Earlier this week in Libya, Gaddafi’s battalions gained significant ground very quickly when coalition air strikes ceased for several hours during an international debate about whether or not to arm the Libyan opposition. Al-Jazeera reports that in light of these developments, the revolutionaries may be changing their military leadership and plan of action. Meanwhile, The Libyan Revolutionary Transitional Council gave its condition for ceasefire: Gaddafi's brigades must withdraw from all cities and their surrounding areas. The council asserted that their intention is not to divide Libya with this ceasefire, but to liberate the country from Gaddafi’s control.

Al-Alam reports that tens of thousands of Yemenis in Sana’a continue to demand the end of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime. The revolutionary forces have formed a coalition to topple the regime and create a national transitional council. The council would temporarily assume power, write a new constitution, and form a supreme elections commission. During a demonstration in support of Saleh, the Yemeni president said he had no intention of stepping down and that he will “sacrifice his blood and soul for the Yemeni people.”

Frustrated Egyptians gathered in Tahrir Square to “save the revolution,” and demand that members of the former regime be tried for the crimes they committed while in office. The BBC also reports from Syria, where today has been named the “Friday of Martyrs” by anti-regime demonstrators in Syria. In the report, human rights activist Razan Zaituna describes the situation in Damascus as violent, bloody, and terrifying as people are arrested, beaten, and shot at by authorities.

Tonight, New TV features a profile of former Libyan official and confidant to Muammar al-Gaddafi, Moussa Koussa. Koussa was a prominent politician and a top decision-maker in the Libyan regime before resigning from his post and fleeing to Britain yesterday, in protest of the attacks that Gaddafi forces have launched on civilians.

Dubai TV reports on events in Ivory Coast, in which forces loyal to Ivory Coast's President-elect and Alassane Ouattara seized control of the state-run television station and most of the capital, Abidjan. Outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo however, reiterated that he will not step down and accused his rival of plotting a coup with the help of UN forces. As both sides launch consecutive attacks on one another, UN forces have seized control of the airport in Abidjan where no clashes were reported. Ivory Coast has also announced an indefinite closure of its borders and airspace.

Tonight, the BBC’s Arabic language channel reports on the ongoing demonstrations throughout Syria which call for the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. In a number of Syrian cities today, confrontations erupted between protestors and security forces leading to a number of deaths and injuries. Reports indicate that over 30,000 people participated in the day dubbed by Syrians as the “Day of Dignity.” The Syrian government tried to avoid the anticipated protests with an initiative that the government said would provide better services to citizens, guarantee better living conditions, and restore their freedom and dignity. Despite these efforts, protestors took to the streets chanting the familiar slogan, “The people want to topple the regime.”

In Libya, al-Jazeera reports that new countries have joined the international coalition forces, including the United Arab Emirates. Coalition warplanes continue their air strikes to prevent Gaddafi's brigades from advancing. The UAE has agreed to send 12 warplanes, including six F-16 fighters and six Mirage jets. In the past 24 hours, coalition forces carried out 130 raids. In Misurata, a medical source reported that 109 people were killed and nearly 1,300 others were injured in one week of battles.

Dubai TV reports that supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh held a protest rally to mark what they referred to as the “Day of Steadfastness and Loyalty.” Saleh called on his supporters to hold solidarity protests around the presidential palace while thousands of anti-regime protestors held massive rallies in Change Square, marking a day dubbed the “Friday of Departure.” This news comes a week after 52 people were reportedly killed when Yemeni security forces opened fire at protestors. In a speech to his supporters, Saleh described protest organizers as “adventurous conspirators and drug traffickers.” He also said that he doesn't want to hold onto power but will only hand it over to “honest and capable hands, not malicious or corrupt ones.”

Tonight, ANB interviews the secretary-general of the Progressive Democratic Forum, Dr. Hassan Madan, about the current situation in Bahrain. Dr. Hassan believes that the situation in Bahrain should have been dealt with peacefully by meeting the public’s demands for political and constitutional reform. He said that the intervention by Gulf nation forces has complicated the issue and created an even deeper divide in the country. He states, “We welcome the Gulf to play its role. But this role should be limited to a political one that helps bridge the gap between the opposition and the government, which hasn't been the case so far.”

Al-Alam also reports on Bahrain, as massive protests broke out in Daraz, Dayer, Samahij, and Beni Jamra.. Eyewitnesses say that in response, eyewitnesses say Bahraini security forces launched fierce attacks on protestors, firing tear gas and live ammunition. The authorities also closed down all health centers, and threatened to burn down protestors' homes and strip protestors of their Bahraini citizenship if they don't put an end to the protests and sit-ins. Bahraini opposition blocs called on the U.N. and other Islamic countries to intervene to stop the crackdowns and massacres that are being carried out by authorities.

Tunisian rapper Hamada Ben Amor, known as El Général, released "Rayes Lebled'' or "Head of State" around the same time as Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation. El Général's song spoke out against the now former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and has been labeled the "rap song that sparked a revolution."

