Syria: Opposition calls for general strike

The opposition in Syria on Tuesday launched an appeal for a general strike for Wednesday, once again defying the regime of Bashar al-Assad, subjected to increasing pressures abroad, the United States announcing measures " Extra "in" coming days ".

"Wednesday will be a day of general strike in Syria," said a statement posted on the Facebook page "Syrian Revolution 2011," Engine of the protest movement launched in mid-March against the regime.

"Let's make Wednesday a Friday (usual day of events), with massive demonstrations, no school, no university, no shops or restaurants open, not even taxis."

The unprecedented protest movement of the system continues despite the magnitude of the repression that has, according to NGOs, over 800 deaths and at least 8,000 arrests.

The head of American diplomacy, Hillary Clinton announced that "additional measures" would be taken "in the days to come" in response to this repression. She has also accused Damascus of having "adopted the worst tactics of its ally Iran."

She was speaking after talks with the EU diplomatic representative, Catherine Ashton, who called the situation "extremely alarming".

Ashton said she traveled to Washington to "discuss what we can do.""It is extremely urgent that the Syrian government to act," she said, failing which the international community would consider "all options".

The French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on his part that a majority was "taking shape" with the UN to condemn the repression, indicating that a veto threat from Moscow and Beijing on a text still existed.

The countries of the European Union are working to broaden its sanctions against the Syrian regime to a dozen people including President Assad, because of repression, with an expected decision in principle on Monday.

Discussions to this effect were held Tuesday in Brussels between ambassadors from the 27 EU states, according to diplomatic sources.

The EU has already imposed sanctions (freezing of assets, prohibition of entry visas) to 13 Syrian officials including members of the president's family and an arms embargo that could be used for law enforcement purposes .

On the ground, the authorities have denied the existence of a mass grave in Deraa, southern town where the dispute arose, admitting however that five bodies had been discovered there.

"This information is totally false," said an official at the Interior Ministry was quoted by the official SANA news agency, speaking of a "smear campaign (...) fabricated."

SANA, quoting a local official in Dera, said that five bodies had been discovered in the city Sunday and the local prosecutor had opened an investigation. The agency did not specify how the bodies were discovered or how the victims died.

The activist Ammar Qourabi, the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria said Monday the discovery of mass grave, said Tuesday told AFP that a second had been unearthed.

"One contained 24 bodies and another seven, including the five mentioned by the authorities as well as unidentified woman and her son."He called on authorities to investigate.

Rami Abdel Rahman, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, based in London, he insisted on the existence of a single grave, containing five bodies.

The army had besieged Deraa, located 100 km south of Damascus, April 25 to quell the protest, before beginning its withdrawal on May 5

Rami Abdel Rahman has also reported the arrest Sunday of a leader of the protest, Anas al-Choughri in the coastal city of Banias (west).

More than 800 people, including women and children, were killed in the crackdown and at least 8,000 were arrested, according to human rights organizations of human rights.

The regime of Bashar al-Assad for his part attributed these problems to "armed terrorist groups", some of which are in the pay abroad.

UNITED KINGDOM: The British Are Always royalists?

April 29, the Union Jack will fly through the streets of the United Kingdom. The avenues are adorned with London country colors in this wedding day and the British can let themselves go to vibrate in a patriotic fervor. But what about the fiber of the British royalist? Will they really go behind the gates that separate the people's monarchy?

