Human Rights Watch said that Syrian forces killed at least 95 civilians in the fortnight before a ceasefire came into effect on April 12th.

Syrian forces attacked residential areas across the country, disregarding the arrival of UN peace monitors. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon requested the UN increase its number of observers to 300.

Syrian troops opened fire on refugees crossing the border into Turkey, killing at least two people. The act provoked a protest from Turkey. An estimated 24,000 Syrian refugees have crossed into Turkey to escape the turmoil in their country. A ceasefire brokered by Kofi Annan started on April 12th but is not expected to hold long.

Egypt lifted a travel ban on pro-democracy activists, including 16 Americans, who stood accused of receiving illegal funding from foreign governments. The case severely strained relations between Egypt and the United States.

The Syrian army launched a ground assault on the Baba Amr district in Homs, one of the rebel strongholds. Meanwhile, Syrians voted in a referendum on a new consitution proposed by President Assad. Widely dismissed by opposition, mostly supporters of the regime turned up to vote.

Over 40 charity workers, including 19 Americans, would be put on trial in Egypt for illegally receiving foreign funds. Critics condemned the move as an attempt by the ruling military council to clamp down on foreign support for pro-democracy groups. Cairo continued to be the scene of battles between police and protesters following the deaths of 74 people at a football match in Port Said.

The Arab League suspended an observer mission to Syria that was meant to aid a peaceful end to an increasingly-violent conflict between the government and protesters.

Iraq’s main Sunni party returned to parliament and will resume talks with Shia leaders, following a protest over an arrest warrant for the country’s Sunni vice-president.

Bedouin tribesmen in Egypt’s Sinai region released 25 Chinese workers they had kidnapped.

Egypt celebrated its first anniversary of the protests which led to Hosni Mubarak’s departure from power. In the country’s first free parliamentary elections, the Muslim Brotherhood and their hardline Salafi rivals won a joint 70% of the seats.

Egypt’s three-stage general election drew to a close with a final run-off to occur on January 11th. The relatively moderate Muslim Brotherhood is expected to gain most votes, though have indicated to prefer a coalition with secular parties rather than the extreme Salafists.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met in Jordan and had their first talks for more than a year.

Kuwait’s emir dissolved parliament amid corruption allegations. Elections will be held within 60 days.

Bombings in Baghdad and Basra killed at least 45 people. As the last Americans troops prepare to leave Iraq, such attacks may cast doubt on the Iraqi forces’ ability to maintain security.

Kuwait’s prime minister and his cabinet resigned in Kuwait over allegations of corruption.

Five bloggers in Abu Dhabi received prison sentences of between two and three years for insulting the country’s rulers and sowing dissent, but were promptly granted a presidential pardon.