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Archives for February 2011

Should the world leave Libya alone?

Nuala McGovern Nuala McGovern | 15:45 UK time, Monday, 28 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 28 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

"We will never accept any foreign intervention and any foreigners who try to do so will face the same fate as Gaddafi's mercenaries."

They are Mustafa Abdul Jalil.

So should the world respect his wishes? Well, you have quite a bit to say about it.

Some of you ask for a no-fly zone, which is, a form of intervention.

Jabbar wrote on Facebook

'The US should continue it's moral support of the Libyan people and should impose a no fly zone over Libya (to protect the people as well as theoil installations that may be bombed).'

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Middle East protests: what do you think?

Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 09:57 UK time, Monday, 28 February 2011

Photo showing protesters in Bahrain waving a flag

Protests are continuing across the Middle East. On Saturday, the UN imposed sanctions on Libya and agreed to refer Colonel Gaddafi to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Tunisia's Prime Minister resigned on Sunday after more protests resulted in the deaths of three people.

Two people were killed in after police opened fire on protesters in the town of Sohar, 200km northwest of Muscat.

Protests in are growing with opposition parties announcing on Sunday that they will join protesters to bring down President Saleh.

18 opposition Mps have submitted letters of resignation in as thousands of protesters marched in Manama on Sunday.

Aid agencies are warning of a growing humanitarian crisis on the Libyan Tunisian border as tens of thousands flee Libya.

But as the world's attention remains fixed on the Middle East and North Africa, how are people in other countries reacting?

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Gaddafi clings on in Libya and unrest continues in Oman, Yemen, Bahrain and Tunisia

Gabriela Pomeroy | 09:39 UK time, Monday, 28 February 2011

Libya

Hillary Clinton has flown into Geneva to todayto talkabout the crisis in Libya.

Colonel Gaddafi is clinging to power in Tripoli but seems increasingly cornered as rebels take over More army officers defected over the weekend in nearby Az Zawiya and an in Benghazi isgetting on with Eventhe Colonel's"voluptuous blonde" Ukrainian nurse has gone home.

Hillary Clintonsaid: "We've been reaching out to many different Libyans who are attempting to organize in the east and as the revolution moves westward there as well ... we're going to be ready and prepared to offer any kind of assistance."

A refugee humanitarian crisis is growing asthousandsof peoplehead for the each day.

And the wave of protests continues elsewhere in the Middle East today. In , people are again after clashes with police over the weekend. Hundreds blocked the road to an oil refinery calling for wealth to be shared, and hundreds more gathered in the central Globe roundabout.

In Yemen, tens of thousands of people today calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to go. In Tunisia, huge rallies over the weekend led to the resignation of the new prime minister. And in Bahrain,hundreds of have blocked access to the parliament today.

What do you think western foreign ministers should decide at their meeting today?And ifyou're in any of these countries, what is your experience of the unrest ?

WHYS: Latest developments on Libya

Nuala McGovern Nuala McGovern | 10:09 UK time, Saturday, 26 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 26 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

We're having a special edition of World Have Your Say at 1300 GMT to discuss the latest developments. We hope you'll get in touch country code + 44 20 70 83 72 72

After a lot of discussion in the past week, the US has announced sanctions against the Libyan government.

US President Barack Obama signed an executive order blocking property and transactions related to the country.

Transactions involving assets of Muammar Gaddafi and some close associates were blocked. US banks have been put on alert.

Mark Mardell's asks is it too much or too little? Do you think it's an effective strategy? What response would you like to see from your country?

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WHYS on TV: What should the world do about Libya?

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Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 16:00 UK time, Friday, 25 February 2011

With protesters taking control of large parts of the country, but Colonel Gaddafi seemingly in control in the capital Tripoli, what should the world do about the situation in Libya - if anything?

The battle for Tripoli

Gabriela Pomeroy | 09:42 UK time, Friday, 25 February 2011

Libya

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 25 February 2011. Listen to the programme

Colonel Gaddafi has lost his grip on much of the country but he still seems to be in control in Tripoli. Opposition leaders are calling for major protests andresidents say mercenaries are moving in for


The 91ȱ's Middle East live page has all the latest updates and the is collecting eyewitness accounts and videos by Libyans on the ground.



