Simone Cantarini

Susan Fioretti tells AsiaNews about her 10 years among women of Afghanistan. The formation of public and religious leaders only alternative to extremism that is spreading throughout the country. Fear for the withdrawal of international troops in 2014.

On the anniversary of Libya's revolution, Italian historian Angelo Del Boca looks at the country's chaotic situation. Celebrations are being held in Tripoli to mark the fall of the old regime, but residents are scared of the gun-toting men swarming the capital's streets. Amnesty International is reporting thousands of people are being held without due process, some tortured by the former rebels.

Fr. David Carraro speaks of the first years of his priesthood in Touggourt among Algerian Tuareg and his study of Arabic in the Egypt of the Jasmine Revolution. Bearing witness to Christ with his life and faith in countries where it is forbidden to proselytize. Priest: "The only service that we ask the Algerian Muslim farmers is for prayer, not money or food." Dialogue with Islam is only possible within a human relationship that enriches lives.

Fr. Cornelius, PIME missionary, speaks of his years with F. Tentorio among the tribals of Mindanao. For the priest, Fr Fausto gave hope to the poor and families, giving his life to Christ, even unto martyrdom.

Thousands of people loyal to Gaddafi could lose everything with his defeat. The sudden fall of Tripoli was due to growing weariness by the Libyan leader and the population. The country could fall in the hands of unscrupulous characters.

For the historian, the Libyan leader would rather be killed than give up power. Few hopes for a diplomatic solution persist before September.

For Angelo Del Boca, an historian and Libya expert, people are tired of this war and NATO and the rebels have run out of resources. A meeting between government and rebel representatives in Paris is a good sign. After the bombs, a new path is opening.

For Angelo Del Boca, journalist and Libya expert, the high costs of the No Fly Zone have reduced to nothing any hope to see the blitz against Gaddafi succeed. Instead, the war might last several months because the Libyan leader still has troops, weapons and personal assets worth more than a billion Euros. The president of South Africa is in Libya to try a last moment deal with the Libyan government.

For Jean Paul Pougala, a Cameroonian sociologist and Africa expert, the war against Gaddafi is too costly and could last years. Based on unsubstantiated claims, NATO’s No Fly Zone hides the economic interests and frustrations of Europe and the Arab League. The Church offers a lesson to the world’s silent pacifists.

For Angelo Del Boca, journalist and expert on Libya, the war violates UN resolutions and will last a long time, as long as Gaddafi has arms, to date only partially destroyed. NATO action is cynical and contradictory, and was initiated without recourse to diplomatic possilities. Gaddafi, a controversial figure, but a supporter of promoting African states.

Thousands faced long hours of waiting in queues and travel for days just to show their devotion to Pope Wojtyla. Vietnamese pilgrims and Palestinians are asking the new blessed to watch over their countries, victims of violence and war.

Egypt, the most important of the Arab states in danger of collapsing under the weight of social unrest. Other Arab countries like Jordan, Syria and Yemen face the same fate. Francesco Zannini, an expert on Islam in PISAI explains to AsiaNews the reasons for the riots, inherent in the formation of Arab States and the juxtaposition of the western model of democracy and Islam. For the scholar, the secular nature of the riots is an opportunity for change and also a good opportunity for Egyptian Christians to integrate into society. However, "the absence of alternative to the regimes and spontaneous nature of the protests, could divert tensions from real change and the result of the protests will be seen only in the long term."