Egyptian, Algerian, Mauritanian set selves alight
By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press – Mon Jan 17, 3:22 pm ET
CAIRO – Protesters set themselves on fire in Egypt, Mauritania and Algeria on Monday in apparent copycat self-immolation attempts inspired by the act that helped trigger a popular uprising in Tunisia.
The incidents, while isolated, reflect the growing despair among the public of many Arab regimes resisting reform. They are deeply symbolic means of protest in a region that has little or no tolerance for dissent.