>> hello, and rebutted. welcome to the "journal" on dw- tv. i have the news. >> and of the business news. >> these are the headlines. >> reports from pro-to dauphin forces had carried out another air strike on a key oil port. investigators in germany believe the fatal gun attack on two u.s. airmen in frankfurt airport was politically motivated. and and ecb interest rate hike is on the horizon as the bank frets over mounting inflation. ♪

>> france and britain say there will support a no-fly zone over libya if the situation there gets worse. the french foreign ministry says the two countries plan to do everything they can to increase pressure on moammar gaddafi. the libyan leader once more airstrikes on the rebels thursday morning. witnesses say warplanes bombed an oil port. the rebels have appealed for outside help, asking for u.n.- backed airstrikes to end the conflict. >> in the battle zone town, rebels are burying the dead. thousands turned out to join the funeral procession. there are mercenaries hired by gaddafi. they're preparing for new attacks on their town, a strategic seaport with key oil facilities, after recent air strikes, a ground attack by

gaddafi's troops appears imminent. >> we're ready to face gaddafi's men. our scouts are telling us they are headed this way. >> the rebels of been encouraged by their successes earlier in the week when they managed to fight off a a yalist defensive. but there were losses. this footage shows some of the fighting. >> we want them to stop the bloodbath, because we are peaceful people. it is terrific that gaddafi would do this to his own people. >> but gaddafi clearly aims to win back control of his country, both militarily and politically. as arab league foreign ministers met in egypt, the libyan seats remained in the. under discussion, a peace plan drawn up by hugo chavez, a close friend of gaddafi. it suggested mediation by a team from latin america, europe, and the middle east. some reports say gaddafi have it -- has accepted the plan.

but the opposition has rejected any talks with the embattled leader. benghazi is relatively quiet. but many here believe real peace is impossible while gaddafi is still in power. >> german foreign missed not -- minister guido westerwelle spoke out firmly against any military intervention in libya. he says such a move could be counterproductive.e. but westerwelle promised to provide humanitarian aid, in particular, the deployment of planes and ships to help with the evacuation of thousands of egyptians currently stranded on the border region between libya and tunisia. the egyptians for one of the biggest migrant communities in libya. but since the unrest began, tens of thousands have tried to flee the country. the united nations is warning of a humanitarian catastrophe. earlr, i spoke with our correspondent and asked how secure benghazi is that the weather had been any renewed fighting there.

>> no, not in benghazi. everything is happening about two hundred kilometers away from here to the west. that is the western towns where rebels are controlling. it is the city were cut off the's forces yesterday tried an offensive and try to regain some control of the area that was taken away from them in the east. but this office didn't -- this offensive, at the end of the day, the rebels took over the town again. today, we have had several airstrikes against the port city. the news is that the pro-gaddafi forces are planning another attack. >> benghazi is a point of departure for many migrants trying to leave the country. our opposition forces their handling the refugees' situation? >> there is no refugee problem here reay. ery few rugees.

if they leave, they leave to the egyptian border. everything is open. no problem from this side to leave. the western area is a completely different story, of course put a very difficult for people to leave. a lot of people have been stuck there. and once again to the other side of the border, to tunisia, it is a problem because they are overwhelmed with the amount of refugees coming over. but in the east, there's no real big flow of refugees. >> ok, thank you for that update from benghazi. western powers are looking at the best possible ways to help north africa move towards democracy. and meeting in rome, delegates from the eu and the mediterranean union gathered to discuss various options. europe and its neighbors along the southern and eastern rim of the mediterranean have long debated opening borders to exports and workers. but progress has been thwarted by the reluctance to allow cheap

