• Former PM reported to have been asked to form a new cabinet
• Military says elections will go ahead
• Interior ministry says it can't guarantee election security
• Muslim Brotherhood torn over protests
• Yemeni protesters vent anger at Saleh's immunity deal
• Read the latest summary
Welcome to Middle East Live on what looks set to be another hectic day.
The Arab uprisings have claimed their fourth scalp after Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh finally agreed to sign a deal to transfer power. In Bahrain the authorities are digesting an official report accusing them of using excessive force and torture to crackdown on protests. But the main focus remains on Egypt where the continuing protests have cast doubt on whether elections scheduled for Monday will go ahead.
Here's a round-up of the latest developments:
Egypt
• Will the first round of parliamentary elections have to be postponed? It is looking that way after the interior ministry said it could no longer guarantee security at the poll. An announcement by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces is expected soon.
• Fears are growing for the Egyptian blogger and writer Mona Eltahawy after she tweeted:
Beaten arrested in interior ministry
• Egyptian protesters want the elections to be postponed and a council of elders to replace the military rulers who continue to send in security forces to quell demonstrating crowds. "The people demand the end of the field marshal," said one large banner.
• The Muslim Brotherhood has misread the revolutionary mood, writes novelist Ahdaf Souief.
The leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood has declared against the protests. This has been a very bad move. They're perceived to have sided with Scaf against the people. They've caused a split within their own ranks: some members of the Brotherhood have disobeyed orders and obeyed their consciences and joined the protests. But the Brotherhood can no longer claim that the numbers in the streets are due to the Islamists – the numbers we've been seeing in the streets of Egypt since Saturday night are mostly without the Brotherhood.
• The Brotherhood is torn between preserving its credibility with protesters and securing the political advantages of cooperating with the ruling military council, according to the New York Times.
Many Egyptians rolled their eyes at what they described as the combination of political ambition and the Brotherhood's tactic of accommodation that they said had historically been employed by the group.
The Guardian has collected video footage as well as witness accounts from doctors and victims who have offered strong evidence that at least two other crowd control gases have been used on demonstrators in addition to CS gas.
• Who will replace Essam Sharaf as prime minister? asks Steven Cook from the Council on Foreign Relations.
It seems that Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa are in talks with the Scaf about heading the next government, but both are understandably wary. ElBaradei and Moussa have presidential aspirations and will want to avoid the same fate as Sharaf, who was hammered between the military and public opinion and as a result, spectacularly ineffective. Word is that ElBaradei and Moussa may be negotiating terms that will give them autonomy and a measure of legitimacy that will protect them and keep their hopes for the presidency alive.
Bahrain
• Bahrain's western-backed security forces used "excessive force" and torture during a crackdown on an uprising in spring, according to a critical official report. King Hamad Al Khalifa pledged reforms and an end to impunity. But he ignored its finding that Iran was not involved in the unrest and blamed Tehran's "propaganda" for fuelling sectarian strife. The US said that it would link future arms sales to human rights observance.
Yemen
• After nine months of mass protests calling for his resignation, Ali Abdullah Saleh has signed an agreement in Saudi Arabia transferring his powers to the vice president in return for immunity from prosecution. The deal, drawn up by the gulf monarchies and supported by the US, allows Saleh to retain the honorary title of President while his deputy, 'Abd al-Rabb Mansour al-Hadi, forms and presides over a government of national unity until early presidential elections in February.
Syria
• France has become the first western power to suggest the establishment of a "securitised zone" to protect civilians fleeing the violence in Syria, the Independent reports. The French Foreign minister, Alain Juppé, also described the exiled opposition, the Syrian National Council (SNC), as "the legitimate partner with which we want to work".
Libya
• The new Libyan authorities have illegally detained thousands of people, including women and children, according to the United Nations secretary general. Many of the 7,000 prisoners have been tortured, with some black Africans mistreated because of their skin colour, women being held under male supervision and children locked up alongside adults, the report by Ban Ki-moon found.
Activists in the Yemeni capital Sana'a have stormed an opposition rally held to celebrate the departure of president Ali Abdullah Saleh, Tom Finn reports from Change Square.
They were venting their anger at the immunity deal given to Saleh, Tom reports above the noise of the protest.
Around 50 or 60 young men have seized the stage from the Islah party [which signed the deal]. A group of young men start pelting the stage with eggs and rocks and bottles. This is fairly significant. It has been the Islah party who have been running the stage and the security committee in Change Square. But clearly the price that they have paid by signing this deal is that there is now a gulf between the independent youth and the party ...
The fear now is that we are going to see the fragmenting of the anti-Saleh oppoisition.
