A boat of migrants ran aground off Lampedusa

AFP - A boat carrying 300 migrants ran aground as it approached the Italian port of Lampedusa and many passengers, including women and children were thrown overboard, said Sunday the Italian agency Ansa, quoting official sources.

Coast Guard launched a rescue operation and have recovered dozens of passengers who had jumped into the sea after the boat had hit rocks, they added the same source.

The ship was apparently going to Malta but was escorted by Coast Guard Malta to Lampedusa, it was still indicated.

Sunday, another boat with 800 migrants on board also arrived in Lampedusa.

Thousands of refugees coming from Libya and Tunisia in recent weeks have arrived in Lampedusa.Migrants from Libya were mostly workers from Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

A minority is made up of Tunisians.

The day before, Saturday, hundreds of refugees traveling to Libya and two boats had already landed on the island of Lampedusa.

655 people, including 82 women and 21 children were aboard the first boat and 187, including 19 women and one child on board the second boat fishing rusty and overloaded.

FOOTBALL: The French federation accused of racial discrimination by a journalistic investigation

Are there too many blacks and Arabs in the French football? That, in essence, the debate which would have appealed to the French Football Federation (FFF) in recent months, according to a survey published Thursday by the site Mediapart.

In the article, the three authors of the survey denounced the holding of hearings in camera on the subject since the end of 2010. These discussions have led to some troubling conclusions, according to Mediapart."For the highest level of French football, the case is heard: there are too many blacks, too many Arabs and not enough white on the land," have said several leaders of French football.

"Several leaders of the National Technical Directorate (DTN) of the French Football Federation (FFF), the coach of the Blues himself, Laurent Blanc, approved in the greatest secrecy, early 2011, the principle of discriminatory quotas informal in training centers and schools of football country, "develops this investigation.

"The 30% figure has even been suggested, January 18, 2011, by the technical director [Francis Blaquart] at a meeting of the DTN. 'But he did not let it be said, has been careful to said Mr.Blaquart "insists Mediapart, who claims to have obtained this information from several reliable sources.

"According to sources inside the FFF, outraged by the process, instructions have been given this direction in recent weeks in various centers responsible for training, including the French National Institute (INF) at Clairefontaine," continues the section.

FFF demented Mediapart ready to publish the evidence

Faced with Brulot published on the website, the FFF was quick to react.Philippe Tournon, Head of Press Service of the France team, told FRANCE 24 that Laurent Blanc was "deeply attached to freedom and [...] resistant to any form of discrimination" and that "[declined] formally being associated in any way to these stories of quotas. "

The Head of Press Office of the France team nevertheless acknowledged the holding of debates on dual nationality for some players trained by the French centers, while attacking an amalgam.

Fernand Duchossoy, president of the FFF, which has also denounced this amalgam, confirmed to AFP that a debate on a related topic was the agenda: "There is an observation, but it is not reflection. This one has plenty of players with dual nationality among youth and then some do not want to go for France. It is a choice, we must assume. "

Despite denials from the rain, the site Mediapart reaffirmed his serenity about the statements reported in its investigation. One of its authors, Fabrice Arfi, explained Thursday night broadcast on RMC: "We are very serene face of denials. We hold the evidence of what we say.And if the denials are too insistent, of course, we shall have to publish the evidence. "

"French football is racist"

The publication of the first part of this investigation has caused an earthquake in the world of French sport. Sports Minister Jouanno Chantal, who "[took] note" of the denial of the Federation, called on relevant authorities to "do it very quickly shed light on [these] allegations."

If the major players in French football still refusing to comment on the remarks relayed by Mediapart, some have followed suit of Internet media to denounce a more general situation.On RMC, Pape Diouf has rebounded on the publication of the article to castigate the state of French football, "French football is a reflection of its society. It is racist and excludes says the former chairman of the Olympique de Marseille. [...] I do not say that [these allegations] are true, but in any case, they fully reflect the reality of time and timing. "

The newspaper The team gathered for its part, the testimony of another symbol of diversity footballing Allen, the former central defender Lilian Thuram for France, who expressed his excitement to sports daily " I am so shocked that I do not know what to say. It is a world falling apart.But I do not want to be in the emotion to respond. I expect to have more elements. So I want to talk to people Mediapart. If this story is true, it does not stop there. "

The Federal Council, held on Friday, said the investigation Mediapart its agenda. The national technical director Francis Blaquart, one of the leaders openly referred to the article, will hold a press briefing following the meeting.

TERRORISM: AQIM releases video of four French nationals held hostage in the Sahel

Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has released a video Tuesday of four messages containing French hostages in Niger, begging Nicolas Sarkozy to withdraw French troops from Afghanistan, as the U.S. central monitoring Islamist websites (SITE).

