Barack Obama Tells Africa to Stop Blaming the West for Its Woes on Historic Ghana Visit
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama has delivered the most challenging speech by a US leader in Africa for decades by castigating the continent's leadership for creating a culture of "brutality and bribery".

Adopting a tone his white predecessors never dared employ, the US President told Africa it could no longer blame the West for all its woes.

"Yes, a colonial map that made little sense bred conflict, and the West has often approached Africa as a patron, rather than a partner," he told the Ghanaian parliament. "But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants."

Seeking to jolt Africa's politicians out of a complacent belief that his shared ancestry with them would soften his rhetoric, Mr Obama spoke with withering directness.

Condemning tyrannical African leaders who "enrich themselves" amid the continent's chronic poverty, he promised fresh "partnerships" only with states that were well-governed.

For the kleptocrats and autocrats who still sprinkle the continent, he had a simple message: enough is enough.

"No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery," he said. "That is not democracy, that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end."

Traditional "strong man" rulers must give way to "strong institutions" if they are to benefit from future Western assistance, he said.

"We have a responsibility to support those who act responsibly and to isolate those who don't," he told the country's parliament from a podium draped in traditional yellow and green kente cloth.

"Development depends on good governance, and that is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many countries. That's the change which can unlock African potential, but that is a responsibility which must be met by Africans.

"Africa's future is up to Africans." >>> Mike Pflanz in Accra | Saturday, July 11, 2009

Sir David Frost Interview: Reza Pahlavi
Watch YouTube video here >>>

Bizarre Goings On in the Desert Kingdom
BBC: A family in Saudi Arabia is taking a "genie" to court, accusing it of theft and harassment, reports say.

They accuse the spirit of threatening them, throwing stones and stealing mobile phones, Al Watan newspaper said.

The family have lived in the same house near the city of Medina for 15 years but say they only recently became aware of the spirit. They have now moved out.

A local court is investigating. In Islamic theology, genies are spirits that can harass or possess humans.

'Get out of the house'

"We began to hear strange sounds," the head of the family, who come from Mahd Al Dahab, told the Saudi daily. He did not want to be named.

"At first we did not take it seriously, but then stranger things started to happen and the children got particularly scared when the genie started throwing stones."

He added: "A woman spoke to me first, and then a man. They said we should get out of the house."

A local court says it is trying to verify the truthfulness of the claims "despite the difficulty" of doing so. Saudi 'genie' sued for harassment >>> | Saturday, July 11, 2009

Obama's Climate of Fear
TOWNHALL: Recently I had a long lunch with an old friend. He sits on the board of one of the largest and most successful publicly traded regional banks in America. He got his seat when that regional bank acquired the very successful community bank he built from the ground up. I will not name him or this bank, but I will pass on a few things he said to me.

He said, “Our bank’s leadership team and others I know at the local or regional level feel paralyzed and intimidated by the climate of fear created by the Obama administration. We believe we are targets of a very deliberate conspiracy.

“The new and proposed regulations will remove every competitive advantage of the community bank, and make every bank identical, forced to operate exactly as does Bank of America,” he explained. “Then, absent competitive opportunity, all of the independent banks will be greatly de-valued and handicapped. They’ll be vulnerable and easily rolled up into the handful of remaining giants … the small bank’s wealth made into fresh food for the insatiable hunger of the big banks’ deficits and losses. This is, I and others believe, the next step in Obama’s plan to take total control of the financial system and money supply, a requirement of dictatorship.“

What is most significant about these statements is the person making them. This is not some freak like the fellow Mel Gibson portrayed in the movie “Conspiracy Theory.”. He’s not somebody stockpiling food in a cabin hidden away in the woods, to escape to when anarchy erupts. Not anybody you would expect to hear express such thoughts. And he’s not a lone voice.

Another friend is the CEO of a mid-sized company that had been on an impressive trajectory of growth for the past three years but is now stalled. He and his advisers have reversed their viewpoint in the last few months. They are eager to sell the company if possible now rather than later. Why? They believe Obama is deliberately, systematically destroying the economy as a whole and is specifically targeting small business for extinction – because it’s too difficult to exercise dictatorial control over millions of small enterprises. >>> Dan Kennedy | Friday, July 10, 2009

President Signs Anti-Smoker/Anti-Liberty 'Family Smoking And Tobacco Control Act'
Photo: Diggers Realm
DIGGERS REALM: Last week I reported on the Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act in my article "First They Came For The Smokers.... President Obama signed that law today which in essence not only further vilifies smokers as the bane of society, but claims it will lower health care costs, bans tobacco brands from sponsoring sports and entertainment events and will "save the children". American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, CEO John R. Seffrin actually said it finally "put an end to Big Tobacco's despicable marketing practices".

