Anti-government protesters react before the statement of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt, 10 February 2011. Anti-government protesters reacted furiously at Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak‘s refusal to step down. Some of the protesters gathered in Cairo‘s central Tahrir Square brandished their shoes - a serious insult in the Muslim world - while others shouted 'Get out!' and 'Down, down Hosni Mubarak.' In a televised speech, Mubarak acknowledged that his government had made mistakes and expressed sorrow for the victims of the 17-day protests. And while he announced he was transferring some powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman and reiterated he would not stand in September elections, he fell short of resigning immediately and refused to lift the state of emergency. Analysts said they feared that Mubarak‘s stance might lead to further violence in the streets of Egypt. EPA/AMEL PAIN
Libyan rebels fire a rocket as they enter in Sirte, Libya, 10 October 2011. According to media sources on 10 October, fighters loyal to Libya's interim rulers withdrew from the airport in the desert town of Bani Walid amid fighting with forces loyal to fugitive leader Muammar Gaddafi. The withdrawal comes a day after the fighters claimed major advances in Sirte and Bani Walid, the last strongholds of Gaddafi. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
A Yemeni doctor carries a wounded child at a field hospital following assaults against protesters by army and security forces loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sana'a, Yemen, 19 September 2011. According to media sources, at least 24 people were killed on 19 September when Yemeni troops shot at protesters in the country's two largest cities - Sana'a and Taiz. In Sana'a, the capital, 22 people were killed, including a child, when troops opened fire at protesters. The attack came after the demonstrators expanded their protest area following a 18 September assault by the security forces of President Saleh, in which 26 protesters were killed and hundreds wounded. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Libyans celebrate following the official declaration of liberation of the entire country in Misrata, Libya, on 23 October 2011. Libya's transitional leaders on 23 October declared 'the liberation of all Libya' to usher the North African country into a democratic transition. 'I call for all Libyans to observe forgiveness and reconciliation and avoid violence,' the chief of the Transitional National Council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, said at a mass ceremony in Benghazi, the country's second-biggest city. The fighters, who ended the 42-year rule of Muammar Gaddafi, staged a brief parade in the central square in Benghazi, the city where their revolution began. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
A file photo dated 25 January 2011 showing an Egyptian protestor tearing down a poster of President Hosni Mubarak during a protest in Alexandria, Egypt, 25 January 2011. It was announced by vice president Omar Suleiman 11 February 2011 that Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak had resigned. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, 82, ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years. EPA/AHMED YOUSSEF *** Local Caption *** 00000402549082
A rebel soldier prepares ammunition for a cal. 12.70 machinegun near the city of Ajdabiya, Eastern Lybia, 18 March 2011. The UN Security Council on 17 March voted to ban flights in Libya's airspace and authorized military action to implement the ban, triggering intervention by individual countries and organizations like NATO. Libya‘s Foreign Minister Moussa Kusa declared a ceasefire 18 March morning, hours after the UN authorized the use of force, but opposition groups said attacks on their forces were continuing. EPA/MANU BRABO
Yemenis celebrate the departure of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh after four-month protests demand the ousting of Saleh’s 32-year regime, in Sana'a, Yemen, 05 June 2011. According to media sources, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, hurt in a blast inside his compound, left Yemen for treatment in Saudi Arabia. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Libyans gather around the remains of Motassim Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, after he was killed in Sirte, at a morgue in Misrata, Libya, 20 October 2011. According to media report, the head of the executive board of Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (TNC) Jibril confirmed the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Libyans poured into the streets to celebrate the news of Muammar Gaddafi's death. Motassim's body was taken to a hospital in Misrata, which earlier received the body of his father. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
A Libyan rebel fighter, covers himslef behind a wall and fire his weapon, during the battle to liberate the city of Sirte, Libya, 18 October 2011. According to media reports on 17 October, pro-Gaddafi fighters, who are still carrying out a fierce battle inside the coastal city of Sirte, are using the residents inside the city as human shields. Meanwhile Fighters from Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) celebrated late into 17 October night after capturing Bani Walid, one of the last holdouts of former leader Moamer Gaddafi's loyalist forces. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Tunisians shout slogans during a demonstration aganist what they call 'an election fraud' in front of the press centre in Tunis, Tunisia, 25 October 2011. According to media reports, Tunisia's moderate Islamist party Ennahda is expected to be confirmed as the winner of the country's first free elections later on 26 October. Tunisia lived on 23 October the first democratic elections in the birthplace of the Arab Spring. EPA/ZACARIAS GARCIA
