Volatile neighbours in the middle-east

Published on Saturday 29 January 2011 17:12

Morocco

Population: 32.3m

GDP: $91.7bn

King Mohammed VI

A hereditary monarchy, the Moroccan government is appointed by the king following legislative elections but retains the power to dissolve parliament and dismiss or appoint the prime minister. The government has been attacked by critics for using the nation's courts to jail peaceful political opponents.

While any criticism of the king, the monarchy, or Islam, is punishable by law, the non-state-run media has had some success in recent years in investigating corruption in government. Economic policies pursued since 2003 by King Mohammed VI have brought macroeconomic stability to the country with generally low inflation, and while Morocco benefits from low labour costs and close proximity to Europe, it still endures high unemployment rates, especially among its younger population.

Algeria

Population: 35m

GDP: $159bn

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika

As riots spread in Tunisia earlier this month, two people were killed and hundreds of others were injured in Algeria as protesters angry at the high cost of living clashed with the police.

Bouteflika swiftly cut food prices to bring calm, however, many are unhappy at his heavy-handed rule, and unemployment is estimated to be around 20 per cent among the young.

Bouteflika was elected in 1999 and won a third five-year term in 2009. However, there was widespread criticism of vote fraud when more than 90 per cent of ballots cast in his favour.

Algeria is also under an indefinite state of emergency, and Human Rights Watch says the government implements restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly.

Saudi Arabia

Population: 25.7m

GDP: $434.4bn

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz

Abdulaziz, the country's absolute monarch ruler, has ruled the desert kingdom since 2005. While the 87-year-old is in ill-health and runs a strict authoritarian state, the distribution of oil wealth for the most part keeps the populace content.

The main threat to the royal family's comes from Islamist extremist groups, and the monarchy cracks down hard on any challenges to their authority. Saudi Arabia, along with other oil-rich Gulf states such as Kuwait and the UAE, are less susceptible to the Tunisian-style uprisings because the population benefit from the share of its natural resources.

Tunisia

Population: 10.6m

GDP: $43.86bn

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi

After ruling the North African nation with an iron first for 23 years, President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali capitulated on January 14 in the face of unprecedented protests.

As inflation and unemployment hit the country hard, unrest increased as Ben Ali, his reviled wife and extended family, continued to holiday in luxurious homes by the sea, away from the slums.

No date has been set for elections, and it remains to be seen if Tunisia will become the Middle East's second full democracy.

More: Egypt in revolt

• Mubarak fails to crush Egypt revolt

• Eye witness: Ruth Sherlock in Cairo

• Frederic Volpi: The region has little to fear if Mubarak falls

• Volatile neighbours

• Leader: Mubarak must step aside

Libya

Population: 6.4m

GDP: $77.91bn

Colonel Muammar al Gaddafi

As the longest-serving leader in the Arab world, Gaddafi has ruled Libya since a bloodless coup in 1969. The eccentric dictator said he was "pained" by the fall of Tunisian President Ben Ali. Soaring oil prices have allowed Gaddafi to maintain high levels of economic growth, while Libyans enjoy a life expectancy of 75, one of the highest in Africa.

Like many oil-rich states, unemployment is high.

Lebanon

Population: 4.1m

GDP: $39.1bn

President Michel Suleiman

Although not at the centre of unrest and war for the first time in decades, Lebanon is still struggling to recover from the 2005 car bomb assassination of Rafik Hariri, its former prime minister and one of the country's wealthiest men.

Hezbollah's coalition government caved in last week when a UN report - expected to claim that the Iran and Syrian-backed "Party of God" was involved in Hariri's assassination - was presented to prosecutors in Beirut.

However, the Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati has already been appointed the new head of government and commentators believe Israel - and not a discontent population - presents a greater threat to stability.

Egypt

Population: 84.5m

GDP: $216.8bn

President Hosni Mubarak

Egypt has been ruled with a heavy hand since the 1981 assassination of Anwar Sadat. Now aged 82, the former air force commander is widely viewed as the old guard of autocratic Arab leaders.

The Human Rights Watch report this year detailed a catalogue of abuses in the Arab world's most populous nation.

As the constitution stands, it is almost impossible for independent candidates to stand.

Jordan

Population: 6.5m

GDP: $27.13bn

King Abdullah II

Despite seeing sporadic protests over inflation and high unemployment - estimated up to 25 per cent - after the Tunisian unrest, King Abdullah appears to be among the safest Middle Eastern leaders at the present time.

A former British Army officer, Abdullah II inherited Jordan's absolute monarchy from his father, and wields the power to appoint ministers, and dismiss parliament. Promised democratic reforms have failed to materialise, although his prime minister has promised fuel and food aid in recent days.

King Abdullah, who enjoys strong support from the military and financial backing from Washington, has met with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Yemen

Population: 23m

GDP: $30.02bn

President Ali Abdullah Saleh

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East, last week to demand an end to the three-decade rule of President Saleh.

Yemen has more problems than most and has become a new base for al-Qaida militants, driven out of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.Its oil reserves, which make up 70 per cent of government revenue, are dwindling and it has become reliant on US aid.

The main challenge to Saleh would come from rebels, analysts say.

Syria

Population: 22.2m

GDP: $59.63bn

President Bashar al-Assad

President Assad has been in power since 2000, succeeding his father and continuing his authoritarian rule. All opposition parties are banned, the media strictly controlled and any dissenting voices quickly dealt with.

Those who speak out against the government are often jailed on charges of "weakening national morale" and authorities are consistently accused of violating civilian rights, arresting activists, and restricting freedom to travel. Unemployment is between 10 and 25 per cent.

Iraq

Population: 29m

GDP: $84.14bn

President Jalal Talabani

Saddam Hussein was for decades the region's most notorious dictator. Since coalition forces ejected him from power 2003, Iraq has seen a messy transition towards democracy, and the power-sharing government has struggled to maintain order over insurgents and militia groups. Many Iraqis fear what awaits when the remaining US forces leave by the end of the year.

Elections in March 2010 proved inconclusive, and led to months of uncertainty.

A power-sharing deal was finally brokered in November, with veteran Kurd leader Jalal Talabani being named as president for a third term.