THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Middle East governments watched uneasily as events in Tunisia snowballed to a stunning climax Friday, while millions of their citizens followed on satellite television and the Internet the sudden departure of Tunisia's long-time leader amid growing street protests.
Tunisia's strong-man president, President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, fled the North African country yesterday after a month of popular protests gained strong momentum in recent days. His departure was broadcast to the region across a collection of media outlets, such as al Jazeera, that hardly existed a decade ago, as well as on the Internet and social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.
Scores of Arab Facebook users have changed their profile pictures to the Tunisian flag and sent congratulatory messages to the Tunisian people. One message asked, "can we Egyptians dare to dream of freedom next?"
Immediate official reaction was limited around the region. Qatar, a small Gulf emirate that has tried to exercise a voice in the region despite its tiny population, released a statement saying: "Qatar respects the will and wishes of the Tunisian people."
Response from other regional players was muted. Some of these countries, especially Egypt, Syria and Iran, share similar festering social and economic problems similar to those in Tunisia: high youth unemployment, lack of affordable housing and political freedom.
Last week in Algeria crowds of young people rioted over rising food prices and concerns about jobs. On Tuesday, the Jordanian government attempted to pre-empt possible public outcry by cutting fuel taxes and imposing food price controls. And on Wednesday, Egypt's trade minister was quoted in local press as saying he ruled out a "Tunisia Scenario" in his country.
On Thursday, the Arab League held a hastily called special session on the developments in Tunisia during their regular meeting in Qatar, reflecting concern about the instability there, according to an Arab official.
Mr. Ben Ali arrived early Saturday in Saudi Arabia, after what appeared to be a scramble to find a country to host him. >>> Margaret Coker, Summer Said and Jay Solomon | Friday, January 14, 2011
