Morocco Enters A New Era, To Hold Constitutional Referendum The constitutional reforms announced by the King of Morocco last month amid the popular uprisings in northern Africa and the Middle East would bring Morocco into a new era where the best possible structures, in terms of modernity, balance of power, accountability and human development, are to be put in place. Morocco has been spared the protests that toppled regimes in Tunisia and then Egypt, and have now spread to other Arab countries, including Libya, Bahrain and Yemen. Moroccan Ambassador to Malaysia, Ahmed Amaziane, said the reforms pledged by King Mohamed VI, which stressed independence of the judiciary, a regionalization process, and expanding the power of the prime minister, would be enshrined in the amended constitution. Algeria warns against foreign intervention in region through Libyan conflict Algeria Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci warned of the existence of foreign forces seeking to break the region through the Libyan crisis, stressing Algeria's rejection to any foreign intervention under any pretext. Medelci told local Echorouk newspaper in an interview posted on Monday that “if we compare Libya and some other Arab countries, we would conclude that as soon as the Libyan conflict was sparked, foreign forces intervened, contrary to what happened in Tunisia and Egypt. “ He warned that “the split of Libya may be a target of some forces,” yet he praised “the position of Libyans, either in Benghazi or in Tripoli, who insist on keeping Libya united.” Medelci said Algeria fears Libya to become “a new Iraq or Afghanistan.” Italy to provide support to air-to-ground strikes on Libya Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called in President Barack Obama and said that his country will provide additional military support to Operation Unified Protector by authorizing air-to-ground strikes on Libyan regime targets, the White House said. The two leaders agreed that additional pressure was necessary to strengthen the civilian protection mission, the White House said, adding Mr. Obama emphasised that the best way to ensure safety of Libyan people was for Qadhafi to leave power. “Obama welcomed Italy's role in hosting the next meeting of the Libya Contact Group on May 5 in Rome, where the international community will discuss how to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on the Qadhafi regime and provide additional support to the Transitional National Council,” the White House said in a statement. Refugees face humanitarian crisis on Paris' doorstep Atef, a 17-year-old, has been living in the park for three months. Originally from southern Tunisia, he struggled to make ends meet at home, working only occasional construction jobs that were not lucrative enough to keep food on the table for his family. He made the trip to Paris thinking that he could find “a job and a nice life”. “Sometimes I don't eat for two days. We drink water from the fountain in the park, and I sleep in a cardboard box under a bridge on the city limit,” he said, stuffing a 50-euro bills into his pocket. “I wanted to come to France so I could send money home to my mother, because my father is dead. But I spend my days here and I can't do anything else.” Without any income or aid from the French government and humanitarian associations, the group of refugees relies on the meals distributed periodically by fellow Tunisians living in Paris or the nearby suburbs. “These people have been forgotten by the world,” said Tunisian-born Mouldi Miladi, who has been living in France for 25 years. Every day, he comes to give out clean t-shirts and jeans, toiletries, and food. He also accompanies some of the refugees to the neighbourhood's public showers. “It's not politics we're involved in here, we're handling an emergency,” he said. “France has two solutions: either we let them lead a decent life in France or we send them back home.” South Sudan Army says contained fighting in greater Upper Nile, 165 killed Government of South Sudan on Monday said it contained clashes which simultaneously erupted in the three states of Greater Upper Nile State, with rebel groups adding 165 people were killed in the fighting. The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) clashed during the past days with fighters loyal to Peter Gadet Yak and Gabriel Tanginya. Officials, interviewed by Sudan Tribune, said the fighting with Tanginya erupted at Kaldak assembly area on Saturday over the killing of a senior officer of the militia leader after attempts to persuade him accept integration of his forces without giving conditions. “Yes, there was a fighting on Saturday morning but it has been contained. The situation is now under controlled, said Brigadier General Malaak Ayuen, head of SPLA public relations and information. Ayuen said a total 165 fighters have been lost in the clashes between south Sudan's army and Tanginya's forces. “At the moment we have information that 165 fighters have been lost in the series of fighting involving SPLA soldiers against forces loyal to two militias leaders in Jonglei and Unity states,” he said. BM
