SYRIA: "Iran will never allow the regime collapse"

He might live in exile for years, it does not leave Syria eyes. Ribal al-Assad is first, as its name implies, a member of the al-Assad. Her father, Rifat, is well known to Syrians. This is the first former vice president, known for having led the ferocious repression of Hama and Aleppo in 1982. It is also the younger brother of Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for 30 years. But two years before he died, Hafez al-Assad has his own favorite son Bashar to take over the reins of power. Definitely fell into disgrace in 1998, Rifaat al-Assad was then exiled.

FRANCE 24: More than 230 members of the Baath Party have announced their resignations Wednesday. How do you see the situation in Syria?

Ribal al-Assad: What is happening in Syria is a disaster.Instead of putting in place reforms quickly is by violence that Bashar al-Assad meets with protesters. It's madness. There are people around him who have an interest in what the regime uses force to prevent the reforms to succeed. Bashar al-Assad is particularly taken by two of his cousins. First there is Rami Makhlouf, who is one of the largest fortunes in Syria, and his brother Gen. Hafez Makhlouf. They have everything to lose in these revolts since it is they who control the Syrian economy.

FRANCE 24: But President Bashar al-Assad can continue to ignore the events?

Ribal al-Assad: You know, all alone, Bashar al-Assad can not do anything.Constitutionally, it combines the functions of president, chairman of the Baath Party and army chief, but in reality it is nothing. And it did not grip his father Hafez al-Assad. Moreover, he accuses foreign powers of being behind the demonstrations. This is absurd. The Syrians saw what happened in Tunisia, Egypt, or even in Yemen. They want to live in a democracy.

FRANCE 24: The opposition in Syria is not structured. There is no party may take overnight relay of the Baath party. How then to consider a peaceful transition to democracy?

Ribal al-Assad: The protesters are peaceful. This is the regime that uses violence.Next, we need all the political sensitivities are represented: the Kurds, opponents in exile as well as all minorities ... The ruling clan brandishes the threat of a sectarian war in order to allow the Iranians to call for help. Tehran is close to the al-Assad. The fall of President Bashar al-Assad would undermine its influence in the region. Besides, I do not see a scenario in Egyptian occur. Iran will never let the regime collapse.

FRANCE 24: You're the cousin of Bashar, the son of Rifaat, former Syrian vice president and younger brother of Hafez al-Assad ... Do not you think that the Syrians want to turn the page of the al- Assad?

Ribal al-Assad: My father Rifaat al-Assad is a respected, you know.I live in exile since the age of 9 years, and nobody ever wanted to leave my father Rifaat al-Assad nor his family live in peace in Syria. An example: in 1994, I had to go study at Boston University. Officers tried to kill me at the airport in Damascus. But the military has recognized my father who accompanied me, and that's why they could not kill me. My father was very popular in Syria, especially in the army. We have been unjustly accused. Moreover, the Syrian regime even accused me of being in Lebanon, alongside Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister. This same information is reflected by the website Al-Manar Hezbollah. This is nonsense.As for my father, is accused of having sent troops to Hama in 1982, but this is false. He also refused to endorse these responsibilities. All that has been mounted. My father still has many adherents in all faiths.

FRANCE 24: You are chairing a London-based NGO, the Organization for Democracy and freedom in Syria. Does that mean you think you can embody a political alternative to the Baath Party?

Ribal al-Assad: I was among the first to call for democracy, true. I also chairs the television channel ANN (Arabic News Network), whose regime has tried to prevent the broadcast. But I do not want to go to Syria to found a political party.Now, for me it is very simple: I have family that I have not seen in years. I want to live like we can live in France or the United Kingdom: Security in beside her. The only solution is democracy.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Resumption of border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia after a short truce

Reuters - Clashes erupted again Thai and Cambodian soldiers at the border, after almost 24 hours of the truce in fighting that killed at least 12 deaths since Friday.

Gunfire and explosions were heard near two twelfth-century Hindu temples, which, since Friday, was the scene of the bloody border conflict between the two countries in almost 20 years, witnesses said.The fighting forced the evacuation of nearly 50,000 area residents to temporary shelters.

Thailand reiterated its call for direct talks with Cambodia, after canceling a visit to both countries foreign minister of Indonesia, Marty Natalegawa, whose country is the current chairman of Asean (Association Nations of the South-East).On 22 February, the Minister was able to obtain a cease-fire.

The truce called for the dispatch of Indonesian military observers along the disputed border, which never materialized.

Thailand has refused so far the presence of international observers, but his foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, who spoke to reporters Monday in a nursing home, did not rule out that they can finally future unfold.

"We're not hostile.It is a sensitive issue, "he told a press briefing, about thirty miles from the theater.