Some things they failed to mention that the bill will do is further infringe on personal civil liberties in this country, have an impact on southern states that produce tobacco and create a further black market and crime for cigarettes as they become more expensive.

As I noted in my article, there were a few curious things in the bill which gave certain "classes" of people preference over others. For instance they have banned all flavored cigarettes, including things like cherry, coffee and the pretty popular clove, but allowed menthol to continue to be used in cigarettes. Menthol seems to be the major preference of black smokers (and was introduced as an exception by the Black Caucus into the bill).

Not a smoker? You should still be concerned. The government is now telling companies which flavorings they can use in products, which companies can sponsor sporting and entertainment events and which agriculture industries deserve to exist.

If you think it stops at cigarettes and tobacco then just wait a little while. They will be going after soda soon, determining that cherry Coke is too enticing for young children and is affecting their weight. Or perhaps they will go after Burgers that contain cheese because some people just like cheese a little too much and can't resist, thus putting their health at risk. >>> Digger | Undated

Digger’s Opinion: Michelle Obama Is Not A Trend Setter And Not Particularly Attractive In Any Way
DIGGERS REALM: I'm about sick of the media's attempts to make Michelle Obama out to be some world trend setter or some overly attractive woman. I find her fashion sense unappealing to her body shape and size and I don't particularly find her attractive in any way. There it has been said. Something that it seems many are afraid to state openly for fear of being called a racist. As with immigration, this as well has nothing to do with race and everything to do with lies.

I'm not usually one to denigrate someone based on their looks, but I've had about enough of this bullshit about how gorgeous Michelle Obama is and the truth must be spoken. I won't go as far as saying "You can put lipstick on a pig...", but you can do a "glamor shot" of anyone after spending 3 hours putting makeup on them and portray them as something they are not. I believe this "false face" mentality is part of why this country is falling apart. >>> Digger | Undated

Somalia: ‘The Religion of Love and Peace and Compassion and Mercy’ Has Been at It Again!
TIMES ONLINE: Seven people accused of renouncing Islam and spying for the Government were beheaded in Somalia yesterday in a move that underlined the growing authority of the country’s Islamist insurgents.

The extremist al-Shabaab group is battling the interim Government in Mogadishu and has implemented a strict interpretation of Sharia in the parts of the country that it controls.

“Al-Shabaab told us that they were beheaded for being Christian followers and spies,” a relative said after the killings. A witness described seeing the decapitated bodies in the back of a lorry in the town of Baidoa.

The killings were the largest number to take place at one time. They were the latest in a series of beheadings, amputations and stonings to death ordered by al-Shabaab, which is accused of having links to al-Qaeda and is listed as a terrorist organisation by the US.

In areas that al-Shabaab controls, including most of southern Somalia and much of Mogadishu, numerous others accused of collaborating with the Government or committing crimes such as adultery, rape, theft or murder have been publicly executed, flogged or had amputations ordered in recent weeks. Seven Somalis beheaded by extremists for 'spying for government' >>> Tristan McConnell in Nairobi | Saturday, July 11, 2009

Sarah Palin Is Resigning Over Money, Says Levi Johnston
THE TELEGRAPH: The teenage father of Sarah Palin's grandson has claimed she is resigning because she wants to make money.

Levi Johnston, 19, whose wedding to Bristol Palin, 18, was called off earlier this year, says he believes the governor is resigning over personal finances.

Mr Johnston says he lived with the Palin family from early December to the second week in January. He claims he heard the governor several times say how nice it would be to take advantage of the lucrative deals that were being offered, including a reality show and a book.

"I think the big deal was the book. That was millions of dollars," said Mr Johnston, who has had a strained relationship with the family but now says things have improved. >>> | Friday, July 10, 2009

G8: Carla Bruni Under Fire for 'Snobbery'
THE TELEGRAPH: Carla Bruni, the wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, has been criticised by the Italian press for snobbery verging on 'boorishness' for snubbing the summit's official programme.

