The recent wave of uprisings across the Middle East triggered a new round of government handouts, and offering of greater political participation, as rich and poor countries try to dampen and prevent new unrest.

The United Arab Emirates, one of the most politically stable countries in the region, has presented limited electoral reforms, while administrations from Syria to Morocco have announced more subsidies.
The action highlights how Middle Eastern regimes see a need to establish legitimacy as the Spirit of the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions spread.

The UAE with its vast wealth and a small population of nationals announced last week a plan to increase the number of “emiratis” that will vote in elections for its Federal National Council.

The minimum size of the Electoral College each emirate appoints is to be increased 3 fold, in a move that officials see as part of a gradual effort to increase political participation.

Syria last week reduced import taxes on a range of basic goods, in an attempt to keep prices down, and started distribution from a new US$250N fund for helping the neediest families.

Although the fund has been planned for some time, its implementation has been accelerated in response to chaos in Egypt and Tunisia.

The small state of Oman last week raised the minimum wage for nationals working in the private sector by 43% in an effort to raise living standards, the state news agency reported.

While the Global attention has focused on the violent crackdowns by security forces in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen, protests of varying sizes have been taking place in other countries, despite efforts by some governments to dampen them.

Middle East rulers rush to dampen popular dissent

Thousands of people demonstrated Sunday across Morocco, seeking political change and curbs on the powers of King Mohammed, even though the government had promised €1.4bn (US$1.9B) in extra subsidies to soften the impact of the rising prices of basic goods.

In the Oil-rich Monarchy of Kuwait, the government last month said all citizens would receive a KD1,000 (US$3,500) grant and free food staples for 13 months to celebrate the 50th anni of Independence and mark 2 other anniversaries.

In Jordan, the government last month announced a package worth about US$550M of increases in salaries, pensions and food subsidies. Nevertheless, the weekly demonstrations continue.

The Arab League calls for end to violence in Libya

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa called for an end to the violence in Libya, Egyptian state news agency MENA reported Monday.

“The demands of the Arab peoples for reform, development and change are legitimate, and the Arab nations’ feelings are joined together in this decisive moment in the history of the region,” Moussa was quoted by MENA as saying in a statement released Monday.

Protestors began to take to the streets in Libya last Wednesday, calling for an end to Muammar Gaddafi’s 42 yr rule, in an apparent attempt to emulate recent protests in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt, which forced the leaders of both countries to quit.

Internet services were partially cut off in Libya early Saturday, reported AL-Jazeera TV.

Libyan envoy to the Arab League resigned Sunday and joined the protests in his country, MENA reported.

Gaddafi’s son Seif al-Islam said in a televised address early Monday that 84 protestors were killed in the Libyan city of Benghazi during anti-government protests. However, human rights activists in the country said the deaths could be above 300.