Looters roam suburbs of Tunis

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English

A security vacuum left by the departure of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the Tunisian president, is being exploited by looters and violent gangs, witnesses say.

Residents in several parts of the Tunisian capital, Tunis, said on Saturday that groups were prowling through neighbourhoods setting fire to buildings and attacking people and property, with no police in sight.

Occasional gunshots could be heard in the centre of Tunis as well as the sound of tear-gas grenades being fired, while helicopters patrolled overhead and acrid smoke hung in the air, Reuters news agency reported.

Several witnesses in Denden, 19km from Tunis, said soldiers were dropped by helicopter to try to restore security.

Witnesses told Al Jazeera that masked special forces they suspected of being affiliated to the toppled government, or foreign militias imported by the leadership before exiting the country, were cracking down on looters. They said that the army published help phone lines for citizens to call to report pillaging and security emergencies.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/tunisia/2011/01/20111153844334663.html

[Catherina]

1. The people are reporting that it's the police looting

It wouldn't surprise me if the looting is being deliberately orchestrated as a cover to deploy the army and crack down on the protestors.

Jungle in Tunisia while I am tweeting this. Policemen stealing people's properties. #SidiBouzid

http://yfrog.com/h2wgo4j

javifdezsainz RT @Dima_Khatib: I repeat. Situation in Tunisia is critical. Violence has spread amid chaos. Masked men like militias are attacking civilians #sidibouzid

Hennnd RT @zakatef: bonjour #tunisie libre on a passer la nuit dehor pour garder notre quartier a #sfax.on n'a pa peur ni de la police ni des bondi #sidibouzid

IngemarAhlgren RT @Dima_Khatib: Situation is pretty bad in Tunisia. Looting by police , violence by masked men, fear among population. Long dark night #sidibouzid

http://twitter.com/search?q=%23SidiBouzid

“According to several tweets, the police is now looting and trying to scare citizens. The prime Minister seems rather appeasing and is supposed to meet all parties tomorrow. Your best bet for news is Twitter and AlJazeera where the prime Minister just gave an interview.

Plenty of links to Twitter accounts and blogs. http://mot­herjones.c­om/mojo/20­11/01/what­s-happenin­g-tunisia-­explained

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mazaza/tunisia-revolution-live-u_n_809294_74018627.html

Motherjones added this

How do I follow what's happening in real-time? Your best immediate resource is the Twitter feed of Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, a columnist for The National, the United Arab Emirates' leading English-language newspaper. The hashtag to follow (or "feed," as the Times mistakenly dubbed it) is #sidibouzid, after the city where the first riots took place. #tunisie is another good option. Al-Bab, a blog written by Brian Whitaker, the Guardian Middle East editor mentioned above, is indispensable. Whitaker's latest posts—"Tunisia: Double or Quits," and "Tunisia: The Last Days of Ben Ali" are must-reads. If you're looking for a more US-centric view, you should also check out "Tunisia on the Brink of Revolution?" and "When Pro-Western Regimes Fall: What Should the US Do?" over at Democracy Arsenal.

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/01/whats-happening-tunisia-explained

I don't trust Ghannouchi one bit. The protestors were demanding that he leave the country. I think a crackdown is coming because if Ghannouchi leaves, the West loses its partners in government and worse, loses all control.

Already it's starting in Egypt

Al Jazeera: Egyptian opposition parties "Kefaya" & "6th of April" will hold demonstrations today in support of Tunisians & change in Egypt.

Washington Post: U.S. consultant drops Tunisia as client, citing rights abuses http://wapo.st/dZQaC6 "move is somewhat unusual" 42 minutes ago via web

"Not clear whether protesters would accept Ghannouchi, PM since 1999, due to his close association with Ben Ali's rule" http://bit.ly/dWtg0l about 1 hour ago via web

# Al Arabiya's reporter: When foreign dignitaries visited Tunisia they'd first salute the former dictator's son in law, then the PM Ghannouchi about 2 hours ago via web

# Al Arabiya correspondent calls acting Tunisian President Mohamed Ghannouchi "competent regardless of the rumours surrounding him" about 2 hours ago via web

Transcript of Tunisian Prime Minister’s Announcement That He Has Assumed Power http://nyti.ms/f7rPgQ He effectively appointed himself. about 3 hours ago via web

http://twitter.com/sultanalqassemi

[sabrina 1]

2. I would not be surprised if that was the case.

The significance of the overthrow of this government is enormous. There will be efforts to cause it to fail. I hope there is some structure that can stabilize the country otherwise things will be very bad for the people there, with a huge crackdown making it worse than before.

