Arab Spring, cyberattacks key topics at Munich Security Conference

Feb 5, 2012, 11:06 GMT

Munich - The impact of the Arab Spring and the threat posed by cyberattacks are the key topics on the final day of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Sunday.

Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman, is to make an opening statement at a panel discussion that will look at changes spreading in North Africa and the Middle East since the uprising began in Tunisia a year ago.

Karman, the founder of the group Women Journalists Without Chains, was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in anti-government protests in Yemen.

Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu are also on the panel.

A year ago, uprisings in North Africa were just gathering steam when the Munich Security Conference took place. This year the gathering has been coloured by debate on foreign intervention in Syria, with many say a civil war is taking place.

Tension in Egypt following the overthrow of Hosny Mubarak has drawn attention in Munich. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in a meeting with Amr on Saturday repeating a threat that the US might cut aid to Egypt if it continues to prevent representatives of US-based non-governmental organizations from leaving the country while the groups are under investigation.

The US has called the investigations of the groups, which promote democracy, baseless.

The panel that is to discuss the threat off attacks on computer systems and networks is comprised of a former director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Hayden, Russian entrepreneur Eugene Kaspersky and European Union Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes.