LA Times News

LA Times News

Fear and desperation grip Egypt port city of Suez

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 07:53 PM PST

Egyptian protests have been unusually bloody in Suez, where men and boys arm themselves with makeshift weapons and wait for what is to come. They fear Mubarak's police, but fear even more that he may stay in power.

Abdel Ibrahim waited in the alley with an ax.

Egypt's Hosni Mubarak says he'll leave at the end of his term

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:51 PM PST

Amid another day of massive protests in Egypt, Mohamed ElBaradei says that's not good enough. White House envoy Frank Wisner also encourages Mubarak to step down.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak bent to a week of deadly anti-government unrest, announcing in a nationwide speech that he would not seek reelection this year but that he intended to stay in power "for the remaining months" of his fifth term.

Alexandria protest attracts more than 100,000

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:24 PM PST

Jubilant crowds form a mile-long procession. A small counter-demonstration shows support for President Hosni Mubarak.

In the ancient seaside city of Alexandria, more than 100,000 people took to the streets Tuesday in protest, so many that there was no place large enough in Egypt's second-largest city to accommodate the crowds.

Scenes from Egypt's uprising

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 04:48 PM PST

In Cairo, people from all walks of life band together, day or night.

For years, Egyptians fearful of their country's pervasive secret police apparatus would reflexively lower their voices and glance around before daring to speak a word against President Hosni Mubarak. During these heady days in Tahrir, or Liberation, Square, they've felt free to speak their minds, and vent their anger.

Notorious Baghdad jail undermined inspection, rights group says

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 05:01 PM PST

A security force linked to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki transferred about 280 detainees just before an international team was to check on conditions, according to Human Rights Watch.

An elite security force affiliated with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki that has been accused of abuse transferred about 280 detainees out of a notorious Baghdad jail last fall shortly before an international team was to inspect conditions there, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Tuesday.

A Tunisian state police officer shares harrowing inside view

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 02:46 PM PST

The policeman tells of a stifling, paranoid atmosphere within the security apparatus, where officers were abused and humiliated into submission before going out to do the same to the public.

He glances over his shoulder. Not here, he says.

Antiquities imperiled amid Egypt protest

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 06:54 PM PST

Tumultuous protests sweeping the country carry hope of a new government. But as looters move to take advantage of the unrest, archaeologists warn that Egypt's treasure trove of antiquities is in peril.

Egyptians are hoping against hope that forging a new future won't cost them their past.

Mubarak supporters mount own protest

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 07:44 PM PST

A smaller but vocal group of Egyptians who back President Hosni Mubarak march in front of the Foreign and Information ministries.

Not everyone in Egypt wants President Hosni Mubarak to go.

Pakistan court bars release of U.S. official accused of double murder

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 12:46 PM PST

The decision to keep Raymond Davis in custody comes despite U.S. claims that the consulate official has diplomatic immunity. The case puts the Pakistani government between anti-American sentiment at home and pressure from Washington, a major supplier of aid.

A Pakistani judge Tuesday barred authorities from releasing an American Consulate official accused of double murder despite the U.S. government's insistence that diplomatic immunity shields him from prosecution.

Jordan's king sacks Cabinet; protests possible in Syria

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 09:08 AM PST

King Abdullah II of Jordan instructs new Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit to 'correct the mistakes of the past.' In Syria, recent popular revolts in the Arab world spur calls for anti-government protests.

The dramatic political unrest in Egypt, long a pivotal nation in the Arab world, has intensified demands for change across the region and spurred attempts at reform by nations long ruled by autocrats.

Mitt Romney calls for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 07:11 AM PST

Sounding more like a potential GOP presidential contender, Mitt Romney says Hosni Mubarak 'needs to move on.'

WASHINGTON -- Mitt Romney became, on Tuesday, the first of the potential 2012 GOP presidential contenders to call for the exit of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak.

Jordan's King Abdullah dismisses government

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 05:10 AM PST

Jordan's Royal Palace says the king has sacked his government in the wake of street protests and has asked an ex-army general to form a new Cabinet.

U.S. soldier accused of killing 3 Afghans for sport will face military trial

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 02:52 AM PST

The Army says a recommendation that charges against Michael Wagnon II be dropped is not binding.

The Army will try in military court one of five soldiers accused of killing civilians in Afghanistan for sport, it said Monday, despite an investigator's recommendations to drop the murder and conspiracy charges.

Mubarak says he won't seek reelection but will stay in office 'for the next few months'

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 01:52 PM PST

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in a late night address, says he did not intend to remain in office. It is not clear whether he plans to stay in power until September elections. His announcement is unlikely to end calls for him to step down immediately.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, unable to calm a week of unrest and unprecedented protest against his government, announced Tuesday night that he would not seek reelection, but indicated he would remain in power "for the next few months."

From airport to hotel, a tortuous trip through Cairo

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 01:24 AM PST

A Los Angeles Times journalist, returning to the country where he lived for seven years, endures a 90-minute car ride interrupted by vigilante groups, soldiers and an endless series of roadblocks.

A 3 a.m. car ride from the airport to downtown Cairo during curfew is a trip between two armed camps fighting for the future of Egypt.