March 11, 2011 8:26 PM

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Protestors in several West Asia countries organise demonstrations

Calling for political and economic reforms, protestors in several countries in West Asia including Yemen, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan have organised demonstrations today after Friday prayers. Thousands of protestors demonstrated in Yemen rejecting President Saleh’s offer of political reforms. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is facing deadly protests had announced to draft a new constitution and move to a parliamentary system of government. He also said that a committee would be formed to prepare for the new constitution. But opposition termed the initiative too little too late. In Bahrain, protestors are camping at Pearl square demanding sweeping political changes while they plan a march on the royal court. The interior ministry has warned that a planned march on the royal court is a threat to internal security and its forces would intervene to prevent widely expected clashes. The interior ministry said it would hold the organisers and participants of the protest responsible should any violence break out.In Iraq, a massive demonstration was staged today in al-Tahrir square in central Baghdad, calling for improving services and fighting corruption. According to Voice of Iraq news agency, dozens of citizens went to streets today billed as ‘Friday of Truth’, calling for better services and fighting corruption. Like other countries in the Middle East, Iraq has been buffeted by protests. Unlike elsewhere, demonstrators are not aiming to replace the regime. Instead, they focus on improving government services and end of corruption. Jordanians protested in the streets of the capital Amman following Friday prayers defying an edict by the country's religious leaders not to demonstrate. The protests in the country was organised on 10th straight week today calling for the popular election of the prime minister and other reforms inspired by the Tunisia and Egypt. In Kuwait, riot police fired tear gas today to break up a small, peaceful demonstration by stateless Arabs who were demanding greater rights in the country. In Saudi Arab, hundreds of police have been deployed in the Saudi capital to prevent the wave of unrest spreading in the kingdom. Yesterday two protesters and a police officer were injured when police fired in the air to disperse protestors in the town of Qatif in Eastern Province. A spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry said police fired over the heads of the crowd after they attacked a police officer who was documenting the protest. The area is the largest oil fields where large numbers of Shia minorities live.Meanwhile, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has set up a 20 billion dollar development fund for Bahrain and Oman, which have been hit with protests. In a statement at the end of a meeting of the foreign ministers' of six member GCC in Riyadh, the countries also promised to deal decisively with threats to any member's security. Rejecting any attempt of foreign interference in its affairs, the GCC declared they will firmly curb those trying to foment sectarian rift.

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