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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Libyan rebels made further advances, taking control of the main roads leading from Tunisia and Algeria to Tripoli, thereby cutting off Muammar Qaddafi’s supply lines.
Several dozen bomb attacks across Iraq on one day killed at least 89 people and unnerved the government ahead of the withdrawal of American troops later this year.
International pressure mounted on Syria, where the regime’s security forces moved the focus of their ongoing crackdown from Hama to Deir ez-Zor, a city farther east. Human rights activists say at least 1,800 civilians have been killed in Syria.
Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, injured during an attack two months ago, left a hospital in Saudi Arabia but remained in Riyadh. He suffered severe burns when his compound in Sana’a was shelled in June.
The leader of Libya’s rebel movement, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, dismissed his cabinet following the killing of his military chief by a faction from his own side. Rebel troops captured the town of Bir Al-Ghanam, 80km south of Tripoli.