"Someone tell the first lady that snobbery to the nth degree where we come from is called boorishness," the paper Il Giornale said as the G8 was wrapping up in L'Aquila, central Italy.

On Thursday, the other G8 first ladies including Michelle Obama toured the city devastated by an April 6 earthquake, while Miss Bruni planned to visit the disaster zone on Friday.

Miss Bruni, who arrived in Italy late Thursday, also stayed away from the wives' audience with Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday. >>> | Friday, July 10, 2009

Jeb Bush fasst das Präsidentenamt ins Auge
WELT ONLINE: Er sagt, er wolle nicht Präsidentschaftskandidat werden – und heizt doch gleichzeitig die Debatte an, ob ein dritter Republikaner aus der Bush-Dynastie um das Weiße Haus kämpfen wird. Jeb Bush, ehemaliger Gouverneur von Florida, scheint mit einem höheren politischen Amt zu liebäugeln.

Jeb Bush, jüngerer Bruder des vorigen Präsidenten George W. Bush und von 1998 bis 2006 Gouverneur von Florida, sagte dem Magazin „Esquire", er wache nicht jeden Tag auf mit der Überzeugung: „Ich bin die Lösung der Probleme des Lebens." 



Ihn „schmeichelt es, wenn die Leute meinen Rat suchen", sagte der bei Exil-Kubanern und Hispanics sehr populäre Ex-Gouverneur, der zweimal mit klarem Vorsprung die Wahlen gewann und wegen der Verfassung kein drittes Mal antreten durfte.

Doch Jeb Bush, der Lieblingssohn des früheren Präsidenten George H.W. Bush senior, schränkte zugleich ein, er habe „derzeit" nicht die luxuriöse Situation, alles um eine Kandidatur auszurichten. Solch ein Satz, solche eine Einschränkung nähren Spekulationen. >>> Von Ansgar Graw

Gang Chief Jailed for Torturing French Jew to Death
YNET NEWS: Youssouf Fofana, head of the 'gang of barbarians' responsible for kidnapping, torturing 23-year-old French Jew Ilan Halimi to death in 2006 sentenced to life imprisonment; 24 other gang members also convicted

The leader of a group that called itself a "gang of barbarians" was sentenced to life imprisonment by a French court on Friday for kidnapping and torturing a young Jewish man for more than three weeks before leaving him to die.

The gang abducted 23-year-old Ilan Halimi in 2006, unsuccessfully tried to extort a ransom for their captive, tortured him until he was close to death and then left him near a train station. He died shortly after he was found.

The case shocked France and turned a spotlight on anti-Semitic violence in the poor, multi-ethnic suburbs around many big French cities.

Amid tight courtroom security, Youssouf Fofana, the gang's leader, who admitted killing Halimi, was sentenced to life imprisonment, the maximum penalty under French law, with a minimum period in jail of 22 years.

Twenty-four other gang members were handed sentences ranging from six months suspended to 18 years in prison. Two were acquitted.

"I am pleased that the Paris court of assizes has recognized the anti-Semitic character of this crime," Francis Szpiner, a lawyer for Halimi's family told reporters outside the courtroom.

"It was because he was Jewish that Ilan Halimi was killed and tortured. Noone can challenge this judicial truth." >>> Reuters | Saturday, July 11, 2009

Church of England Under Pressure to Accept Gay Marriage
MAIL Online: The Church of England warned last night that it is under pressure to accept gay marriage.

But two senior bishops - writing on behalf of the CofE - said it is not prepared to abandon its traditional teachings in favour of the idea of 'gender neutral' marriage.

They said that the Church of England considers 'it is vital for the Church to maintain a critical distance from the state and to resist what the state is doing if this is at odds with Scripture.'

The fears over same sex marriage were made public at a meeting of the Church's parliament, the General Synod.

They come at a time of high tension between Labour ministers and leading churches over gay rights and equality laws[.]

The concerns were raised in a letter from Bishop of Guildford Dr Christopher Hill and Bishop of Chichester Dr John Hinds to leaders of the Swedish state church which has close and formal links with the Anglicans.

The bishops - writing on behalf of the CofE - said they could not accept beliefs 'in which the idea of a fundamental distinction between the genders is seen as irrelevant and in which marriage is therefore seen as something that can and should be gender neutral.'

Their letter was a response to moves in the Church of Sweden to offer gender neutral marriage services which could be used for either brides and grooms or for same sex couples.