Following the success of the Tunisian uprising, Palestinian artists joined forces to honor the Tunisian people with a song entitled "Green Revolution." Rapper Mahmoud Jrere from pop-rap group DAM thanked the Tunisians for giving them hope "instead of depression and boredom from politicians," as Mahmoud Darwish wondered "how can we be cured from our love for Tunisia?" and ended the song by admitting "we love you Tunisia more than we thought we knew."

Central Cairo's Tahrir or Liberation Square was the Egyptian uprising's battleground that remained relatively peaceful. For 18 days, videos exhibiting the Egyptian people's humor and love of music went viral on YouTube. The song in the video below was sung by protestors camped out at the square, addressing former President Hosni Mubarak.

After the people toppled Hosni Mubarak, a group of "several notable musicians from North America teamed up to release a song of solidarity and empowerment." Their song is entitled #Jan25, in reference to the Egyptian protest hashtag that was trending on Twitter at the time. The artists said, "this track serves as a testament to the revolution's effect on the hearts and minds of today's youth, and the spirit of resistance it has come to symbolize for oppressed people worldwide."

Libya's struggle for freedom and democracy began on February 17. In an effort to mobilize the youth, Tripoli rapper Ibn Thabit released a song titled "Call to the Libyan Youth" inviting them to "live standing up on [their] feet, not on [their] knees." (Full translation here)

In a humorous reprise of Tracy Chapman's classic “Talkin 'Bout A Revolution,” Israeli band Shmemel talked about “An Arab Revolution.” The 10-member group displayed solidarity with the Arab uprising through a video that is steeped in orientalist imagery. Shmemel allied itself with those fighting for "freedom" and "liberation," and identified with the struggle against "people who are trying to bring us down from Washington to Tel Aviv to Tehran," offering listeners an uncommonly heard Israeli voice.

In a defiant address to the nation Libyan leader Mammar al-Gaddafi affirmed that he had no intention of stepping down. He stated, "Generations from now, Libya will be at the top! It will be the leader of Africa, Latin America and Asia; it will be the leader of the whole world!" Gaddafi also declared he had not yet used force against protestors but will use force according to international law as protests continue. The BBC reports that this statement comes as the death toll in Libya continues to rise and residents of Tripoli complain of the increasing number of dead bodies in the streets. Tripoli, the capital, was the most recent Libyan city to be struck by protests, yet eyewitnesses say that it has been subject to the worst attacks by security forces.

Al Jazeera’s Arabic language channel discussed the Libyan people’s reaction to Gaddafi’s speech. Libyan political activist Abdallah el-Fituri reports seeing people throwing shoes at television screens in anger. He states, “Libyans have spent 40 years listening to speeches without articulating their views. The day has come for the people to express themselves.”

Dubai TV also reports on the sweeping unrest in Libya, where two helicopter pilots and two more fighter jet pilots have defected and sought refuge in Malta. The pilots fled after refusing to open fire on protestors, as ordered by Libyan authorities. Both helicopters and fighter jets are being held in Malta’s airport. A number of Libyan diplomats have also condemned the regime’s crackdown on protestors. The Libyan embassies in Malaysia and Australia have stated they no longer represent the regime and four Libyan diplomats in China have resigned.

Lebanon’s New TV reports that The Beirut Theater is honoring the Egyptian and Tunisian people in a show called “The Rule of Bango.” The show praises both countries for opening the door to other Arab people in the quest for freedom. The Beirut Theater celebrates the victories in Egypt and Tunisia and their effect on countries throughout the Middle East.

Iran’s Arabic language channel, Al Alam, reports on ongoing protests in Bahrain, where thousands of protestors are still filling the streets of the capital. In an attempt to calm protestors, the Bahraini king issued a statement announcing the release of some prisoners and an end to the criminal prosecution of political activists. Demonstrators in the capital city of Manama remained unsatisfied and stated they will continue to protest until all of their demands are met. These demands include issues of political rights, respect of human rights, political participation, and policy reform.

Today on Mosaic: Egyptian protesters held one of the largest demonstrations thus far in Cairo's Tahrir Square, according to BBC Arabic. It was also reported that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered the formation of new committees to amend the constitution and implement reforms.

Al Jazeera's Arabic language channel reported that Israel Defense Force Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi has warned that Israel must prepare for an "all-out war." The statement was made in reference to the protests in Egypt.

Iran's Arabic language channel, Al Alam, relays information that protesters are gathering in front of the Egyptian Parliament in Cairo.

BBC Arabic reports Bahrain activists have called for a "Day of Revolution" on February 14. Protests continued in Tunisia as well, as the United Kingdom pledged support for reform.

Lebanon's New TV recounted Egypt's three modern revolutions: the "Orabi Revolt," the "Free Officers Movement," and the "Bread Riots."