Morning Brief: Zardari folds

Top Story As a massive convoy of protesters led by ousted opposition leader Nawaz Sharif rolled toward Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari bowed to political pressure and agreed to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry. The independent-minded Chaudry’s removal was a key event in the downfall of former leader Pervez Musharraf, but his reinstatement had ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.
587760_090316_pakistan5.jpg
587760_090316_pakistan5.jpg
Pakistani lawyers and opposition party activists celebrate after restore of Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry outside Chaudhry residence in Islamabad on March 16, 2009. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on March 16 announced that the government had decided to reinstate the country's Supreme Court chief justice Chaudhry in a bid to end political turmoil. Main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has been locked in a showdown with President Asif Ali Zardari demanding the reinstatement of the top judge, who was sacked by ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2007. Main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif welcomed what he called an historic achievement and promptly called off a mass protest march, which had been due to descend on the capital on March 16, averting widespread fears of unrest. AFP PHOTO/ Aamir QURESHI (Photo credit should read AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Top Story

Top Story

As a massive convoy of protesters led by ousted opposition leader Nawaz Sharif rolled toward Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari bowed to political pressure and agreed to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry. The independent-minded Chaudry’s removal was a key event in the downfall of former leader Pervez Musharraf, but his reinstatement had been blocked by Zardari despite campaign pledges to reinstate him.

Sharif has now called off the protest and planned sit-in. Zardari had earlier tried to have Sharif placed under house arrest in Lahore, but he and his supporter managed to break free and reach the center of town with little police resistance. The security breakdown was a major blow to Zardari’s authority.

“This is a prelude to a revolution,” the victorious Sharif told reporters.

Middle East

Former President Mohammed Khatami withdrew from Iran’s presidential election. It is not yet clear which opposition candidate he will endorse.

Benjamin Netanyahu signed a coalition agreement with the far-right party Yisrael Beitenu making it likely that controversial politician Avigdor Lieberman will become foreign minister.

Lebanon has opened its first ever embassy in Syria.

Africa

Madagascar’s opposition leader has asked security forces to arrest the country’s president. A coup may now be underway.

President Omar al Bashir has ordered international groups to stop delivering aid in Sudan.

Pope Benedict XVI will embark this week on his first trip to Africa, where church attendance is booming. 

Americas

Former left-wing guerilla party FMLN won El Salvador’s presidential election. 

Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez ordered his navy to take over seaports in petroleum exporting regions.

U.S. Treasury investigators are trying to determine if more bailout funds would help struggling General motors.

Asia

North Korea has been opening and closing its southern border, seemingly at random.

Eleven were killed by a suicide bomber in Southern Afghanistan.

Taiwan is reducing the size of its military in response to better relations with mainland China.

Europe

European markets continued to rise after a positive earnings report from British bank Barclays.

Police are holding nine IRA dissidents in connection with this month’s attacks in Northern Ireland.

Serbia is seeking an emergency IMF loan.

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

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