Protests in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen
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This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 18 February 2011. Listen to the programme.
More violence is feared in the Middle East today and on the show later we'll hear from eyewitnesses on the streets across the region.
In Bahrain, thousands of people are expected to attend the funerals of protestors killed in the .
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The military has banned public gatherings but some protesters say they'll ignore that.
Eyewitnesses in Libya say thousands of people protested overnight in Benghazi, the second largest city:ÌýÌý24 people have been killed.
This video showsÌýÌýto The Green Book (written by Gadaffi, outlining his political vision). Protest organisers blogged that yesterday wasÌýÌý
Ìýtweeted: "It's funny how the fear barrier in Benghazi fell so quickly, every single one of my family and all I know are actively and publicly against him."
AndÌýdemonstrators in Yemen are calling for today to be a "day of rage" across the country.ÌýÌýhas been posting videos of the street protests.
Freedom Now 2011 has tweeted:
"When Gaddafi sends troops to a city, disrupt the route for next troops, surround troops in city then make them join protests."
Another tweet from Shaba Libya:
"Lost contact for over 24 hours with some family members, all we can do is hope for the best."
And tweeted:
"Its important also to note, we are not pushing for the old monarchy to come back or any political persons advancement only for a FREE Libya."
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof describesÌý
"I met one doctor, Sadiq al-Ekri, who was lying in a hospital bed with a broken nose and injuries to his eyes and almost his entire body. He couldn't speak to me because he was still unconscious and on oxygen after what colleagues and his family described as a savage beating by riot police who were outraged that he was treating people at the roundabout.
Dr. Ekri, a distinguished plastic surgeon, had just returned from a trip to Houston. He identified himself as a physician to the riot police, according to other doctors and family members, based partly on what Dr. Ekri, 44, told them before he lost consciousness. But then, they said, the riot police handcuffed him and began beating him with sticks and kicking him while shouting insults against Shiites. Finally, they said, the police pulled down his pants and threatened to rape him, although that idea was abandoned and an ambulance eventually was allowed to rescue him."
Talal has emailed from Bahrain:
"Bahrain is a free and progressive country. The ShiasÌýkeep complaining of unemployment but the truth is they are not educated and have no skills but all want government jobs or high level jobs. They do not take up low level jobs in the construction and similar sectors. The real aim of the Shias is to topple the modern ruling family. I shudder to think what will happen. All expats will be thrown out and Bahrain will become an outpost of Iran."
We've also been in contact with Ma'ali, a 30 year old pharmacist in Bahrain who told us:
"We are free here. All religions can practice freely. We are free to do whatever we want. It is a democratic country. I have no reason to see why the King should go."
World Have Your Say is back onÌýÖ÷²¥´óÐã World TV today at 1500 GMT and World Service radio at 1800GMTÌýand we'll be hearing from people in Bahrain, Saudi, Egypt, Libya, Iran and more.
During last week's TV show, we received comments and reaction from people in 47 countries! Post your comments here. And if you're in Libya, Bahrain or Yemen, tell us what you're seeing.
