Where are you when the blood flows?

While the opposition protestors in Libya are seeming to flee eastwards back towards Benghazi in the wake of Gaddafi’s counter-attack and the West and the UN still seem dithering over no-fly zones, another setback to the Arab spring has transpired today.

Without the same qualms about intervention that the West has about Libya, troops from the Gulf States including Saudi Arabia have crossed into Bahrain in order to ‘guard key facilities at the request of the King,’ as the protests in bahrain simmer on. The Shi’a led opposition that that in their view, they consider this deployment “an overt occupation of the kingdom of Bahrain and a conspiracy against the unarmed people of Bahrain.” Shades of gaddafi using foreign mercenaries to quell descent don’t you think?

I personally find this development an outrage and debates should be held as to what intervention should be planned here if the blood starts to flow. Make no mistake, these troops are here to protect the monarchy no matter what. Just food for thought here, if one foreign power militarily intervenes to repress democratic protest in another nation, thus theoretically we are within our rights to aid those wanting democratic fair rights and to confront those who seek to use force to stop this. Just a thought, we may have missed our chance on Libya, we shouldnt stand by if the blood also flows in the sands of Bahrain.

Where were you when the walls run red,

When across the sands, across the streets blood is shed?

In circles you debate, you wait,

You avoid the question, again you wait.

On the coasts of Cyrenaica the tide is turned,

Those wanting liberty you abandon to their fate.

We need to stop, not watch the Gulf turning red,

Lest our children ask “where were you when the blood was shed?”

Libya- the slaughter continues…

Tonight the protests in Libya have take on an ugly intensity, with reports that military aircraft are shooting and bombing protestors in the capital Tripoli, and BBC sources stating that “‘Libyan military source confirms orders were issued for the aerial bombardment of Benghazi within two hours.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

These come as the protests continue and reports that Gaddaffi has fled Libya, and other reports circulating at time of writing are that the pilots of the 2 Libyan Air planes that arrived earlier in Malta were ordered to bomb Benghazi, but refused and whilst on Malta, they were supplying info on Gadaffi plans.

The condemnation on the twitterverse has been universal, however we don’t yet have a strong statement from Obama the like of what was issue during Egypts protests. Surely this violent turn of events warrants strong condemnation, and even Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libya’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, has told reporters that Libyan leader has declared war on the Libyan people and is committing genocide. I just hope something can be done to stop this before more blood is spilled. Here is my poem of solidarity with the Libyans and hopefully more ‘people who can’ will speak out for them!

On this divided planet we are one,

When the bullets fly we bleed as one,

When our brothers are murdered, maimed,

 Our tears fall as one, we grieve as one,

 For justice we speek out we speak out,

We cry for freedom as one,

In rainy Manchester,

On the sunbaked streets of Tripoli, we are one!

Egypt- dawn of a new age!

Tonight, Egypt is on the verge of a new dawn due to todays announcement that Hosni Mubarak had stepped down. After weeks of demonstrations and three decades of dictatorship, Egypt finally rid itself of Mubarak tonight, sparking wild celebrations as Tahrir Square erupted with delight.

Announcing Mr Mubarak’s resignation, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said the president had handed power to the army.

History made before our eyes, a nation reborn, a region shaken to its core; fireworks skimming the night sky, joy unconfined, but admist the jubilation, the big question that dominates is where does Egypt go from here? In an address, President Obama stated that Egypt must now move to civilian and democratic rule, adding that “the people of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard, Egypt will never be the same again. They have made it clear that nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day.”

I sincerely hope that now the Egyptians will for once be able to decide their own destiny due to their brave actions, that the army will again listen to the peoples demands and that a transition to democracy will now occur.

Rejoice my brothers, today is the day,

Your bravery, your sacrifice  has paid off today,

Your persistance on the streets, in the square sent the pharaoh on his way,

Jubilation in the air tonight;  doubt, oppression the Nile washes away,

The iron fist lifted, the shackles of fear and corruption lifted today,

The path ahead uncertain, hazy in the desert day,

Yet have the courage to walk Brother Egypt,

You alone shall lead the way!

Mr President its time for you to go! Egypt crisis

Protests in Egypt have reached an intense phase, with violent clashes have erupted in the Egyptian capital between supporters of President Hosni Mubarak and demonstrators calling on him to step down immediately.Rival groups of protesters are fighting pitched battles in and around Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Several people have been wounded and shots have been heard.

The violence triggered condemnation from British Prime Minister David Cameron, who amidst rumours that the pro government violence was sanctioned by the government, said ”If it turns out that the regime in any way has sponsored or tolerated this violence, that is completely unacceptable,” he said after meeting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in London.

For the latest news here is the link to BBC news- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12345656 . In my opinion, the use of violence by those loyal to Mubarak is shameful and quite rightly should be condemned if it is officially sanctioned by the president. I fear that the longer Mubarak stays, the worse things are going to get. Mubarak, why wait till September to do the right thing- GO NOW! THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!

Mr President

Mr Presdient its time for you to go,

Shame on you for daudling, you drag out the pain,

You’re dragging them heels, you’re moving too slow.

The people have spoken,

On the streets, on the bridges, your chains of fear finally broken.

Shame on you for using your thugs,

Call the dogs off, they demand nothing less,

Time to go Hosni, time to clean up the mess!