CASE DSK: Christine Lagarde says she deserves the position of DSK?

According to Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Christine Lagarde? Only the first harbinger of Thursday's resignation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the possible candidacy of the current French Minister of Economy to the position of CEO of the institution gained credibility - at least in Europe .

"She has a very strong authority, which is vital to find a consensus in negotiations on important issues," said Anders Borg, Swedish Minister of Finance on the British television station Sky News.Christine Lagarde could also benefit from support from Berlin, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung - which qualifies it as "favorite".

Thursday noon, the main "interest" has called for "a gathering of European candidate" without discussing his own case. In France, Secretary of State for Transport, Thierry Mariani, acknowledged Thursday that it would be a "good candidate" but that it will be "difficult". Indeed, the nomination of Christine Lagarde does not have only advantages.

Why would it matter?

A true international stature: Four years spent in Bercy allowed Christine Lagarde to enforce internationally.So much so that in 2009, the influential British economic daily The Financial Times elected "best Minister of Finance of the euro zone."

She knows the situation in the euro area: Europeans want someone like Dominique Strauss-Kahn, has the necessary relations among countries in the euro area to conduct effective negotiations to resolve the crisis of sovereign debt. This is the case of Christine Lagarde, who participated in the development of all successive bailouts - Greece, Ireland, Portugal.

It has the American Fiber: The French minister is not a pure European product. She worked for nearly ten years in Chicago law firm Baker & McKenzie (1995 to 2004), it was one of the leaders.Of dealings with the United States which would not displease overseas because "even if the United States did not appoint the director of the IMF, their influence on the functioning of the institution is important," says Christine Rifflart, an economist at the French Office of Economic Conditions (OFCE), France 24.

She is a woman: Christine Lagarde is currently the only woman among the potential candidates. So far, all directors of the IMF have been men.The accession of the French Minister of Economy at the head of the international organization could be a powerful symbol of "able to forget the origin of European and French Christine Lagarde," Judge Robert Wade, an economist at the London School of Economics at France 24.

Why she would do the trick?

Even France? The current legal woes now former CEO of the Fund are that France is not among the favorites to field a candidate.A disadvantage of the more important since the IMF was established in 1946, four of its ten directors were the French (Pierre-Paul Schweitzer from 1963 to 1973, Jacques de Larosiere from 1978 to 1987, Michel Camdessus from 1987 to 2000 and then Dominique Strauss-Kahn from 2007 to 2011).

Yet a European? Since its inception, the IMF has always been a European director. This is the result of a tacit agreement with the United States, which, in turn, keep your hand on the direction of the World Bank. Emerging countries would like their growing weight in the global economy is finally translated by a director from their ranks.They may therefore be opposed in principle to all those who come from the Old Continent.

The "pan" Bernard Tapie: In France, Christine Lagarde could end up before the Court of Justice of the Republic for "abuse of authority." Indeed, the prosecutor asked in early May, the opening of an investigation. The minister is accused of having done everything to encourage the businessman Bernard Tapie in the dispute between, for over ten ANSl at Credit Lyonnais. The satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine said Wednesday a report by the Court of Auditors very critical of the Minister of Economy. A political and legal scandal could be fatal to his possible candidacy for the leadership of the IMF.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Laurent Gbagbo says Desmond Tutu's desire to see the country "heal its wounds"

AFP - Former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo has "insisted he had to heal the wounds" of Côte d'Ivoire, told journalists on Monday the South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, after meeting Mr.Gbagbo in Korhogo (north), in his house arrest.

"We had a brief but cordial exchange, we were pleased to note that former President (Laurent Gbagbo) has expressed the desire to see the country return to normalcy," said Archbishop Tutu, after meeting the president fallen for 45 minutes.

The archbishop was with the former Secretary General Kofi Annan and former President of Ireland and former High Commissioner for Human Rights UN, Mary Robinson.

"In his speech (Mr.Gbagbo) has insisted that he had to heal the wounds of the country. That's what we came to encourage. As you have seen, he looks healthy, he told us himself. He looks relaxed and he requested a Bible, "said the Nobel Prize for Peace.

It is the first known visit by officials from Mr.Gbagbo since he is under house arrest in Korhogo.

Dressed in a blue shirt and black pants, smiling, the former president shook hands with three members of the group known as Elders (Elders) and told them "thank you for coming," noted a AFP, while the press had been allowed to attend the beginning of the meeting.

Promoting "healing and reconciliation"

Members of the Elders arrived Sunday in Abidjan with the objective of promoting "healing and reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire after a post-election crisis more than four months resulted in the arrest of Lawrence Gbagbo came to power and Alassane Ouattara, who won the election on November 28.

Arrested with his wife Simone and a hundred people and detained at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, the headquarters of Mr. Ouattara, M.Gbagbo was transferred on April 13 in Korhogo, where he has been under house arrest.

His wife, for his part was transferred April 22 to Odienné (northwest).

The hearings by the Ivorian justice the former head of state, his wife and about 200 former officials of his regime under house arrest throughout the country to begin Wednesday.

However, the Ivorian Minister of Justice Ahoussou Jeannot Kouadio, who also made the trip on Monday in Korhogo, told AFP that the date of commencement of the hearing of the former president was "not certain" Mr. Gbagbo himself has said that its lawyers were "not available".

The deposed head of state is accused of being responsible for abuses, extortion and incitement to hatred.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in more than four months of crisis and fighting in Ivory Coast, authorities said.The United Nations reports, more than 1,000 dead.

