Surf Arab States

Arab States Weekly Review 30th April – 6th May 2011

Osama bin Laden was killed in a raid by US Navy SEALS in Abbottabad, Pakistan. His body was buried at sea to prevent jihadists from creating a shrine. Bin Laden was tracked down after a decade-long manhunt and found to be living a comfortable life in a villa in an urban area, nearby a military base.

Fatah and Hamas, the two biggest Palestinian parties, signed an agreement to back a government of national unity.

The government of Syria continued to crack down on protesters and political opponents. Tanks were sent into restive cities across the country. The total death tally now stands at more than 600 since the protests began.

Saif Al-Arab, one of Colonel Qaddafi’s sons, was killed in a NATO airstrike in the Libyan capital Tripoli.