In Madrid, thousands of demonstrators defied a ban on protests

AFP - Thousands of people packed the Puerta del Sol in Madrid hosted Friday at midnight by a "silent scream" to protest the ban, noting the 12 strokes of the clock one minute of silence symbolic ribbons of tape stuck on the mouth.

At exactly midnight, hit an impressive silence for a few seconds on the main square in the heart of the Spanish capital, crowded as the streets around.

The demonstrators, who occupied the premises since Tuesday when they planted a village of tents and tarpaulins, and have welcomed the truce that prohibits any political rally on the eve of local elections.

Then, very quickly, the seizures returned, amid percussion: "Now we're all illegal," shouted the crowd, estimated at 19.000 people according to a statement submitted to the agency Efe by a specialized company.

The police presence remained quiet, with only a few police cars parked in surrounding streets.

The organizers of the movement, born earlier this week to protest unemployment and the fallout from the economic crisis, had warned they were ready to defy the ban.

"We will stay on the site.This is not an event but a citizens' movement, had said Friday morning Juan Lopez, an unemployed 30-year and one of the spokespersons of the movement.

Two days ahead of local elections disastrous for the ruling Socialists, the government, very embarrassed, promised to act with restraint while "applying the law, which requires respect for the electoral truce.

Since Tuesday, the spontaneous movement brings together a mosaic of young people but also people from all backgrounds and all ages, unemployed, students, retirees, employees who took possession of the place.

Unique, colorful and pacifist movement, on behalf of the "right to be indignant," wants to be "apolitical" and denounced the collage stranglehold of the major parties on Spanish politics, social injustice, the "corruption of politicians ".

More importantly, it betrays the frustration of millions of Spaniards who face unemployment reached a record high of 21.19% and strikes nearly half the age of 25, salary cuts, fallout from the economic crisis.

The determination of the demonstrators on the eve of the weekend election, puts the government in a difficult position, forcing him to choose between a police very risky, or a flexibility that would surely earn him criticism.

"We will apply the law to guarantee the rights and freedom of all citizens," said Friday, Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba.

The head of government Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has assured him that the government would show "understanding".

Throughout the week, protesters have gathered every day more numerous at the Puerta del Sol. The movement, to a lesser extent, has won most of the cities of Spain.And in a few days, it was structured.

A camp of plastic sheeting mounted on wooden structures and tents popped up on the spot, with "pit" dedicated to cooking, hospitality, health care, and also communication where any new "spokesperson" are trying to refine the message, sometimes blurry, of protesters.

In the queue in front of the booth dedicated to the signing of the petition of support, Maria Jesus Garcia, an employee of 40 years, told Friday it coming "because of unemployment. Especially the young."

"I will read the petition, and I'll sign," she said. "But they must continue after the elections. If they stop, it will be worth nothing."

CASE DSK: Emerging covet the IMF, the stronghold of Europeans

The debate over the estate of Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has launched since Tuesday. There "is no longer able to lead the IMF," said Tuesday night, Timothy Geithner, the Secretary of State U.S. Treasury, before calling for a quick change at the head of the institution. Same story in France: "The question of succession will be resolved in the coming days," he said Wednesday Jean-Francois Cope, head of the UMP.

Must still agree on the name of a replacement.The departure of Dominique Strauss-Kahn is there an opportunity to put an end to more than 70 years of EU presidency IMF? Emerging countries hope to take this opportunity to promote one of their favorites, the South African Trevor Manuel and the Turkish Kemal Dervis.

For their part, Europeans want to perpetuate an unwritten rule in effect since 1944 that the IMF management amounts to one of their own and the presidency of the World Bank falls to an American.

But for several years, emerging countries reiterate that the world is not bipolar like in the 70s and should be taken into account.It is this new balance of power that Dominique Strauss-Kahn has also tried to reflect through the reform in 2008, voting rights at the IMF.

