The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, tasked with running Egypt since former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, met today with the new constitutional amendment committee. The Supreme Council has given the committee, headed by Tareq al-Bishry, ten days to complete its task. Meanwhile, protests continue in the streets as the Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution call for a civilian interim government to be created by next month.

Iran's ruling government, rocked by protests in the summer of 2009, again faces fierce opposition. Demonstrators in the capital of Tehran clashed with police, leaving one protester dead and nine officers injured. The Iranian parliament has just reconvened, and conservative MP's have come down hard on opposition leaders.

On to Lebanon, where thousands commemorated the sixth anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. His son, current Premier Saad al-Hariri, joined the crowd in a Muslim-Christian prayer aimed at attaining peaceful religious coexistence within Lebanon. Al-Hariri is promoting dialogue to strengthen national unity.

Activists in Yemen organized demonstrations in the capital of Sana'a today to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saleh has promised to step down in 2013 when his term expires, and has declared his office is open to Yemeni citizens. Various international human rights organizations have condemned the Saleh government's treatment of protesters.

Bahrain too has been rocked by violence in recent days. One person was killed and 20 hurt yesterday, while security forces killed another protester today. Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, extended his condolences to the families of those killed. Demonstrations were centered on Manama, the capital, but extended into rural areas as well, resulting in the shutdown of most of the country.