"The revolution will continue," one man chanted, Tom reports as scuffles broke out.
The ground is generally shifting this morning in the protesters' favour, Jack Shenker reports from Cairo.
The interior minister has said he can no longer secure elections and Scaf's latest communique has an aplogetic tone.
There's been a significant shift in tone from last night. One possible explanation is that they are preparing for Friday when we could see the biggest turnout yet in Tahrir Square. Another is that violent crackdown is clearly not shifting the demonstrators and can't be sustainable in the long-term.
The Guardian's Martin Chulov, who is also in Cairo, tweets:
#Scaf announcement on #Egypt elections due midday. Postponement v likely. So too more chaos. #Tahrir
Saw piles of election monitor vests inside #Cairo police station. Police say won't be used. Poll delay expected today #Tahrir #Egypt
There are also reports that Egypt's political parties have asked Scaf for two week postponement of the elections.
At least five people were killed when gunmen including Yemeni security forces opened fire on protesters in the centre of the capital Sanaa on Thursday, witnesses and a hospital official told Reuters.
Witnesses said the gunmen shot at protesters on the capital's Zubayr street. At least four bodies brought from the scene of the shooting were visible at a nearby hospital, where an official said the death toll so far was five.
Journalist Adam Baron tweets from the scene:
at least 5 dead in #sanaa after plain clothes pro-govt gunmen fired on protest march. #yemen
4 bodies in field hospital, all of the dead looked quite young. #sanaa #yemen
"isnt this what you expected? its what we expected"--activist, #sanaa #yemen
As Jack mentioned Egypt's military rulers have again apoligised for deaths in Tahrir Square.
The apology and a pledge to prosecute those responsible came in Scaf's latest directive, posted on its Facebook page.
AP adds this:
Police and protesters also agreed to a truce negotiated by Muslim clerics after five days of fierce street battles that have left nearly 40 dead.
But the military's apology left many of the protesters unmoved.
"What we want to hear is when they're leaving," said Khaled Mahmoud, a protester who had a bandage on his nose after being hit by a tear gas canister.
The streets where the battles took place were almost entirely covered by debris, soot, abandoned shoes and scores of the surgical masks used by the protesters to fend off the police's tear gas.
"The army is like the police: A tool of suppression," said Mayada Khalaf, a female protester. "Where was the army when the shooting was going on?"
Six Egyptians who helped chart the revolution online will take part in an online discussion on what happens next. Our correspondent Jack Shenker will join them at 2pm GMT to discuss the country's political future as the date for the elections hangs in the balance. Post your responses to what they've written and leave questions for Jack in the comments thread here.
The Scaf press conference has begun.
Chief of staff Mokhtar el-Mola is speaking. He says the military never intended to replace the legislature.
He also repeats Tantawi's claim that the army has never used bullets on the Egyptian people.
Tensions is increasing for some unjustified reasons ...we are not biased, we are not supporting any party.
Scaf "is not looking for power". The interests of the nation are the most important and the army is "ready to go back into the barracks".
Most important is to stop violence against the demonstrators ...the right of protest is for everyone unless there is disturbance.
El-Mola also says that detainees will be released and those responsible for violence will be held "accountable".
There is corruption that went on for years and it is impossible within a few months ...to put an end to corruption.
Any violations [of human rights] will be tackled.
He says the army is there to protect the Egyptian people and maintain stability.
El-Mola seemed to say that elections would go ahead as scheduled and the presidential election would take place by June 2012.
Major general Mamdouh Shahin is speaking now. The livestream has stopped but the Guardian's Jack Shenker is tweeting from the Scaf press conference.
The panic is over on the fate of the writer Mona Eltahawy (left). Earlier this morning she tweeted that she had been beaten and arrested at ministry of the interior.
Within the past few minutes she gave this update:
Some tweets from the Scaf press conference, where they have confirmed elections will go ahead, from Jack Shenker:
#SCAF presser: Elections now as planned is best way to help the country in these troubled times
#SCAF presser: Confirmation - no delay to elections, vote begins in four days #Tahrir
#SCAF presser: Hope to appoint new government before elections
The existing Egyptian government tended its resignation on Monday, on the third day of violence in Cairo.
Scaf have said at the press conference that no activist has ever been arrested for their opinions.
Just one case that would seen to contradict that statement is that of Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil, who was jailed by a military court in April for criticising the army's role during anti-government protests.
Nabil began a hunger strike on August 23 and fears have been voiced that he could die in his jail as his appeal has been adjourned a number of times.
As the elections are back on in Egypt we all need to get our heads around how the complex process is going to work.