Thailand wants the dispute resolved bilaterally, through a joint commission that has failed over the past decade, to clearly demarcate the border.

Dispute since the independence of Cambodia

Large border areas are not clearly delineated and can be challenged by either party.This territorial dispute is the most violent two decades between the two neighbors.

The fighting that broke out Friday near the two temples were preceded in February by four days of fighting that had killed 11 people around a temple, Preah Vihear, located 150 km to the east.

Since independence from the former French protectorate in 1953, Cambodia and Thailand dispute jungle Dangrek mountains and three Hindu temples - Preah Vihear, Ta Moan and Ta Krabey.

The most intense fighting of recent days have taken place around the site of Ta Moan.Both armies are also positioned around Ta Krabey, where the first clashes took place Friday and where Thailand accuses Cambodia to install military bases.

Since Friday, five Thai soldiers were killed and 31 others injured, Thai officials say.The official Cambodian side is seven dead and 17 wounded.

Several analysts said the two capitals have each political reasons for starting the conflict.

Thai generals close to the ultra-nationalist circles could attempt to create an environment conducive to a coup to prevent the organization of elections due by July.

The Cambodian government could stimulate the nationalistic fervor to rise in public opinion, proving that his army is able to stand up to the longtime rival.

COTE D'IVOIRE: African Union lifts its sanctions

AFP - The African Union has lifted sanctions on Thursday against the Ivory Coast decided on December 9 following the presidential election, announced in a statement.

The Council for Peace and Security of the African organization, meeting in Addis Ababa, decided "to terminate the suspension of the participation of Côte d'Ivoire to the activities of the AU," the statement said.

December 9, Côte d'Ivoire had been suspended the activities of the AU as the dispute around the election of Alassane Ouattara - contested by incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo - would not have been resolved and Mr. Ouattara, recognized by the international community would not be able to assume his duties.

Mr.Gbagbo was arrested April 11 in Abidjan following an offensive military forces supporting Alassane Ouattara.

The AU has welcomed calls for reconciliation launched since then by the elected president and urged him to quickly appoint a government of unity and reconciliation.

ITALY - FRANCE: Brussels tranche the discord between Rome and Paris on the train of Tunisian immigrants

France had the "right" to suspend temporarily Sunday rail traffic with Italy, said Monday the European Commission, while the two countries meet on the issue of Tunisian immigrants.

France explained "it was a very temporary interruption (...) and now traffic passes normally," and it seems "that it does not fall under the regulation of the Schengen border control," said Commissioner European Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström.

According to information provided by France, the decision was motivated by "reasons of public order," she said, holding that "apparently, they have the right to do that."

The French decision to suspend a few hours Sunday during the movement of trains from Ventimiglia (Italy), while a convoy of Tunisian migrant rights activists accompanied the French and Italian man would cross the border, angered Rome, which protested against a "violation of EU principles."

LIBYA - EXCLUSIVE: In Misrata, the rebels besieged desperate NATO

Every night for five weeks, a rain of shells fell on Misrata. And every morning, the last bastion of anti-Gaddafi rebellion in the west of the country buries its dead. According to our correspondents on the spot, they would already be close to 400 to have died since the fighting began. Number continues to increase ...

Our reporters visited the main hospital in Misrata, where doctors are faced with a steady stream of victims of all ages. "I was at my house. I just went out the garbage and suddenly the bombs [in the army Gaddafi ed] fell all around me," said one wounded about fifty years, lying on his hospital bed.A story similar to that of other victims in the room.

"I do not know what to do to stop this massacre, laments a doctor. The government army sends troops into civilian cars and NATO can no longer differentiate between rebels Gaddafi," says he disappointed.

Meanwhile NATO ...

However, NATO is expected as the messiah by the insurgents.They do not believe in the powerlessness of the Atlantic Alliance, which has already struck strategic positions on the city earlier this week without discouraging the bombing of the loyalist forces.

Moktar join our reporters, who took the lead a small group of rebels. He just locate a position Gaddafi: a building on which floats the green flag of the Colonel. Both men are stationed on the roof. They are the eyes of the army. They are responsible for directing the shooting of the different points of Misrata.

Why NATO strikes Does not this building? Difficult to understand ... This position is indeed visible and isolated. And, therefore, to thank you for an airstrike.

AUTOMOTIVE: The number 2 Renault resigned

Reuters - In accepting the resignation of Patrick Pelata, Renault stops the ascent of one who had reached the number two position in the group, but hopes to put an end to the matter of fake spy poisoned for several months in preserving at the same time the CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Patrick Pelata announced in early March that the manufacturer would take the diamond "all the consequences, to the highest level of business is to say to (himself)" on error in the case of industrial espionage in which the group considered itself a victim.