According to forecasts, but the polls, the monarchy still has good days ahead. More than 500,000 Britons are expected in the streets of London to celebrate the newlyweds and nearly 4,000 "street parties" (street parties, Ed) are contained in the British capital on the wedding day.Nearly 70% of Britons remain attached to the crown, according to a poll: two thirds of them decided to stay home for the weekend's royal wedding, and nearly 77% of them intend to follow the royal wedding on television.The monarchy, a common reference
Although the royal family has had a cold sweat at the social crises that have shaken England last December - the Rolls Royce of Prince Charles and Camilla has borne the brunt of the wrath of protesters in London against the reduction of budgets of higher education and higher tuition at the university decided by the Conservative government of Cameron - the stormy episodes have never harmed the monarchy. On the contrary. In times of austerity, the British monarchy plébiscitent who became a pillar facing the common economic and social turmoil."In a crisis, they are better off with a queen with a president who monopolizes power. The queen, who has a sense of duty and did not commit a blunder, is the best advertising the monarchy, "said FRANCE 24 Anne-Elisabeth Moutet, a journalist with the British Sunday Telegraph. Furthermore, in a UK multicultural, multifaith and engaged in two armed conflicts around the world (in Libya and Afghanistan), the crown remains the guarantor of national unity. "The monarchy is an element of unity and integration.People from the Commonwealth are royalists and they will surely be present in the streets on the wedding day, "said Anne-Elisabeth Moutet yet. Queen Elizabeth II is in fact the head of state of sixteen countries of the Commonwealth - the number which include Australia, Canada or New Zealand. The Republican alternative is possible?
The republican movement, however, relies on the British royal wedding to his communication. Represent a fringe minority of the population, Republican nourish the hope that the monarchy will be buried along with the queen, now aged 85 years.In early 1990, when the divorce of Charles and Diana, and a year later by the death of the popular Lady Di, the republican movement has soared in the polls. It reaches its highest popularity during the funeral of Diana, the first week of September 1997. The splendor of marriage, the total cost for the British is estimated at 33 million euros (11 million for the wedding itself, and 22 million for public safety), while the kingdom's finances are more evil gives ammunition to critics of the monarchy. But they were quickly contradicted by the expectation that marriage should bring about 700 million euros in the kingdom."Marriage in times of crisis is a tradition. In 1947 [year of the marriage of Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip, Ed], the United Kingdom had not relieved of the war. In 1981 [year of marriage Charles and Diana] was also a crisis, just before the revival of Thatcher. And all these marriages have accompanied the economic recovery, "adds Anne-Elisabeth Moutet. Republic, a small anti-monarchist organization, has planned to stage a parody anti-royalist and sassy marriage on D-Day Graham Smith, his campaign manager, has already organized an event in early March before the gates of Buckingham Palace: only about twenty people came. The revolution will not happen overnight.

LIBYA: In Berlin, NATO members face their differences on the Libyan case

AFP - NATO will be Thursday in overcoming serious differences over the conduct of military intervention in Libya, following the decision of the Contact Group on Libya, meeting in Qatar, to create a fund to aid rebellion.

The discussions between foreign ministers of 28 countries of the Atlantic Alliance, who early in the Libyan crisis response contradictorily February 15, could be difficult, France and the United Kingdom requesting that more allies to bomb alongside their troops Muammar Gaddafi.

On the eve of the meeting in Berlin on Thursday and Friday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister, David Cameron, are agreed on the need for greater "military pressure" on Gaddafi, who " remains determined to maintain its war effort against his own people. "

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who must also attend the meeting, denounced in turn the "savage attacks and ongoing" Gaddafi regime against civilians and "new atrocities", citing reports that forces have used artillery and mortars against residential areas Misrata (west) and cut off water and electricity in the city.

At its meeting Wednesday in Doha, the Contact Group stressed the need to provide rebels take eastern Libya the means to defend himself, while refusing to explicitly include in the aid of military equipment.

A score of countries and organizations participated, co-chaired by Britain and Qatar, almost four weeks after the start, March 19, a multinational military intervention under a UN mandate.

The final statement, the Contact Group has decided "the establishment of a temporary financial mechanism" to provide the National Transitional Council (CNT), political arm of the rebellion, "ways to manage aid and respond to urgent needs "areas controlled by rebels.

No indication was given about the endowment fund, but the rebels said she expected that funds frozen under the sanctions against the Qaddafi regime are made available.

The Group acknowledged the CNT as representing "self" of the Libyan people and reiterated the necessity of departure of Colonel Gaddafi to end the crisis.

He also decided to provide support to the rebellion, including "material support" in the framework of resolutions 1970 and 1973 of the UN, which include an arms embargo.