It's tricky stuff, as Michael Collins Dunn of Washington's Middle East Institute warns:
I have a Ph.D. and know Arabic and first went to Egypt nearly 40 years ago and I can't figure it out. The utterly corrupt and fraudulent old electoral system was easier to understand, though also befuddling, but at least you knew what the final step was: "Step 67: Government makes up its desired results. Publishes them." Now, nobody understands it.
Jack Shenker has prepared a Q&A on the election that is also available in Arabic.
And there's an interactive map of the parties.
The writer Mona Eltahwy, who has being released after being detained for 12 hours at the interior ministry, has claimed, in a series of tweets, that she was beaten and sexually assaulted by the central security forces (CSF).
5 or 6 surrounded me, groped and prodded my breasts, grabbed my genital area and I lost count how many hands tried to get into my trousers.
.@Sarahngb is coming to kindly take me to the hospital. Besides beating me, the dogs of CSF subjected me to the worst sexual assault ever
Another hour later I was free with apology from military intelligence for what CSF did. Took pics of my bruises and recorded statement 1/2
Eltahwy also said she was blindfolded for two hours and posted a picture of her swollen hand. She indicated that she intends to write about her ordeal.
Another Egyptian, Mohamed Aboelkhier, has posted before and after pictures of his friend, Maged Butter, who he says was detained for 11 hours. The picture after he was released shows a deep gash on his forehead and other marks to his face.
The Syrian army has launched an offensive against army deserters in Rastan, as European and Arab ministers discuss stepping up pressure against the Assad regime in separate meetings.
Here's a round up the latest developments on Syria.
• Armoured vehicles stormed a rural area west of Rastan where many army defectors are known to live, according to the Local Co-ordination Committees of Syria. It claimed 15 people were killed in the operation.
Reuters reported eyewitnesses in the area.
Activists said around 50 tanks and armoured vehicles fired anti-aircraft guns and machineguns into farmland on the edge of Rastan, 20 km (12 miles) north of the restive city of Homs.
The town was scene at the end of October of the first major fighting between troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and army defectors in the eight-month uprising against his rule.
"The shelling is concentrating on Rastan's western farms. I have called several people who live there and loyalist officers answered their mobile phones instead. They were either killed or arrested," said a resident of the town, who gave his name as Abu Salah.
• Arab foreign ministers gathered in Cairo on Thursday to discuss imposing sanctions on Syria for failing to implement an Arab League plan to end a crackdown on protests. "Syria has not offered anything to move the situation forward," a senior Arab diplomat at the League told Reuters.
• The European Union says protecting civilians caught up in the crackdown "is increasingly urgent" but it stopped short of endorsing a French call for humanitarian corridors to be established. Spokesman Maja Kocijancic said the EU stands ready to engage with representatives of the Syrian opposition "who adhere to nonviolence and democratic values," according to AP.
The resignation of Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh changes little, writes the Guardian's Middle East expert Brian Whitaker.
Even without Saleh, Yemen still has a parliament in which Saleh's party, the General People's Congress, holds an overwhelming majority. It is a parliament with no real mandate and very little legitimacy, yet it is also the body charged by the constitution with the task of approving candidates for presidential elections.
Saleh may be on the way out but his regime – and everything it stands for – is still very much in place.
That is basically what the Gulf Co-operation Council states were hoping for with their so-called transition plan: change at the top while preserving the status quo beneath.There are parallels here with Egypt where the fall of Mubarak left key parts of his regime intact, as the protesters there are now discovering. For Yemenis who want real change, the struggle is far from over.
Blogger Zeinobia has featured a video on her blog, said to be filmed last night in Alexandria, in which a young man, wearing plain clothes, walks among police officers, behind police lines, carrying a tray of what seem clearly to be petrol bombs (about 52 seconds in).
Zeinobia describes it as "thugs at the police side with Motolov cocktails".
Still, the Scaf press conference continues. Jack Shenker is still tweeting from it.
Here are some more of his updates:
#SCAF presser: Q: 'When will referendum on mil rule be conducted?' A: 'We had constn referendum in March, majority supported our roadmap'
#SCAF presser: Interior minister need said he couldn't secure elections, anyway army will help with security. Vote will be successful.
SCAF presser: More time spent discussing electoral lists than dead bodies in #Tahrir. They're picking journos carefully for questions.
#SCAF presser: Good Q 'Why aren't you stopping CSF violence?'. Bad A 'Police aren't attacking anyone, just defending MOI'
#SCAF presser: #Egypt journo starts question with thanks & expression of respect to army, asks about treachery of those provoking trouble
Bahrain continues to insists that Iran was involved in pro-democracy protests despite the report of an independent inquiry that concluded it wasn't.