But it made plain that the CofE will resist pressure from the Government in Britain to introduce any form of same sex marriage. >>> Steve Doughty | Saturday, July 11, 2009

More Sh** from the White House! Reform Obama First!
To expect people to die for their country and then deny them cigarettes is disgraceful! – ©Mark

MAIL Online: It is an iconic image of movies and real life - a battle-weary GI sits down during a lull in the fighting and sucks on a calming cigarette.

It has endured through two world wars, and major conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq and numerous Hollywood blockbusters - John Wayne and Robert Mitchum in the D-Day blockbuster, The Longest Day and Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan.

But it could all soon be a thing of the past - because of health and cost concerns.

Pentagon health experts are urging US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to ban smoking by troops and end the sale of tobacco in PXs, the military base shops where cut-price cigarettes have always been a popular line.

And it’s all due to a new study revealing the hidden cost to America’s three million men and women serving in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Reserve.

An investigation by the influential Institute of Medicine, commissioned by the Pentagon found that one in three members of the US services use tobacco, compared with one in five adult Americans.

The heaviest smokers - maybe, not surprisingly - were soldiers and Marines who had done most of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

About 37 per cent of soldiers used tobacco and 36 per cent of Marines.

Combat veterans were 50 per cent more likely to use tobacco than troops who hadn't seen combat, it said. The report acknowledges that it is calling for a seismic change.

The sheer number of troops smoking also had economic costs. Researchers discovered that smoking and chewing tobacco costs the Pentagon more than £540 million a year in medical care and lost productivity.

The Department of Veterans Affairs spent up to £4billion a year on treatment for tobacco-related illnesses, the report added.
In comparison, tobacco sales in PXs netted less than £60 million a year which was spent on base recreation schemes and family support programmes.

It said: ‘A ban would confront a military culture in which the image of the battle-weary soldier in fatigues and helmet, fighting for his country, has frequently included his lit cigarette.

Troops worn out by repeated deployments often relied on cigarettes as a ‘stress reliever.’ Pentagon calls for smoking ban among US soldiers >>> Barry Whigmore | Friday, July 09, 2009

China Closes Urumqi Mosques on Day of Prayer
TIMES ONLINE: Padlocks secured the iron grill gates to mosques across the city of Urumqi this morning as Muslim Uighurs were told to stay home and pray.

Officials have notified all mosques in the city, where 156 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured when minority Muslim Uighurs rampaged through the streets baying for the blood of Han Chinese last weekend, that today's noon prayers must be cancelled.

At the Say Bag District Mosque, security officials sat in the shaded entrance behind the locked gates, some had electric truncheons on the table in front of them in case of renewed violence. A notice on an entrance pillar asked people to worship at home today and to stay away.

Prayers were cancelled, it said: “Because of the complicated situation at the moment and to safeguard the security of the Muslim masses and to protect the property of the mosque and so as to give no opportunity to violent terrorists.”

It concluded: “We hope the Muslim masses will understand this and will notify each other.” >>> Jane Macartney in Urumqi | Friday, July 10, 2009

Maryam and Marzieh – In Danger of Being Forgotten in Iran
PERSECUTED CHURCH WEBLOG: Two Iranian Christian women, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30), continue to be held in Evin prison in Iran because of their Christian faith, unfairly labelled as ‘anti-government activists’, because of the hostility of the government towards practising Christians.

In the aftermath of the political turmoil in Iran, they are now in danger of being forgotten. One church leader from Iran said, “With so many hundreds of protestors now in the prison system, Maryam and Marzieh are likely to be forgotten.”

Arrested on March 5 , 2009, the two young women have now been in prison for four months. After being in solitary confinement for three weeks in May and early June, they were then put one small cell together for about two weeks. Then, following the arrests of thousands of protestors after the disputed presidential elections, Marzieh and Maryam were moved to a larger cell to make room for new prisoners. About 600 women were brought Evin prison during the days of the protests. There is still no clarity regarding their case. In one court session in June a judge told them that he would make sure they were both executed as ‘apostates’. Maryam and Marzieh have responded with courage, however, telling the judge to “expedite his sentence.” >>> Glenn Penner | Thursday, July 09, 2009

Hat tip: JihadWatch >>>

Tehran: Army of Police and Militiamen Attack Unarmed Protesters
TIMES ONLINE: The Iranian regime warned that any demonstrations would be mercilessly crushed, and meant it. As darkness fell on baking, dust-shrouded Tehran last night an army of riot police and hardline basiji militiamen used batons, gun butts and tear gas to beat back thousands of Iranians converging on the city centre.