Does anyone know whether there were plans to replace the government and with whom? I am glad they succeeded and I would hate to see a return of the dictatorship. I wonder what role the U.S. is playing in all of this. I know we don't generally support democracies these days. We feel a lot more comfortable with dicatorships.

This could spread to other countries, like Egypt and anywhere the people have been oppressed and subjected to 'austerity programs' while the rich get richer.

It really is a great victory for the people!

And it's remarkable how little the U.S. media had to say about it.

[Turborama]

3. Thanks for all those links. I've uploaded that pic to Imageshack so it'll work here...

Good find! A picture really does tell a thousand words...

[Catherina]

6. You're welcome. Thanks for staying on top of this.

This was the first thread I checked this morning. Muriel's news below was great to wake up to!

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Speaker, not PM, is declared interim preisdent; main rail station burnt to ground

Tunisia Speaker 'To Take Power' Amid Riots

The North African state's constitutional council said, under the constitution, the speaker of parliament - not the prime minister - is interim president, state television reported.

The council also announced that new presidential elections have to be held no later than 60 days from now, the report continued.
...
Tunisia's prime minister Mohammed Ghannouchi had initially taken over as acting president until elections are held.

The head of the army and the parliament are believed to have joined forces with the prime minister to form a "new leadership committee".

Mr Ghannouchi said he would meet representatives of political parties later to attempt to form a coalition government that he hopes "will meet expectations".

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Tunisia-President-Ben-Ali-Flees-Amid-Riots-As-Parlimentary-Speak-Prepares-To-Take-Power/Article/201101315895424?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_9&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15895424_Tunisia%3A_President_Ben_Ali_Flees_Amid_Riots_As_Parlimentary_Speak_Prepares_To_Take_Power

Train station burnt

There have been reports of overnight looting in the city's suburbs, with French-owned supermarkets among the properties targeted.

Tunis' main train station was burnt down, AP news agency reported.

Resident Zouhair Ben Jemaa told the BBC: "We couldn't sleep all night. We hear everything - the helicopters, the gunfire. It's quiet now. There are a few people out and about, but the troubles will probably start later."

However Tunis Carthage International Airport, which was closed amid Friday's unrest, re-opened on Saturday. Hundreds of tourists and other foreigners have been trapped there.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12198396

[Catherina]

7. Sad about the rail and the prison but that's great news about the PM

not being able to seize power.

Angry Arab wrote yesterday that Ghannouchi was Ben Ali's man and that unless Ghannouchi was gone, nothing had changed. Last night, the Iran Press reported the people were demanding Ghannouchi go too but I couldn't find other corraboration. Wow Muriel, this is some development and nice to wake up to. Thanks!

Here's what he wrote today

This is a mature movement in Tunisia, and it knows what it wants

This is indeed a mature movement. Yesterday, I was relaying to Tunisian comrades my concerns that their movement would be aborted by a theatrical and cosmetic change of power which would not uproot the regime. Today, I woke up to the news that the activists know what they want and will not stop merely because someone in France or US or Israel or Saudi Arabia decided to remove Bin `Ali but keep the regime and army behind power.

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-is-mature-movement-in-tunisia-and.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Dozens die in prison fire in Monastir

Eyewitnesses in Monastir said a fire had swept through a jail, killing dozens of inmates.

"The whole prison is on fire, the furniture, mattresses, everything," one witness told Reuters news agency.