The Kingdom has had to resort to "classified evidence" that couldn't be shared with the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, to maintain this line.
An AP report carried by Lebanon's Daily Star:
Bahrain suggested Thursday that it has classified evidence that Iran was linked to Shia-led protests in the Gulf kingdom despite an independent commission that said it found nothing to back the claims.
The allegations of Iranian involvement in the kingdom's 10-month-old unrest have been central to Gulf policies during the region's largest Arab Spring uprising, including the decision to send a Saudi-led military force to reinforce Bahrain's embattled Sunni monarchy.
But the findings of a special commission that investigated Bahrain's turmoil - contained in a 500-page report issued Wednesday - were a direct slap at fears by the Western-allied Gulf states that Shia power Iran seeks to use Bahrain as a foothold to try to undermine the region's Sunni Arab regimes.
The official Bahrain News Agency said national security concerns prevented sharing all intelligence on Iran, which has sharply denounced the crackdowns on Bahrain's Shiite majority but insists it has no direct ties to the conflict.
Meanwhile, activists claim roads were blocked to prevent mourners from attending the funeral of a driver who was killed when police ran him off the road.
Journalists were also prevented from attending the event in A'ali, according to NPR's Kelly McEvers.
Despite the reported restrictions hundreds of people attended the funeral as it became the focus for an anti government demonstration, according to pictures from journalist Matthew Cassel who did manage to attend.
He tweets:
Immediately chants begin against govt. Seems more politicised funeral than normal. #Bahrain
The Scaf press conference has finally ended but not before some clumsy attempts by the military rulers to show their solidarity with the people, Jack Shenker tweets:
#SCAF presser: And it's over, but not before a badly-observed 'moment of silence' for martyrs. Truly unbelievable. #Tahrir
#SCAF presser: Oh, but just when you thought the irony was over - free copies of 'Jan 25th: A People's Revolution' being handed out by exit
#SCAF presser: Some journos went up to generals afterwards to get their autographs. Seriously.
Egypt's military rulers have issued a new communique, number 85, which can be viewed on their Facebook page.
Daily News Egypt video journalist Farrah Saafan tweets that it effectively calls on people to arrest their fellow citizens if they are threatening the security of the interior ministry:
SCAF 85th Msg: We ask honorable citizens & youth revolutionaries 2 be alert & observe any1 in gatherings/arrest any1 u suspect w/out hurting
SCAF 85th Msg: Arrest anyone who would be on top of bldgs surrounding protest area incase they attack protesters and security.
Here's a summary of the main developments so far today:
Egypt
• The ruling junta have said the elections will start as scheduled on Monday despite the widespread protests and calls for a postponement. Earlier the interior ministry said it could no longer secure the elections but the Supreme Council of Armed Forces [Scaf] said the army would help with the security. It said the elections were the best way to help the country at present and they would go ahead no matter what. The military rulers said they hoped to appoint a new government before the elections.
• The military rulers have again apologised for the deaths of protesters over the past week and pledged that those responsible would be prosecuted. They held a minute of silence for the dead at the end of their press conference. But they also said that they had never fired on any Egyptian civilians.
• The US-based Egyptian writer Mona Eltahawy said she was detained for 12 hours at the interior ministry in Cairo during which she was beaten and sexually assaulted by members of the central security forces. Eltahawy said she was freed by military intelligence who also said they would investigate the alleged assault.
Yemen
• At least five people were killed when gunmen including Yemeni security forces opened fire on protesters in the centre of the capital Sanaa. Meanwhile, activists stormed an opposition rally in Change Square to celebrate the departure of president Ali Abdullah Saleh, in protest at the immunity offered to Saleh under the deal for him to stand down.
Syria
• Armoured vehicles stormed a rural area west of Rastan where many army defectors are known to live, according to the Local Co-ordination Committees of Syria. It claimed 15 people were killed in the operation.
• Arab foreign ministers gathered in Cairo on Thursday to discuss imposing sanctions on Syria for failing to implement an Arab League plan to end a crackdown on protests. "Syria has not offered anything to move the situation forward," a senior Arab diplomat at the League told Reuters.
• The European Union says protecting civilians caught up in the crackdown "is increasingly urgent" but it stopped short of endorsing a French call for humanitarian corridors to be established. Spokesman Maja Kocijancic said the EU stands ready to engage with representatives of the Syrian opposition "who adhere to nonviolence and democratic values," according to AP.
Bahrain
• Anti-government protests have taken place at the funeral of a driver who activist claim was killed by police who forced him off the road. Activists claim protesters chanted for King Hamad to leave power.