food and labor from africa into the block. >> italy was the host for this meeting of lawmakers from eu member states and of the mediterranean countries. delegates from across the middle east and north africa traveled to rome to take part. a tunisian and egypt were absent. their parliaments s ve been dissolved, and the political situation there remains unclear. many of those attending agreed it was time to bring an end to the violence and of the dictatorships in north africa. >> it is our goal to support the process of democratization in north africa, so that we can finally have reliable and a democratic governments to work with. >> but there was a mixed response to such calls for freedom and democracy from other north african countries. >> what we need, above all, is for our people to have better lives, to be able to find jobs, and to live in better conditions. that would have positive consequences for the eu and all

our european neighbors. there would be less illegal migration and fewer dangers for tourists. >> and there were calls for europe to be less preoccupied with the securing of its external borders. >> of course, those who are already here cannot just be sent back with this situation as it is. so our goal is to create attractive development possibilities on african soil as quickly as possible. it is not enough just to build refugee camps. we have to take steps to promote the economies there. >> and while there are still points of disagreement, there is a consensus that something needs to be done to address the pressing concerns in the region. >> here in germany, federal prosecutors said they believe the attack on u.s. troops at frankfurt airport was motivated by islamic extremism. two airmen were killed and two wounded when gunmen opened fire

on a bus filled with military personnel. the suspect is now in police custody. >> police are out in force at germany's biggest airport, both in uniform and under cover. authorities have put more officers out on patrol. some with bultproof vests and a machine guns and more details that emerged about the gunman, a 21-year-old cause of low- albanian. he grew up in germany and the work that an international post sorting center close to the crime scene is facebook page, under an islamic fighters pseudonym, indicates he had contacts with muslim extremist outside germany. >> the leads we found after evaluating his internet activity do indicate that we're dealing with the radicalized muslim. add to that the fact that he changed his profile name from his real name to his islamic fighters name. >> neighbors in frankfurt said they had no idea he had been radicalized. >> i am sure he was religious,

but he was a normal blow, a completely normal. we're shocked. >> the gunman fired nine shots at a bus carrying u.s. servicemen. two men were killed and another is still in critical condition. >> earlier, i spoke to a member of the german institute for international security affairs, and i asked him one more he knew about the possible islamist background to this attack. >> well, we/ already do know tht the perpetrator is an islamist militants. he stood in connection with several creatures here in germany and especially in frankfurt. so it is for sure that it is an islamist terrorist attack. >> do you see an increased risk in germany generally, or is this just a loan will scenario? >> well, it seems as if this is a lone wolf scenario, but there

has been an increase risk in germany since 2007. since 2007, there is an increasing number germans going to train in pakistan with al qaeda and other organizations. at the same time, these organizations target us in order to force the government to withdraw our troops from afghanistan. the danger is very real here in the country. >> the terror a large doublbl alert level has only recently been lowered following last year's warning of terrorist attacks. do you think the government will put those increased security measures back in place? >> well, i am not sure. the government might, of course, react. according to what i know from my sources in the security apparatus, practically all these security services are on high alert. nothing has changed since last year. everybody thought for months already that an attack might be imminent, and here it is.

>> from the german institute for international security affairs, thank you for joining us. german president christian wulff has appointed new ministers in a cabinet reshuffle, prompted when there was a the resignation from the defense minister on tuesday. this man will be taking over. until now, he has been germany's interior minister. he's a member of angela merkel's christian democrat party. the resignation came following allegations that he had plagiarized much of his doctoral thesis. t interior ministry will now be headed by the parliamentary leader of bavaria's christian social union. their fears of inflation in europe. here is more. >> this news to many people by surprise. the european central bank shook financial markets thursday by signaling an interest rate hike, which could come as soon as next

month. that is much earlier than markets expected. the ecb is responding to increasing inflationary pressures on commodities markets. >> the ecb has kept the base rate at 1% for now, but the bank president gives a pretty clear signals that a hike is on the horizon. the bank is worried by rising inflation, fueled by spiraling prices for fuel and commodities. >> we are mentioning that we're in a posture of strong vigilance. and my understanding of the position of the governing is in line with such assessments that we did in the past. an increase of interest rates in the next meeting is possible. >> the market is also awash with cheap money. but that is also proline prices, keeping inflation down is the