"Emerging markets now have more voice in the institution and therefore more weight on the designation of the future CEO", said FRANCE 24 Nicolas Dromel, associate researcher at Paris School of Economics.

"Earthquake with multiple aftershocks

In this, Europe contends that the timing is wrong."The first record of the future will be the crisis manager in the euro area and the Europeans believe that one of them will be more sensitive to this problem and better equipped to manage it," says Christine Rifflart, an economist at the French Observatory of conjunctures economic (OFCE), FRANCE 24."A European as Dominique Strauss-Kahn will have the necessary relationships to facilitate future agreements, including Greece and Ireland," adds Robert Wade, an expert on international organizations at the London School of Economics, FRANCE 24.

But beyond the European battlefield, the arrival of a representative of an emerging nation it change something for the operation of the IMF? "Dominique Strauss-Kahn has already done much to meet the demands of emerging economies such as to make the institution less dogmatic in his political allocation of loans," recalls Christine Rifflart. "The IMF has also put in place adequate filters to prevent the arrival of a president too heterodox," she adds.Moreover, "all candidates have been educated in the same high school and are awarded by the IMF," says Nicolas Dromel.

Still, the arrival of an emerging economy to head the IMF would be a powerful symbol and could act as "an earthquake with many aftershocks," says Robert Wade. "Once the barrier of the IMF will sell, there will be no reason to prevent leaders from emerging countries to take the lead of other international financial institutions", says British economist. Pre-square American Bank would he in turn threatened? In theory yes, but nothing is done."The United States has pushed for emerging countries take a greater role within the IMF and in return, they could thank them by giving them the leadership of the World Bank," said Robert Wade.

FLYING RIO PARIS: A first body of Flight 447 passenger rescued

A first body of a victim's flight from Rio to Paris found in the wreckage of the aircraft could be remounted on board the vessel involved in research, announced Thursday the direction of the police.

The discovery of two black boxes from Flight 447, apparently in good condition, Sunday and Monday in the Atlantic, should help elucidate the causes of the accident, which has killed 228 on 1 June 2009.

The wreckage was located early April, 22 months after the accident, at 3,900 m depth and a dozen bodies were in a part of the fuselage of the Airbus.Fifty others were rescued at sea shortly after the disappearance of the aircraft.

Experts have warned that the recovery of the bodies was not guaranteed, some corpses can not resist any manipulation and transfer in the warmer waters of the Atlantic.

A first body was nevertheless rebounded Thursday.

Remained submerged for two years or to a depth of 3900 meters, this body, still strapped to a seat on the plane, "appears degraded," said the police in a statement.

Samples were made by investigators and will be sent next week to a laboratory for analysis to determine the possibility of identifying victims through DNA.

The police said that large uncertainties remain about the possibility of raising other body, attempts to lift itself down "in a particularly complex and hitherto unpublished."

Investigators as the families of the victims hope that the analysis of the two black boxes of the device will remove the mystery of the crash of Paris-Rio.If they prove workable, they could allow investigators to recover by late May the scenario of the disaster.

A patrol is gone Monday in Cayenne, French Guiana, to join the cable ship Ile de Sein offshore Brazil and recover the two black boxes, which are sealed. The recorders will then be sent to Paris, where their openness and analysis should begin within the next ten days.

FRANCE: Baptism of fire for Marine Le Pen's Parade FN 1-May

Marine Le Pen on Sunday urged the French to regain their "freedom" against the euro, globalization, immigration and insecurity in his first speech of May 1 as president of the National Front, before a crowd larger than last year.

"I am part of the historical struggles for freedom, fighting for millions of anonymous people who fell for her, Bouvines the Chemin des Dames, fighting major fates Republicans, Victor Schoelcher to Charles de Gaulle," he launched the President of the FN to his supporters gathered at Place des Pyramides Paris before the statue of Joan of Arc.

"Breaking the chains of the French people! Breaking the chains of denial," she added, asserting that "in a year," just days before the second round of presidential elections, "we'll just days before the spring of France! ".