• A leading opposition figure has called for the entire goverment to resign in the wake of a critical report into the government's handling of pro-democracy protests. Khalil Marzooq, deputy chairman of Al-Wefaq, said: "We expected the entire government to tend its resignation immediately after they heard the content of the Commission's report." The Bahraini government has continued to insist that Iran helped instigate the protests despite the commission's finding that it hadn't.
Three US students accused ot throwing petrol bombs at the security forces in Tahrir Square, have been released, according to AP.
BREAKING: Official says Egyptian court has ordered release of 3 US students arrested during Cairo unrest. -BW
"Thanksgiving pardon?" suggests CNN's Ben Wedeman
Derrik Sweeney, Greg Porter, and Luke Gates were arrested on Monday.
Abdul Mawgoud Dardery, a prominent member of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom of Justice party, said Egypt's military rulers are right to push ahead with the elections on Monday.
Speaking to al-Jazeera he said it would be wrong to delay the vote until after a new civilian government had been appointed.
"That would be a very undemocratic move and the Egyptian people will not allow it," he told the network. "The problem is what will the process be to choose the civilian council?" he asked.
Dardery, who is standing for election in Luxor, pointed out that 80% of the population backed a timetable that stipulating that elections should be held before a consitution was formed.
He claimed the people of Luxor wanted security, stability and elections as soon as possible. He also denied that the Freedom and Justice party want an early poll before other parties had a chance to get organised.
So much for turning a new page in Bahrain .... Riot police used teargas and sound bombs to break up that protest in A'ali at the funeral of man activist said was killed by police.
Matthew Cassel uploaded this picture of mourners after teargass had been fired.
NPR's Kelly McEvers, who was also at the event, tweeted:
Okay I'm starting to get used to being gassed. #Bahrain
Kristian Ulrichsen, Middle East research fellow at LSE, tweeted:
Security crackdown w tear gas, sound bombs, riot police terrorising mourners. Welcome to King Hamad's "new starting point" for #Bahraini
On Wednesday King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said a commission inquiry into human rights abuses during the government's crackdown against protests would be "catalyst for change" and "turn a new page in history."
Amr Moussa, a presidential candidate and the former head of the Arab League has been asked to lead the new cabinet as prime minister, according to al-Jazeera's Adam Makary.
Scaf has just four days to appoint the government if it is to fulfil its hope of having a new administration in place before the start of elections.
It is not clear whether Moussa will accept.
The Guardian profiled him earlier this year:
"Moussa combines several assets," says an Arab diplomat who knows him well. "He has the experience, a very solid international address book and bags of charisma. He also has the common touch, much more than someone like Mohamed ElBaradei, who is typically upper middle class."
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said that he has been criticised "for his proximity to the former regime", despite joining the protests against Hosni Mubarak.
Steven Cook, from the Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that both ElBaradei and Moussa were being lined up for the role "but both are understandably wary [of accepting]".
Writer Mona Elthawy has been released but another Egyptian-American remains in custody. Documentary-maker Jehane Noujaim was arrested in Tahrir Square on Wednesday.
Control Room, Noujaim's 2004 documentary, which looked at al-Jazeera's coverage of the second Iraq War, raising questions about the narrative in the US media, won several awards.
Anthony Mills, press freedom manager at the International Press Institute, said:
We welcome the release of Mona Eltahaway and urge the authorities to release Jehane Noujaim and any other journalists who may have been detained during the clashes.
We call for a full and impartial investigation into Eltahaway's claims of sexual assault and again, we urge the authorities to ensure the safety of journalists reporting on the continuing unrest.
Syria has been given until tomorrow (Friday) to sign a protocol allowing in observers. It has been invited to sign the protocol in Cairo. If it does not sign, it could face sanctions.
Syria has indicated that it is ready to sign, according to a BBC Arabic journalist.
Meanwhile, the Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC) have released a report on "Regime Violations" for the first half of November. Between 1 and 15 November, 401 people were killed according to the LCC.
The numbers, which cannot be independently verified by the Guardian, are broken down by the LCC as follows:
27 children: 21 boys and six girls.
17 were killed under torture.
Homs: 193
Hama: 47
Idlib: 51
Damascus and its suburbs: 34
Daraa: 52
Aleppo: 5
Hasakeh: 4
Raqqa: 2
Tartous: 3
Deir Ezzor: 7
Lattakia: 3
The LCC says that 11 civilians have been killed today, five in the city of Homs, three in Rastan, two in Hawleh and one in Talkalakh. The tally evidently does not include the army deserters killed in Rastan (see 11.30am GMT / 6.30 EST)
The prevailing mood on the street is that Egypt is entering a very dangerous period, Martin Chulov reports from Cairo.
