Facebook a hit in middle east-north Africa

Some 56 million people in the Middle East and North Africa are active on Facebook, Jonathan Labin regional head of the social network said. Approximately 28 million people use the social network on a daily basis, Labin told Gulfnews.com. Data released by Facebook Tuesday indicated 33 million people in the Mena region use a mobile phone or tablet to access the network each month and estimates the number of daily users reached 14 million. "The high level of mobile use is also interesting as we have worked to optimize the Facebook experience on as many devices as possible. Research has shown that people who access Facebook from a phone or tablet tend to be even more engaged that those on desktop, whether that is interacting with friends and family or connecting with the places and businesses that they care about," Labin said. Activists in the region used the social network to garner support for the Arab Spring uprisings. Facebook opened regional headquarters in Dubai in May 2012.