In Bahrain, events are proceeding in a peaceful manner-- tens of thousands of people descended upon Pearl Roundabout in Manama, in the biggest rally in more than a week of protests. The government has now allowed peaceful demonstrations and released several hundred political prisoners, meeting one of the protesters' demands-- but are still waiting for the al-Khalifa family, which has ruled Bahrain for 200 years, to accept the principle of a constitutional monarchy before agreeing to enter into an official dialogue.
In Libya, anti-government forces are now in control of most of the eastern part of the country, with Gaddafi's hold on the western region slowly dwindling away, city by city. Most recently, revolutionary forces have driven Gaddafi's troops from Misurata. Eyewitnesses confirm to Al Jazeera that demonstrators have taken control of Zuwarah city, 120km west of Tripoli.
Signs of the decay and the end of regimes that I've seen elsewhere is happening now. People are asking for bribes. If you want to do anything in the airport, it will cost you. A $20 taxi ride to Tripoli airport now costs $200. According to Al Jazeera's correspondents, The airport has become logjammed. Some have been there for three days in pretty awful conditions, though many more are outside. Police are beating people with clubs, stopping them getting into airport, saying it is full. Flights continue to leave, but they are not full, because people can't get into the airport. People are telling horrifying stories - one woman said she watched soldiers shooting people in front of her, then shooting at them, as they do not want witnesses.
Lebanese authorites confirm they refused to allow a Libyan plane to land in Beirut yesterday - because its pilot would not identify its passengers. Online reports suggest the passengers included the wife of one of Gaddafi's sons.
Gaddafi's forces have reportedly kidnapped two daughters of the Libyan leader's former aide, Noura al-Masmari, after he spoke on Al Jazeera yesterday. They were forcibly taken to the television [station] to deny their father's statements. They are still in the hands of Muammar Gaddafi's men, which shows there's a will for reprisals. Aisha, Gaddafi's daughter, appeared on state television, denying a report she tried to flee to Malta. "I am steadfastly here," she said. She added she was unaware that she had been dropped by the United Nations as a goodwill ambassador.
Chinese oil company CNPC says on its website its Libyan facilities have been attacked, and it is evacuating workers.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi appeared on Libyan state TV, saying that there is a conspiracy perpetrated by "Arab brothers" and claiming that the media is spreading lies. He asked Egyptians, in particular, not to participate in the "conspiracy". Egypt's army has already been ordered to evacuate its citizens from Libya, after authorities there took Saif Gaddaffi's earlier speech as incitement to violence against Egyptians. "Life in Tripoli is normal," he said.
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