Activists sceptical of goals

Dubai: Democracy activists in the Arab world expressed scepticism over the US intention in promoting democracy in the Middle East.

They said the unlimited US support to Israel and its silence towards human rights violations in the region are both evidence of its indifference towards the people in the region.

Yasser Al Edl, Ain Sham University teacher and political analyst told Gulf News the US administration were keen on using democracy to intervene in the Arab world and securing its oil supplies by establishing puppet governments in the region. "With Obama, the objectives are still very much the same with change in the policies. I think the current US administration is looking to strengthen the governments against their people and ensure the continuity of corrupt regimes in power as long as it is possible," he said.

He and other Arab activists Gulf News spoke to believe that US has withdrawn its support for democratic transformation in the Arab world in favour of strengthening the role of good governance in the best scenario.