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.

NIGERIA - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: Goodluck Jonathan at the top of the partial results

AFP - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan took out a big lead Sunday in the presidential race, winning in at least 20 of the 36 states, and could win the first round in this election, whose effectiveness has been praised overall by observers.

The final results of the election on Saturday, known in 30 states, gave Mr. Jonathan winner in 20 states, while its main rival, former junta leader Muhammadu Buhari, won the votes in 9 states, and Nuhu Ribadu, who led the anti-corruption agency in Nigeria, was leading in the State.

Voting took place Saturday in a relative calm, with sporadic incidents that have not made a victim.Observers have generally welcomed the successful conduct of this election, which marks a positive break after a series of fraudulent elections.

"There is consensus that this is a new beginning, after irregularities in the 2007 presidential election," said Clement Nwankmo, coordinator of a local group of observers.

"The election was held in conditions even better" than as laws of April 9, already felt Saturday Slovene Alojz Peterle, head of the mission of the European Union.

The known results include those officially announced by Abuja those reported by the states themselves and, finally, those of local media and NGOs.

To win, the candidate with the most votes must also obtain at least a quarter of the votes in at least two-thirds of the 36 states or 24 states, in the words of the Constitution.

Nigeria, most populous country in Africa with 155 million inhabitants, has 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and that includes its surroundings.

Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President became head of state in May 2010 following the death of his predecessor Umaru Yar'Adua (2007-2010), a Muslim, a Christian South, candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP).This party dominates the political scene and won the first round every presidential since 1999.

Elected vice president in 2007, Jonathan is a doctor of zoology 53 years old, known for constantly wearing the hat.

The country has had such a new electoral register containing the electronic fingerprints of more than 73 million subscribers. The previous list was riddled with ghost voters.

A coalition of local observers nevertheless reported irregularities concerning the voting of voters minors, the unusually high turnout and suspicions of ballot stuffing important.

Partial results of the election were also emerge a clear division between the Muslim north, which voted for the former military junta leader (1984-1985) Muhammadu Buhari, and the Christian south favor Goodluck Jonathan, waving the spectrum of religious and ethnic divisions.

Muhammadu Buhari was reported Saturday in "news of election fraud, ballot stuffing in some places."

Tensions have arisen in the North where voters were afraid of fraud from the camp of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) Goodluck Jonathan.

"There is good news and bad news in this presidential election. The good news is that we count actual votes and people are interested.The bad news is that the country is seriously divided, North against South, "said Chidi Odinkalu, the Open Society Justice Initiative.

Many analysts had warned against this scenario in a country as turbulent as Nigeria, which has more than 250 ethnic groups.

In the Muslim north, many believe that the reelection of Jonathan would be a breach of an unwritten rule in the People's Democratic Party (PDP), providing for rotation of power between North and South.

The final results of parliamentary April 9 have not yet been proclaimed. April 26 will be the elections of state governors and regional assemblies.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Firing missiles on Gbagbo's residence, his camp denounces assassination attempt

The residence of Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan was partially destroyed Sunday by missiles fired from helicopters UNOCI and the French Licorne force, said a spokesman for the outgoing president of Ivory Coast. The helicopters fired on the tanks inside the presidential palace and outside the residence. He did not say if Laurent Gbagbo was on site at the time of the attack.

"French helicopters and the UN continued to fire on the residence of President Gbagbo, who is partially destroyed," said Reuters spokesman said, Ahoua Don Mello."There is a thick smoke but we have no other details on the damage caused. "

A resident of Cocody said he saw "a French helicopter fire four missiles in the area of ​​the residence shortly before 17:00 (GMT). A resident of the neighborhood Youpougon (West Shelf separated by the lagoon) has reported seeing "three Helicopters fire on the presidency.""For several minutes, black smoke rises into the sky towards the palace," he added.

A Reuters correspondent on the French military base of Port-Bouet, near the airport, fifteen kilometers from the residence of Gbagbo said he heard loud explosions echoed from the combat zone.He said that four helicopters, two of UNOCI and two of the Force Licorne, "led the attacks.

Gbagbo's camp talking about an assassination attempt, invokes UNOCI's mandate

France has "no other purpose" than to "assassinate" the outgoing president, Laurent Gbagbo, has responded to AFP Ahoua Don Mello, denouncing the shooting of the French Licorne force "on the residence of the Chief State ".

"France was looking for excuses to réattaquer, she has gathered," he said, referring in particular to an attack Saturday on the headquarters of Alassane Ouattara, Gbagbo, whose camp has denied being responsible.

