Report: Arab Spring upheaval cost $55bn

[Gerald]

Libyan exception: Where other oil producers have gained, Libyan revenues have fallen by 84%.

The popular protests this year in North Africa and the Middle East - known as the Arab Spring - have cost the region more than $50bn, a new report says. The report, by consultancy group Geopolicity, says Egypt, Syria and Libya paid the highest financial price.It warns that without a regional support programme, the effects of the Arab Spring could be regressive.But oil-producing nations that have avoided or suppressed rebellions have benefited most, it says.Using data from the International Monetary Fund, the group says countries that have experienced intensive civil disturbances or conflict during the Arab Spring, are expected to lose the most in the short term.However, the report makes clear that costing the Arab Spring in 2011 cannot be done precisely. "Many critical economic indicators are unavailable, and the situation is highly fluid," it says. 'Overall gain' Libya, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and Yemen have all been hit hard economically. Their costs to GDP amount to $20.56bn while costs to public finance total $35.28bn.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15303413


Note: 14 October 2011 Last updated at 07:52 GMT

[Skybird]

Arab "Spring", Arab "revolution" - I still can'T get it that so many people buy it. The real revolution still has not arrived, but is slowly approaching. Egypt, Libya, to a growing extent it seems to me in Tunisia and Algeria as well - the "extreme fundamentalists" and ultra-orthodox are now free to unfold their political wings, and they are doing it, they are organising and preparing. But by ideology'S content, they are no extremists, but simply true Muslims. The communal and social and legislative order they are about to install - that will be the real revolutions.

One thing these people are absolutely superior in, compared to us, is determination, and long breath. It has been like that since centuries, since all beginning of Islam. No scruples. No wavering. No doubt. Just patient determination.

[Gerald]

Nothing is free....

[the_tyrant]

the Libyans better give us some good concessions for helping them win the war

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Egypt, Libya, to a growing extent it seems to me in Tunisia and Algeria as well - the "extreme fundamentalists" and ultra-orthodox are now free to unfold their political wings, and they are doing it, they are organising and preparing.

News just in - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15312227

Police in Tunisia have fired tear gas at hundreds of Islamists demonstrating in the capital, Tunis, reports say.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

News just in - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15312227

Would you bet against me when I predict the Islamist Nahda party is about to win the elections shortly? It is as "moderate" and "democratic" and "pro women's rights" like the AK party by emperor Erdoghan I.

Now check how Turkish administration and public offices and public education have changed in personnel over the past 5-6 years or so. Lesser women in public offices than before. More headscalves in universities and public services, not less. More patriarchalic gang-business in administrational offices of the state. More Islam, less secularism throughout the state and the society. A reshifting of values as propagated by officials and state authorities, towards a.) Turkish nationalism and b.) Islam.

It likely will go a comparable way in Tunisia, maybe without the nationalistic imperial attitude.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

the Libyans better give us some good concessions for helping them win the war

All the juicy and mega profitable deals have already been awarded to the UK and France

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

the Libyans better give us some good concessions for helping them win the war

Why do think we are 'helping' them in the first place, we are not in business of 'helping' anyone out kindess and rightiousness.
We always have an agenda.