Yemeni girls wear crowns with the flags of (L-R) Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia and Syria during a protest against Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sana'a, Yemen, 18 November 2011. According to media sources, United Nations envoy Jamal bin Omar on 21 November will brief the UN Security Council on the refusal of Yemeni president Saleh to step down and handover power to his deputy. Over the past ten months, Yemeni anti-government protesters have been gathering in the capital Sana'a and the main cities across the country to demand an end to Saleh’s 33-year rule. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
An Egyptian with the words 'Egypt comes first' written in Arabic on his forhead gestures next to a poster depicting former President Hosni Mubarak near a giant screen transmitting the trial of the former President and his aids, outside the police academy in Cairo, Egypt, 03 August 2011. According to media reports, presiding Judge Ahmed Refaat on 03 August 2011 ordered former President Hosni Mubarak to be kept in detention at the International Medical Centre. He said the trial of Mubarak, which was broadcast live on national television, would resume on 15 August. Mubarak pleaded not guilty to charges of ordering the killing of protesters and abusing his powers during his 30-year rule EPA/AMEL PAIN
A tank stands amid crowds as protesters gather on Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, 01 February 2011. Hundreds of thousand of people were gathered in and
around Cairo‘s Tahrir Square, with many more still making their way to the area to participate in a anti-government
demonstration. Organisers called for a "march of a million," saying if the number of protesters was large enough they would proceed to the presidential
palace, the residence of President Hosny Mubarak, some 12 kilometres away. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE
Protesters run away from tear gas fired by Egyptian riot police during clashes with security forces, in Cairo, Egypt, 21 November 2011. According to media reports, clashes erupted on 21 November between security forces and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, rallying against the country's military rulers and demanding a rapid transition to civilian rule. At least 20 people were killed in Cairo over the weekend in clashes between protesters and security forces in Tahrir Square. Thousands of protesters poured into Tahrir on 20 November, faced down by security forces, backed by military police. Government forces used tear gas and batons to disperse the demonstrators. Activists say rubber bullets and shotguns were also used. The violence came around a week before Egyptians go to the polls to elect a new parliament. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
Iranian demonstrators clash with Iranian riot-police during a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, 14 February 2010. The opposition reported that tear gas had been fired near Tehran's University and Azadi Square in the west of the city after protesters broke their initial silence and, shouting 'death to dictator', called for Iranian leaders to be toppled like their Arab counterparts. The Azadi, or 'Freedom', Square was the final stop for the protesters, who are hoping to turn it into the Iranian version of Cairo's Tahrir Square - the focal point of the Egyptian public demonstrations that led to former president Hosni Mubarak's resignation.
NOTE: FOLLOWING AN OFFICIAL BAN ON FOREIGN MEDIA OUTLETS COVERING DEMONSTRATIONS IN IRAN, EPA IS OBLIGED TO USE PICTURES FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND CANNOT VERIFY ITS AUTHENTICITY EPA/STRINGER EPA/STRINGER
Protesters lock hands as they shout anti-government slogans in Tahrir Square, Cairo, on 04 February 2011 for a 'Day of Departure' rally aimed at ousting Egyptian President Mubarak. Hosni Mubarak acknowledged on 03 February 2011 that he is 'very unhappy' about the political violence that has erupted in his country and would prefer to resign, but warned that doing so could result in chaos. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
A rebel soldier takes a rest sitting in a broken-down car, near the city of Ajdabiya, Eastern Lybia, 18 March 2011. The UN Security Council on 17 March voted to ban flights in Libya's airspace and authorized military action to implement the ban, triggering intervention by individual countries and organizations like NATO. Libya‘s Foreign Minister Moussa Kusa declared a ceasefire 18 March morning, hours after the UN authorized the use of force, but opposition groups said attacks on their forces were continuing. EPA/MANU BRABO
A rebel soldier stands next to a burnt tank of Muammar Gaddafi's forces after an airstrike by French Airforce 25 kilometers outside Benghazi, Lybia, 20 March 2011. French fighter jets deployed over Libya fired overnight at military vehicles on a UN-backed operation against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces. EPA/MANU BRABO