Asked about the significance of this decision, the British and Italian Ministers of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini and William Hague, appeared to diverge.

Mr Hague referred to the provision of means of communication, but Mr.Frattini said that "Resolution 1973 does not supply arms, weapons non-offensive weapons for self-defense."

Prime Minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al-Thani, said that "the Libyan people have the right to defend itself against the continuous attacks of the pro-Gaddafi" and "self-defense requires devices, which are not offensive but defensive. "

The head of French diplomacy, Alain Juppe, for his part said about supporting the rebels that was intended to "assist in obtaining financing, to strengthen" but "has not been discussed arms deliveries.

The rebellion has indicated it may require some states to the international coalition of arms "defensive" to protect civilians.Chammam Mahmoud, head of information within the CNT, ruled that the Council finances the purchase of weapons with the new funds, ensuring that it should "meet the basic needs of the Libyan people."

"It is important that the coalition shows its full commitment to protect civilians, end seats, worthy of the Middle Ages, and Misrata Zentena (west), and to return troops to their barracks Gaddafi" French sources said after the meeting of MM.Cameron and Sarkozy in Paris.

The United States who had taken command of the coalition as a first step, before announcing the withdrawal of their ground attack aircraft, revealed Wednesday that U.S. fighter jets bombed air defense always Jamahiriya.

The five countries emerging BRIC - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - gathered Thursday in Sanya, China, voted against the use of force in Libya and the Middle East.

Only South Africa had voted in favor of UN resolution paving the way for air strikes in Libya, the other four countries - notably China and Russia, permanent members of UN Security - s 'being abstained, fearing civilian casualties.

On the ground, the rebel forces have taken the strategic town of Ajdabiya (east), 160 km south of Benghazi, the scene of deadly fighting in recent days, but the units are pro-Qadhafi maintained their pressure.

Two loud explosions were heard Wednesday in Tripoli.NATO said it had bombed ammunition dumps near Al-Aziziyah, about twenty miles southwest of the capital.

Earlier, Libyan state news agency had reported air raids on NATO Misrata and Al-Aziziyah (west) and the Sirte, the hometown of Colonel Gaddafi, 600 km east of Tripoli.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Libya, Khaled Kaaim, said Wednesday evening that Qatar was providing French-type anti-tank missiles to rebels in Benghazi Milan (east) and accused elements of Lebanese Hezbollah to fight alongside insurgents in Misrata.

The new Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdelati Laabidi, Cyprus will meet Thursday at his Cypriot counterpart Marcos Kyprianou.

COTE D'IVOIRE: The headquarters of Alassane Ouattara has been targeted by pro-Gbagbo

The battle of Abidjan is far from over for the forces loyal to Ivorian President elected Alassane Ouattara. Saturday, the Defence Forces and Security (FDS) of his rival, incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, seem to have intensified their offensive-cons after strengthening their positions in the disputed areas of Plateau and Cocody.

Laurent Gbagbo, who lives in a fortified bunker located in the basement of his residence in Abidjan, still refuses to relinquish power. He seemed on the verge of defeat there are still three days after the blitzkrieg of pro-Ouattara now called "the people to resistance," according to his spokesman Ahoua Don Mello."President Gbagbo called for resistance against the bombing and the actions of the French army in Ivory Coast, because ultimately it is the French army that attacked us," said Ahoua Don Mello. The latter has also said that troops loyal to outgoing President "are trying to rebuild."

HQ Ouattara under fire from pro-Gbagbo

Symbol of the renewed vigor of the Gbagbo camp Saturday, the Golf Hotel, headquarters of Alassane Ouattara, has been a surprise attack in the afternoon. A first since the beginning of the post-election crisis in Ivory Coast, there are more than four months."The attack consisted of sniper fire from heavy gunfire and shelling has caused panic in the hotel. In addition to the hotel staff and civilians, some of the peacekeepers were Refugees in the basement, in the kitchens, "explains Luc Bragon a special envoys FRANCE 24 Côte d'Ivoire at the scene at the time. The UN military responsible for the safety of the elected president Alassane Ouattara responded to positions held not pro-Gbagbo. "These are only a few hundred meters from the hotel," says Luke Bragon.