The Associated Press news agency quotes a local coroner as saying at least 42 people had died.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12198396

[Catherina]

8. "the looting is being done by the regime thugs". Army has arrested 2 secret police leaders

Radio Sawa on Tunisia

Nir sent me this: "listening this morning to radio sawa reporting on tunisia, they wanted to focus only on the looting, militias, stealing and violence, as if they were trying to underplay the revolutionary aspect of it and just make it all look scary and bad"

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/radio-sawa-on-tunisia.html

...the looting is being done by the regime thugs. And the two secret police leaders have been arrested along with numerous other individuals involved in the attacks against shops and even homes. The Tunisian army has arrested them.

Videos show this:

I would also add that Tunisians know full well that the Ben Ali goons are behind the attacks and it is because they want to impress upon the public the fear that without Ben Ali there is no security. The loot is just part of the fun for them. Fortunately, Tunisians are coordinating neighborhood watches and are aiding the army's capture of these people through four phone numbers which the army has provided. Facebook and Blackberry Messenger are being used by youths to keep watch on their towns. It really is inspiring, the whole nation is determined to not allow these thugs to get away."

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/islamist-factor-in-tunisia.html

[Uncle Joe]

9. Thanks for the updates, Catherina.

:thumbsup:

[Catherina]

10. This thing is almost funny. Khaddafi talking about the Tunisian Rev. Sounds nuts.

A little more on the looting. The Khaddafi Pure Gold Comedy is afterwards.

# The young Tunisian said that youth between the ages of 18-40 armed with baseball bats are gathering in neighbourhoods to protect their homes about 2 hours ago via web

# The BBC World Service radio interviewed a young Tunisian who corroborated MTS' statement on young Tunisians protecting their neighbourhoods. about 2 hours ago via web

...

# MTS says that Tunisian youth are coordinating neighbourhood patrols to keep thugs away via the BBM chat groups. about 4 hours ago via web

...

# Tunisia's military putting boot on 'Jasmine Revolution' by @bencnn http://bit.ly/dIAnPH about 4 hours ago via web

# Breaking news. From Nessma TV: Imad Trabelsi, brother in law of Ben Ali is dead. Known for extreme corruption. about 4 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Heads of former Tunisian dictator's security guards Selim Chiboub & Ali Seriati arrested http://bit.ly/eouY3r From Al Jazeera about 5 hours ago via web

# France says blocking suspicious Tunisian asset moves http://bit.ly/guPebl Former dictator's family may try to withdraw funds about 6 hours ago via web


http://twitter.com/sultanalqassemi

Start from the bottom up

# I'm going through my time line reading what Ghaddafi said. I was tweeting so fast I barely enjoyed what he was saying. about 2 hours ago via web

# Page grab of Ghaddafi live on TV http://yfrog.com/h06ksqgj about 2 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone

# Ghaddafi signing off "Peace be upon Tunis." End of transmission. about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "If there is anyone close to Ben Ali, take him to court, Ben Ali too, where is your proof, bring it! Why kill your sons are night" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "Ben Ali, love him or hate him your country is developed now. What will the new leader give you. I tell the truth to all people" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "You have lost a lot. The new leader will forget about you. Can he give you back your dead son?" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "My dear brothers in Tunis. I am near you. I am hurting for you. And your Libyan brothers. I hope you go back to sanity" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "I care about Tunsia. It's Arab and Maghareb nation. Now they are scared. Their stores and homes and animals are at risk" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "They are lying to you and laughing. People in France & Nice want the Tunisians and Libyans and Algerians and Egyptians to die" about 2 hours ago via web

# HAHAHA. Ghaadafi "You and your BookFace and your Kelekeleekes" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "These protestors are drunkards who were given hallucination drugs. They have no cause. Before you call Ben Ali Ben Ali" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "If someone wants to become leader go to Carthage palace. Don't lie to us and say you have a cause." about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "Until now Ben Ali is the president. Tunis has no oil and it is developed. We say the Tunisians have golden hands, they work hard" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "I am asking the Tunisians not to believe the lies that were in Wikileaks" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "Respect the Tunisian constitution. Ben Ali is still the President. What did he do?! I am worried about Tunisian people" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "This nice country. In once day you turn it into this. God give you sanity. You will ask for Ben Ali to come back" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "You are dying, going out with knives, is this a revolution?! Tens of deaths. All of Tunisians may come to Libya tomorrow" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "We are victims of youtube and facebook and wekelekeees (he says wikileaks that way, it's funny). The world is laughing at us now" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "Wikileaks is any stupid drunk man who can write rubbish. Drunks, Liars. Drunks. They can write on wikileaks and you believe him" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "The American ambassador will be tried for lying. You like this wikileaks rubbish? It's funny. You are making a big deal out of it" about 2 hours ago via web