"We take the operation to neutralize the heavy weapons wherever they are. UNOCI and Licorne have begun to target targets in several places, especially near the presidential palace and near the presidential residence," replied the spokesman of UNOCI, Hamadoun Toure. "Over the past three or four days, there was a use of heavy weapons against civilians and peacekeepers. The firing against the head of UNOCI continued, hence the need to react to protect civilians in accordance with our mandate, "he added.

The shootings have targeted as "camps where recognition exercises have identified heavy weapons," according to Mr Touré.

LIBYA: UN calls for end to hostilities in Misrata

The international community mobilized Thursday to help the people of Misrata, Libyan city besieged by the forces of Colonel Gaddafi that Washington once again called upon to relinquish power.

While the front line between rebel and loyalist forces has stabilized over the last week in the region of Brega (east), the town of Misrata, shelled relentlessly for a month and a half by the regular army, is now the object of attention.

Following in the footsteps of NATO, which has made Misrata his "number one priority," the UN has called for a cessation of hostilities around the city.

"The situation on the ground is critical for a large number of people who are in immediate need of food, water and emergency medical assistance," said assistant general secretary of the UN Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos. "The ability to leave the city is now a matter of life or death."

Rebels and humanitarian alert for weeks the international community to the plight of some 300,000 inhabitants of this city, several hundred were killed or wounded by fighting in their view.

The rebel military commander, Gen. Abdel Fattah Younes, was charged Tuesday in very harsh terms the Atlantic Alliance to "let people die of Misrata.More generally, he expressed his disappointment at the action of NATO, which took control of military operations last Thursday.

Piqued, NATO had promised to "do everything possible to protect civilians in Misrata," according to a UN mandate, but stressed that the Gaddafi regime was using human shields, making air strikes delicate.

To relieve the population will be replenished Misrata by the Sea by insurgents from Benghazi, 260 nautical miles (480 km) further east, had said Wednesday the French Minister of Defence Gerard Longuet.

"Previously, the reading of the embargo was that no boat could not supply any city," he said.

In the military port of Benghazi two fishing vessels and a tug waiting on Thursday that the swell to head back to Misrata calm, despite the firing forces of Tripoli, according to an AFP journalist on the spot.

"We sent the first ships a month ago. We are in contact with Misrata by satellite phone. They tell us what they need, if we find we can and organized convoys of ships," explains the AFP Captain Mustapha Omar.

"The first trips, we have not had any problems. Then we have repeatedly had to turn back because of the warships of Gaddafi.But the French navy has escorted two weeks ago, one of our boats, "said Capt. Omar." That we will never forget. "

The U.S. has meanwhile rejected curtly demands of Colonel Gaddafi, who in a long letter urged Washington to end the allied air strikes by the U.S. media.

"There is no mystery about what is expected to present Mr.Gaddafi, "retorted the chief diplomat Hillary Clinton at a press conference:" Earlier the bloodshed cease, and the better for everybody. "

Gaddafi should opt for a cease-fire, withdrawal of his troops, and "a decision must be made for its departure from power and (...) leaving Libya," she insisted.

The U.S. military had withdrawn Monday that fighter jets were involved in the international operation in Libya.It should now provide more than had intended to conduct air refueling missions as well as jamming and surveillance.

The next meeting of the Contact Group on Libya-established to ensure "political leadership" from the international civilian and military action in Libya, with Nato for "arm" - will be held April 13 in Doha, said Thursday the head of French diplomacy, Alain Juppe.

The Libyan regime, target since February 15 of a popular uprising that turned into a civil war, said he was ready for dialogue provided that the rebels disarm.

On Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim, accused British forces of bombing oil installations in the field of Al-Sarir (southeast). These strikes have killed three and wounded and material damage on the pipeline leading to the oil port of Tobruk controlled by the rebels, he said.

The previous day, a tanker had left the region of Tobruk with the first shipment of oil under rebel control since the airstrikes began mid-March.

LIBYA: NATO takes command, the coalition strikes Sirte and Tripoli, the insurgents argue

AFP - The inhabitants fled in Sirte on Sunday hometown of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in fear of air raids of the coalition and the arrival of the rebels advancing rapidly toward the west taking advantage of the disarray of the government forces.

NATO has announced to take "immediate" command of all military operations in Libya, which were hitherto were conducted by a coalition led by the United States, France and Great Britain.

"We do not stop until you have freed Misrata, Tripoli and then!"

