Today's 4...Meddlers, widows, retrials and sunshine

Yesterday, the BBC reported that Osama Bin Laden's three widows will be welcomed into Saudi Arabia following their quasi-imprisonment and subsequent deportation from Pakistan. Saudi Arabia has quoted humanitarian reasons for allowing the women to settle back in the kingdom. For once, I agree with Saudi Arabia's decision. Two out of the three widows are Saudi Arabian, (the third is Yemeni) and it is highly unlikely that they would be allowed in many other countries. The women were undoubtedly subservient to their husband and we should be cautious about punishing them by association for the crimes of their husband.
 
Al-Jazeera reported that 21 Bahraini activists convicted by military court for participation in riots last year will be retried in a civil court. The ruling has come from the country's Court of Cassation following an appeal by the 21 activists to be retried. This is a significant step for Bahrain and should not be overlooked as insignificant. Some critics have been quick to label events in Bahrain as part of the wider "Arab Spring." I don't agree. That Bahrain can accept a possible error in its past rulings is a key differentiator between the island kingdom and the fallen regimes of Gadaffi and Mubarak.

Time's up Saleh...

The Associated Press reported that the UN's envoy to Yemen has requested former president Saleh to "stop meddling" in the country's affairs. The comment comes as President Saleh begins a full-scale offensive against alleged the al-Qaeda militants who have been the source of daily targeted attacks against military personnel since Hadi power. If Saleh cares at all about Yemeni internal affairs he will take the UN envoy's advice. Hadi is finally taking the tough stance necessary to restore order in the country and the last thing he needs is long-distance meddling from an ineffective former despot. It's time to let go Saleh.

And finally...

In the absence of anything noteworthy to say on Oman, I thought I'd tell readers that the Muscat's weather forecast for tomorrow is dry and sunny with temperatures reaching 43 degrees Celsius. Come on Oman...give me something to write about...please...