Egypt army says sorry after protester clashes, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* Egyptian soldiers move against protesters, protesters say
* Army says sorry, no orders given, blames "altercations"
* Thousands in Tahrir Square had called for new cabinet
* Egyptian investigators detain former information minister
(Adds military releases all protesters detained)
By Marwa Awad and Dina Zayed


CAIRO, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Soldiers used force on Saturday to break up a protest demanding more political change in Egypt in the toughest move yet against demonstrators who accused the country's military rulers of "betraying the people".
Protesters said the soldiers had moved against them after midnight, firing in the air and using sticks to break up the remnants of a demonstration urging the military to enact deeper reforms including a complete overhaul of the cabinet. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has been ruling Egypt since President Hosni Mubarak stepped down in the face of a mass uprising, apologised, said there had been no order to assault the protest and the incident was unintentional.

Protesters detained overnight would be released, it said, without stating how many of them there were. It said "infiltrators" had thrown bottles and rocks at soldiers.
"What happened last night was ... the result of unintentional altercations between the military police and the children of the revolution," the council said on a Facebook page that has become a main tool in its public relations effort. Ashraf Omar, a demonstrator, said soldiers had used tasers and batons against the protesters. "I thought things would change. I wanted to give the government a chance but there is no hope with this regime," he said.

The military council has promised constitutional changes leading to free and fair elections within six months. The judicial council tasked with drafting the constitutional reforms is expected to announce its proposals soon. As it manages domestic affairs for the first time in decades, the military also wants Egyptians to get back to work to revive an economy drained by weeks of turmoil unleashed by the mass uprising that toppled Mubarak on Feb. 11.

Thousands of people had gathered in Tahrir Square on Friday to press broader demands including the replacement of the prime minister, who was appointed by the ousted president in the last weeks of his rule and had long served his administration.
As day broke, a few dozen protesters left in the square flagged down motorists, telling them that the army had attacked the protest. A number of the activists held aloft signs declaring "the army betrayed the people".

One taxi driver remonstrated with a protester, telling him: "The people can't find food to eat." His view reflected the feelings of those Egyptians who believe continued protests are obstructing a return to normality.


FOR NOW, MILITARY APPEARS HESITANT ON FURTHER REFORM
Witnesses said they saw several protesters fall to the ground but it was not clear if they were wounded and if so, how seriously. Protesters were heard yelling and shouting as they were chased down side streets surrounding Tahrir Square. The protesters want the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq as well as the removal of other ministers associated with Mubarak's rule and the immediate release of remaining political detainees.  A partial cabinet reshuffle has not satisfied them.

Opposition groups want a complete break with the past in the run up to democratic elections promised by the military. Having committed to constitutional changes and democratic elections, the military appears reluctant to enact further reforms, a Western diplomat said. The military council appears to want to leave further reforms to an elected civilian government, the diplomat added.

The military appeared to want to "get out from under the obligation" of government, the diplomat added.  An anti-corruption campaign targeting prominent figures in Mubarak's era is one of the clearest signs yet of a break with the past. The foreign ministry has instructed governments overseas to freeze the assets of Mubarak and his family.
Several former ministers and businessmen linked to the ruling party are also under investigation.

In the latest case, investigators have ordered the detention of former Information Minister Anas el-Fekky for 15 days on charges of profiteering and wasting public funds, the state news agency MENA said on Saturday. (Additional reporting by Yasmine Saleh and Mohamed Abdellah; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Caroline Drees)

MACTV News: H.E. Amb. Seyoum Mesfin presents his credentials to H.E. President Hu Jintao, Posted by Menelik Zeleke

 

H.E. Amb. Seyoum Mesfin presented his credentials to H.E. President Hu Jintao, as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the People’s Republic of China, at a formal ceremony held on 15 February 2011 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
 
H.E. President Hu Jintao congratulated Amb. Seyoum and said, the appointment of an Ambassador who had served as a foreign Minister for almost two decades is indicative of the importance attached to the relations 
by the Ethiopian government.

