Surf Arab States

Arab States Weekly Review Feb 4th – 10th 2012

China and Russia blocked an Arab League-backed UN Security Council resolution that called for President Bashar Assad of Syria to cede power. Government forces carried out the worst assault on protesters yet in Homs. In reponse America and several European countries withdrew their ambassadors from Syria.

Over 40 charity workers, including 19 Americans, would be put on trial in Egypt for illegally receiving foreign funds. Critics condemned the move as an attempt by the ruling military council to clamp down on foreign support for pro-democracy groups. Cairo continued to be the scene of battles between police and protesters following the deaths of 74 people at a football match in Port Said.