A given that counselors prefer minimize Alassane Ouattara."Following this attack, the camp plays down Ouattara this event, which demonstrates, however, that the headquarters of the elected president is vulnerable and that the pro-Gbagbo in Abidjan are gaining ground," said Marc Smith, special correspondent for FRANCE 24 in Coast d'Ivoire.

For its part, the spokesman for the Gbagbo camp, however, strongly denied that the attack was carried out by his forces: "This is absolutely false. There was no attack of Golf", he told AFP, calling the incident an "imaginary attack."

The fact is that despite a quiet night, several hundred people chose to flee Sunday morning near the Hotel du Golf.

FORMULA 1: Sebastian Vettel started 2011 by winning the Australian Grand Prix

The German Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) won Sunday in Melbourne Australia Grand Prix Formula 1, first event of the season, ahead of Briton Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Russian Vitaly Petrov (Lotus Renault).

The reigning world champion, after dropping three in as many races on the circuit at Albert Park, has finally vanquished the curse of Australia and won the race handily. With a few laps left to his heir Hamilton, Vettel has occupied all the time the race leader.

He won with 22 seconds ahead of Columbia, giving the impression of having always dominated his subject.

Hamilton, earning 2nd, McLaren can thank for the outstanding work done in a few weeks.The MP4-26 (model 2011), completely out of touch during all the winter tests, achieved a dramatic increase in the favor of the change in its rear part.

Third, Vitaly Petrov continues its metamorphosis. The Russian, used weekends drafts last year, his first season in the discipline, has transcended Australia.

Obnoxious Perez

After a good qualifying Saturday, punctuated with a 6th place, Petrov has made a great start Sunday, allowing him to finish third, the first podium of his career in F1. A result which also marks the progression of Lotus Renault.

Fernando Alonso was fourth in a Ferrari not at the podium.Australian Mark Webber in the second Red Bull continues to run bad at his home GP, he finished in 5th place, just ahead of Jenson Button (McLaren, 6th), a great leader of the race.

Mexico's Sergio Perez (Sauber) completed a fantastic first race, he finished seventh, ahead of teammate Kamui Kobayashi of Japan. Brazilian Felipe Massa (Ferrari) is ninth, while Switzerland's Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso), 10, has assembled the last point at stake

Mercedes has had a calamitous start to the season, with the abandonment of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher before the halfway point. Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica's replacement, injured in rally in February, has experienced first weekend very difficult, punctuated with a sad 14th place.

ISRAEL: One dead and thirty injured in an explosion in the heart of Jerusalem

A woman died and at least 25 others were injured in a bomb blast near the central bus station in Jerusalem. All the wounded were evacuated to hospitals in the city. Four of them are in serious condition.

The bomb, consisting of one kilogram of explosives and concealed in a bag, exploded at the passage of a bus that was heading towards the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank, according to AFP. Several witnesses said they saw a man drop the bag and run away. The attack has not yet been claimed.

"The bus station is next to a Orthodox neighborhood of the capital.It is a hotspot of the city, it is very crowded, especially early afternoon, shows Gallagher Fenwick, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Jerusalem. The people who perpetrated this attack have undoubtedly tried to reach as many people as possible. "

"This attack has literally shaken the city and the entire country, said the journalist. The mayor of Jerusalem asked the inhabitants of Jerusalem to resume their activities to" show the terrorists they have not won. "In the vicinity of site, people are shocked but not really surprised. "

The Israeli authorities sealed off the area.Police established a cordon around the bus and launched a search with dogs to find explosives that could be still hidden in the area.

Outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza

The attack comes at a particularly tense between Israel and the Palestinian territories. Since Saturday, about fifty rockets were launched from Gaza into southern Israel. The Israeli army responded Tuesday and Wednesday, killing eight Palestinians, including two minors, two civilians and four Islamic Jihad fighters.