MACTV News: Ambassador Girma Birru presented his credential to President Barack Obama, Posted by Menelik Zeleke, White House Correspondent

Feb 24, 2011

His Excellency Mr. Girma Birru, Special Envoy, Ambassador Extra-ordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United States of America, presented his credential to President Barack Obama at a ceremony held at the White House on February 23, 2011.

In his remark during the handing in session, Ambassador Girma, reminisced the long standing history of warm friendship and cordial diplomatic relations that continued for over a century between Ethiopia and the US based on mutual respect and the promotion of common interest.

The Ethiopian envoy underscored the shared commitment of both countries as pertains to development, the core values of democracy, the rule of law and the fundamental respect for human rights.

He referenced the deep going cooperation of the two countries in the areas of peace and in safeguarding regional stability and their unwavering joint commitment in the anti- terrorism onslaught.

Ambassador Girma used the occasion to highlight his government's regards for the valuable and all-encompassing support extended by the US. He made a special note of the provision of the generous US assistance for Ethiopia's effort to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

In reference to areas of further partnership the Ethiopian emissary underlined that the two countries could benefit by tapping into the vast and heretofore much unexplored and unharnessed field of trade and investment that he believes could spell a treasure trove for the mutual advantage of both countries.

Ambassador Girm Birru, all the more stressed the need for people to people relations and reiterated his stance that he will tirelessly strive to position himself as a bridge to cement the link by engaging the Ethiopian Diaspora to be able to forge a positive connecting chord with Ethiopia, their country of origin.

President Barack Obama, on his part expressed his country's readiness to further enhance and bolster the already existing cordial relations of the two countries. Upon the occasion of the presentation of the letter of credence by Ambassador Girma, the President also remarked that Ethiopia and the US have an important bilateral partnership, based on shared regional security concerns and the desire to promote a democratic and developed Ethiopia.

Furthermore he underlined that Ethiopia has a rich history and diverse cultural heritage that makes it a truly special country in Africa and in the world, and" we continue to strengthen our relationship". "Our dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship requires deepening our engagement in a balanced fashion", Mr. Obama stressed.

Elucidating US support to Ethiopia in its effort at extricating itself from the bondage of poverty and backwardness, President Barack Obama cited the progress on the Economic Growth and Development Working Group as a testament to his country's desire to sustain Ethiopia's positive economic progress forward.

He added that the fostering of a positive democratic trajectory will sustain the important partnership between the two countries in the long term. He paid a pivotal attention to the prevailing vital security co-operation between Ethiopia and the US and underscored their common security interests in the Horn of Africa.

Mr. Obama assured Ambassador Girma of his preparedness to work closely with him; in what he referred to the advancement of the shared goals and in the furtherance of the two countries' engagement on "the three pillars of our relationship" he underscored.

Rare video of al Qaeda fighters in North Africa, Posted by Meosha Eaton

Rare footage obtained by FRANCE 24 shows the mundane daily life of al Qaeda-linked militants in North Africa. The video appears to confirm that the lawless southern fringe of the Sahara desert has become the organisation’s latest safe haven.

By FRANCE 24 (video)
Mehdi Chebil (text)

FRANCE 24 have exclusively obtained never seen before footage that gives a glimpse into the ordinary daily life of al Qaeda militants in North Africa. The raw footage reveals the surprisingly mundane existence of North Africa’s longstanding Islamist insurgency in the vast lawless Sahara territories.

The footage has already attracted the attention of counter-terrorism experts.
 

The images broadcasted by FRANCE 24 on Thursday were taken from an unedited 50-minute tape found on a young al Qaeda defector in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). FRANCE 24 senior producer Jean-Bernard Cadier said the tape was obtained from a correspondent “in the area”, but he declined to elaborate for security reasons.

“These images were shot by a young man who deserted al Qaeda some months ago. He was arrested by security forces at a regular road checkpoint. When he was arrested, he had with him a weapon, his personal belongings, and this 50-minute tape”, said Cadier.

