Friday, July 15, 2011

Mubarak denies responsibility for genocide

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has denied he ordered firing on demonstrators during the uprising in Egypt, according to a transcript of his interrogation. When asked to explain the deaths, Mubarak played down the severity of the repression. Mubarak, 83, is being held in an Egyptian hospital.

He faces charges of ordering the use of lethal force against protesters during the popular revolt that overthrew him in February. Since then, little has been said in public and transcription offers his broader statements until the last days of his regime for three decades. Court officials said the transcript was genuine.

Afghanistan: More than 1400 civilians killed in the last six months

The conflict in Afghanistan has killed over 1,400 civilians during the first six months of 2011, announced Thursday, July 14 the UN Mission in Afghanistan. A figure rose by nearly 15% over the first half of 2010, though it was the deadliest year of the conflict on civilians. The UN says 80% of civilian deaths between January and June 2011 are due to insurgents and 14%, nearly 200 people, with pro-government forces, Afghan or international.