"In response, Islamic Jihad promised to touch the heart of Israel, said Gauthier Rybinski, a specialist in international political FRANCE 24.But it is too early to attribute the attack to this group.

"We will take precautions to try to prevent this crime from perpetuating itself once again in Jerusalem, for his part said Avi Pazner, spokesman for the Israeli government, on the antenna FRANCE 24 .

The heart of Jerusalem had not been touched by terrorism for several years. The latest attack began at 6 March 2008, when a Palestinian attacked a center of West Jerusalem yeshiva, killing eight people.

FRANCE 24 has decided to temporarily close the debate in this page because of violence or offensive nature of some comments posted.

EGYPT: The security services were dissolved state

The Egyptian Ministry of Interior has decided to discontinue the services of the State Security, the backbone of the repressive system under Hosni Mubarak said Tuesday the official MENA news agency.

"The Interior Minister Mansur al-Issawi has today decided to remove all administrative divisions and offices of state security in all provinces," the agency reported.

The Minister also decided to create a new security institution, called the "National Security", whose role will be to "preserve national security and fight against terrorism."

The unpopular state security was notably accused of spying on the private life and political activities of the population, torture and participate in electoral fraud.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Defence, flagship asset against Manchester Marseille

"A draw, 0-0 at home, would not be a bad result. That would mean we did 50% of the work," said Tuesday Olympian coach Didier Deschamps, lucid to the challenge that awaits his men in the fourth round to move the Champions League.

Indeed, Olympique de Marseille hosts a monument of European football, Manchester United. Suffice to say that victory will be difficult against the best offense in the English league. However, the Marseille defense, second in Ligue 1 with 20 goals conceded, has for several weeks with a serene face, like that of its custodian Steve Mandanda.

Gabriel Heinze, the veteran

The bad pass last year appears behind him. Finally steady and decisive, Gabriel Heinze reassured his supporters."It is big progress, without complex, well into his shoes and his head. He was released from a weight, may be compared to [Hugo] Lloris," keeper of the Blues, observes the sports director Jose Anigo. At the rear, too, the situation has settled.

Although he said he regretted having left Manchester (2004-2007), Gabriel Heinze should never do more than talk about his experience. At 32, the largest salary of the workforce is one of only three players on the team (with Edouard Cisse and Lucho Gonzalez) to have ever played at this stage of the competition.

A flawed attack

Apart from the expertise of Heinze, Didier Deschamps will also rely on the pair Stephane Mbia - Souleymane Diawara."We must be honest: there is a team when they are there, another when they are absent. When the black guard is not there, it feels like," said Anigo about the two defenders. Between injuries, suspensions and poor form, they have not always been aligned together. But no one doubts that if Mbia, formed Saturday derneir due ishcio-leg pain, was fit, it would take place in line alongside his colleague Diawara. With them since last season, OM Cash 0.65 goal per game. Without them, it amounts to 1.18, according to France Football.

Although Marseille are able to resist against the English armada led by Nani, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, a victory will be essential to address the phases return with confidence.However, the weak point of the OM lies precisely in attack.

With 37 goals scored, the OM is only the fifth best attacks in Ligue 1. In addition, the package of Andre-Pierre Gignac, who had just returned to his best, not doing much of DD. Loïc Remy should take a position at the forefront with the Brazilian Brandao left and Mathieu Valbuena, back from injury to the right. Will this be enough to deceive the vigilance of the defenders Devils, though deprived of their Taulier Rio Ferdinand? Not so sure.

FRENCH POLICY: After MAM, Francois Fillon, in turn, attacked on his holidays

After the controversy caused by the escapades of the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Michele Alliot-Marie ("MAM") in December, it was the turn of Prime Minister Francois Fillon, to cross a zone of turbulence. This Wednesday, "Le Canard chained" reveals that family vacations as head of government has spent in Egypt at Christmas time were partly paid by the Egyptian authorities ...Anticipating the release of the weekly satirical French, Matignon Tuesday detailed the conditions that trip along the Nile, which ran from December 26 to January 2.

