Chatter is that the National Petroleum Company were ordered to protest on behalf of the regime.
cnn Ben Wedermand is saying that his mobile and office number have been given out and he and his office are receiving calls all denouncing the pro-democracy demos and complaining about the coverage. Odd thing, many, many, many calls but all by women (who would not typically be able to take to the streets)
Also very interesting hypothesis about why the regime was allowed to stay/security in the region/no threat to neighbours.
Gist of it was as follows:
This peace process has been rumbling around for decades, time and time again the meetings are hosted in Egypt, facilitated by Egypt or arranged by Egypt. But no resolution is ever reached. Papers that have come into the possession of AJ recently allude to inexplicable delays by the opposing sides.
The idea was floated last night that he needed to look busy, to look helpful and the longer the situation continued, it strengthened the reason he was still in power, wielding almighty power over his citizens, abusing human rights, etc etc.
Not saying this is the case, but it certainly is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Meanwhile anyone that spoke out against the rights issues, would be branded terrorists and vanish/come to harm. Allegedly. 