Citizens speak out. People in Northern Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere have continued standing up for their rights and pro-democracy demands despite risks to their own safety. The countries with situations giving rise to such events include Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia, Djibouti, Egypt, Greece, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Swaziland, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkish Cyprus, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela and Yemen.

In Syria, five people lost their lives on Friday, March 18 following protests in several cities where police used force to disperse crowds, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaking out against the use of force. Also on Friday, the Bahraini government demolished a landmark statue in capital city Manama’s Pearl Square, which had been the focal point for peaceful protests. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon phoned King Hamad to express his concern over reports that Bahraini and Saudi troops had been using excessive force against unarmed civilians and medical personnel, stating that these actions may breach international humanitarian and human rights law.

Algeria’s Movement of Society for Peace party also spoke out against foreign troops being brought into Bahrain to contain protests, stating their presence was likely to escalate the situation instead.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called upon Bahraini, Saudi and other nations’ security forces in Bahrain to end the violence and for all parties to engage in peaceful dialogue.

In Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), ongoing conflict since contested presidential elections last year appeared closer to resolution as incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo indicated willingness for the first time to enter into dialogue that would resolve the dispute with Alassane Ouattara, who was declared by the international community to have won the November 2010 presidential elections.

Despite calls made by the Libyan government for international observers to observe its compliance with a ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported that explosions occurred in Benghazi, some strong enough to shake buildings, indicating that violence against pro-democracy citizens continued. By Saturday, thousands of people were fleeing Bengahzi because of the fighting, which intensified over the course of the day.

During an internationally-televised address, US President Barack Obama clarified the terms of the no-fly zone resolution that had been voted by the UN Security Council to protect Libyan citizens from harm. Specifically, the government must cease all attacks; withdraw troops from key cities in the east and the west; restore water, gas and electricity, and allow humanitarian assistance to reach the people of Libya.

Addressing international leaders meeting to discuss enacting these UN-sanctioned efforts to protect Libyan citizens, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated it is time for the international community to take action. With planes from France being among the first to help enforce the no-fly zone, French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that they were intended to prevent Libyan government air attacks on civilians as well as intervene in the case of armored vehicles threatening unarmed people. Other international forces are already arriving in Libya, including the US and Britain.

With deep sorrow for the loss of precious lives, we pray for an end to all conflicts and that Heaven may bless the people of every nation to live in freedom, dignity, safety and peace.

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