In the statement issued by the Prime Minister, it is stipulated that Francois Fillon, his wife and children, were sheltered by the regime and used a plane "of the government fleet" graciously provided by Cairo for a tour the whole family Fillon at Abu Simbel. "He also made a boat trip on the Nile under the same conditions", further clarify the text.

"Mixing genres"

"The hierarchy is respected, the Prime Minister has hit even harder than the Minister of State," quipped on his side "Le Canard chained" which states that the device used by the leader of the French government during his stay in Egypt belonged President Hosni Mubarak himself. "How can we demand the departure of a chief of state and have a critical eye on his diet when you become indebted to him?" Went on air on FRANCE 24 Brigitte Rossigneux, the journalist who signed the article in the satirical newspaper.She says "do not mix genres, because it was not a State visit, but rather a private residence with his wife and children."

For his part, Martine Aubry, the boss of the Socialist Party (PS) expressed "dismay" by this new case, saying the government had "lost the sense of public spirit." The Minister of Labour, Employment and Health, Xavier Bertrand, François Fillon responded that "[could] not behave like tourists."His stay in Egypt was responding to "safety," he said, accusing the opposition to the passage to draw "a smokescreen".

This revelation comes as the Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is accused of having used it twice in late 2010, the private jet of a businessman close to the famous clan Tunisian Ben Ali on the occasion of his holiday in Tunisia.Overwhelmed by opposition calls for his resignation last week, criticized by the media, the patron saint of French diplomacy fought back as best they could attack which is the subject and has received support from Matignon.

Specifically French Republic and impeccable

If the holiday in Tunisia and MMA Francois Fillon in Egypt have certainly taken place in different contexts - those of the Minister of Foreign Affairs took place in Tunisia full revolution while those of the Prime Minister were held before the uprising in courses in Cairo - these two cases converge on one point: to reveal a common practice at the top of the French state which is being offered for travel and private stays abroad by authoritarian regimes ...

The daily Le Parisien "and recalls in its Wednesday edition" African hunting parties "of former President Valery Giscard d'Estaing in the Central, then headed by the capricious and violent Emperor Bokassa," the holidays Mitterrand in Aswan, "or" Cuban cruises Jack Lang, "the former Culture Minister, on the yacht Fidel Castro. According to Brigitte Rossigneux, "a story like that would have triggered the immediate resignation of the minister implicated in countries such as Canada or the United States."

Yet if these two cases are as loud today because they add to the recent controversy arising from the case-Woerth Bettencourt and the resignations of Secretary of State for Greater Paris, Christian Blanc and Secretary of State for Cooperation and Francophony, Alain Joyandet, last July. The first was forced to leave his post after it was learned that he had paid his personal cigars by his department to the tune of 12,000 euros. The second had rented, meanwhile, a private jet for a total of 116,500 euros for a ministerial trip to the West Indies.A series of law that undermines the "Republic impeccable" advocated by President Nicolas Sarkozy during his presidential campaign in 2007. The latter has also asked Wednesday his team at the Council of Ministers, now "focus on France" for their holidays and approval by the Prime Minister their invitations abroad.

RUSSIA: The bomber Airport Moscow from the Caucasus north

AFP - Russian investigators announced Saturday that the suicide bomber at the Moscow airport was from the volatile Russian Caucasus and that he sought "primarily" to kill strangers, a finding of bad omen Safety Olympics 2014 in Sochi.

The bomber was identified by the Investigation Committee of Russia as a "man of 20 years, from one of the republics of North Caucasus", Southern Region of the country plagued for years to a bloody Islamic rebellion army.

Investigators do not yet want to disclose his name to "identify and arrest the organizers and accomplices" of the attack.However, they stressed that the attack, which killed 35 people Monday, including eight from other countries that Russia was "primarily" foreign citizens.

"It is no coincidence that the terrorist act took place in the arrivals hall for international flights (from Moscow-Domodedovo airport).Investigators said the terrorist attack aimed to kill before all foreign nationals, "said the spokesman.

According to the list of victims published by the Government, 27 Russians were killed and two citizens of Tajikistan, an Uzbek citizen, two Austrians, a German, a Ukrainian and a Briton.

