Violence broke out on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday at Egypt's Tahrir Square, the iconic staging place for the nation's revolution earlier this year. Crowds called for the implementation of reforms promised by the military regime that replaced President Hosnai Mubarak after nearly thirty years of his rule. The crowd also demanded that police officials face justice for crimes committed against the protesters during the revolution. Riot police responded with tear gas, to which demonstrators returned stones and firebombs.
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In Greece, a country beset by great economic woe, riots have rocked the capital city of Athens. This latest round of rioting was launched in response to austerity legislation being considered by the legislature. This legislation, consisting of tax raises and cuts to public spending, was endorsed by the European Union. Greece is a member of the European Economic Community, and the collapse of their economy is on the verge of defaulting on her loans) could seriously affect the rest of the European Union. This legislation opens up Greece to be eligible for a new round of bail-out money.
These cuts are extraordinarily unpopular, with one CNN commentator suggesting a percentage as high as 80%. The package passed late Wednesday, feeding even more spirit to the rioters.
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In shocking news, France has begun to provide arms and munitions to the Libyan rebels. The arms included heavy weapons, such as anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers. Most remarkable is the fact that France, who had been the most vocal supporter of the NATO-led no-fly-zone, neglected to inform her NATO allies of the arms deliveries.
"We began by dropping humanitarian aid: food, water and medical supplies. During the operation, the situation for the civilians on the ground worsened. We dropped arms and means of self-defence, mainly ammunition," said Col Thierry Burkhard.
Qatar, a partner in the no-fly-zone coalition, has already been providing the Libyan rebels with arms via the rebel controlled port of Benghazi. There are already French, Italian, and possibly British military advisers in the same city.
There are reports that the French were able to smuggle in a small number of light tanks from the Tunisian border.
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In Greece, a country beset by great economic woe, riots have rocked the capital city of Athens. This latest round of rioting was launched in response to austerity legislation being considered by the legislature. This legislation, consisting of tax raises and cuts to public spending, was endorsed by the European Union. Greece is a member of the European Economic Community, and the collapse of their economy is on the verge of defaulting on her loans) could seriously affect the rest of the European Union. This legislation opens up Greece to be eligible for a new round of bail-out money.
These cuts are extraordinarily unpopular, with one CNN commentator suggesting a percentage as high as 80%. The package passed late Wednesday, feeding even more spirit to the rioters.
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In shocking news, France has begun to provide arms and munitions to the Libyan rebels. The arms included heavy weapons, such as anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers. Most remarkable is the fact that France, who had been the most vocal supporter of the NATO-led no-fly-zone, neglected to inform her NATO allies of the arms deliveries.
"We began by dropping humanitarian aid: food, water and medical supplies. During the operation, the situation for the civilians on the ground worsened. We dropped arms and means of self-defence, mainly ammunition," said Col Thierry Burkhard.
Qatar, a partner in the no-fly-zone coalition, has already been providing the Libyan rebels with arms via the rebel controlled port of Benghazi. There are already French, Italian, and possibly British military advisers in the same city.
There are reports that the French were able to smuggle in a small number of light tanks from the Tunisian border.
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