Saudi monarch nips calls for democracy in the bud with cash
Riyadh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The King of Saudi Arabia spoke today to the people, for the first time since his return home after an operation, and for the first time since the explosion of the "jasmine revolt" in Arab world. King Abdullah was speaking after noon prayer on Friday. He promised donations of money in various forms to the citizens of the kingdom. He thanked the security forces for being the "hands" of the country's stability. Immediately after he took the floor several speakers read a series of royal decrees, which include an increase in the minimum wage, money to pensioners, monthly scholarships for students. Investments in the housing sector, and unemployment benefits were also announced.
86 year-old King Abdullah, decided to make this rare appearance after a series of small demonstrations, Internet appeals and petitions for reform. Although the protests have been modest, fears that they can grow has prompted the king to take countermeasures.
Protests in Bahrain and Yemen, however, show no sign of abating. Today security forces intervened against the demonstrators in the city of Taiz. and in Sanaa. According to local sources at least thirty people were killed and more than a hundred wounded in the clashes. The police, in riot gear and plainclothes, used tear gas and fired real rubber bullets at the demonstrators, calling for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Demonstrations and sit-ins are ongoing at least three large cities, in addition to the capital. In the past weeks at least 40 people have died in clashes.
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