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Mubarak Reported to be in “Full Coma”
Reports from government sources in Cairo indicate former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has slipped into a coma. According to CNN, a defibrillator was twice used on Mubarak but it was unclear whether it was used because his heart stopped beating or to reset the heart beat. Mubarak had previously been said to suffering severe depression since hearing the decree of a life sentence at the conclusion of his trial. His two sons remain bedside at the hospital unit in Torah prison.
US Warns of Impending Bloodbath in Syrian Opposition Stronghold
The US State Department warned on Monday that the Syrian military is preparing for what could become the latest massacre. Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland called attention to fighting in Haffeh, a stronghold of Syria’s opposition forces, where reports indicate President Bashar Al-Assad’s troops are using helicopters and tanks along with mortars and artillery against the civilian population. Nuland explained that, “We are calling this out now in the hope that we can stop what could be a potential massacre.” She attributed “horrific tactics” to Assad’s men including the use of plainclothes hit squads such as the ones responsible for carrying out executions on the streets of Houla and Mazraat Al-Qubeir, the scenes of two prior massacres. Nuland did not indicate any American plans to support military intervention or call for anything beyond the talks that have proven impotent for more than 15-months while the death toll has risen above 11,000.
Bethlehem Area Villages Ask for More Water from Israeli National Company
Villages in the Bethlehem area of the West Bank are asking Israel’s national water company to increase allocations they say were established 25 years ago and are insufficient to meet current water needs. On Monday, a committee from the Palestinian Authority toured the villages affected and discussed ways to increase the water supply in addition to asking Israel’s Mekorot company for more. Building new water towers was one idea mentioned. The Oslo Accords in 1994 established a Joint Water Committee to deal with the issue, with veto power over decisions resting with the Israeli military. Water is one of the designated “final-status issues,” but the pace of the talks is not commensurate with the needs on the ground. Palestinian officials claim seven villages, with a total population of 30,000, have not had running water for 15 days.
Iraqi Prime Minister Avoids No-confidence Motion, Holds on to Power
Embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has avoided the latest attempt to unseat him by refusing to ratify a petition for a no-confidence vote claiming it lacked the requisite number of signatures. Despite what is being called his “tactical victory,” the sectarian gridlock that has paralyzed the government continues and Iran is emerging as his staunchest ally. Tehran is using its influence in Iraq to press lawmakers to accept a two-month grace period during which Al-Maliki will focus on reaching a rapprochement with his political foes. The balance of power is divided between Shiites, the majority group of which Al-Maliki is a member; Sunnis and Kurds. Al-Maliki is seen as refusing to share his power, a charge backed-up by his outright warfare with his deputy, a Sunni. He also reneged on his promise to appoint minority interior and defense ministers, keeping the portfolios for himself instead.
Feltsman Leaves State Department, Lands in U.N. Secretariat
Former US undersecretary of state for neareastern affairs Jeffrey Feltsman, who just recently resigned his position at the State Department, will become the highest ranking American member of the United Nations Secretariat when he takes up his new post as under-secretary-general for political affairs. Feltsman, a 26-year veteran of the State Department, had most recently was the top diplomat for the Middle East. He’ll remain active on that front, now advising the U.N. on its policies including the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and other conflicts.
Netanyahu’s Leg in Cast After Soccer Injury
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is hobbling around with his leg in a cast after suffering a torn tendon during a stop-by at a soccer match being played by Jewish and Arab youth. The prime minister joined the game, and after a few minutes slipped on the grass. He continued to play, but later the injury worsened and he was brought to a local hospital where the diagnosis was made and the cast applied. He was at the game to cooperate with PBS which is filming a tourism film in which the prime minister is the tour guide.
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