Coverage stopped on Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. Now switching to Al Jazeera Mubasher (Live channel) about 2 hours ago via web

...

# Ghaddafi "Americans never told Bush to step down. They understand that he has to finish his term in office." about 2 hours ago via web

...

# Ghaddafi "Why destroy? I don't know who these new leaders are. Tunis is a tourism country. Now it is a murderers country. Why?" about 2 hours ago via web

# Ghaddafi "Zein El Abedine Ben Ali would have stepped down in three years. You want your son to die because you can't wait three years?!" about 2 hours ago via web

...

Ghaddafi (more reading from reports) "Tunis has no economic problems. There are good opportunities. Very very good. And healthy" about 2 hours ago via web

...

# Ghaddafi "I am the leader of all free people in the world. There was no need for revolution in Tunisia. It has a strong economy" about 2 hours ago via web

# Breaking. Ghaddafi talking live on Libyan TV on Tunisian Revolution about 2 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone

http://twitter.com/sultanalqassemi

[Uncle Joe]

11. What a dick, I got a hernia just reading Ghaddafi's quotes.

:puke:

[girl gone mad]

12. His comments on WikiLeaks..

resemble some of the posters here. Hmmm..

[Catherina]

13. I'll bet Ghaddafi knows he's on the same list. Anonymous just declared war on Saudi Arabia

I'll bet Ghaddafi knows he's on the same list.


Touness Horria, a message from Anonymous.

"Take conscience, my brother, stay close to your heart
Don't trust the system, murderer and liar
get away from the hatred that we all jump to the arms
human mankind, only Love will save us
listen to the silence when your soul is at peace
the light is there, the light returned
Truth in ourselves, the result of Creation
do not forget your history, do not forget your mission"

Kenny Arkana, Cinquieme Soleil


A month ago, a young man named Mohammed Bouazizi performed a self immolation as a protest against the practices of a corrupt regime. His sacrifice has given Tunisians the spirit and the courage needed to free themselves of 23 years of tyranny. In a single month, the people of Tunisia have put an end to injustice in an unprecedented display of the power of justice and freedom.

Since the rats abandoned the ship, Anonymous has received reports of constant violations of human rights, looting, and systematic destruction waged by the Tunisian police, militant members of the RCD, and criminals that were freed from prison in the chaos.

Maybe you are enjoying yourself in your Saudi Arabian villa with all the luxuries you have denied your own people. Maybe you think you are safe, that your forces of terror are going to create chaos and upheaval which will force the Tunisian people into begging you to make a glorious comeback. As usual, you think that the people of the world are stupid. You are wrong.

We are talking to you, Ben Ali, and to your terrorist forces. We do not wish death upon you. We simply want the blood of the Tunisian martyrs to not be spilled in vain. To the spirits of the free people of this world, we will never stop until everyone responsible for this massacre are judged in a Tunisian court, formed by the free people of Tunisia. We will obtain this through any means neccesary..

To the authorities of Saudi Arabia: Every insitution that helps the escape of these criminals from Tunisian justice will be, from now on, a potential and legitimate target in our eyes. We advise you strongly to reconsider if you want to host this individual.

To the free people of this world: You, too, can help the tunisians with all your resources! Identify the assasins, track them, pressure your governments and media, tweet, inform the world in order to help the people of Tunisia to finally get the justice that they deserve, and take the freedom which belongs only to them as a people.

We do not forget.
We do not forgive.
Expect us.

http://anonnews.org/?p=press&a=item&i=225

[sudopod]

14. They play baseball in Tunisia? nt