Australian head of state bound for Kuwait

Last Updated: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:00:00 +1100

The Australian head of state, Governor-General Quentin Bryce plans to travel to Kuwait on Tuesday, despite widespread unrest in the Middle East.

A Department of Foreign Affairs travel advisory for Kuwait warns there is a high threat of terrorist attacks in the country.

Ms Bryce plans to attend a 20th anniversary commemmoration of the first Gulf war in Kuwait.

Her secretary, Stephen Brady, says security will be reviewed right up to the Governor-General's departure.

He said: "As of this morning when I came to the parliament, I was satisfied with the arrangements in place. Ultimately these are decisions for the Australian Federal Police."

Uprisings

Unrest continues across North Africa and the Middle East, with demonstrators taking their lead from earlier uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

Thousands of protesters gathered in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, to demand that King Mohammed give up some of his powers.

Reports say uniformed police have kept their distance from the rally in front of the parliament building.

In Rabat, police allowed protesters to approach parliament, chanting slogans like "The people reject a constitution made for slaves!"

A separate protest is under way in the country's biggest city, Casablanca, and another is planned in Marrakesh.

In Yemen, the leader of the secessionist Southern Movement has been arrested and shots fired at an anti-government demonstration in the capital Sanaa.

Sit-in

Thousands of people also staged sit-ins in a number of other cities, demanding the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

In Iran, opposition websites say anti-government demonstrations are underway in several cities, including Tehran.

The Sunni Muslim ruling family in Bahrain is also under increased pressure to negotiate with the Shiite-led opposition as protesters continue their occupation of Pearl Square in the capital Manama.

Language News