Sunday morning, the rebels took over the oil terminal at Ras Lanuf (east), according to AFP journalists.This town is located 210 km west of Ajdabiya, strategic crossroads recovered Saturday by the rebels.

The pro-Gaddafi "fled last night after the air strike," said an insurgent, Mohsen Omar, 30. "They fled, and now we are pursuing.It does not stop until you have freed Misrata, Tripoli and then! "

Pro-government forces retreated towards Gaddafi in Sirte, 200 km further west, along a flat coast and desert difficult to defend without heavy artillery or aircraft.

The rebels were in the late afternoon Nofilia, a small town between sea and desert, 110 km of Sirte, and more than 400 km from their stronghold, Benghazi.

They expect the bombing to Sirte international venture, while dozens of families fleeing the city towards Tripoli in fear of air raids and the international arrival of the rebels, said a journalist from AFP .

In the evening, a coalition air raid took place in Sirte, where armed men in military uniform and some in civilian clothes, were traveling in dozens of pick-up bearing pictures of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The day before, the city had already been the target of intense airstrikes.

Raids to facilitate the advance of rebel troops

Explosions and gunfire were also heard DCA in Tripoli around 18.30 GMT Sunday, according to an AFP journalist.Libyan television confirmed the raids on Tripoli and Sirte coalition.

To the west, the French fighter planes led Sunday air strikes against Libyan armored vehicles and "a major ammunition depot" in the regions and Misrata Zentena, announced the French army.

Saturday, resuming and Ajdabiya Site Brega Petroleum neighbor had set up the first victory of the rebels since the start of international intervention on March 19, reversing the trend after a long week of retreat and stagnation.

Since Thursday, the raids have "prepared the battlefield" and the officers and soldiers who joined the rebellion played a major role, coordinating their attacks with the coalition, according to a rebel spokesman in Benghazi, Chamseddine Abdoulmolah.

According to the insurgents, the oil fields they control areas currently produce 100,000 to 130,000 barrels per day.The opposition plans to export oil by "less than a week," said a rebel spokesman, Ali Tarhoni, adding that the rebellion has delegated to the Qatar market.

NATO runs military operations in Libya

Accused of having launched a war without an exit strategy in Libya, U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the developments, stating that the intervention was "targeted and being successful."

NATO, already responsible for enforcing the arms embargo and the no-fly zone over Libya, decided to take command of all military operations in Libya.

"We asked the senior operational command of NATO to implement the execution of this operation immediately," said Sunday night the Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

With the approach of the contact group meeting in London on Tuesday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced a Franco-British initiative for a political solution.

Italy, the former colonial power, has announced that it is also a plan, which provides an exile of Colonel Gaddafi."Even within the regime, there are people working on this solution," the foreign minister, Franco Frattini.

Benedict XVI has called for opening "an immediate dialogue" to reach a cease-fire in Libya.

A first boat carrying African migrants from Libya, with on board nearly 300 people, arrived Sunday in southern Italy and was followed by three others, according to the coastguard and humanitarian organizations.

Rome said he feared a wave of at least 200,000 to 300,000 immigrants from tip of Muammar Gaddafi has warned that thousands of migrants could reach Europe.

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.

YEMEN: The opposition expressed its willingness to resume dialogue with the government

Reuters - Clashes erupted Sunday between Yemen security forces and anti-government protesters who tried to march on the presidential palace in Sanaa, witnesses said.

Shortly before the clashes, the opposition agreed to begin talks with Yemeni President Abdullah Saleh, who is trying to contain the wave of revolutions in the region.

"The Yemeni people want the fall of the regime", "the Yemeni revolution after the Egyptian revolution," chanted the protesters at the rally attended by 1,000 people.Some dozens of them are then posted to march on the presidential palace.

In early February, tens of thousands of people had "day of anger" organized by the opposition to demand a regime change.

Clashes broke out recently between supporters and opponents of the government.

According to opposition leaders, ten demonstrators were arrested in Sanaa, the capital, and 120 were detained for the night in the city of Taiz where authorities broke up a demonstration Saturday.

Four people were injured in Sanaa where the police beat protesters with sticks they threw stones, witnesses said.

Saleh, in power for over thirty years and fears the aftershocks of the unprecedented wave of protest that affects several countries of the Arab world, has pledged to leave office at the end of his term in 2013 and promised that his son will not head the government. He invited the opposition to the discussions.

"The opposition does not reject the invitation of the President and is ready to sign an agreement in less than a week," said former Foreign Minister, Mohammed Basindwa, now a member of the opposition.

