Qaeda. [TIME, 6/3/2014]
Larayedh reveals arrest of Abu Iyadh was called off to avoid bloodshed
In an interview on Sunday, former prime minister and Minister of Interior Ali Larayedh revealed that he ordered security forces to halt a planned operation to arrest the leader and founder of the banned religious group Ansar al-Sharia. Abu Iyadh is wanted by Tunisian and US authorities for orchestrating the attack on the US embassy in Tunisia in 2012. Three days after the attack on the embassy, Abu Iyadh escaped from the al-Fatah mosque, located in downtown Tunis, while security forces surrounded it. Larayedh said he was advised by high security officials not to carry out an attack on the mosque, as Abu Iyadh and his group “had made a set of procedures to attack security forces from inside the mosque and there was a huge number of citizens around the mosque.” [Tunisia Live, 6/2/2014]
National Dialogue discussions on elections adjourned
National Dialogue talks on Monday failed to reach a consensus on which elections, legislative or presidential, should be held first. Talks will resume Wednesday. Ennahdha’s political party and al-Massar support legislative elections first, while Ettakattol, the Democratic Alliance, the Workers’ party, and Nidaa Tounes favor holding presidential elections first. Elections are mandated to occur before the end of the year. However, the National Dialogue has elected to hold legislative and presidential elections separately, and a date cannot be set for either until the sequence is determined. [TAP, 6/2/2014]
Foreign ministry urges Tunisian nationals to leave Benghazi
The foreign ministry has urged Tunisian nationals to leave Benghazi, Libya, as the security situation deteriorated. In a press release on Monday, the ministry advised Tunisians residing in Benghazi to show the utmost vigilance in these circumstances. It also advised citizens against travelling to Libya unless necessary. These warnings have come after a team from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Tunisian Red Crescent, and several other stakeholders met Saturday to review precautionary measures to be taken in response to the developments of the situation at the Tunisian-Libyan border. [TAP, 6/2/2014]
Ceasefire agreement reached in northern Amran
Following the death of an estimated 120 people on Monday, Amran deputy governor, Ahmed al-Bekry confirmed that a ceasefire agreement had been reached with the Shia Muslim Houthi rebels. The fighting ended on Monday evening after both sides agreed to a ceasefire. No clashes were reported on Tuesday. Bekry contends, “Things are calm (today) after mediation efforts led by the interior minister.” He added that Yemeni air force action on Monday, which killed one-hundred Houthis’, was one of the main reasons for the Houthis’ assent to a truce. He confirmed that about twenty government soldiers were also killed. Residents are not optimistic about the new truce. [Yemen Post, 6/3/2014]
GCC reaffirms support of President Hadi
Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council reaffirmed their countries’ support for President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi to implement the results of the National Dialogue Conference and the drafting of a new constitution. A statement issued at the end of the 131st Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial meeting in Riyadh late on Monday approved the appointment of a representative of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s secretary general in Yemen. [Saba, 6/3/2014]
Yemen Friends’ economic group meets in Sana’a
The economic working group emanating from the seventh meeting of the Yemen Friends Group held its first meeting in Sana’a on Monday. Participants met at the headquarters of the Executive Bureau for Accelerating Absorption of Donors’ Pledges. The group reaffirmed that the international community would play an important role in supporting Yemen’s transitional stage and the implementation of the National Dialogue Conference’s outcomes. The group is expected to hold its second meeting by the end of June to approve its plan of action that will include priorities for economic reforms. [Saba, 6/2/2014]
Syrian sleeper cells threaten Jordanian state security
The Syrian presidential election has acknowledged the presence of pro-Assad sleeper cells in Jordan that could pose a threat to Jordan’s security, a senior official stated on Sunday. The official further stated that these sleeper cells are widely believed to be Syrian intelligence operatives disguised as refugees. These comments follow new strict policies implemented by the Jordanian government to reduce the number of Syrian refugees entering the country. The Jordanian government estimates that there are currently 1.4 million Syrian refugees in the kingdom, including 650,000 registered with the UN High Commission for Refugees, with the remainder living in Jordanian cities. [Asharq Al Awsat, 6/3/2014]
Anbar sheikhs denounce Maliki unity conference initiative
Strong opposition has grown against Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s plan to hold a national unity conference aimed at resolving the ongoing security crisis in Iraq’s restive Anbar province. A number of tribal sheikhs in Anbar who are allied with the government met in Baghdad yesterday. Leaders of the tribal forces, working with Maliki’s government to fight ISIS, protested the government’s appeasement of Ahmed Abu Risha and his allies at the expense of security in Anbar by calling the national unity conference. Abu Risha has been accused of killing demonstrators during the anti-government protests in Anbar, which is seen as the main reason for the current uprising. [Asharq Al Awsat, 6/2/2014]
Qatar allowing freed Taliban men to roam freely within the country
Qatar has moved five Afghan Taliban prisoners, freed in exchange for a US soldier to a residential compound, and will let them move freely in the country, a senior Gulf official said on Tuesday. This news contradicts the statements made by US officials regarding the tough restrictions that will be imposed on the Taliban leaders. These restrictions include a minimum of one year stay inside Qatar, while having their movements closely watched and monitored. However, the Gulf official said the Taliban men will not be treated like prisoners while in Doha and no US officials will be involved in monitoring their movement while in the country. [Reuters, 6/3/2014]
Algeria challenged over workers’ rights violations
At the 103rd Session of the International Labour Conference, Algeria was ranked among the twenty-five countries that will be considered for further scrutiny by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The move followed complaints filed by several independent trade unions regarding violations of international conventions on workers’ rights in Algeria since 2001. The ILO may then ask Algeria to take specific corrective actions or to accept a technical assistance mission from the ILO. [El Watan, 6/3/2014]