Pro democracy protests in Algeria

There have been pro democracy protests in Algiers,the capital of Algeria.The riot police used teargas and batons to disperse the protestors,there were over 300 people demonstrating.
The interim president has promised he will retire from politics after the elections,however,though elections have been promised within six months no definates have been set.
 
A dramatic twist in the protests;some of the Tunisian police force have joined the protestors in their demands for the interim cabinet to resgn.

Yoday there's been a candle lit vigil in the second day of mourning.

Though there are plans for the schools and universities to re open on Monday Primary teachers are planning to go on strike.

Tunisia begins three days of mourning

Tunsia begins three days of mourning for the many people who died in the uprising that led to the fall of the ex-president.The UN says at least over 100 people have died.

Tom,Dawn and Kaithe have left the hotel so just Jenna and Kiros.
Natalie,Jenna and I had a nice lunch in a Turkish restaurant near Russell Square and later on we went to the British Museum.

In 'Lush' in Covent Garden Natalie and Jenna bought lots of 'Lush 'goodies.One of the sales assisants,who'd recently got her MA,in History,was surprised when I mentioned the situation in Tunisia;she had no idea at all of the turmoil there!
Just goes to show despite the mass media and the Internet that many people are often unware of what's happening in the world! 

the interim government have their first meeting

The interim government have their first meeting since the fall of the ex-president and his government and promised that schools and universities will re open next Monday.
Eight ministers have resigned from the RCD party but keep their seats in the coalition government.
The military still patrol the streets.However, the curfew has been shortened from 8pm to 5am.

In London:met Jenna,Tom and Dawn and went to the National Gallery and later dinner with Kaithe,Kiros,Dawn and Jenna at the Trafalgar hotel.

Yesterday evening Natalie,Jenna,Kiros,Tom,Dawn,Anne-Marie and I played darts.

Uncertain times in Tunisa

Uncertain times in Tunisia,athough a sense of some normality is slowly returning to Tunsia with some shops and people returning to work the curfew is still in place but it now begins at 8pm rather than 6pm which people more time to return home from work (well at least those are brave enough to go to work).
Many people are still out on the street demanding that no members in the new coalition government
should be from the former government.

33 family members related to the ex-president's wife were arrested!

Apparently the Prime Minister Ganouchhi,had been in touch with the ex-president keeping him informed of the events in Tunisia and had even gone on TV saying this.What is this man up to? This man should go,how can the Tunisians trust this man?

more protests

Yesterday morning there were further demonstrations in the Tunis.Later a new governnment was formed but with a mixture of ministers from the previous government and people from oppositions parties.

This morning there were protests against the newly formed government.The police again used tear gas to disperse the protestors but also used water cannons and batons;it seems the police have not changed their methods of combatting demonstrations!

Later the President and the Prime Minister resigned from the RCD party to difuse the situation but a trio of ministers from opposition parties also resigned whilst another person,from the opposition party refused to take up being a minister.

The coalition government hasn't even got off the ground and it's already collapsed;the Tunisian people
don't any of the previous government at all.

Evacuated!

There was a holiday like atmosphere in La Marsa with many people taking photographers taking photographs of the tank,guarding the Zephyr shopping centre.
However,in the afternoon there was a sense of unease as I walked towards the train station,the streets were practically deserted;the man at the newspaper kiosk told me that the army could be trusted but not the police!As I passed the square I saw the body of a man slumped at the side of the square;at first I thought the man had fallen sleep but as I glanced again I realised that he'd probably been shot.
Later I found out that there been a skirmish on the beach with lots of shooting.
This morning the British Embassy had decided to evacuate the teachers.

The teachers were evacuated on Sunday,the airport was guarded by the army with also local men armed with machine guns;it seemed a bit sinister seeing these men with guns!
The area where we'd picked up the teachers Russ and Trish was being patrolled by the local people armed with makeshift weapons.They even stopped the car to check the boot of the car;many of the Malitia were driving around in Toyotas or cars without registration plates randomly shooting at anyone who was in the street as they drove past;the people who had stopped our car were a bit suspicious of our car.
Althought the tickets had been booked we had to wait over two hours in the check in queue.
Our 2pm flight eventually left at about 8.30pm.
At Heathrow Airport two representives of the British Council in London met us and then we were taken to a hotel near Trafalgar Square;it was nice to stay in a nice comfortable hotel,the bed in my room was huge but really comfortable.From room service I ordered some dinner but it didn't arrive until after 2 o'clock as there was only one chef working!

The turmoil in Tunisia continues!

Despite the ex-president having left Tunisia and gone to Saudi Arabia,there was looting in Tunis and other towns,
This morning there were tanks and soldiers patrolling La Marsa and Sidi Bou Said;in fact there seemed to be a holiday like atmosphere with many people out and about with many of them taking photos of the tank and soldiers stationed at the roundabout by the train station.However,in the afternoon the town was practically deserted apart from a few people and of course the soldiers.Everywhere was closed.A man at the local newspaper kiosk told me that you could trust the soldiers but not the police.