Speaking from a suburb of the city he said:
People are now thinking that if we do press ahead with these elections it may lead to us to even greater instability. On the eve of these elections almost no systems have been put in place - nothing has been done to prepare the groundwork for what is a very important event.
If these elections were seen to fail, that could play into the hands of people who say Egypt is not ready to transition from martial law to plural democracy. People are very nervous. The interior minister said he can't guarantee that the streets will be safeguarded on Monday.
Holding the elections on Monday appears to be "locked-in" Martin said.
Once the announcement was made people are now accepting that they [the elections] will go ahead, unless there is some last minute delay. People are not pushing for that, they are bracing themselves for Monday.[The Muslim Brotherhood] are the group with the most to gain [from earlier elections]. They are saying after eight months of torpor it is time to move in with the democratic process. They're followers are likely to do very well.
On Amr Moussa's reported appointment as prime minister, Martin said: "Amr Moussa doesn't play on the streets. He is seen as someone who gave cover to the Mubarak regime for a long time."
Looking ahead to Friday's protests, Martin said:
There are competing marches planned. Both are due to head to Tahrir Square. It probably will be a flashpoint once again. Pro-Tantawi people [supporters of Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of Scaf] are gathering in the suburbs. And there are large numbers of anti-military council people who will gather in Tahrir Square. I'm anticipating that tomorrow the numbers inside the square will match those sweeping scenes that we saw way back in January. The street is combustible it is difficult to see that it will proceed calmly and easily tomorrow.
Martin said Tantawi had significant backing among some elements. "A lot of people still do think that a strongman is best place to rule this unstable society," Martin said.
The mother of Derrik Sweeney, one of three American students arrested after being accused of throwing petrol bombs in Tahrir Square, has expressed her delight at the news of his release.
Joy Sweeney said her son, along with Luke Gates and Gregory Porter, was being taken to a local doctor for a medical examination and the three would then go to a police station to have the paperwork processed for their release. The Guardian's Paul Harris writes:
Sweeney expressed her delight that the situation – which could have developed into a thorny diplomatic problem between Egypt and the US – had been resolved. "It is absolutely incredible. We are just so blessed and grateful right now," she said. Sweeney expected that her son Derrik, at least, would now be leaving the strife-torn country as Powers had warned that the students pictures had been displayed all over local news media and it might not be safe to stay. "It wouldn't be really be safe or prudent for him to be in the country," Sweeney said.
Morocco's elections on Friday are likely to be hit by low turnout, after a call by activists to boycott the poll, according to Middle East Online.
It is the first election since a new constitution, proposed by King Mohamed VI as regimes in neighbouring countries were being swept away, was overwhelmingly approved in a July 1 referendum.
The amended constitution gives more powers to parliament and the prime minister, who now must be appointed by the king from the party which wins the most seats in the assembly.
Blogger Ibn Kafta explains [in French] why he won't be casting his vote. He dismisses the poll as a sham and says it won't bring the real change Morocco needs.
Médecins Sans Frontières has urged all parties to respect hospital and health facitilities. Its staff have been visiting the health facilities in Tahrir Square daily. MSF has also been in regular contact with health facilities in Alexandria and Suez.
It describes its efforts as "a drop in the bucket compared to what Egyptian medical services are offering" but adds that it has donated drugs, medical and surgical items to four hospitals in Cairo and also made donations to Suez general hospital.
Mario Stephan, MSF's country representative, said:
We have been made aware of one field hospital that has had to shift locations more than once, owing to tear gas inside the premises, and of one patient requiring protection from other parties while being treated. We would like to reiterate that hospitals and health facilities must be respected by all parties so that medical care can be provided to all patients who need it.
The field hospitals are, for now, over-stocked with medicine, according to the Tahrir Supplies twitter feed, but they they do still need assistance.
Some disturbing reports of a woman/women being attacked in Cairo have been circulating.
It is unclear whether they are connected:
AFP's Patrick Baz @Patrick_Baz:
French female #journalist attacked and stripped of her clothes on #Tahrir square, comme un air de deja vu :-( #Egypt
French journo attacked in #Cairo. She was assaulted by dozens #Tahrir #Egypt #horror
He added that she was recovering at the French embassy.
Al Jazeera's @mmbilal
Woman dragged through crowd. Ppl pulling at her clothes. Finally crowd of other men grab her to safety. Pull her over railing. #tahrir
Woman is crying but safe in medical clinic near Hardees. In the background someone is shooting fireworks. And its starting to rain. #tahrir
The crowd of men chasing this woman jumped over the barricade after her but were stopped by others. Mood tense. #tahrir
Another girl just rushed into a restaurant protected by men and she was shaking and crying. What the hell is happening ?