"At first it's Patrick Pelata which seems to be to shield the CEO," then told Reuters a source close to Renault."So as they say in any case, it
have fuses. "

However, during the first board of directors special March 14, after which Renault had admitted his error and apologized to the three frameworks
wrongly accused, the resignation of Chief Operating Officer, aged 55 and right arm of Carlos Ghosn, was denied.

This time, when a new board devoted to the extraordinary preliminary findings of internal audit on the dysfunctional mess that made possible its
resignation was accepted.

"It's a loss for Renault, as number two Pélata did a solid job in steering the company in recent years," said Stuart Pearson
auto analyst at Morgan Stanley.

"This casts doubt on the practical implementation of the strategic plan that has only just been announced - Pélata would have been one of the principal architects.Difficult to say
immediate successor thereto. "

The departure of chief operating officer could save Carlos Ghosn, although it has always supported the accusations of espionage while claiming not to have held the record details.

Carlos Ghosn launched in February a new strategic plan for Renault to six years and few of them, internally, among analysts at the State or shareholder, who seem ready to consider leaving.

EARTHQUAKE: Tsunami warning lifted in north-eastern Japan

Tsunami alerts issued for the coast north-eastern Japan were lifted, reported Friday morning (Japan time) the public television station NHK.

The review was launched after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on Thursday north-east, threatening the coasts of the region, which is located including the plant in Fukushima-Daiichi ucléaire.

The epicenter of the quake at a magnitude of 7.4, was located 66 km off the coast of Sendai and Fukushima 116 km.

The earthquake and tsunami of March 11 were 28.000 dead or missing and severely damaged the plant in Fukushima-Daiichi, where workers work tirelessly
for four weeks to try to cool the fuel rods and avoid a meltdown of the reactor could cause a major nuclear disaster.

PRESIDENTIAL HAITIAN: Government calls for calm before the announcement of preliminary results

AFP - The Haitian government has appealed for calm Monday in a few hours of the announcement of preliminary results of the second round of the presidential election, fearing violence as those who had followed the results of the first round last December.

Secretary of State for Public Security, Aramick Louis, asked the candidates to urge their supporters "not to violent demonstrations in the streets," regardless of the result which would be announced at 17:00 am (2200 GMT), by spokesman for the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) Richard Dumel.

The second round was between March 20 popular singer Michel Martelly, poll favorite, the University Mirlande Manigat, a former first lady aged 70.

Without waiting for the official publication of results, both sides claimed victory in recent days.

The publication of preliminary results in early December of the first round ranking Michel Martelly, 50, in third place - and thus excluding the second round - had thrown thousands of demonstrators in the streets for several days.

Faced with an outburst of violence that left several people dead, the authorities had to review the results and had returned the singer in the race to the detriment of the government candidate, Jude Celestin.

For supporters of Michel Martelly, there is no doubt that the singer called "Tet Kale" ("shaved" in Creole) will succeed Rene Preval, who was constitutionally barred from claiming a third term.

"It is slow to give results, but the president is none other than Tet Kale," said a man listening to the radio on a street in Port-au-Prince, the capital devastated by an earthquake Earth in January 2010.

"At least we can go out tomorrow," replied another man sitting beside him, explaining that in the case of the announcement a victory for Ms. Manigat, there could be violence.

The PRC had announced last week that the consultation had been tainted by fraud and that several hundreds of minutes sent by different polling centers had been canceled.

Monday, schools remained closed in Cap-Haitien and Les Cayes, the country's largest cities after the capital Port-au-Prince, local radio reported.Les Cayes, a city where violent clashes had taken place particularly in December, armored MINUSTAH, the strength of peacekeeping to the UN, were in position in the streets, and vehicles of the Haitian police

The second round was marked, a few days before the consultation by the return to Haiti of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide, who remains very popular among disadvantaged seven years after being ousted in an armed insurrection, with the blessing France and the United States.

Two months earlier, was the former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier who had returned to the country after 25 years of exile in France."Baby Doc" was sued by the Haitian justice for corruption and embezzlement, while several complaints of crimes against humanity have been filed against him by former opponents to his regime.

Liveblogging: The Libyan insurgents seek a cease-fire under certain conditions

LIBYA: The insurgents are ready for a cease-fire under certain conditions, announced the National Transitional Council (CNT) as the forces of Muammar Gaddafi have consolidated their positions in eastern Libya, especially in south 'Ajdabiya (160 km south of Benghazi). SYRIA: Protests against the ruling Baath Party erupted in Damascus and Latakia Deraa after Friday prayers despite the announcements and promises of power to try to calm the situation. At least 4 people were killed. YEMEN: Supporters and opponents of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh have mobilized massively in Sanaa on Friday when security forces and the army deployed an unprecedented fear of clashes between rival groups.

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