The theme of freedom has returned to loop through the speech.

Marine Le Pen has called on France to "get rid of a European Union which has continued to weaken us and reduce our freedoms," then she slammed as usual Euro, "the collapse announced "would be taboo in public discourse.

Speaking of Frontex, the European structure responsible for auditing the EU borders, it launched "the house is open and we gave the keys to a stranger's garden (...) eager to see everyone settle in our house without our knowledge. "

Paying tribute to Joan of Arc, like his father years earlier, she drew a parallel between the Burgundians "in favor of annexation English" and that those "call now shills + +".

"After the debacle in France in 1940, as pacifism, but also the illusion of peace left to pay the price of the easement (...) Has led some to an unworthy French collaboration with the invader, "said Marine Le Pen, on the dais where leaders had taken up several of the FN, including Jean-Marie Le Pen, but not Gollnisch.

The parade before the speech was attended by 3,200 people between the police and 20,000 according to the FN. Numbers increased compared to last year (2,000 and 8,000 according to police by FN).

BURKINA FASO - EXCLUSIVE: These military ready to take up arms if Compaore does not honor its commitments

AFP - Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore, whose country has been faced with mutinies of soldiers, has assigned the Ministry of Defence in the new government, whose composition was announced Thursday night, according to decrees read on state television RTB.

"The president of the (Burkina Faso) Faso, supreme commander of armed, took office as Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs," reads one of the decrees.

This position is particularly sensitive in the present context, the regime of President Compaore, a soldier who seized power in a coup in 1987, facing more than a month to the mutinies of soldiers who received up his own personal guard.

These riots occurred in parallel with other protest movements of most of society in Burkina Faso which began in late February.

Fifteen new ministers enter this government comprises 29 ministers (against 38 previously), all members of the ruling party or the presidential movement.This is the team most ressérée history of Burkina Faso.

Djibril Bassolé, former joint mediator of the UN and African Union (AU) for Darfur (Sudan), was appointed foreign minister.

Economy and finance back to Lucien Marie-Noel Bembamba, brother-in-chief of the State, Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security, Jerome Bougouma, another close to Blaise Compaore.

The new team includes three women appointed to the Ministries of National Education, Social Action and Promotion of Women.

This government was formed by the new Prime Minister Luc Adolphe Tiao, a journalist by training and former ambassador to Burkina Paris, appointed Monday to replace Tertius Zongo, who was fired after a mutiny within the leader's own presidential guard of State, April 14.

Mr.Compaore had also replaced the main army officials, including Chief of Staff.

The new team of faithful head of state, while many observers had expected an opening to members of civil society and opposition, will have to try to stem a wave of protest unprecedented in history of the country.

Since late February, all segments of the population, youth, students, judges, soldiers, traders, expressed with varying degrees of violence across the country against Compaore's regime and the high cost of living while most of the 16 million Burkinabe live with about 1.5 euro per day.

Balance: At least six deaths, injuries, looting, damage to property.

In three days, three Boeing aircraft makes emergency landing in the U.S.

The United States experienced in the space of three days, three emergency landings of Boeing aircraft including the cabin atmosphere was no longer breathing without an oxygen mask, the latest being the one Sunday in New York of American Airlines aircraft.

A Boeing 757 that connected Boston (Massachusetts, North-East) to the island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, had to land at JFK airport in New York in mid-day, told the AFP a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (FAA), Jim Peters.

"The crew reported a loss of cabin pressure," said the spokesman, adding that the reason was unknown.

No passenger or crew member was injured, he added.

American Airlines could not be reached Sunday to give his version.

Friday afternoon, another spectacular incident had hit a Boeing 737 operated by Southwest Airlines, part of the roof was torn off after shortly after takeoff from Phoenix (Arizona, Southwest).

The plane, headed for Sacramento, California (West) had landed on an air base in Yuma (Arizona). A member of the crew and a passenger were slightly injured.

