Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi narrowly won the final run-off for the Egyptian presidency, beating Ahmed Shafiq, a Mubarak crony. The election commission took a week to announce the result, raising suspicions that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces had struck a deal with the Broterhood to let the generals retain many powers.

Large demonstrations took place in Kuwait, where Islamist members of the recently dissolved parliament called for proper democracy.

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.

Protests in Yemen grew fiercer and a reported 27 people are believed to have been killed since the demonstrations began a few weeks ago.

Fighting between forces loyal to Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi and his opponents intensified. Gaddafi remains in control of Tripoli and is battling to seize back towns under rebel control.

An estimated 100,000 refugees fleeing Libya are believed to be in makeshift camps across the borders with Egypt and Tunisia. The UN suspended Libya from the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into possible crimes against humanity committed by Libya’s leaders.

Protests by jobless and ill-paid workers in the Oman port of Sohar resulted in one death. Days later, thousands of Omanis took to the streets in support of Sultan Qaboos, who has promised reform.

Stockmarkets throughout the Middle-East tumbled amid continuing instability in the region. Saudi Arabia’s index fell to a 23-month low, while Dubai and Kuwait hit six-year lows.

Fatah, the Palestinian group in power in the West Bank, says that the UN should recognize an independent state in the West Bank territory, in response to a stalemate in the search for a settlement with Israel.

The Dubai Government Economic Committee reported its economy is growing at a rate of 5%, less than in previous years but still higher than the most cautious forecasts.

In Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah was re-elected as the head of Hezbollah following a congress which also adopted the newest party manifesto.

Total net profits of listed firms on the Stock Exchange of Kuwait dropped by over 70% in the first three quarters of 2009, according to a recent economic report. The global financial crisis is to blame.