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.

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."

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.

FOOTBALL: The French international Eric Abidal will be operated on a liver tumor Thursday

The operation of the French international defender for FC Barcelona, ​​Eric Abidal, a liver tumor was advanced to Thursday instead of Friday, announced Wednesday, the Catalan club stressing that this change was not related to a worsening state of the player.

"A liver tumor was detected in the player of FC Barcelona Eric Abidal," had indicated as early as Tuesday evening Barça in a brief statement on its website.

Eric Abidal, 31, will undergo surgery Friday in a hospital in Barcelona by Dr. Josep Fuster Obregón, the club said."At the request of the player, the club requires the greatest respect for the right to privacy," Barca concluded in its statement.

Season over

Holder indisputable FC Barcelona, ​​the French defender should draw a line on the end of the season, took the Spanish sports press. Usually aligned left, Eric Abidal has often been called this season to play in central defense, particularly to compensate for the absence of the Spaniard Carles Puyol, long wounded.His performance in this position, Wednesday, March 8, against Arsenal in the second round back in the Champions League (3-1 win and qualification of Barcelona) was noticed.

The former Lyon defender, who arrived at FC Barcelona for the 2007-2008 season, also had to regain his place in the France team after the sinking of the Blues in South Africa in 2010.

"I want to finish my career at Barca," he declared in late January. "We are seeing what the club can offer me," added the defender, whose current contract runs until June 30, 2012. "I feel very comfortable here and I hope to stay. Everything is going well for me," Bush said.

MOROCCO: Five persons died on the fringes of protests in the city of Al-Hoceima

Five people were killed and 128 were injured, including 115 members of security forces, during disturbances that followed the events, otherwise largely peaceful, which took place Sunday to Morocco, officials said Monday.

"The charred bodies of five people were found inside one of the bank branches burned by the troublemakers in the town of Al Hoceima" in the north, "said Interior Minister Taib Cherkaoui In a statement to press.

An investigation is underway, added the minister, adding that 120 people were arrested following disturbances in a half-dozen Moroccan cities.Minors arrested were handed over to their families.

Thousands of people marched Sunday in several cities in Morocco to demand political reform and limiting the powers of the king, responding to a call at home by young people on Facebook and taken up by various NGOs and organizations.

The interior minister argued that "democratic practice" of Morocco and the "right to freedom of expression in the country", have ensured that the demonstrations Sunday "took place in a peaceful atmosphere imbued serenity and discipline. "

The minister said some 37,000 people have participated in these gatherings.

But trouble erupted after demonstrations in the cities of Tangier, Tetouan, Larache, Al Hoceima in the north and Marrakech in the south Guelmin well as Sefrou (center).The Minister attributed the violence to "troublemakers, including minors and habitual criminals."

A Larache, the "troublemakers," he said, have invested a customs building and seized drugs and liquor that were seized by customs.

Cherkaoui has finally stated that 33 public buildings, 24 banks, 50 shops and private buildings and 66 vehicles were burned or damaged.

Libya: Benghazi "the rebellious" at the forefront of the anti-Gaddafi sling

In the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, 38 people were injured in the town of Benghazi, Libya, after clashes between demonstrators and security forces. While today have multiplied rallies across the country for a "Day of Wrath, this early revolt of the country's second city has all of a symbol.

Hassan Al-Jahmi, a thirty originating from Benghazi, was exiled in Switzerland for nearly ten years.He is the author of the call to rally on 17 February, it launched through the creation of a Facebook page which has over 20,000 members.

For him, "the rebellious Benghazi" is the heart of the protest movement: "Benghazi is not only rebellious against Gaddafi. It is a city that traditionally has opposed and whose people have always demanded greater freedom of speech and opinion. When Italy had his hand on the country until 1943, the first voices were raised against colonization came from Benghazi. "

The singularity of Benghazi has emerged through a combination of several factors. "This is the most cosmopolitan city in the country.Here are found the people who come from all over Libya. This combination alone explains the uniqueness of the city. Benghazi Libya made significant contributions to the cultural: Actors, singers, writers.People here like to express themselves, "he develops.

Disastrous legacy of the massacre of prisoners in Abu Slim

For Hasni Abdi, director of the Center for Study and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World (CERMAM) located in Geneva, other variables, more recent, have made the capital of Benghazi opposition to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

This is particularly the massacre of prisoners in Abu Slim says political scientist: "The stability of Libya through good management of tribal elements that make up the population of Benghazi sociology. The regime has stepped up the blunders, including in the 1200 murder of prisoners in the prison of Abu Slim in 1996.The authorities have removed many representatives of these tribes, they have never officially acknowledged. But the fact that many of these people are from Benghazi has reinforced the city in his sling against traditional power. "

According to Human Rights Watch, most victims of the shooting originated in Benghazi. This event, which reflects the preferential treatment which the city and its inhabitants are subjected by the government, is not isolated. Economically too, Benghazi has regularly been ignored by the regime: "Benghazi was excluded from all major political and economic progress of countries, including incomes from the oil windfall, contrary or in Sirte Tripoli.A hospital in Benghazi like field hospitals, transport are poorly developed. Against this background of perpetual humiliation that have forged the main opposition movements. Benghazi has been set aside by the Libyan regime as it was perceived as the city that had defied Gaddafi. "

And the events of Wednesday have burned a little more in the marble image that cultivates Benghazi: that of a rebellious city, a bastion of anti-Gaddafi sling.