My colleague Shiv Malik hasgot reaction from the Egyptian embassy in the UK on the arrest and alleged assault of US journalist Mona Eltahawy.
A spokesperson for the Egyptian embassy in the UK said that Eltahawy was not registered as a journalist in the country and had no foreign press credentials.
The spokesperson added that she hoped Eltahawy "wasn't exaggerating".
I believe this could happen from the people but not from the security [services] at the moment because they have enough criticisms. I don't believe they could do this to her.
Khalid Abdalla, the British-Egyptian actor who was in the Kite Runner, says the Muslim Brotherhood are helping to protect the route to the interior ministry.
A lot of rumours are circulating about the Muslim Brotherhood having struck some kind of deal with the military rulers but no evidence has been forthcoming and the group has denied the claims.
A wall with barbed wire has been built by the army on Mohammed Mahmoud street (see picture), one of the main flashpoints. Another was been built on Sheikh Rehan streetto protect the interior ministry, according to al-Masry al-Youm.
The head of the renegade Free Syrian Army, Colonel Riyadh al-Asaad, has called for foreign air strikes on "strategic targets" in Syria, AFP reports (carried by al-Arabiya). He told the news agency:
We are not in favor of the entry of foreign troops as was the case in Iraq but we want the international community to give us logistical support. We also want international protection, the establishment of a no-fly zone, a buffer zone and strikes on certain strategic targets considered as crucial by the regime.
If Syria does not agree by 1pm tomorrow to a protocol allowing observers into the country, the Arab League will vote on sanctions on Saturday. The sanctions could include a suspension of commercial flights to Syria and a halt to dealings with its central bank.
Mona Eltahawy has detailed the alleged assault on her by members of the Egyptian security forces in a phone call to CNN.
She said her left arm and right hand are broken but she probably got off with "lighter treatment" because she's a journalist and has dual citizenship (US as well as Egyptian).
This video, uploaded yesterday, appears to shows members of the Egyptian security forces shooting at head-level on Mohammed Mahmoud street.
It is not clear what ammunition they were using.
Here's a summary of the main developments today:
Egypt
• The ruling junta have said the elections will start as scheduled on Monday despite the widespread protests and calls for a postponement. Earlier the interior ministry said it could no longer secure the elections but the Supreme Council of Armed Forces [Scaf] said the army would help with the security. It said the elections were the best way to help the country at present and they would go ahead no matter what. The military rulers said they hoped to appoint a new government before the elections.
• The military rulers have again apologised for the deaths of protesters over the past week and pledged that those responsible would be prosecuted. They held a minute of silence for the dead at the end of their press conference. But they also said that they had never fired on any Egyptian civilians.
• Protesters remain in Tahrir Square chanting for field marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to hand over power. Soldiers have built a wall in Mohammed Mahmoud street, next to Tahrir Square and scene of some of the worst violence, in order to separate protesters and the security forces.
• The US-based Egyptian writer Mona Eltahawy said she was detained for 12 hours at the interior ministry in Cairo during which she was beaten and sexually assaulted by members of the central security forces. Eltahawy said she was freed by military intelligence who also said they would investigate the alleged assault. A spokeswoman for the Egyptian embassy in the UK said she couldn't believe the exaggerations and hoped Eltahawy "wasn't exaggerating". Another US-Egyptian, documentary-maker Jehane Noujaim, remains in custody after being arrested in Tahrir Square on Wednesday.
• Three US students accused of throwing petrol bombs at the security forces in Tahrir Square have been released. Derrik Sweeney, Luke Gates and Gregory Porter, will not face any charges. They have been warned that it might not be safe for them to stay in the country.
Yemen
• At least five people were killed when gunmen including Yemeni security forces opened fire on protesters in the centre of the capital Sanaa. Meanwhile, activists stormed an opposition rally in Change Square to celebrate the departure of president Ali Abdullah Saleh, in protest at the immunity offered to Saleh under the deal for him to stand down.
Syria
• Armoured vehicles stormed a rural area west of Rastan, in Homs province, where many army defectors are known to live, according to the Local Co-ordination Committees of Syria. It claimed 15 people were killed in the operation. The LCC said 26 people have been killed – 27 in Homs provincein total today, including a pregnant lady and a child. 401 people were killed in the first half of November (up to 15 November).
• Arab foreign ministers have given Syria until tomorrow to sign a protocol admitting international observers into the country or face sanctions. The protocol must be signed in Cairo by 1pm on Friday, otherwise the Arab League will vote on sanctions on Saturday. They could include a suspension of commercial flights to Syria and a halt to dealings with its central bank.
