Reuters Factbox on Maghreb Politics...

...is a depressing read:

*The army exerts wide influence on public affairs. The country has been under a state of emergency since 1992 because of an Islamist rebellion. Street marches are banned.

* Algeria ranks 102nd out of 177 countries in the U.N. Human Development Index, which measures factors like access to health and education. According to Freedom House, a U.S.-based watchdog group, Algeria scores 6 for political liberties and 5 for civil liberties on a scale that has 7 as the most unfree.

* Muammar Gaddafi, in his mid-60s, has ruled since 1969 when he staged a bloodless coup and abolished the monarchy. In the 1970s he proclaimed citizens should rule through Basic People's Congresses which, in theory, hold ultimate power.

* Libya is 64 on the U.N. index and scores 7 for political liberties and 7 for civil liberties on the Freedom House scale. Unemployment is unofficially estimated at 30 percent.

* The Makhzen [in Morocco], a network of landowners, tribal and religious leaders and modern bureaucrats and politicians, is the core of the ruling system. Parliament is seen as ineffective.

* President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali, 71, came to power in 1987. He won elections in 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004.

* Tunisia ranks 87 on the U.N. Human Development Index and scores 6 for political liberties and 5 for civil liberties on the Freedom House scale.

No breaking news, but seeing these factoids side-by-side and reviewing the numbers ain't pretty.

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According to Freedom House, a U.S.-based watchdog group, Algeria scores 6 for political liberties and 5 for civil liberties on a scale that has 7 as the most unfree.

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