Lebanon: The successes of the Arab Spring have inspired Lebanese youth to fight for change in their country. Young activists began a campaign under the slogan: “The people want to topple the sectarian regime.” The campaign, which aims to replace Lebanon’s sectarian regime with a secular state, is having trouble getting off the ground. Optimists believe that the movement is simply in a rest period, and will soon pick up speed. Yet many others believe there is no hope for the slow-moving revolution. 

Bahrain: The Court of National Safety held trials today and issued a number of rulings against detained protestors. The court sentenced Ahmad Jassim Mohsen Ali to three years in prison for gathering in a public place with the aim of committing crimes and disrupting public order. Bahraini courts also began the trials of a number of medical professionals charged with treating wounded protestors. The Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society issued a statement saying that prosecuting medical staff in military courts for treating patients is a human rights violation. 

Yemen: It was announced today that President Ali Abdullah Saleh will return to Sana'a in two weeks after receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia for injuries sustained during last week’s attack on the presidential complex. Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is running the country's affairs on a temporary basis. The opposition coalition said it would support the transfer of power to the vice president. The Youth of the Revolution celebrated Saleh’s departure, which they consider a sign of victory for the first phase of their uprising. 

Syria: Syrian state TV has reported that "armed gangs" ambushed government security forces near the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shighur, killing 40 members. State TV reported that despite their losses, security forces were able to lift the siege imposed on the town by the gangs. This information came after human rights activists reported that twenty-five people, including police, had been killed in clashes in the same region. Foreign and independent media are greatly restricted in the region, causing conflicting reports to emerge from the country.