central bank's number one priority. but it is currently running at 2.4%, above its target of the news of a probable rate hike took a lot of observers by surprise. they predicted it would not come before the fall. >> german stocks remained rgely unfazed by the rate hike warning. here's the rub up of the today's trading -- here is a wrap up of today's trading. >> some call it the shock therapy by the ecb. at least it was a very big surprise that the ecb may raise interest rates already in april. but investors have been quite calm after hearing this news. the dax went up slightly. this shows that investors fear inflation more than a little bit more expensive money. also, the euro went up sharply. because of that, if interest rates will be raised in the euro

area, the year will be more attractive than the dollar for investors. >> let's take a look as the closing market numbers. in frankfurt, the blue-chip dax closed over 0.5% up. euro stoxx 50 gain 0.3%, 2969. in new york, the dow industrials are currently going up, 12,271. the euro is ready for $1.3955 at the u.n. food and agricultural organization confirmed the food price index rose in february for the eighth consecutive time. the fao says prices topped the 2008 peak, which sparked food riots in several countries at the time. -prices h hped trigger the wave of unrest currently sweeping north africa and the middle east. >> the various times -- of various types of wheat-based pratt are stable throughout the arab world. people in egypt are having to

pay more for their traditional bread. the u.n. food and agriculture organization says that is due to the recent upheavals there. wheat prices were already high following the extreme weather and drought in many parts of th- world recently. the food price index is a measure of the monthly change in international prices up a basket of food commodities. it has risen constantly since june 2010. the fao expects harvests to improve for the current year but fears prices will continue to rise. agricultural producers rely on oil-based fertilizers and fuel some of the north ever been in the middle east unrest as send oil prices spiraling upwards. >> german economics minister called a crisis meeting to discuss the failure of the launch of the new super e10 fuel mixture. it has been put on hold for now. it was launched only two months ago. car owners in germany have been

reluctant to buy it, and it contains 10% ethanol. they're playing it safe by sticking to distended super and super plus, causing supply bottlenecks. the new fuel will be reducing carbon dioxide emissions. back toto you. >> thank you. to spread your wings and fly like a bird is an idea that has long fascinated humankind. a new exhibition in berlin explores that dream. the journey stretches from the hot air balloon more than two hundred years ago and the pioneering efforts to get off the ground here in germany. a spiritual uploft with no physical wings, as shamen's experience in a state of trance, is all part of this exhibition entitled "the art of flying fly"

right here in the german capital. i wonder if they have anything about a bungee jumping? stay tuned for "in depth" and coming up next.

>> over the past few weeks, popular uprisings have forced a change in the arab world. but what happens afterwards? this week, the spanish prime minister urged world powers to create something like the marshall plan to help arab states make the transition to democracy. the united states launched the original plan in 1947 to help rebuild western europe in the wake of world war ii. coming up, we will look at what a similar plan could do in north africa. but first, we take a trip back to the original concept and how it worked out. >> post-world r ii europe, an entire continent within it ruins. the victorious allies in the west hoped to avoid mistakes of

the past when the end of one were planted the seed for the next. the u.s. secretary of state gave a generous program to enable reconstruction. it was the european recovery program, better known as the marshall plan. the u.s. pumped billions of dollars in food aid, raw materials, technical assistance, and investment with emphasis on infrastructure. it was also recognize that the former enemies would have to be major beneficiaries. america's allies, britain and france, received the largest share of the marshall plan aid. the former axis powers, italy, west germany, followed. overall, $14 billion flowed into europe between 1948 and 1952, the equivalent of 80 billion euros in today's currency. but the aid came with a number of strings attached. recipients were expected to maintain stable currencies an open up their markets to cross-

