Tunisia Unrest A Wake-up Call For The Region: "Every Arab Leader Is Watching Tunisia In Fear"

[Turborama]

Bloody street clashes in Tunis trigger fears of a domino effect that could shake other authoritarian states

Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk, Friday January 14 2011 17.38 GMT


A Tunisian demonstrator throws a rock after police fire tear gas
during demonstrations in the capital, Tunis. Photograph:


Echoes of Tunisia's unprecedented mass unrest are reverberating across the Arab world – which is watching in fascination as one of the most repressive regimes in the regions makes far-reaching concessions to people power.

Protests over rising food and fuel prices triggered emergency economic measures from Jordan to Libya and Morocco this week as dramatic scenes of street clashes in the small north African country fuelled official nervousness about a domino effect that could shake other authoritarian states short on jobs, hopes and freedoms.

"Every Arab leader is watching Tunisia in fear," tweeted one Egyptian commentator. "Every Arab citizen is watching Tunisia in hope and solidarity."

The impact of Tunisia's unrest is all the greater because Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali – known to his long-suffering subjects as "Ben A Vie" ("president for life") – had been seen as one of the most effective of Arab autocrats. His announcement on Wednesday that he will not stand for another term is a huge boost for reform, whatever happens next.

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/14/tunisia-unrest-street-clashes

[WCGreen]

1. It's about time these thugs started to get nervous...

I guess all the hoopla over Israel is no longer a viable distraction.

[somone]

2. Ben Ali is lucky to be alive

Good riddance

[Turborama]

3. He escaped to Saudi Arabia

Speaks volumes: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-01/15/c_13691578.htm

[conspirator]

4. I am sure Khadafi is not afraid. He is a mythic leader n/t