Egyptians who had fled unrest in Libya few days earlier carry their belongings towards a bus to return to their country, at the UAE (United Arab Emirates) Red Crescent refugee camp near the border crossing with Libya at Ras Jdir, Tunisia, 12 April 2011. As unrest continues in Libya hundreds of thousands of refugees are still staying at different camps in the area near the border, awaiting either evacuation to their homelands, or to new countries who accept to receive them if they come from a conflict torn region with the help of the UNHCR ( United Nations High Commission for Refugees) and other organizations. EPA/AMEL PAIN
Sisters and cousins of Bahraini woman Bahiya al-Aradi grieve her death at their home in Manama, Bahrain, 22 March 2011. According to local media sources, Al-Aradi's body had gone missing after she was shot and killed at a military check-point that was set up in the wake of the attack on Lulu Square to clear it from pro-reforms protesters. Her body was turned over to the family on 22 March making her the 16th victim of the crack-down that began on 14 February 2011, and the first woman to die as result of an alleged police and military action against the protesters and those suspected of supporting them. EPA/MAZEN MAHDI
Libyan Rebels celebrate, near a mosque at a checkpoint between Tarhouna and Bani Walid, Libya, 06 septembre 2011. According to media report, Libyan rebels have struck a deal on 06 September with delegates from the town of Bani Walid, controlled by loyalists of fugitive leader Muammar Gaddafi, to enter it without fighting. A delegation from the rebels met with a group from the town to discuss how they will enter and ensure taking control of the city will be peacefully. The delegation from Bani Walid said that almost 90 per cent of residents support ending the standoff peacefully. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Libyan rebels take cover from pro-Gaddafi snipers' fire during the battle to liberate the city of Sirte, Libya 13 October 2011. According to media source, troops loyal to Libya's new rulers intensified a military campaign on 13 October to gain control over the last strongholds of Muammar Gaddafi, amid unconfirmed reports the fugitive deposed leader was in his hometown of Sirte. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
A Libyan rebel fighter fires his machine gun during fighting in the city of Sirte, Libya 15 October 2011. According to media reports, at least 12 Yemeni protesters were killed and dozens injured when government forces fired on pro-democracy protesters in Sana'a. The anti-government protesters demand the ousting of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh after 33 years in office. EPA/STR
Libyan rebels jump ontop of a car to hug each other as they celebrate the death of former Leader Muammar Gaddafi and the fall of his stronghold town of Sirte, in Sirte, Libya, 20 October 2011. According to media report, the head of the executive board of Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (TNC) Jibril confirmed the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Libyans poured into the streets to celebrate the news of Muammar Gaddafi's death on 20 October, as Western leaders called on the country's transitional government to embrace a new era of democracy after decades of despotism in the North African state. EPA/GUILLEM VALLE
An Algerian protester is taken away by police during a protest in Algiers, Algeria, 12 March 2011. The protesters gathered in the centre of the capital despite a protest ban which is still effective and while security forces maintained a large presence. The country's state of emergency, in place since 09 February 1992, was officially ended on 22 Febuary 2011. It had allowed the state wide-reaching powers to interfere in political activity. EPA/STR
Yemeni medics carry a wounded protester to a hospital following assaults by army forces loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the southern city of Taiz, Yemen, 02 November 2011. According to media sources, the Yemeni forces loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh bombarded the southern city of Taiz following clashes with armed tribesmen loyal to anti-government protesters, leaving at least five dead and 12 others injured. EPA/STRINGER
A Yemeni man carries a wounded child inside a car following assaults by army forces loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the southern city of Taiz, Yemen, 02 November 2011. According to media sources, the Yemeni forces loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh bombarded the southern city of Taiz following clashes with armed tribesmen loyal to anti-government protesters, leaving at least five dead and 12 others injured. EPA/STRINGER
Egyptian medics treat protesters wounded during clashes between protesters and security forces at one of the field hospitals in Tahrir square Cairo, Egypt, 21 November 2011. According to media reports, clashes erupted on 21 November between security forces and protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, rallying against the country's military rulers and demanding a rapid transition to civilian rule. At least 20 people were killed in Cairo over the weekend in clashes between protesters and security forces in Tahrir Square. Thousands of protesters poured into Tahrir on 21 November, faced down by security forces, backed by military police. Government forces used tear gas and batons to disperse the demonstrators. Activists say rubber bullets and shotguns were also used. The violence came around a week before Egyptians go to the polls to elect a new parliament. EPA/AMEL PAIN