The incident has led Southwest to inspect 79 Boeing 737s.Sunday, the company said in a statement it had found "small cracks below the surface" on two planes.

Friday morning, another American Airlines plane, a Boeing 737 between Washington to Chicago, landed in the airport emergency Dayton (Ohio Northern) after the disappearance of four passengers, while many others felt sick.The origin of the problem was not disclosed.

These incidents come one month after the deactivation by the United States, imitated by Canada and France, systems that supply oxygen in the toilets of some models of aircraft, for fear that they are terrorists.

The FAA then estimated that the depressurization event was "extremely rare" in aircraft.

LIBYA: The international coalition bombed Tripoli, civilians are afraid of abuses

Reuters - A coalition of five Western armies began Saturday to bomb targets in Libya to try to compel the forces of Muammar Qadhafi to cease fire and stop attacks against civilians.

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who bloodily suppressed the rebellion in eastern part of the country a month ago, called it aggression "colonial", comparing it to a crusade.

Libyan state television has reported 48 dead and 150 wounded in air raids and firing of these missiles launched several ships and submarines in the Mediterranean, it is not possible to verify the information.

France, Great Britain, the United States, Italy and Canada to participate now in operation dubbed "Dawn of the Odyssey," the biggest military intervention in the Arab world since the invasion Iraq in 2003.Qatar has pledged to get involved and several other European and Arab countries are also ready to participate in this action.

Its objective is, under resolution 1973 adopted on Thursday by the Security Council of the UN to introduce a no-fly zone and to impose a cease-fire.

In a televised address shortly after the first strikes, Muammar Gaddafi said that the Mediterranean and North Africa was now a "battlefield" and that air and sea targets, military or civilian, were now exposed to a real danger in the region.

"It is now necessary to open all deposits and arm the masses with any type of weapon to defend the independence, unity and honor of Libya," he added.

Meanwhile, state television said that Libya was ending its efforts to block illegal immigrants en route to Europe.

More than 110 missiles

The French Air Force struck first in the wake of the Paris summit, which gathered Saturday at the Elysee leaders from 22 countries and organizations, including UN, EU and Arab League.

Twenty French planes took part in the operation over a wide area around Benghazi, destroying several tanks and armored vehicles of the loyalist forces, said the MoD.

Starting at 19:00 GMT, warships and submarines, British and American fired over 110 Tomahawk missiles against more than 20 sites in Libya, and Qaddafi's air defenses were severely damaged, an official of the Security Council National American.

China and Russia, who abstained without veto in the vote on Resolution 1973, deplored the military action.

Explosions and gunfire were heard fed air defense in the early hours Sunday in Tripoli.

Libyan television showed images of a hospital that she did not identify where she was admitted as victims of "the colonial enemy." You could see ten bodies wrapped in blue and white sheets and several wounded, one seriously.

Relief and fear

Residents of Tripoli reported an explosion near the neighborhood of Tadjoura, where the opposition has on several occasions last month.A Misrata, 200 km east of Tripoli, residents have said that air base outside the city had been hit by strikes in the West.

In Benghazi, the second largest city, a Reuters reporter heard an explosion and fire air defense without being able to determine their origin.

In the stronghold of the insurgency threatened by loyalist forces, the people welcomed the first international hits with a mixture of relief and apprehension.

"We welcome France, Great Britain, the United States and Arab countries that sided with Libya. But Gaddafi will unleash his wrath against civilians.The West needs to hit hard, "said Khalid Ghourfali an every officer of 38 years.

Libyan officials say the media that targets civilians, including a hospital, were bombed in Tripoli, Sirte and Benghazi, and Zouarah Misrata and there are civilian casualties in the capital.

In the southern suburbs of Tripoli, thousands of supporters converged on the colonel army camp in Bab al Azizia, forming a human shield in the base of Gaddafi.

The international operation has led Germany's reserves - which is not involved in the operation but requires the implementation of resolution 1973 - and many military analysts, who fear a protracted civil war.