border trade. the beginnings of europe's single market. and of the u.s. profited as well. as europe once again became a viable export market. the aid was also offered to east germany and other east bloc countries but under massive pressure from the soviet union, they rejected it. another step on the way to division of europe. the marshall plan and laid the groundwork for west germany's economic miracle. and on its 50th anniversary, a grateful nation paid tribute. >> we will never forget what the people of the united states did for us germans. >> the plan was largely successful in its main goals, to prevent another war, to help america's trading partners, and to forge new allies. the legacy of the marshall plan lives on. >> the unrest in libya is putting in an additional burden

on the economies in neighboring tunisia and egypt, and tens of thousands of people are fleeing the fighting. europe and the u.s. are sending in planes, ships, and money. but analysts say a long-term solution is also needed. what could a marshall plan for these new era of democracies look like, and what role with the mediterranean union play in rebuilding the region? our next report takes a closer look at some of these questions. >> as a mass exodus from libya continues to europe is gearing up for massive aid mission. help is urgently needed. water, medicine, shelter. buin t yea to come, a whole region must be revitalized. in brussels, calls are increasing for 21st century marshall plan, amid dire warnings of what is at stake. >> your needs to make up its mind now. what is the role model for these countries? are we going to have a lot of iran or iraq countries? will we have small chinas?

or do we want sending that is close to europe? >> the union for the mediterranean was launched in paris in 2008. its goal is to create closer ties between the eu an north africa. the union was a pet project of french president nicolas sarkozy. now he says it is time to revisit the alliance. >> looking at current events as they enfold, we must seize the moment and a revitalize the union. >> proposals for european aid from on arising -- modernizing the region's infrastructure, including sewage treatment was to protect the mediterranean. that would serve vital european interests, especially planan for solar power energy production projects. so it is broad consensus with billions of euros over an extended time span. >> there is no question to where eu aid should be directed. for the people who need our support and for the creation of a democratic and open society.

we must also support the development of a judicial system and help stop corruption. >> we must also open our markets, although that may affect the eu's southern regions, spain, italy, and greece. we must institute in africa at the same quality certification process that is already in place within the eu. that will cost money. and that is the best economic aid we can provide. >> in all, the european union aid plan envisions funding political and economic renewal that will benefit the people of north africa. many european policy makers believe the term marshall plan is a fitting title. >> so is implementing a kind of marshall plan the solution for north africa? put that question to the middle east expert at the association of german chambers of industry and commerce. >> i think it is basically a

very good idea to help the country's of the southern mediterranean, especially in the current difficult situation. but we should not forget that we have already a framework in place for this purpose, which is the euro mediterranean partnership, which was later re baptized as the mediterranean union. at the what we should do now is, first of l, to adapt the instruments with this framework. second, we should focus on those countries that are making real progress in terms of political and economic reforms. >> so what is the best way to help the economies in the region? >> i think there are many ways in which we can help the economies of the region. one area of particular importance is that location and training. there is an obvious mismatch between what the educational system produces and the needs of the labor market.

we have a so-called dual system in germany, which combines training on the job with theoretical education in schools. so i think this is something in the field of vocational training which we can offer. >> what about easing trade restrictions and opening up eu markets? >> i think it is another very important field, industrial goods from the southern shore of the mediterranean into already entered the european union duty- free. but for instance, for agricultural goods, there is still a number of restrictions. for instance, in the field of standards, which are very difficult to meet for many southern producers, are also in the existence of seasonal quotas for certain products. and of course, they're much larger problems. the granting of visas which tends to be very restrictive and

prevents many exporter from the southern sre of the meterranean to come into the european union. >> given the events in north africa, what kind of economic challenges the think europe will be facing? >> 1 very obvious point is the oil price, which was very high in recent days and weeks. so this is something which, of course, has an impact on german business and european business. but of course, also, i think we would see a veryositive development, real long-term political stability, positive economic development in north africa, this would also be a huge potential for european business. >> thank you for joining us from the as -- thank you for talking to us. >> thank you. >> and that has been our "in depth" at this hour, development

aid for a marshall plan in north africa. i am meggin leigh. thank you for joining us here on in dw-tv. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- ♪ fis ♪

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