We're on 91ȱ World TV today at 1500 GMT.How should the world respond to the mass killings? Barak Obama, David Cameronand Nicolas Sarkozy a no-fly zone and sanctions today. to ask the UN for a Libyan arms embargo and financial sanctions.

The New York Times these must happen before thousands are slaughtered, and the Irish Times says the world . The UK's Guardian newspaper that ground intervention might be an option. And the Minneapolis Star Tribune says can determine how many people die.

But Russia says sanctions And the leaders is mixed. Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, has backed Muammar Gaddafi on Twitter. Chavez tweeted: "Gaddafi is facing a civil war. Long live Libya. Long live the independence of Libya." How do you want your country to respond? Can the outside world make a difference to how many peopledie in Libya ? Post your comments here.

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All Eyes On Libya

Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 09:34 UK time, Thursday, 24 February 2011

Photo showing protesters in Benghazi celebrating their takeover of the city

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 24 February 2011.Listen to the programme.

After the events of the last week, it seems everyone is waiting to see what Colonel Gaddafi will decide to do next?

There has been widespread condemnation from world leaders. On Wednesday President Obama spoke for the first time in a televised speech.

The United States also strongly supports the universal rights of the Libyan people. That includes the rights of peaceful assembly, free speech, and the ability of the Libyan people to determine their own destiny. These are human rights. They are not negotiable. They must be respected in every country. And they cannot be denied through violence or suppression.

You can read the full text .

Many other leaders have also spoken out against the violence of Colonel Gaddafi's regime against protesters.

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Social Media Guests

Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 13:08 UK time, Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Picture of a smartphone with Twitter application

Hi, it's Sophie here on Sarah's log-in. As mentioned in the blog post below, on today's programme we will be talking about the use of social media in situations like we have seen in countries across the Middle east and North Africa.

Ben Allen is at a conference in Dubai that has been organised to discuss how important and effective social media has become as a tool. He will be joined by the Egyptian blogger who has agreed to talk to us about the importance of social media and the role it played in the Egyptian protests. We will also be talking to social media experts and commentators including and .

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How should the world respond to Libya?

Nuala McGovern Nuala McGovern | 12:25 UK time, Wednesday, 23 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 23 February 2011.Listen to the programme.

on how the international community should deal with Libya and Colonel Gaddafi.

France has become the first state to call for sanctions against Libya. Here's what President Sarkozy had to say:

"I would like the suspension of economic, commercial and financial relations with Libya until further notice,"

Here's a little of what's been said around the globe on whether sanctions are the appropriate response. Please do post what you think should happen.

Angela Merkel, German chancellor who described Col Gaddafi's speech as "horrifying", on Tuesday said she may support the use of sanctions against Libya after the leader had "basically declared war on his own people".

Finland's Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said the European Union should discuss sanctions on Gaddafi's inner circle, but at such a move.

Neither is the prime minister of Qatar, he said he did not want to isolate Libya.

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Does social media really help us understand the protests?

Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 08:37 UK time, Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Photo showing soldiers carring guns next to a person holding out their hands full of bullets

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 23 February 2011.Listen to the programme.

The ongoing protests across the Middle East and Africa are still dominating online conversations. We will be doing our best to bring you the latest about what is going on in these places and you can follow this for regular updates throughout the day.

As well as this, the last few weeks have highlighted a number of talking points, one of which has been the importance of social media in these protests.

Ben Allen is in Dubai, where a conference has been organised to discuss how important things like Twitter and Facebook have been. This is what the have to say:

While some have portrayed these programs as "game changers" creating a whole new paradigm for mobilization, others have placed them in the same social context as photocopy and fax machines, cassette tapes, radio and other media which, in their own day, empowered uprisings and revolutions.

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What should be done about Colonel Gaddafi?

Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 11:01 UK time, Tuesday, 22 February 2011

Colonel Gaddafi

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 22 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

Colonel Gaddafi is not, it appears, heading to Venezuela. Indeed, after a somewhat bizarre appearance on Libyan state television, in which he sat in a golf kart waving an umbrella around, it seems he is not going anywhere at all.

"I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela," he said. And so are large numbers the country's army, according to a 91ȱ correspondent there:

"People are intimidated and staying home. Very limited movement in the streets and the city is closed. After words of bombing the city yesterday, people are cautious. Residents of Tripoli have confirmed that areas around the Green Circle where heavily attacked. No confirmation on number of deaths. Yet people seem to be determined to continue."

And so that's how things stand on the morning of the sixth day of the protest. As wrote on Twitter: "Gaddafi not finished yet - remember how everyone wrote off Saddam after Shiite uprising of March 1991?"

Human rights groups this morning put the total number of protesters killed over the last six days at 519, but the 91ȱ cannot verify this figure.

Undoubtedly though, people are being killed by the army - which may prove to be the key difference between Libya and the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. There, the refusal of the army to fire on protesters was one of the key factors in the eventual overthrow of the country's leaders.

As a result, the question being asked by many people on Twitter, blogs and in emails to us here at the 91ȱ is, what is the world going to do about it?

New Zealand quake: your reaction

Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 09:14 UK time, Tuesday, 22 February 2011

Collapsed building in Christchurch, New Zealand

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 22 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

"We fell to the ground and covered our heads with our arms. There was tremendous roaring and screeching of buildings being torn apart. Knowing that there were people crushed in that building will stay with me forever. It was truly horrific."

The words of Helen Boothby in Christchurch, who emailed the 91ȱ describing the experience of being in the middle of the earthquake that has ripped New Zealand's second city apart, killing at least 65 people.

A further 200 are believed trapped under the rubble resulting from the 6.3-magnitude quake.

Eyewitnesses have referred to the streets "liquifying" and the horror of being surrounded by collapsing buildings; the spire of the city's iconic cathedral fell into the main square.

The country's prime minister John Key has said it is a scene of "absolute devastation" and that "we just need this community, as it has done before and as it will do again, to come together, to check and support one another."

What's your reaction to what has happened in Christchurch? Have you been affected?

Libya protests: has Colonel Gaddafi lost his grip ?

Gabriela Pomeroy | 09:15 UK time, Monday, 21 February 2011

Libya protest

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 21 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

It's day five of the protestin Libya and the revolt is the in the wave of uprisings across the region. according to Human Rights Watch. Eyewitnesses say security forces opened fire on crowds last night as thousands of protesters converged on Tripoli's Green Square. Reuters is reporting the central government building is .


It's very difficult to get a true picture of what's happening as phone lines and internet are cut and foreign media are banned. Shabab Libya tweeted: "We are getting eye witness accounts of terrible crimes currently taking place in the city of Tripoli we fear the worst." says she's hearing "Tripoli is upside-down."


Thereare also reports from the second city Benghazi that the military has joined the side of the protesters, and that parts of the city are in the hands of anti-government protesters.


The Colonel's son, Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, gave a last night, warning there could be civil war and "rivers of blood.". from Lebanon tweeted: "Such a surreal speech, Middle Ages speech on 21st century media."


Has central government lost control ? What do you think of the protests and thegovernment crackdown ? Is it almost all over ? If you're in Libyatell us what you're seeing and hearing.

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Would you take wealth over democracy?

Ben Allen | 06:35 UK time, Monday, 21 February 2011

Dubai is said to be the hub of the gulf and home to experts and ex pats from around the region, so it's a good place to come to examine what's taking place in nearby countries like Bahrain.

Owen Bennett-Jones and I have been broadcasting special editions of our sister show Newshour from Dubai all weekend. Owen has now left and I'm staying on to gather some students together for tonight's WHYS.

Dubai is relatively liberal for the Middle East, people have a certain amount of freedom but its hard to get people to open up. I've heard the phrase "I don't talk politics, just economics" stated a few times.

As I wondered through the few traditional souks left in Dubai and visited the giant malls that have replaced them people are guarded about what they say. The one Emirati that did speak to me tried to explain why "We have everything we need here. When I was married I was given $22,000 cash with free land and a house. Why do I need to fill my head with politics? I just live my life and be happy."

The Al Maktoum family has ruled Dubai since 1833 but you'll be hard pushed to find people on the street who has anything but high praise for the Sheikh. There's a certain amount of pride in what's been achieved here.

Many of the protesters around the region want democracy, the people here have no say over who leads the country but when you have so much success and wealth does it really matter? My Emirati friend doesn't think so - I wonder how many of you would take wealth over democracy?

The People's Protest

Xavier Zapata | 17:54 UK time, Sunday, 20 February 2011

This week we've been working on something a little different, and we hope you enjoy it. As the Arab World convulses from a wave of protest that's now breaking over Morrocco, we decided to take a step back. It's a privilege you don't often get in the cut and thrust of live news...

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WHYS on TV: Unrest across the Middle East and North Africa

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Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 14:14 UK time, Friday, 18 February 2011

Protests are continuing in several countries across the Middle East and North Africa. We speak to people from Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, Iran, Egypt and more to find out what is happening.

Protests in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen

Gabriela Pomeroy | 09:12 UK time, Friday, 18 February 2011

Bahrain Protests

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 18 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

More violence is feared in the Middle East today and on the show later we'll hear from eyewitnesses on the streets across the region.

In Bahrain, thousands of people are expected to attend the funerals of protestors killed in the .

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A second daily dose of WHYS

Chloe Tilley Chloe Tilley | 16:44 UK time, Thursday, 17 February 2011

In just a few weeks time we are launching a second daily edition of World Have Your Say on the radio. We want your ideas about how the new show should shape up.....

On air: Unrest in the Arab World

Ros Atkins Ros Atkins | 13:15 UK time, Thursday, 17 February 2011

It's another day when our first and foremost responsibility is to speak to as many of you in the Arab world as we can about what's happening, how it's affecting you and your views of the different protests.

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 17 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

For all the latest, check out the excellent 'livepage' on bbcnews.com. If you want more detail on each place where stories are developing...

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Berlusconi, Lampedusa and Libya

Ros Atkins Ros Atkins | 13:37 UK time, Wednesday, 16 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 16 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

We've various discussions coming together for today's show. Two of our producers, Ben and Richard, are in Rome and they'll be setting up guests to talk about Silvio Berlusconi's predicament and the growing migrant issue on the island of Lampedusa. In addition, we'll find out as much as we can about the protests in Libya.

So I have three questions for you to muse on:

1) Should the EU help Italy meet the costs of the migrants who are arriving from Egypt and Tunisia?

2) Is Italy's standing in the world affected by the charges facing its Prime Minister?

3) Do you support the protests in Libya?

Over to you...

'If not now, then when?'

Ros Atkins Ros Atkins | 13:45 UK time, Tuesday, 15 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say 15 Feb 2011.Listen to the programme.

This slogan was written across placards at a demonstration in Italy at the weekend. The women holding the placards were demanding that Silvio Berlusconi stand down. This was before the Italian Prime Minister was charged today with having sex with an underage prostitute.


Now clearly we can't get into Mr Berlusconi's guilt or innocence as that's for the court to decide and for us to steer clear of. We can simply state that he has not been convicted of anything.

What we can discuss though whether he should resign. In many countries, simply the allegation would be enough to see a leader leave office. Do you think Silvio Berlusconi should go? And I'm also interested to know if you would want your leader to resign if he or she faced a similar allegation?

Maybe you think 'innocent until proven guilty' is the only thing that matters here.

US: Time to surf the wave? Or stay out of the water?

Ben James Ben James | 09:25 UK time, Tuesday, 15 February 2011

AP - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton's comments expressing "clear and direct" support for the latest protests in Iran are getting lots of coverage.

Remember when the Egypt protests were in their early days?

There was some criticism that in its and their aims.