Video 3 minutes and 36 seconds shows successive pictures of Peter Legrand, Daniel Larribe, Thierry and Marc Furrer Dol with armed men behind them.

They come in succession the same text and pronounce a few words by: "We implore the President of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy to respond positively to the request of Al-Qaeda to withdraw French troops from Afghanistan. Because the French No have really no interest in the war in Afghanistan. "

The records date from 11, 12 or 13 April according to the claims of the hostages by appearing.

By last weekend, a source close to the current mediation had already repeated qu'Aqmi demanded the departure of French troops from Afghanistan in more than a ransom of 90 million euros made in March and rejected by the France.

In late September, two weeks after their abduction in the Sahel, Arlit (Niger), AQIM had posted a picture and an audio recording of the seven hostages - Areva employees and a subcontractor - including five French.

Since February 24, three of the hostages (one French, a Togolese and a Malagasy) have been released, which was interpreted by experts as an attempt to negotiate AQIM, which has pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden.

On several occasions, al-Qaeda has demanded the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan in exchange for the hostages' release.France has some 3,800 soldiers in the Afghan theater.

In November, in a recording broadcast on Qatar TV station Al-Jazeera, the head of AQIM, the Algerian Abdelmalek Droukdel, said: "(If you) want your citizens who are prisoners here are healthy and sound, then you should hurry up and withdraw your soldiers from Afghanistan according to a timetable that you make public. "

In an audio message, Osama bin Laden himself had warned in late October that France would not know security until it withdraws its troops from Afghanistan and would not put an end to its "injustice" to the against Muslims, citing in particular the law banning the full veil in public.On 21 January, in an audio message, the network leader had once linked the fate of French hostages to the withdrawal of French forces.

AQIM, which has stepped up kidnappings of Westerners in recent years, announced in July 2010 the implementation of humanitarian Germaneau Michel, whose body was never found.

Two young French, Antoine and Vincent Léocour Delory, abducted Jan. 7 in Niamey by kidnappers working for AQIM were killed the next day in Mali during a Franco-Nigerien military to free them.

SYRIA: Bashar al-Assad announced the imminent abolition of emergency law

AFP - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Saturday that the emergency law, in force since 1963, would be abolished in a week maximum, in a speech before the new government broadcast on public television.

The abolition of emergency law, in force since 1962 and which substantially reduces civil liberties, is one of the main demands of protesters who are calling for a liberalization of the regime.

"The Legal Committee on the Emergency Law has developed a series of proposals for new legislation.These proposals will be submitted to the government that will enact laws (...) in a week maximum, "said Assad.

Faced with this unprecedented protest movement of the regime that began in mid-March, the authorities have shown their willingness to adopt reforms.

In late March, Mr. Assad was given until April 25 to a legal committee to draft new legislation to replace the emergency law.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Calm in a precarious Abidjan delivered to insecurity and looting

AFP - The battle of Abidjan was experiencing a lull on Sunday morning around the last bastions defended by followers of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo out, holding their positions for more than three days, residents said, and AFP journalists.

In the Plateau (center), the Presidential Palace district, only a few sporadic shots of heavy weapons were heard off in the morning, while during part of Friday afternoon the firing had been very intense, it was found.

In the Cocody district (north), in a wide area including the presidential residence and state television RTI, "during the night by pulling it here and there, heavy and light weapons", reported a capita."But there was no real fighting, only sporadic gunfire.

Since their arrival in Abidjan on Thursday evening after a lightning offensive that has allowed them to conquer nearly all of the country, the forces of Alassane Ouattara, President recognized by the international community, attempting unsuccessfully to drive the pro-Gbagbo of their strongholds while Abidjan comes to violence and looting.

Liveblogging: Back on the events of Thursday in Libya and the Arab world

REUTERS - The cons-offensive Libyan forces to take over the city fell three weeks ago at the hands of insurgents hostile to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi continued Thursday as the West is still hesitating on how to support them.

The head of U.S. intelligence, James Clapper, has predicted that the forces Gaddafi, the better equipped than the rebels, would eventually prevail.Colonel Gaddafi is ready for a long struggle, he said, and nothing suggests that he relinquish power.

Saif al Islam Gaddafi's son, has confirmed that the time had come to launch a full military offensive against insurgents and negotiations with them were out of question.

France became the first Western power to recognize the National Council of Libya (NOC) in Benghazi proclaimed by the insurgents.London followed a similar line, calling the NOC a "valid interlocutor" with which he wished
"Working closely".

But EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, even if they have reaffirmed their desire to see Qaddafi from power, appeared divided on this issue.

The representative of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, said that one should not rush "of matter in the unilateral recognition of certain groups."

"From our perspective, any recognition should be conducted by the Arab League and discussed at the UN.This is not to be a unilateral decision, "said his spokesman.