The talks should be held under the auspices of the West or the Gulf, he added however.

Instability in Yemen could be a risk to political and security for the Gulf States.The United States also rely on Yemen to fight against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

ALGERIA: After Tunisia and Egypt, the revolt of wind can blow on Algeria?

Several Algerian cities could be drama, February 12, events "for democratic change." In any case, the meaning of the appeal launched by an unprecedented coalition of political parties and civil society associations.

For the opponent Fodil Boumal, member of the National Coordination for Change and Democracy and host of the Facebook Res Publica II, "the goal is the break, leaving the government and the establishment of genuine democracy. " Objective has already struck the ban including brandished by the municipality in Algiers.The rally, however, must take place on May 1 instead of the center of the city.

A similar event has been held in Algiers in January at the invitation of an opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (RCD). Offset by a large police presence, protesters had not yet made not far away. Surrounded by police, 300 people were left stranded at the party headquarters.The opposition had complained about forty injured in the clashes that followed as authorities were seven police officers injured.

A call that leaves some skeptical observers

Hafidh Daamache, deputy editor of the newspaper El-Khabar Arabic expression, is skeptical about the success of a new event, banned in the capital. "Here, people think for themselves, their housing, their jobs." Northern residents more mobilized - particularly the people of Kabylie - fail to enter the capital, he says. "The place from May 1 can be locked with 300 policemen. And the road to Algiers entries are few and easy to hang.On the east entrance, there are at least five dams. "

Organizers concede: "If we compare with Tunisia and Egypt, it will not Tahrir Square," says in a burst of laughter Abdelmoumen Khelil, Secretary General of the Algerian League of Human Rights.

Optimistic, yet it ensures that the dynamics of the opposition is changing. "The Coordination brings together people who are not accustomed to talk together," says Fodil Boumal."The event is already a success, having attracted a mobilization, the vibrancy of public debate, is already a victory," added Khelil Abdelmoumen.

Algeria can it be carried away by the momentum of Tunisia?

In a country where the opposition is very divided and difficult to mobilize, the very fact that different movements together like a step forward. Journalist Nicole Chevillard, Algeria specialist and editor of the journal International Risk, remains doubtful. She notes that already, the organizing movement splits. "There are so divisive. The power to manipulate public opinion by using false pretenses and avatars for years.This explains the distrust of the Algerians, "she says.

Although the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings have marked the minds of activists, all agree, however, assert that the Algerian situation is too different to be compared. "In Algeria, the issue is not so much that people can not speak, but nobody listens," explains Nicole Chevillard.

She remains surprised by the multiplication of sacrifices that followed the suicide by fire of Mohammed Bouazizi Tunisia. "It is not at all part of local culture, or Arabic also!" She says.Sign of discouragement which would have reached its climax, these acts of desperation he could agree with those who ensures that Algeria is living a real change? "At the stage where is Algeria, it will take time, says Khelil Abdelmoumen. But people would like that to change."

TUNISIA: The Interior Minister made the household within the security services

The Interior Ministry raided by nearly 2 000 people, attacks against schools and colleges, protesters harassed ... In recent days, the incident - and rumors of incidents - are multiplying in Tunisia. The interior minister of the transitional government, Farhat Rajhi, tried to calm the situation on Tuesday night, speaking on television and in dismissing some thirty senior security services.

"Day after day we hear of attacks, kidnappings and violence against innocent Tunisians, wrote on his blog Lina Ben Mhenni, professor at the University of Tunis. The dictator is gone but the plan is still there.Officers of State Security, supported by militia have sown terror in the country. "

A week marred by incidents

Tuesday, they are different schools of Tunis, the capital and its suburbs that have panicked. "The gangs are terrorizing the colleges and high schools," as this Wednesday the Tunisian daily Le Temps.

English teacher in a school district Bardo - High School November 7th, renamed the school in the revolution of the 14th-January - Nabila Lakhdar Serian said that chaotic day. "Members of the former regime came in some institutions they hit the teachers, students and terrorized everyone.My high school was not attacked but friends called us to tell us to go home. Everyone was panicking. "

The day before, is the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior which was in turn attacked, this time by a crowd of over 2000 people. "Rashid Ammar [Chief of Defence Staff, note] and I escaped by a miracle, said the interior minister in person on television. Without the anti-terrorist units, the attackers would have killed us."Farhat Rajhi, which was stolen coat, his glasses and his computer during the attack, said the attackers "were armed, drunk and drugged."