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"Islam is the solution" - your questions to the Muslim Brotherhood

Mark Sandell Mark Sandell | 18:02 UK time, Monday, 14 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 14 Feb 2011. Listen to the programme.

The Muslim Brotherhood is Egypt's oldest (founded in 1928) and largest Islamist organisation.

During the demonstrations which led to the fall of President Mubarak, there were a good few and blog posts expressing "fears" that the political vacuum would be filled by , writing in the Independent, gave these "fears" short shrift..

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Is China's economic growth good for the world?

Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 13:30 UK time, Monday, 14 February 2011

Photo of a woman holding up a 100 Yuan note

On Monday China became the world's second biggest economy, overtaking Japan. It now has an estimated worth of $5.8 trillion.

Japan's fiscal policy minister, , said:

We welcome, as a neighbouring nation, that China's economy is advancing rapidly. This can become a foundation for development of the regional economy, including East Asia and Southeast Asia.

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The Domino effect?

Ben Allen | 11:39 UK time, Monday, 14 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on Tue 15 Feb. Listen to the programme.

Over the past few weeks my email inbox has been fit to burst. I'm part of a special 91ȱ mailing list that started out looking at social media trends in Tunisia during the protests and then spread to encompass all the protests across the Middle East.

Experts from across the 91ȱ share the latest news, video, images and tweets in order to help gather fresh news and content. It's meant to be an alternative method of news gathering and often feeds into the reports produced by those on the location.

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What happens after the revolution?

Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 08:36 UK time, Sunday, 13 February 2011

You can read our original post here



Soldiers in Tahrir Square

It's Day 2 of Egypt's post-Mubarak era. Early this morning, only the hardcore remained in Tahrir Square - marooned on a traffic island, being slowly shuffled away by the army.

However, as I write, our correspondent there, Jon Leyne, is reporting that there is a new surge of protesters coming back in - wanting to ensure the democratic reforms they have campaigned for are instigated.

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WHYS on TV: What's next after the fall of Mubarak?

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Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 17:32 UK time, Saturday, 12 February 2011

It's the day after Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak resigned. Where does the country go now? And what next for the Middle East and Africa?

The morning after the night before

Xavier Zapata | 08:51 UK time, Saturday, 12 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on12 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

So President Mubarak has finally resigned. It's over. People in Cairo have been celebrating what opposition figurehead Mohammed El Baradei called "the greatest day of my life."

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Breaking News: President Mubarak resigns

Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 16:24 UK time, Friday, 11 February 2011

Celebrations in Tahrir Square after President Mubarak steps down

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 11 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

After 18 days of protest in Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down. The announcement happened at approximately 1600 GMT. The army will now take control.

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WHYS on TV: Egypt in crisis

Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 16:00 UK time, Friday, 11 February 2011

Ros presents the second regular edition of World Have Your Say on television, as pressure grows on Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak to step down.

Are the protesters losing the fight ?

Gabriela Pomeroy | 09:19 UK time, Friday, 11 February 2011

They thought they were on the crest of the revolution yesterday. Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets for more than two weeks shouting "go away" to President Mubarak, but then he came on TV last night and told them

We're talking about this on 91ȱ World TV today at 1500 GMT.

Despite the president's message to the people, Tahrir Square remains Thousands of people are streaming into the square today, and they're camped nearthe state TV building, presidential palace andparliament.

Can bloodshed be avoided ?

The army is expected to make an announcement today. Who's side are they on?

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Is Mubarak on the brink?

Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 16:28 UK time, Thursday, 10 February 2011

Tahrir Square

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 10 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

There is a mass of speculation that Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak may leave office this evening (Egyptian time).



The latest we have at the time of writing is that Mubarak is to make an address on national television.

A senior member of Egypt's governing party, Hossan Badrawi, has told the 91ȱ he "hopes" Mr Mubarak will transfer power to Vice-President Omar Suleiman.

And the US Central Intelligence Agency says there is a "strong likelihood" that Mr Mubarak will step down soon.

You can follow the latest developments on the 91ȱ News website here.