Tanks, airplanes, ships bombard Ras Lanuf

Catherine Ashton, who attended a simultaneous meeting of defense ministers of NATO in the Belgian capital, also argues that any European initiative on
establishing a no-fly zone in Libya should be taken in close coordination with the UN and the Arab League.

The secretary general of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said any military operation, including the establishment of such a zone should meet three criteria: the need
demonstrable intervention, a clear mandate and support in the region.

The EU summit to be held Friday, still in Brussels, France would propose a strategic action plan to stop the murderous repression of the uprising in Libya, said one of the emissaries of the NLC received in the morning by the
President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Field, east of Tripoli, tanks, aircraft and ships bombed the Libyan insurgent positions in Ras Lanuf, which houses a major oil terminal, has reported
a rebel, citing several deaths.

The official TV announced that insurgents had been driven out of port and airport Es Sider, another oil terminal, 40 km west of Ras Lanuf.

Insurgents have also reported an airstrike on Mars el Brega, a third oil terminal, located 90 km east of Ras Lanuf, suggesting that the loyalists have not
only stopped the progression of anti-Gaddafi westward but regained ground towards their eastern strongholds.

Zaouïah surrounded on all sides

Even if the fighting around the oil terminals in the Gulf of Sirte rage, there is no indication that Gadhafi forces seeking to destroy their facilities.But oil prices nonetheless continue to soar.

The Libyan authorities repress the tanker ports because of the depletion of oil deposits due to supply disruptions because of fighting.

To the west, the loyalist forces encircled the town devastated Zaouiah, about fifty kilometers from the capital, where insurgents continue to resist despite the
deadly fighting in recent days.

"The government forces surround Zaouïah everywhere. We do not know who controls the center. It changes all the time.Battles are fought street by street, "reported an exile who has been in contact with a relative in
suburbs of the city.

The insurgents, carried far by the hope that they could enter their lead in Tripoli from their stronghold in Benghazi, now admit their difficulties in
holding their own against an opponent with a superior firepower.

The deadly weapons of Gaddafi

"Gadhafi could prevail. With planes, tanks, mortars and rockets. It would be nice that there is a no-fly zone," said an insurgent.

The U.S. Department of Defense said examine "a range" of military options, including such a zone.U.S. General Raymond Odierno said that in case of international consensus, the establishment of this zone would only take 48 hours.

But, noting, too, the need for a green light from the international community, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has ruled out any unilateral action by Washington, which it says could have "unpredictable consequences".

She also expressed the concern of the United States to the possible possession of chemical weapons by the Gaddafi regime, and other "things dreaded" it might have in his arsenal.

In Geneva, the Committee inernational of the Red Cross said that Libya was plunging into a civil war with mounting casualties.

Wikileaks: The Bradley Manning soldier accused of collusion with the enemy "

The American military justice has added 22 new charges against the soldier Bradley Manning, a former military intelligence analyst accused of pirating hundreds of thousands of federal documents that were found on Wikileaks.

Manning would illegally obtaining these records while serving in Iraq.He is held in Quantico, a basic body of U.S. Marines in Virginia.

In a statement, the military said Wednesday that the new charges against him include in particular the charges of aiding the enemy and participation in the unlawful disclosure of information on the Internet.

Bradley Manning, who is 23 years old, had already been prosecuted for such downloaded and sent to an unauthorized person confidential video of the attack in 2007 in Baghdad by a U.S. military helicopter.Ten
people were killed, including two employees of Reuters.

The army says it will not claim the death penalty against Manning, even if the charge of aiding the enemy is punishable by death. But the former analyst risk life imprisonment.

His trial was postponed time that a commission's decision on his mental state.

Julian Assange, the Australian founder of the website Wikileaks, has denied knowing Bradley Manning. He accuses the U.S. of using the detained soldier to build a case against him.

FRANCE: Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the French tonight's fate still uncertain MAM

The fate of Michèle Alliot-Marie is sealed by the tenors of the majority, leaving the government should intervene Sunday in a reshuffle to the extent uncertain, prior to a statement broadcast by Nicolas Sarkozy on the international situation.

"For MMA, it's done. The President has taken its decision, she goes" Saturday assured a tenor of the majority, confirming information obtained yesterday by the AFP to two ministers.

According to several sources, the head of French diplomacy would be replaced by the Defence Minister, Alain Juppe.This will, in a minister to resign "Sunday Morning", just after his return in the night from a trip to Kuwait.

"The anonymous sources who claim to make decisions in place of Ms Alliot-Marie bind none but themselves," responded the entourage of the Minister to AFP.