Tracking the Caucasus

This is the first time that an attack in Moscow is admittedly authorities before any foreigners, while many observers question the ability of Russia to guarantee the security of the Olympic Games of Winter 2014 in Sochi, a city along the Black Sea located a few hundred kilometers from unstable areas of the Caucasus.

Investigators had not given any official information on the progress of their investigations since Monday, but many police sources had told the Russian media that the track was largely Caucasian privileged.

All suicide bombings in recent years Moscow has been claimed by the Islamist rebels Caucasians, like the double attack in the Moscow subway in March 2010 which had killed 40 people.

The attack Monday in the main airport in Russia has still not been claimed, but the fact that the bomber is from the Caucasus suggests that rebels in the region are the organizers.

After the first Chechen war (1994-1996) between Russian forces and separatist rebellion has gradually Islamized and has increasingly spilled over the borders Chechnya to become the mid-2000s in an armed Islamist movement active in all the North Caucasus.

Outside Chechnya, the republics of Ingushetia, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria are regularly the scene of bombings and armed attacks, which generally target security forces.

The Russian Committee of Inquiry has also confirmed Saturday the information revealed by the press that the Islamists had attempted to commit a suicide attack Dec. 31 in Moscow.

The bomb exploded accidentally, however, according to press reports, in a room of a sports complex in the district of Kuzminki. Four suspects were arrested, according to the Committee.

Investigators ensure that the attack Domodedovo and attempting to attack Dec. 31 are "not linked", but both were committed by "armed groups operating in different Caucasian republics."

The Investigation Committee does not mention by cons in its press Razdoboudko Vitali, 32, a Russian convert to Islam than the Russian press had for several days as the number one suspect for the attack at the airport.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Gbagbo camp considers "inappropriate" for the resignation of the governor of the BCEAO

REUTERS - The West African leaders have intensified pressure on Saturday Laurent Gbagbo in overturning the Governor of the Central Bank of African States (BCEAO), a relative who continued to provide the outgoing president Ivorian access Accounts of Côte d'Ivoire.

Meeting in Bamako, the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic and Monetary Union of West African "noted the resignation of Governor Philip Henry Dacoury-Tabley.

As part of international sanctions aimed at forcing the incumbent president from power, the BCEAO was announced last month it would no longer accept the signature of Laurent Gbagbo, but he still had access to accounts.

"The conference is concerned at the impact of not implementing the decision on the stability of economic, financial and Monetary Union", said the leaders in Bamako.

Gbagbo was declared winner of presidential elections on 28 November by a Constitutional Council in his hand. Alassane Ouattara was judged winner of the poll by the independent electoral commission, a victory recognized by the United Nations.

The current vice-governor of the bank will take the office of governor until the appointment of a replacement.

Alassane Ouattara was invited to propose a successor to Dacoury-Tabley, what will be done "quickly", according to his Prime Department Guillaume Soro.

The French ambassador accredited more

"We are satisfied. It's what we wanted," said Patrick Achi, spokesperson of Alassane Ouattara. "This will reduce the amount of money leaving the account. We're headed to the audit but it will happen in stages," he added.

Patrick Achi has also requested the replacement of the Director of the BCEAO in Côte d'Ivoire, which he said is also a supporter of Gbagbo.

The camp of the incumbent president has denounced the measure, which puts him in danger by the Ivorian banking system.

This decision was "hasty and inappropriate," said Ahoua Don Mello, spokesman for the Gbagbo government."Côte d'Ivoire think it is dangerous to mix politics with the economy and monetary policy," he said.

The camp of the outgoing president appears to now control the revenues from exports of oil and cocoa, despite attempts by the international community to cut off.

A spokesman for the Gbagbo government announced on television alongside the Ambassador of France in Ivory Coast, Jean-Marc Simon, was not accredited.

The Quai d'Orsay, recalling in a statement that France fully acknowledges Alassane Ouattara as Ivorian President has found the decision "null and void and without any legal effect."