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Halle Berry: "My daughter is black"

Chloe Tilley Chloe Tilley | 14:02 UK time, Thursday, 10 February 2011

Halle Berry


That's what she has told her white husband during theirover their two year old daughter Nahla.

The first black woman to win a best actress Oscar, told Ebony magazine that even though she's half-white and her child's father Gabriel Aubry is white, she still

"I feel she's black. I'm black and I'm her mother, and I believe in the one-drop theory. I'm not going to put a label on it. I had to decide for myself and that's what she's going to have to decide - how she identifies herself in the world. What I think is that that's something she's going to have to decide."

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Life in Tahrir Square

Sarah Holmes Sarah Holmes | 11:31 UK time, Thursday, 10 February 2011

Protestors in Tahrir Square at night

Hi, I'm posting this on behalf of Zakaria. He lives in Cairo and has been taking part in the protests there. He's also been a regular on World Have Your Say over the last few weeks telling us about what's going on. Here he describes what things are like in Tahrir Square at the moment.

When you enter Tahrir square you are greeted by a line of protesters who cheer you in singing you a song that says "welcome our champions, welcome our heroes, the square needs you, the square always needs more of you".

The line is also an organising line to differentiate between the ones entering and the ones leaving. Tahrir square is possibly the most orderly self organised place in all of Egypt as well the most polite and courteous.

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Should the US stay out of the Egypt reforms?

Ben Allen | 09:56 UK time, Thursday, 10 February 2011

After three shows from South East Asia it’s back to business as usual on WHYS with Chloe presenting from London.Ros andteam will be back from Bangkok in time for Friday’s TV programme, which you can catch on at 15.00gmt.

Egypt is still by far and away the most talked about story, after just three weeks of protests some commentators are saying we’re witnessing a that will usher in “a new age in world history.” Strong stuff but for some things aren’t changing quickly enough.

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On air from Bangkok: The rights and wrongs of the Thai sex industry

Nuala McGovern Nuala McGovern | 13:45 UK time, Wednesday, 9 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 9 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

Hi this Ros on Nuala's log in. Today we're turning our attention to the sex industry here which, to the frustration of some Thais, has become well known the world over.


Thousands of people come on holiday to Thailand specifically because sex is readily available, and relatively safe and cheap.

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WHYS in Jakarta: Attack on Ahmadis

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Nuala McGovern Nuala McGovern | 09:14 UK time, Tuesday, 8 February 2011

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 8 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

This story about attacks on Ahmadis raises issues of whether constitution here which defends religious expression is out of synch with popular opinion. Some have little sympathy for Muslims who question that Mohammed is only prophet of Islam.

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Learning from Indonesia

Nuala McGovern Nuala McGovern | 18:02 UK time, Monday, 7 February 2011

This programme was broadcast on 7 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

This post was written by Ros and posted by Nuala.

We're in Jakarta where we arrived yesterday. It's muggy, busy and packing an impressive array of skyscrapers. We'll be here in for two programmes, before moving onto Bangkok for a Wednesday's show which at the moment is slated to be about sex tourism. Egypt may put pay to those editorial plans but we'll see.

Here at our hotel they slip a copy of under your door every morning. Working my way through it over breakfast a few things stuck out.

First, that telling passengers not to go in the front or back carriage of a train for their own safety isn't very re-assuring.

Second, that tigers kill around ten people a year in Jambi and South Sumatra and that one poor man died yesterday when a tiger walked into his kitchen at dinner time.

And third, that the is bringing back a lot of memories for Indonesians. The letters page is full of readers sharing their experiences of and opinions on the end of General Suharto's time in power.

He was ousted in 1998 after riots here in Jakarta, and Indonesia established a democracy. Now the extent to which a democracy functions is obviously defined not just by people's right to vote, but by freedom of speech, fair distribution of justice, the lack of a media monopoly and freedom of political association. And no country ever reaches a point where it can proclaim to be as democratic as possible.

