Citizens call for freedom across the globe. Pro-democracy protesters continued risking their safety to demand basic human rights, improved job opportunities and representative governments for themselves and fellow citizens in countries like Albania, Bahrain, Cameroon, Hungary, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Palestine and Syria. Tens of thousands of Palestinians rallied in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for reconciliation between the Hamas and Fatah parties to form a unity government and proceed toward an independent state. As more and more countries upgrade Palestine’s diplomatic status to show recognition of her autonomy, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé stated that if peace talks between Palestine and Israel did not progress, European Union leaders may also recognize Palestine as an independent state.

In accordance with the wishes of Palestinian protesters calling for an end to the division between Hamas and Fatah parties, President Mahmoud Abbas accepts an invitation to go to Gaza and meet immediately with Hamas party Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh for reunification talks. President Abbas also stated he is ready to delay the formation of a new government to give the Hamas party a chance to join.

In Egypt, progress continues in addressing citizens’ demands less than five weeks after a peaceful protest movement began to transform the government toward a democracy. Following calls from the Coptic Christian community for protection from harm and equal treatment, a branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces began to rebuild a Coptic Christian church that had burned to the ground during unrest between Muslims and Christians, and pledged to bear all expenses for its restoration.

On Tuesday, the Interior Ministry announced the replacement of its much-feared security agency with a new body, established to serve the country while respecting the rights of citizens. Egypt was also lauded by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the dramatic transition made over the past few weeks, as the secretary of state donated US$90 million in emergency economic assistance on behalf of the US government, pledging continued US support. In Jordan, King Abdullah II has set a 90-day due time for a newly-formed committee of government officials and minority parties to draft new laws that will facilitate fair representation for all Jordanians within a structure that includes parliamentary elections and political parties.

Meanwhile in Syria, around 40 people successfully staged the first pro-democracy march through Old Damascus, calling for improved economic opportunities and education, as well as the end of emergency law and special tribunals. The same day, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem stated the government is taking steps toward political reform beginning with amendments to laws on municipal and legislative elections expected later this year.

The following day, the number of protesters in Damascus grew to 150 as people gathered in front of the Interior Ministry calling for the release of political prisoners, but they were disbursed by police, with 35 being arrested.

In the capital Budapest, thousands of Hungarians gathered in the largest protest since 1989 to call for changes in national media laws to ensure they cannot be used to censor free speech. And in Albania, a month after four pro-democracy protesters were killed during a march, police stood by as tens of thousands protesters reiterated a call for early, free and fair elections.

In Iran, the Green Wave movement had organized protests to call for an end to house arrest for minority party leaders Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, but their marches failed to materialize in the face of a high presence of security forces.

In Ajdabiya, protesters who have been enduring airstrikes and other military attacks from the government as they call for an urgent no-fly zone from the international community have begun fleeing with other citizens to the eastern city of Benghazi. Some citizens are now also fleeing from Benghazi toward neighboring Egypt, as heavily-armed government forces close in on the city.

Libyan state television reported Wednesday that the government now controlled the town of Ajbabiya, but Reuters news agency later reported that there is still fighting and this has not occurred. Stating that he is “gravely concerned” by signs that the government is planning an assault on Benghazi, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a ceasefire on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed United Nations special envoy to Libya, former Jordanian foreign minister Abdul Ilah Khatib, arrived in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, calling for an immediate end to violence and protection of citizens.

Our sad sympathies for the loss of cherished lives as we pray for the protection of all citizens and that the conflicts cease, bringing harmony, dignity, and freedom among all nations of the world. 16. EU possibly recognize Palestine as an independent state

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