Phase

In conclusion of the Paris summit, Western leaders have said that Muammar Gaddafi they had not left the choice of intervention by not complying with the ultimatum of the international community for a cease-fire.

The objective of the coalition is not taking control of Libya, but to help a people in "mortal danger" facing "the madness of a regime that has lost all (...) legitimacy, "said Nicolas Sarkozy.

"The door of diplomacy will reopen when the attacks cease," added the French president, but his foreign minister Alain Juppe, there is "little hope" that Colonel pandering to the UN .

On a visit to Brazil, President Barack Obama stressed the limited nature of U.S. intervention and reiterated that no ground troops would be deployed.

Washington admitted that he took command of the first intervention phase, hoping to quickly transfer the command to other countries.

LIBYA: The G8 failed to agree on the establishment of a no-fly zone

The foreign ministers of the G8 in Paris on Tuesday called for new measures to the UN to "further pressure" on Muammar Gaddafi, Alain Juppe announced at the end of their work.

"We agree to ask the Security Council to increase its pressure on Colonel Gaddafi," said Alain Juppe to the press.

But the written conclusions of the meeting did not mention the option of a no-fly zone, in which several countries, including Germany, were opposed.

"The ministers have asked Muammar Gaddafi to respect the legitimate claims of the Libyan people for their fundamental rights, freedom of expression and a representative form of government.They warned against the tragic consequences of his refusal, "these findings indicate.

"The Ministers welcomed the fact that the Security Council of the United Nations urgently examine a wide range of measures to protect people against attacks by Libyan forces of Muammar Gaddafi," said the text also.

"They also agreed that the Security Council should increase the pressure to encourage Muammar Gaddafi to leave, including economic measures," he adds.

Alain Juppe had announced on Tuesday morning that the G8 countries were unable to agree on the principle of military intervention in Libya, desired by France.Paris and London last week evoked the possibility of targeted air strikes, carried out with the approval of the Security Council, or a no-fly zone.

LIBYA: Fighting continues around the oil terminal at Ras Lanuf

AFP - The regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has conducted several air raids on Monday and accused Paris, London and Washington of conspiring to divide Libya, while the international community considers the possibility of military operations.

The Libyan foreign minister Musa Kusa was accused Monday of France, Great Britain and the United States to "contact with those who have defected" and moved into opposition."This means that there is a conspiracy to divide Libya," he said at a news conference in Tripoli.

More isolated than ever on the international stage after three weeks of insurrection, Colonel Gaddafi had already accused France of "interference" after the support from Paris to the National Council set up by the opposition in Benghazi, the second city countries to prepare for the transition.

On the diplomatic front, the UN has appointed former Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdel Ilah Khatib to undertake "urgent consultations" with Tripoli on the humanitarian crisis caused by fighting.

On the ground, the violence continues.Three air raids targeted by loyalist forces Monday strategic oil port of Ras Lanuf, taken Friday by the insurgency, where insurgents have responded with antiaircraft artillery, according to an AFP journalist. A shot struck the car of a family fleeing the fighting, wounding a 13 years old and his father told him to AFP.

At daybreak, the inhabitants had fled Ras Lanuf, outpost of the rebellion in the east, 300 km south-west of Benghazi for fear of the fighting that had driven the insurgents from Ben Jawad, about forty kilometers to the west.

On the road, a vehicle equipped with loudspeakers spitting instructions to insurgents. "Do not go to the front before the army.Oil is in our hands, "shouted the voice in the loudspeaker, suggesting that the village of Ben Jawad, where fighting Sunday killed at least 12 dead and over 50 injured, was not worth such a sacrifice.

A Misrata, 3rd largest city, held by the opposition to 150 km east of Tripoli, fighting Sunday have killed 21 people, mostly civilians, including a boy, according to a doctor. The forces pro-Gaddafi stormed the city with heavy weapons throughout the day, told the doctor: "They fired on civilians and buildings.The rebels fought back and managed to push Gaddafi's forces outside the city. "

Not far away, in Zentena, an offensive by loyalist forces in the night from Sunday to Monday was rejected by the people who have seized weapons and food, according to a witness who saw at least five bodies.