"The security presence was massive. It was like a military occupation," one witness told The Times. "They were clubbing the hell out of people."

The greater victory belonged to the demonstrators, however. Male and female, some quite old, they came armed with nothing more than a burning sense of injustice. They defied the risk of serious physical injury, and the very real possibility of arrest, incarceration and torture. They did this to show the world that their resistance to Iran's brutal and illegitimate government has not been extinguished.

"We went today to show them that we are still here and are not going away and they can’t talk or scare us away. And we'll be back every time there is an occasion to commemorate or when we're asked to," said Maryam, a young female office worker nursing an arm injured by a baton blow. “We want to be heard. We are not going to let the regime ignore us,” said Ahmad, a young man in his twenties. >>> Martin Fletcher | Friday, July 10, 2009

Joke: Two Coffees
A Muslim dies and finds himself before the pearly Gates. He is very excited, as all his life he has longed to meet the Prophet Mohammed. Having arrived at the Gates of Heaven, he meets a man with a beard.

'Are you Mohammed?', he asks. 'No, my son. I am Peter. Mohammed is higher up.' And he points to a ladder that rises into the clouds.

Delighted that Mohammed should be higher than Peter, he climbs the ladder in great strides, climbs through the clouds coming to a room where he meets another bearded man.

He asks again, 'Are you Mohammed? 'No, I am Moses. Mohammed is higher still.

Exhausted, but with a heart full of joy, he continues to climb the ladder and, yet again, he discovers an even larger room where he meets another man with a beard.

Full of hope, he asks again, 'Are you Mohammed?' 'No, I am Jesus...You will find Mohammed higher up.'

Mohammed higher than Jesus! The poor man can hardly contain his delight and climbs and climbs, ever higher once again, he reaches a larger room where he meets a man with a beard and repeats his question:

'Are you Mohammed?' he gasps, as he is by now, totally out of breath from all his climbing. 'No, my son. I am God. But you look exhausted. Would you like a coffee?'

'Yes, please, my Lord'

God looks behind him, claps his hands and calls out: ' Hey, Mohammed, two coffees!' [Source: Unknown]

Extremist Group Announces Split from al-Qaeda
THE TELEGRAPH: A North African extremist group, whose senior leaders were crucial allies of Osama bin Laden, has denounced terrorism and become the first organisation ever to leave al-Qaeda.

The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), which once sought to overthrow Col Muammar Gaddafi, dealt a blow to bin Laden by reversing a decision made in 2007 to join al-Qaeda.

A statement from the LIFG leadership criticised "indiscriminate bombings" and the "targeting of civilians", saying that violence "did not achieve the aims of the group in removing oppression".

Al-Qaeda has come under mounting pressure in recent months. Missile attacks executed by American drones in Pakistan's Tribal Areas have taken a heavy toll on its core leadership.

Meanwhile, there are tentative signs of a backlash against bin Laden's ideology in the wider Muslim world. A former extremist leader, Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, better known as "Dr Fadl", has condemned al-Qaeda from inside an Egyptian prison.

The LIFG appears to have judged that the balance of advantage lies with leaving al-Qaeda. Officials doubt whether this will, on its own, have a significant impact on al-Qaeda's ability mount attacks.

But one official pointed out that LIFG figures had "graduated to become major players" in al-Qaeda and the group's withdrawal amounted to a "moral blow" to the network. >>> David Blair, Diplomatic Editor | Thursday, July 09, 2009

'United for Neda' Is Artists' Song for Iranian People

The Story: Spurred by the continuing political unrest in Iran, more than two dozen Iranian expatriate superstars are uniting to spread a musical message of non-violent resistance.

The entertainers, poets, thinkers and actors are harmonizing on the song "United for Neda," a call to action against human rights violations by the Iranian government against Iranians protesting the disputed outcome of recent presidential elections.

The song was inspired by the plight of Neda Agha-Soltan, the 26-year old Iranian woman who was fatally shot on the streets of Tehran on June 20. The ordeal was recorded on cell phone video and received international attention when it hit the Internet.

