SAUDI ARABIA: Police in Saudi Arabia blocked anti-government protests in nine cities yesterday. The Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (Mira), an opposition group based in London, had asked its supporters to stage peaceful demonstrations following afternoon prayers.
In the capital, Riyadh, heavy security was deployed around the Rajhy mosque where the protest was planned. The Associated Press news agency said police cars lined the streets and officers waved away traffic. It said there were similar scenes in at least three other Saudi cities.
The agency also quoted an eyewitness in the port city of Jiddah, however, who said that despite the presence of policemen some demonstrators managed to pour out on the streets and blocked traffic. He said they chanted calls for the release of political prisoners and for democracy.
The Saudi interior minister, Prince Nayef Ibn Abdelaziz, had warned that demonstrators would be severely punished by the courts.
Mira had broadcast its latest challenge to the Saudi regime through its satellite radio station and on its website. The movement was behind another public protest earlier this month in Riyadh. It resulted in the arrest of 271 people, of which 83 are still being held.
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy where overt opposition is not tolerated. Demonstrations are banned and many Saudis were surprised that the earlier call from Mira had succeeding in prompting some people to take to the streets.
There is little doubt, however, that internal and external pressures for reform have been intensifying since the September 11th attacks. Many Saudis were shocked when it emerged that 15 out of the 19 hijackers were from the kingdom. Liberals and Islamists are calling for accountability, elected institutions and freedom of expression.
"All sections of the population want reform," said Abdallah El Hamed, the instigator of one petition for reform. "The government should encourage demonstrations. But these should be peaceful. If we want to reject violence then we should allow peaceful expression."
The Saudi authorities have made it clear they agree that some reform is needed. Ten days ago they announced the holding of partial elections for local councils.