The UN on Monday launched an appeal for 160 million dollars to help the victims, while the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was already marching on February 25 the figure of more than 1,000 dead.

In Washington, the pressure was rising around the president Barack Obama to provide military assistance to insurgents and neutralize Libyan aviation, either by a no-fly zone, either by destruction of runways. Mr.Obama has warned employees that they should Muammar Gaddafi "accountable" to the violence.

The White House said Monday that the idea of arming the insurgency was an option, said it was "premature" to engage in such an operation now. French and British diplomats, working on a draft UN resolution establishing a no-fly zone, want to present it within a week.

The Secretary General of NATO stated in response that attacks against civilians could be considered crimes against humanity and the international community could not remain passive if continued.He however reiterated that NATO had "no intention to intervene" without UN mandate.

Gulf Arab monarchies have favored the establishment of a UN-fly zone "to protect civilians," while Russia was opposed to any foreign military interference.

After an initial series of sanctions including an assets freeze and a visa ban for 26 Libyan officials, the European Union is now the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), Government's sovereign wealth fund.

Japan announced the implementation of sanctions imposed by the UN against Libya - which include the freezing of assets of Colonel Gaddafi and his family - and the entry ban on Japanese territory for 16 members of the regime.

Italy said it had established contacts "discreet" with the National Council of the opposition. In contrast, a "British diplomatic team" came to establish contacts in Benghazi had to leave the country after being detained for several days by the opposition, which accused him of having entered the country "without prior approval.

More than 191,000 people have fled the violence so far and about 10,000 displaced people heading towards the Egyptian border, the UN says.Tensions in Libya, which holds the largest oil reserves in Africa, have continued to affect markets and oil prices.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Shakhtar is sacked Rome

They came, they saw, they conquered. The Brazilians dominated Shakhtar Donetsk AS Roma in a match that was cut short for the Giallorossi on Wednesday, in the fourth round to move the Champions League. Ukrainians, far from being petrified by the two-month winter break when they are forced, reversed the game just one minute after the opener by the Romans (28th, Simone Perrotta) before taking it, 3 -2.

This is the Brazilian Jadson who undertook to deliver the two teams tied with a shot deflected by the unfortunate Nicolas Burdisso. Ten minutes later, the quota "do Brasil" Shakhtar drives the point home.At the edge of the area, Douglas Costa will play four defenders Italian Roma Doni and wrong a beautiful shot wound (1-2).

Too sure of him early in the game, the Roman club made the mistake of taking up a Ukrainian team that finished first in their group to Arsenal last December.

The fall of Rome

Especially since, its momentum, Shakhtar continues to rage.On a loose ball from Norwegian John Arne Riise, Costa transplanted into the shaft and serves caviar Luiz Adriano (41 ') which has only put the ball into the net (1-3).

But while the end of the European adventure seems to be emerging for the Romans, the French Jeremy Menez, who wrote a very good performance, give hope to his teammates. After the break, the former Monaco full-line rushes, fails to make the shirt and pull up a curling shot into the top corner (2-3).

The game finally balanced between a conquering and a Roma Shakhtar who wants to keep the advantage while seeking the killer cons. Yet the repeated incursions by Marco Borriello (70th, 90th), Francesco Totti (82) and Rodrigo Taddei (82) will achieve nothing.With their victory on the outside, the Ukrainians will host the March 8 a humiliated Roma who will also be without his strong man of the moment, Menezes, who was sentenced a second yellow card. The fall of Rome is announced ...