• .The head of the renegade Free Syrian Army, has called for foreign air strikes on "strategic strikes".. Colonel Riyadh al-Assad told AFP: "We are not in favor of the entry of foreign troops as was the case in Iraq but we want the international community to give us logistical support." He said targets considered "crucial" should be targeted.
• The European Union says protecting civilians caught up in the crackdown "is increasingly urgent" but it stopped short of endorsing a French call for humanitarian corridors to be established. Spokesman Maja Kocijancic said the EU stands ready to engage with representatives of the Syrian opposition "who adhere to nonviolence and democratic values," according to AP.
Bahrain
• Riot police fired teargas and sound bombs at anti-government protesters at the funeral of a driver who activists claim was killed by police who forced him off the road. After the funeral, youths moved rubbish bins into the middle of roads in anticipation of police 4x4 cars chasing them. Riot police fired teargas and youths threw stones in clashes that lasted some two hours, Reuters reported. An interior ministry statement said police reacted to youths throwing stones and firebombs at them in an illegal protest.
• A leading opposition figure has called for the entire goverment to resign in the wake of a critical report into the government's handling of pro-democracy protests. Khalil Marzooq, deputy chairman of Al-Wefaq, said: "We expected the entire government to tend its resignation immediately after they heard the content of the Commission's report." The Bahraini government has continued to insist that Iran helped instigate the protests despite the commission's finding that it hadn't.
This is Alan Evans reopening the live blog as events progress in Egypt.
Sky are reporting that former prime minister Kamal al-Ganzouri has been asked to form a new cabinet by the military junta.
Previously prime minister from 1996 to 1999 under ousted former president Hosni Mubarak, Mr Ganzouri agreed to lead a so-called national salvation government after a meeting the head of the ruling army council, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.
His adminstration will replace the military-appointed cabinet of Essam Sharaf, which resigned en masse on Sunday amid widespread criticism over its perceived subservience to the ruling generals.
Al-Jazeera are also reporting the news, along with an apology from SCAF over the deaths of protesters:
The apparent appointment of a new prime minister followed an apology by the SCAF for the deaths of demonstrators and a promise to hold elections on time, despite a push from activists and some political parties to postpone them.
Thursday's apology came amid a tense calm across the country following nearly a week of street battles that has left 38 people dead and more than 3,000 wounded.
The SCAF "presents its regrets and deep apologies for the deaths of martyrs from among Egypt's loyal sons during the recent events in Tahrir Square", it said on Thursday in a statement on its Facebook page.
According to Martin Chulov, many Egyptians believe the elections have come too soon.
Khaled Yousef echoed a prevailing mood in the square, claiming that the military leadership would benefit from the elections being seen as a failure. "Because then they would say, we are the only ones who can rule the country," he said. "They want people to think they can't do it without them."
Amir al-Sultan interrupted and said: "It's impossible to secure the country. There will be a ransack of Egypt, just like a militia rampage." Around him, a throng of men nodded and shouted in agreement.
Read the rest of his piece here.
Egypt's Social Democratic Party have withdrawn from Monday's planned election, according to Ahram Online.
A statement from the party criticised the behaviour of the military council for monopolising power and called for a National Salvation government to supervise elections, naming Mohamed ElBaradei as somebody they would like to see involved.
"We refuse to participate in this gamble of lives and the future of this nation and to partake in this show of elections, which will divert attention away from the legitimate demands of the revolutionaries
...
The last few days have proven to us that the upcoming elections will not be free or safe amidst this security vacuum and unprecedented tension as a result of the Ministry of Interior forces and military police repressing the citizens in Tahrir Square."
In this video, two doctors who have been treating protesters in Tahrir Square claim that they have treated patients with gunshot wounds and that security forces are using live ammunition against unarmed civilians.
After the alleged sexual assault on the American-Egyptian journalist Mona Eltahawy, AP reports that a French journalist was attacked earlier today by 'men in street clothes' as she worked in Cairo.
Following this news, the France-based media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders is now advising news outlets not to send female reporters to Egypt.
We're about to close the live blog for the night, and will leave you with the Guardian's latest editorial on the situation in Egypt:
These are now the worst conditions for the first democratic elections to take place in Egypt since the fall of Mubarak. But it is a choice between two evils – no established route to democracy, or a highly flawed one with army generals hovering in the background. This was never going to be easy. An election as complicated as this, and as prone to violence, could well play into the hands of the very people in the old elite who say that Egypt is not ready to make the shift from martial law to plural democracy. But doing nothing is just as sure a recipe for chaos.
Read the full article here, and return tomorrow for more coverage of the situation in Egypt and across the Middle East as it happens.