Read full article >>>

Iranian Police Disperse Pro-reformists: Witness
REUTERS: TEHRAN - Iranian police used tear gas and fired into the air to disperse about 250 pro-reform protesters gathered near Tehran University on Thursday in defiance of a ban on gatherings for the anniversary of violent 1999 student unrest, a witness said.

"Police used tear gas twice to disperse the crowd. There was also many Basij militia on motorbikes patrolling the area," said the witness, who asked not to be named.

Another witness said police urged passers by through loudspeakers to leave the area.

"They were about 250 people who shouted in favor of (defeated presidential candidate Mirhossein) Mousavi and made the victory sign. Police dispersed them," said the witness, who also asked not to be named. >>> Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Janet Lawrence | Thursday, July 09, 2009

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Iran Security Moves to Crush New Protests in Tehran

CAIRO — Security forces began clashing with protesters shortly after they began massing in the streets of Tehran on Thursday evening, as an initially festive demonstration quickly turned grim, witnesses said.

Tear gas was fired into Lelah Park, they said, and a woman whose coat was covered in blood ran from Revolution Square, one of the main gathering spots during the initial weeks of protests over the June 12 election. She said that police officers were beating protesters.

It was the first protest in 11 days, and was called to commemorate the 10th anniversary of violent confrontations at Tehran University when protesting students were beaten and jailed. Iranian authorities had announced earlier that the demonstration was illegal and would be met with a “crushing response.”

But at the end of the work day, hundreds of protesters began packing the streets of one area of Tehran, chanting, clapping and sitting in jammed traffic as drivers honked their horns, witnesses said. Families brought their children. Many held a hand in the air in the defiant V for victory.

The security forces quickly moved in. >>> Michael Slackman and Alan Cowell | Thursday, July 09, 2009

NZZ Online: Iranische Opposition erneut auf der Strasse: Erstmals seit über einer Woche wieder Proteste gegen umstrittene Wahl

Erstmals seit über einer Woche haben im Iran wieder Anhänger der Opposition gegen das Ergebnis der umstrittenen Präsidentenwahl protestiert. Die Polizei ging mit einem massiven Tränengaseinsatz gegen die Demonstranten vor.

Mehrere hundert Demonstranten zogen am Donnerstag durch die Innenstadt von Teheran und skandierten «Tod dem Diktator». Zuvor hatte der Gouverneur der Stadt die Anhänger von Oppositionsführer Mir Hossein Moussavi vor weiteren Protesten gewarnt und mit deren Niederschlagung gedroht.

Sicherheitskräfte bemühten sich laut Augenzeugen unter Einsatz von Tränengas, die Kundgebungen aufzulösen. Zunächst versammelten sich etwa 300 Oppositionsanhänger in der Nähe der Universität, innerhalb kürzester Zeit wuchs ihre Zahl auf etwa 700 an. Auch an anderen Plätzen im Stadtzentrum versammelten sich hunderte Demonstranten. Viele von ihnen trugen Atemschutzmasken in Grün, der Kennfarbe Moussavis. >>> ap | Donnerstag, 09. Juli 2009

LE FIGARO: Une manifestation dispersée à Téhéran

La police iranienne a lancé des gaz lacrymogènes contre des milliers de manifestants. De nouvelles interpellations auraient eu lieu.

A Téhéran, plusieurs milliers de personnes ont bravé jeudi l'interdiction de rassemblement. La police a dispersé des cortèges de manifestants venus commémorer les émeutes étudiantes de 1999 et afficher leur hostilité au pouvoir. Il s'agit des premiers rassemblements d'opposants depuis la confirmation le 29 juin de la réélection de Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, où le pouvoir avait promis «d'écraser » toute nouvelle manifestation.

Environ 3.000 personnes se sont rassemblées sur l'avenue Taleghani, proche de l'université, au centre de la ville, lançant des slogans hostiles au pouvoir, tels que «Libérez les prisonniers politiques!» ou encore «mort au dictateur!», selon des témoins, qui ont également rapporté que la police avait arrêté plusieurs manifestants. De mêmes sources, «la police a fait usage de gaz lacrymogène pour disperser» le cortège et les forces anti-émeutes ont pris position dans le quartier. Peu auparavant, la police avait déjà eu recours au gaz lacrymogène contre 200 à 300 manifestants qui scandaient des slogans similaires, près de la place Enghelab. >>> F.G (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP | Jeudi 09 Juillet 2009