NORTH AFRICA: The immolation, an act of desperation to high political office

A father of six children, dealer on the run, was doused with petrol before lighting a lighter in the open market on Wednesday, El-Oued, Algeria. Dozens of people were quickly intervened to try to save him. The day before, a lawyer of forty years has tried to set themselves on fire outside the government headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Monday is a contractor for 43 years Mauritania has poured a flammable liquid into his car before setting it on fire. He meant by this act, denouncing "the country's political situation and the regime."

Since the immolation, December 17, the young unemployed Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi, became the symbol of the revolution of Tunisia, a dozen people at least have replicated this gesture in the Arab world.One person died of his injuries in Algeria. "These events seem, a priori, bound to each other, tells Michael France24.com Ayari, associate researcher at the Research Institute for the Study of Arab and Muslim world (IREMAM). These countries are in any case face similar problems, such as rising prices "of basic commodities.

"The fire destroyed and regenerates"

For many observers, these sacrifices reflect the desperation of some of the Arab population. By their violence and the fact that they are held in public and not anonymous, they are also political.The immolation "contains a message for power that is: 'I protest', explained to AFP Hefny Kedra, professor of political psychology at Ain Shams University, Cairo.

"This series of sacrifices is a sign of political deadlock, an ideological vacuum, confirms Michael Ayari. It reveals that many things are not in the office of the underbody Arab world. Symbolically, the Fire destroys but also regenerates, like the phoenix rising from the ashes.These gestures can be a political regeneration: in sacrifice, we destroy what destroys us. "

An analysis shared Nacéra Sadou, clinical psychologist and consultant to the Algerian Society of psychological research, quoted by the Algerian daily El Watan. " Immolate is somehow "reclaiming the right to appear, a way to exist, to say 'I'm here,' she says. In the destruction of the relationship between inside and The outside skin is seen as the only means of expression since access to speech is impossible. "

Psycho-sociologist in Beirut, Lebanon, Raja Makki believes, too, that these desperate acts are a means "to exist"."It seems to me that people in the Arab world, is seeking a new identity, says she France24.com. People are fragmented between two models, West and East. They have many problems to exist; citizenship does not exist in the true sense of the term, diets do not protect the individual as a human being, as a citizen. It is a sentiment that has simmered in an indirect and invisible, expressed today. "

Nor religious, nor specificity Arabic

Symptom of a socio-economic, political and ideological self-immolation has, according to Michael Ayari, no religious connotation. "This is currently the social, not religious, which is dominant" in the protest movements of the Arab street, "he says.On Tuesday, the highest institution in Sunni Islam, Al-Azhar, however, stressed that Islam forbids any form of suicide. "Islam does not separate from her body to express discomfort, anger or protest," said the spokesperson of the institution, Mohamed al-Tahtawi Rifa'a, while stating that individuals who committed these acts could be "in a state of mental instability."

Should this be seen, however, specificity of the Arab world? Ayari for Michael, the answer is clearly no. Tibetan Buddhist monks, for example, have repeatedly sacrificed by fire. Russia, China, South Korea or Burma, such events have already occurred.Between 1998 and 2003, hundreds of people have also attempted suicide by immolation in north-western Iran.

If the media today identify with extreme attention to each case immolation in the Arab world because of the Tunisian revolution, it is however clear that the phenomenon is not completely unprecedented in the region. "We have witnessed in recent years all sorts of suicide beyond the traditional, Gaci said Ali, a specialist in social psychology, the Algerian daily" L'Expression ".Young people have committed suicide by self-mutilating to challenge their release lists of homes, while others were thrown overboard, preferring to drown rather than be rescued by the coastguard, "said there.

In Morocco, in 2005, a group of unemployed youth himself had organized a march "from the hiring or death" with a destination of the seat of the Prime Minister's Office, Rabat, threatening to immolate themselves.In Tunisia, a few farmers had also threatened suicide in the late 1960s to protest against the nationalization of agriculture.

In sacrificing himself in his little town of Sidi Bouzid, Mohamed Bouazizi himself has crystallized the challenges and frustrations social and economic policies in a large part of the Arab world, causing a shockwave that was certainly not imagine ...