When questioned, the Elysee declined to respond. But in late afternoon, Sarkozy, after meeting with three former hostages of the Sahel at the Elysee Palace, received at La Lanterne in Versailles, Prime Minister Francois Fillon. The interview lasted an hour and a half, according to Matignon.The secretary general of the Elysee, Claude Gueant, was also present.

While France has been strongly criticized in recent weeks for its diplomatic policy, Mr.Sarkozy will also attempt to regain control of the reserved area of the Head of State during a televised address Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on the international situation.

Regarding his team, the Head of State is considering various scenarios, according to several government sources.

Circumscribe the redesign to the replacement of MMA? Or take the opportunity to make more extensive changes and try to give new impetus to his government, just three months after the big reshuffle in November and a little over a year of presidential elections?

"Mystery ... The ball will roll on the wheel throughout the weekend," said a tenor of the majority.

"I work. I am 100% mobilized as Minister of Foreign Affairs.I do not comment on rumors in Paris, "said Kuwait Alliot-Marie.

"Regardless of what happens when I landed in Paris," she added, however, as resigned to his dismissal.

According to ministers, the situation became untenable and "we must stop it" because "Michele Alliot-Marie was unscrewed and leads everyone." "The sequence of the French presidency of the G20 is important and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be prominent at the side of the head of state. But in his post, the action does not erase image "tarnished by the case to twists on holiday in Tunisia, said one of them.

To replace Mr.Juppe of Defense, several names were circulating this weekend, including the boss of UMP senators, Gerard Longuet, but also former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, or the interior minister, Brice Hortefeux, which could then give way to Beauvau Claude Gueant.

The reshuffle could also see the arrival of two or three secretaries of state - including liberals and centrists - repeatedly announced and postponed.New Center hoped Saturday that the realignment "will allow a rebalancing policy.

As for the companion of MMA, the Minister of Relations with Parliament, Patrick Ollier, his fate seems outstanding and not necessarily tied to that of his companion.

Campaigning Sunday for his fief cantonal Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine), he merely said he would "when the situation" arises.

TUNISIA: Concerns about the security situation in the country

The emergence of youth gangs armed prowlers in Tunis and the burning of a synagogue in Gabes reinforce fears of a descent into violence or destabilization attempts in Tunisia.

More than two weeks after the flight of President Zine Ben Ali under pressure from the street, January 14, the army had to intervene on Tuesday for gunmen to flee, as Tunisians suspected of working for the old power.

Large protests have continued in recent days in the country, the reshuffle made on Thursday by Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi who calmed the public.But acts of sabotage or intimidation were reported.

The spokesman of the Jewish community in Tunisia, one of the largest in North Africa, condemned the arson of a synagogue at Gabes in the south, on the night of Monday to Tuesday.

"I think those who have committed are seeking to create divisions between Jews and Muslims from Tunisia who live in peace for decades," said Peres Trabelsi.

Tunisian Jewish community is rarely the target of attacks. The last claimed by Al Qaeda, was in 2002 against the synagogue in Djerba Island.She had killed 21 people, including several German tourists.

Another indication of a deteriorating security, the military has had to fire warning shots to disperse gangs of armed youths who attacked two schools of Carthage, affluent suburb north-east of the capital , terrorizing students.

Monday already, young people with knives and clubs had spread fear through the streets of Kasserine, in the center of the country, burning buildings and harassing people, reports the news agency TAP.

Self-defense committees

Saturday in downtown Tunis, bands of youths had dispersed a gathering of women in Tunisia.They were hunted down on Avenue Habib Bourguiba by merchants organized in self-defense committees, also armed with knives and sticks.

Some traders believe that these bands are formed by former supporters of RCD, a former all-powerful party of President Ben Ali, or by young people paid to create chaos.

"We're here to try to reassure the public. We will protect," said a soldier in an armored vehicle positioned in front of a school in the capital.
Ben Ali, Minister of the Interior before taking power in 1987, had a vast network of police and informants who had not been dismantled since the "jasmine revolution".

Diplomatic sources, it is estimated that his presidential guard has been dispersed or eliminated, but a small number of his armed followers is probably still present in the country.

According to the head of a UN mission sent to the country, 147 people died and 510 others were injured in the uprising in Tunisia.

Bacre Waly Ndiaye said during a news conference that 72 more people died during riots that occurred in Tunisian prisons during these events, which began Dec. 17.

"The primary sector is to reform the security forces, who must work for the people, not against him," said the official Senegalese. "The security system must be central to the reform process. It is necessary to limit the role of the state police."

The interim government has promised to investigate the deaths and injuries occurred during the revolution and the eight members of the UN mission to provide assistance and advice.

The transition cabinet has also promised to recover assets of the family Ben Ali in Tunisia and abroad.

The EU froze the assets in Eastern Europe, former president and family.France has seized on Tuesday at Le Bourget airport a private plane belonging to the family of the deposed head of state.