At Kasserine, in central-west, the same day, several buildings, including the sub-prefecture, were ransacked. On Friday, demonstrators from within the country were violently evicted from the esplanade of the Kasbah, Tunis, where they camped for several days.

"They sow mayhem to slow change"

For Tunisians, there is no doubt that members of the former regime are behind these incidents. "We are living a revolution, said Hatem Frikha, a manager in a consulting and player associations.We just dropped a police state. It is normal for a fringe of the former regime does not want to let things take their course. "

"These people try to mess to slow the pace of change, Hatem Frikha analysis. They want to save some time either to try to rebuild their virginity, or to run away ..."

Alleging a conspiracy against the state after the attack on the Interior Ministry, Farhat Rajhi acknowledged in his address to the private channel Hannibal TV that "evil comes from within.""Fifty invaders, many of whom were armed, were arrested before being released, showing a fail-safe and collusion between the attackers and the law enforcement agencies," he said.

It is for this reason that 34 senior security officials, including heads of national security, safety and general presidential security, was retired Tuesday.Meanwhile, seven new directors were appointed to head various departments of national security.

Farhat Rajhi, the "new face of the police"

These ads and the general tone of the new interior minister, who spoke in Tunisian dialect, seem to have convinced some of the population. "Farhat Rajhi is a very sympathetic character, charming," says Nabila Lakhdar Serian. It embodies a new face of the police. " "The interior minister gave a very interesting speech, confirms Hatem Frikha. It is unanimously behind him."

On Wednesday, the calm seems to income in the country.An authorized source at the Interior Ministry, quoted by the Agence Tunis-Afrique Presse (TAP), has also denied rumors of child abductions, which have proliferated on Tuesday. A hotline was made available to the public by the Ministry of Interior.

Police also made a comeback in the Tunisian streets. After several days of strikes, wage increases were granted on Tuesday, agents of security services. Schools are functioning normally.

"We still always in fear because we are in a transitional period," says Nabila Lakhdar Serian.We do not want an abortion militias our revolution. "" There are incidents, but the situation is quite manageable, assured of his side Hatem Frikha. The police and army are playing their role. The general trend is very positive. "

EGYPT: Government resigns, protesters still in the street

Of army tanks positioned in the capital, paving stones littered with debris, the headquarters of the National Democratic Party (NDP) who is still smoking ... While traces of Friday's riots were still present in Cairo, thousands of protesters again gathered in the center of the Egyptian capital on Saturday morning. The speech by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has notably announced the sacking of the government, did not appear sufficient to calm the anger of the population.

A speech "meaningless"

The resignation of the cabinet must be formally confirmed in the coming hours this Saturday, and Hosni Mubarak should then appoint the new prime minister. The government could be formed in the day.Leaving his silence Friday night, Hosni Mubarak assured, in a short speech, had "fully aware of the legitimate aspirations of the people."He also said he is determined to ensure stability.

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, the opponent Mohamed el-Baradei, former Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), found the speech "meaningless" and called Hosni Mubarak from. "The Egyptian president has clearly not understood the message that emanated from the Egyptian people," he said. It was almost an insult to his intelligence. "

According to Egyptian expert Aklimandos Toufik, associate researcher at the contemporary history of the Arab world at the College de France, the speech contained no concrete announcement. "Hosni Mubarak gave a speech that is his for years," he explained to FRANCE 24.It was a good speech, except that it contained no new element, able to reassure the population. "

The attitude of the army, which is decisive

"If the day on Friday was decisive in mobilizing and this Saturday will be equally critical of his side says Gallagher Fenwick, a FRANCE 24 special correspondents in Cairo. The protesters are back on the streets after a night of riots, and they will be very attentive to the attitude of the army, positioned at strategic locations in the Egyptian capital.The question is whether the army is going to marry this movement, as was the case in Tunisia, or whether it will instead protect the regime ".

By late Friday, President Hosni Mubarak has indeed called in the army reinforcements to enforce security in the country.

Tens of thousands of people protested Friday in the country, demanding the departure of the Egyptian president, in power since 1981. Clashes have opposed the police who used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the procession.Long after nightfall, and despite the curfew introduced by the authorities, many protesters continued to press into the streets of major cities. The clashes killed at least 13 victims in Suez, east of Cairo, Alexandria and six to the north, and many more injured - more than a thousand in Cairo.

Besides the start of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian call for the lifting of the state of emergency in force for 30 years, more freedoms and better living conditions. While over 40% of Egyptians live on less than two dollars a day, they protest against rising prices of basic commodities and lack of jobs.