According to human rights activists, at least five people have died after security forces fired on protesters outside a mosque in the Syrian city of Deraa. The Omari mosque has become the focus of anti-government demonstrations since Friday. At least 10 people have now been killed in clashes with police forces. UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay earlier urged the Syrian authoroties to end the use of "excessive force". "People have the legitimate right... Read more »

Egyptians have backed constitutional reform that will allow the country to move quickly on to elections. Official results show that 77% of voters in Saturday's referendum backed the amendments. Mohammed Ahmed Attiyah, the head of the supreme judicial committee who supervised the referendum, said 18.5 million people voted in favour of the changes. Turnout was 41.2 % of the 45 million eligible voters. bbc.co.uk

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh sacked his cabinet on Sunday after a string of allies broke ranks with him after deadly suppression of protests. On Friday pro-Saleh snipers on rooftops raked demonstrators in the square, dozens of civilians were killed. The death toll from several weeks of unrest was doubled to around 80. Yemen's ambassador to the United Nations, Abdullah Alsaidi, and human rights minister Huda al-Baan resigned on Sunday in protest at th... Read more »

Col Muammar Gaddafi says Libya is ready for a "long war" after Western air strikes against his army. Military officials are said to be assessing the damage after at least 110 “Tomahawk” missiles were fired by the US and UK allies. After an attack by French war planes, some 14 bodies were lying near destroyed military vehicles outside city of Benghazi. The head of the Arab League Amr Moussa has condemned the bombardments. "What is happening in Libya differs ... Read more »

Egypt sees a landmark referendum on an amended constitution after the ouster of veteran president Hosni Mubarak last month. Just five weeks after the veteran dictator quit, an estimated 45 million eligible voters have to decide on the transitional military government's plans for a swift return to civilian rule, and a high turnout is expected. The Muslim Brotherhood, a well organized Islamist group, has come out in favor of the amendments while Mohamed ElBar... Read more »

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah will address the nation today, amid reports of a possible government reshuffle.Diplomats said that among measures to be announced are cabinet changes and an anti-corruption drive, according to bbc.co.uk. But there were more small protests on Thursday in the city of Qatif east of the country. Hundreds of protesters reportedly gathered to demand the withdrawal of Saudi troops from neighboring Bahrain, where they have been sent in ... Read more »

At least 35 people have been arrested in Damascus after they defied a ban on demonstrations and protested near the interior ministry. On Tuesday there was "day of rage" when hundreds calling for democracy protested in the capital Damascus and Aleppo. The interior ministry representative said "infiltrators" tried to stir chaos. But among those held was a 10-year-old boy. He came with his father - and both were detained. Others included 69-year-old university... Read more »

Bahrain’s security and armed forces backed by tanks have driven out pro-democracy demonstrators camped out at Pearl Square in the capital, Manama. According to Aljazeera.net, helicopters hovered overhead. Opposition Wefaq party member told that the government is using Apache helicopters to shoot at peaceful protesters. Hospital sources said two demonstrators had been killed and hundreds of others injured in the offensive.

The governor of Yemen's Marib province has been stabbed in the neck and wounded during an anti-government demonstration outside the local government headquarters. Ahmed Naji al-Zaidi has been brought to hospital in Sanaa. Several weeks of protest against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 32-year rule have left about 30 people dead and hundreds injured. Six people were killed in clashes with riot security forces in Sanaa on Saturday. bbc.co.uk

Several countries across the Arab world have seen fresh anti-government protests. Demonstrations in Saudi Arabia were supposed to start in after Friday prayers but failed to materialize. In Kuwait security forces applied tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who citizenship and other rights. About 500 oppositioners took to the streets in Jahra, west of Kuwait City, the capital. There were other marches in Sulaibiya, southwest of Kuwait City, and in th... Read more »