African unrest spirals further

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated its travel advice to Bahrain and Libya, following violent protests that erupted on 16 February. The advice to tourists is now that they should avoid all but essential travel to both countries, while Britons still in Libya have been urged to leave by commercial means where possible. Although sources are offering conflicting advice, a report from Human Rights Watch states that at least 233 people have died in Libya since 16 February. Using tear gas and live ammunition, Libyan security forces have been trying to quell the protests, which have paralysed major Libyan cities for days, spreading finally to the capital, Tripoli. The pressure on Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime is rising, with Gaddafi’s son, Saif-al-Islam, warning that a civil war could ignite as a result of the clashes between protestors and security personnel. Several international companies operating in Libya, including oil giant BP, have said they are preparing to evacuate their employees from the country, and the UK government has said it is flying home all the families of diplomats stationed there. Concerns about the safety of foreigners in the country were highlighted by the injuries sustained by four foreign nationals who had been working at a construction site west of Tripoli when it was stormed by protestors. A spokesman for the South Korean-run site said that computers and heavy machinery were stolen at the same time. Meanwhile, protests have also spread to Morocco, where thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Rabat, as well as Casablanca and Marrakesh. In a departure from other African and Middle Eastern protests, though, the protestors have not called for the removal of King Mohammed, but instead have asked for a new constitution curbing his powers. The king is a member of the Alawite dynasty, which has ruled Morocco for over 350 years. The UK has not changed its travel advice for Morocco as yet. In nearby Algeria, security forces have stopped anti-government protestors from marching through the capital, Algiers. Although several hundred people gathered in the centre of the city, they were swiftly dispersed by police in riot gear. Protests have been scheduled for every Saturday until democratic change is seen. In Ivory Coast, at least two people have been reported dead after security forces opened fire on protestors who were demanding that President Laurent Gbagbo steps down. Several other people were injured in the confrontation, which took place in a neighbourhood loyal to Gbabgo’s rival, Alassane Outattara, who is widely recognised as having won the presidential polls in 2010, but Gbabgo refuses to cede power.