Life behind the propoganda

The video is clearly not intended for general viewing as the footage depicts the infamous insurgents as an amateurish band of mostly teenagers. The video gives a fascinating insight into the reality of the insurgency behind the propaganda; it shows the feared militant Islamists playing games and sharing jokes. The undated video appears to have been shot by a militant who intended to document their daily lives in the remote southern Sahara desert.

Far from the usual ultimatum and threats delivered by jihadists with their faces covered, the tape shows fresh recruits playing in a riverbed, running races and wrestling in the sand in an almost summer camp type atmosphere. Men of various Arab origins are seen swapping news, socialising, and occasionally waving some old automatic riffles. However, of the 50 men on this film, only a few actually have weapons. 

Spartan desert conditions

But counter-terrorism experts who watched the tape pointed to the insidious threats behind the young jihadists’ smiling faces. According to Dr Walid Phares, from the US National Defence University, the lack of sophisticated weaponry on these images is a sign of their professionalism.

“When you look at boot camps anywhere, you are not going to see more than AK47s.

That’s an indication of professionalism: they’re not going to put their RPGs and missiles in the hands of these fresh recruits. They’re proceeding like a regular guerrilla or army”, Dr Phares told FRANCE 24. 

Despite its ragtag appearance, the group does not seem to be suffering from a shortage of fuel or water. Counter-terrorism experts also note that Spartan desert conditions are not enough to deter a younger generation of militants from joining AQIM.

According to Dr Phares, this fresh crop of militants is even more likely to turn deadly as two well-known, experienced jihadists (the identities of which are shown in the side boxes) can be seen discreetly overseeing the group.

MACTV News: LIVE Aljazeera

MACTV News: French embassy attacker claims links to al Qaeda , Posted by Menelik Zeleke

By FRANCE 24 (with wires) (text)

A man arrested Wednesday after exploding a gas cylinder at the French embassy in the Malian capital Bamako claims to be a member of al Qaeda's North African branch with a personal "hatred" of France. Two people were slightly injured in the attack. 

A Tunisian man who claimed to be an Al-Qaeda member exploded a gas cylinder in front of the French embassy in Mali's capital Bamako on Wednesday, a police source said.
            
"We are on the Al-Qaeda track," the source said. "The Tunisian we have arrested told us he belongs to Al-Qaeda."
            
Police said the man belonged to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI), which experts believe has bases spread across Algeria, Mauritania and Mali.
            
Two Malians were slightly wounded by the blast.

A source close to the investigation said the man had proclaimed a personal "hatred" for France.

"He is a young man of 25 years, a Tunisian national. He has a personal hatred for France," the source told AFP.
            
The source said the man came from "a Katiba", a camp of Islamist fighters in the Sahara, but he did not seem to be an important member of the organisation.
            
The French foreign ministry confirmed the blast, but spoke of only one person being wounded.
            
The ministry's deputy spokesperson Christine Fages said: "There was an explosion that was not accidental in front of the French embassy which very slightly wounded one person of Malian nationality among its staff.
            
"An inquiry is under way," she added, refusing to make any further comment when asked if the French embassy had been specifically targeted and if the blast might be linked with the detention of French hostages in northeast Mali by the north African branch of Al-Qaeda.
            
AQMI is holding in the Sahara five French nationals, a Togolese and a Malagasy who were kidnapped in September at Arlit, a strategic mining site of French nuclear giant Areva in north Niger.
            
In August 2009 a young man blew himself up in Nouakchott, capital of neighbouring Mauritania, near the French embassy lightly injuring two French gendarmes and a Mauritanian woman. AQMI claimed the attack carried out by a Mauritanian suicide bomber.
            
AQMI later again designated France as a target after a Franco-Mauritanian operation last July 22 against an Al-Qaeda base in Mali aimed at freeing a French hostage, Michel Germaneau, 78. But the operation failed and AQMI later announced it had killed the hostage.
            
In Bamako the French high school announced late Wednesday that it would be closed on Thursday.