28 Oct 11
Nahda, the main Islamist party in Tunisia which was banned under the old regime of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, won at least 41% of the seats with at least 25% of the vote in an election for a consituent assembly. Led by Rachid Ghannouchi, Nahda says it is willing to form a ruling coalition with its secular rivals. The new assembly will appoint a government and draft a constitution.
Following the death and capture of Muammar Qaddafi, Libya’s new rulers said a new government would be appointed within a month and elections to an assembly would be held within eight months.
The passing of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz, heir to the Saudi throne and half-brother to King Abdullah, raised questions about the Saudi succession. The next in line to the throne is likely to be Prince Sultan’s brother, Prince Nayef, the interior minister, who is considered a staunch conservative.
Protesters in Homs, Hama and various parts of Damascus held a general strike. Supporters of President Assad rallied in his favour in Damascus. Officials of the Arab League met Mr. Assad in an effort to negotiate an end to the unrest that has rocked Syria since March.
21 Oct 11
Forces from the new ruling authorities in Libya took control of Sirte and reported that Colonel Muammar Qaddafi had been killed.
Dozens of people were killed in Yemen during protests against President Saleh. Though he has promised to step down, he showed no sign of actually doing so.
More than 20 people were killed as protests broke out in the Syrian city of Homs. According to the UN, over 3,000 people have been killed since the Syrian unrests began in March.
Israeli solider Gilad Shalit, who had been held captive for more than five years by Hamas, was freed in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian soliders.
19 Oct 11
At least 25 people were killed in Cairo in clashes between Coptic Christians and security forces. The Copts were demonstrating against religious discrimination and the burning of a church in Aswan. The clashes were the most violent ones seen since Egypt’s January 25 revolution.
07 Oct 11
Anwar al-Awlaki, an American of Yemeni descent and regarded by many as one of the most influential figures in Al Qaeda, was killed by an American drone in Yemen.
Russia and China vetoed a European-sponsored resolution in the UN Security Council condmening a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters by the Syrian government that has killed some 3,000 people.
07 Oct 11
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas lodged an application for full membership of the UN, despite the Americans and Israelis urging him to hold back.
Israel went ahead with plans to build another 1,100 homes in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as their future capital.
Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh unexpectedly returned home, promising to arrange an orderly handover of power.
Forces fighting for Libya’s new government tightened their grip around Bani Walid and Sirte, the last two strongholds under Colonel Qaddafi’s control. The port of Sirte was said to be in the hands of rebel forces.
23 Sep 11
Libyan rebels tightened their squeeze on the three towns remaining under control of Colonel Qaddafi: Bani Walid, Sirte and Sebha. The African Union agreed to recognise the National Transitional Council as the country’s ruling authority.
Yemeni capital Sana’a experienced three days of fighting between government forces and deserters calling for the resignation of President Saleh, who has been recuperating in Saudi Arabia following a bomb attack on his life in June. The battle left at least 70 people dead, most of them anti-government protesters.
The Palestinians seemed set to bid for full statehood at the United Nations to the consternation of Israel and the United States, which was sure to veto the application in the Security Council.
17 Sep 11
A mob of Egyptians smashed through security barriers and broke into the building that houses the Israeli embassy in Cairo. Some 80 diplomats and their families left the country as Egyptian commandos dispersed the assailants.
In an attempt to fend off calls for more freedom, Algeria’s president Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced plans to allow independent radio and television stations for the first time since independence in 1962.
A UN panel warned that Yemen is close to a civil war. Its president Ali Abdullah Saleh is still recovering in Saudi Arabia from an attack in his palace three months ago. Saleh instructed his vice-president to arrange for power to be handed over to a new government.
11 Sep 11
Rebels in Libya were in control of almost the entire country leaving just a few towns in the grip of Colonel Qaddafi’s supporters, including his hometown Sirte. The National Transitional Council tried to negotiate a peaceful surrender with Qaddafi’s loyalists. A convoy of Qaddafi’s men laden with arms and gold crossed the border into Niger.
Syrian forces renewed their assault on Homs. At least 14 people were killed in the latest crackdown. Alain Juppe, foreign minister of France, accused the Syrian government of crimes against humanity.
02 Sep 11
Rebels in Libya tightened their grip on Tripoli, as Colonel Qaddafi’s close family fled to neighbouring Algeria. Loyalists in Sirte, the last stronghold of Qaddafi, were given an ultimatum to surrender by September 3rd or face an all-out assault.
A string of bombs likely to be planted by Al-Qaeda went off all over Iraq. A suicide bomber killed at least 30 people in Baghdad, including a prominent parliamentarian.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack on a military academy in Algeria that killed 18 people.
27 Aug 11
Rebels in Libya overran Tripoli and occupied Colonel Qaddafi’s compound. Qaddafi was absent and is rumoured to have fled the country. Heavy fighting continued in the city with the rebels largely in control of the country.
American, Britain and other European countries called for the departure of Syrian president Bashar Assad, after his continuing violent suppression of protests.
Egypt and Israel came close to a falling out over a shooting at the Sinai border involving Palestinian extremists, but appeared to have stepped back from a diplomatic imbroglio.