Arguably democracy is a journey rather than a destination, and there's plenty of debate here about how far along the road Indonesia has come. But it is indisputable that in 1998 we had a US-backed dictator who was seen as being strategically vital to the West. There were also fears of Islamist influence and of prolonged instability as a consequence of a rapid shift in power. Sound familiar?

and that this comparison is more useful than the frequent references to Iran in 1979.

All of which means that Indonesians and Egyptians have plenty to talk about at the moment. The appetite to share what they've been through is palpable and all being well we're going to make those connections in today's programme.

What advice would Indonesians offer Egyptians at the moment? We're going to hear.

If you'd like to take part, as ever let us know al the usual ways.

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WHYS in Jakarta

WHYS Team WHYS Team | 12:06 UK time, Monday, 7 February 2011

WHYS on TV: When should President Mubarak go?

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Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 16:00 UK time, Friday, 4 February 2011

As thousands of protesters mass in Cairo's Tahrir square today for the 11th day of the uprising, the Obama administration is in talks with Egyptian officials about an immediate exit strategy for President Mubarak.

This is the first edition of World Have Your Say on television in its new regular slot on television, 1500 GMT every Friday.


Should President Mubarak go now? The White House steps up the pressure

Gabriela Pomeroy | 09:40 UK time, Friday, 4 February 2011

Protester

As thousands of protestersmass inCairo's Tahrir square today for the 11th day of the uprising, the Obama administration is in talks with Egyptian officials about an immediate exit strategy for President Mubarak.

The demonstratorssay it'sthe - the final farewell push - and the atmosphere in the square is tense. Riot police are on standby and protesters have stacked piles ofrocks and built barbed wire barricades.

The New York Times the Obama plan would mean a transitional government under the new VicePresident Omar Suleiman. It mightbe able to invite opposition groups including the banned .But for nowMr Mubarak clings on,telling ABC's Christiane Amanpour in an yesterday thathe feared anarchy ifhe stood down right away.

"I am fed up," he said. "After 62 years in public service I have had enough. I want to go. If I resign today there will be chaos."

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Egypt Protests: From Festival To Nightmare?

Ben James Ben James | 10:21 UK time, Thursday, 3 February 2011

Click here for live 91ȱ coverage of events in Egypt

Man injured in Tahrir Square - Chris Hondros/Getty Image

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on3 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

Just two days ago, Cairo's Tahrir Square was the venue for a "" according to some - even "".

But thenthings turned violent:on Wednesday, the Egyptian government says five people died and hundreds were injured, following fighting and rock-throwing between pro- and anti-government protesters.

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Have the people of Tunisia changed the face of the Middle East?

Xavier Zapata | 09:55 UK time, Thursday, 3 February 2011

UPDATE FROM BEN J, 3rd Feb 1000GMT:Things have changed in Egypt since Xavier posted this entry on Wednesday, with violence in Cairo. Has that changed your view on this question?

Original post from Wednesday: Last month an unemployed young man set himself on fire in Tunisia, and the flames appear to have engulfed a region. Officials wouldn’t let sell vegetables without a licence, and his desperate act triggered an uprising that toppled the government of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

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Running battles in Tahrir Square

Ben Sutherland Ben Sutherland | 17:05 UK time, Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Tahrir Square

This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 2 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

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. Many people have been wounded and shots have been heard.

The army has called on all protesters to return home and allow the country to return to normal

WHYS will be talking to people caught in the protests from 1800 on Tuesday.

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What do you want for Egypt's future?

Xavier Zapata | 15:48 UK time, Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Egypt Tahrir Square

This topic was discussed at 1800 GMT on World Have Your Say on 1 February 2011. Listen to the programme.

It's the biggest demonstration so far in Egypt. Tahrir square, in central Cairo, is heaving with people, and their message is clear: President Mubarak must stand down.

Organisers say the aim is to mobilise as many as a million people. Reports vary on the scale of the protest. The 91ȱ says that more than a hundred thousand people are there. But Al-Jazeera put the figure at .

We've heard the calls for freedom, democracy and a new politics in Egypt. But what will happen if Mubarak goes? Will it be a brave new world or a brutish state of nature?

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