Libya: The International Criminal Court announced it will issue a final decision on an arrest warrant for Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on Monday. In an attempt to display unity between NATO members, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen played down Italy's call to end military operations and attempted to reassure NATO's hesitant members of Gaddafi's imminent defeat. The spokesman for the Libyan National Transitional Council, Mahmoud Shamam, said the council is trying to make political gains without waging more risky battles and is discussing the possibility of allowing Gaddafi to stay in Libya if he relinquishes power

Saudi Arabia: More women have challenged the law banning them from driving in Saudi Arabia. Social networking websites reported that more than 40 women drove their cars. Sara al-Khadi said that she now drives her car on a daily basis and was only stopped by traffic police after a group of teenagers harassed her and reported her to the police. Many now wonder if more Saudis will follow in these defiant women's footsteps and wage a more comprehensive uprising to change the country's leadership. 

Yemen: In the third week since President Ali Abdullah Saleh's departure, Yemeni protestors have staged massive rallies, called "The Will of the Revolution," to reiterate their demands, most notably Saleh's ouster and the formation of a transitional council. At the same time, the ruling regime called on its supporters to hold prayers in mosques for Saleh's speedy recovery on a day they are referring to as the "Friday of the Guardians of the Homeland."  US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman has called for an immediate and peaceful transfer of authority to Yemen's vice-president, as mandated by the Gulf initiative. 

Syria: The Syrian Revolution Coordinators Union said at least 12 people were killed today by security forces’ gunfire in various parts of Syria. Syrian state run media reported a number of the regime’s security forces were shot at by gunmen. Eyewitnesses and opposition activists said tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets throughout the country on the "Friday of the Fall of Legitimacy," demanding the downfall of the regime. Protests erupted in the cities of Homs, Aleppo, Hama, Rif Dimashiq, al-Bukamal, and Damascus’ suburb Arbeen. 

Saudi Arabia: On June 17, Saudi Arabian women will participate in a national campaign against the Saudi law that forbids women to drive. Women throughout the country will drive their cars in protest of the law and in support of Manal Sharif, a woman who was arrested after a video of her driving alone was uploaded online.

Syria: A number of cities witnessed demonstrations calling for freedom and the downfall of the regime today, on what they are calling the "Friday of Tribes." Eyewitnesses in al-Qamishlil say that at least 3,000 people carried slogans condemning the military operations launched by the Syrian army in Jisr Shughour. The president of the International Red Cross called on the Syrian government to allow his organization to enter the regions witnessing acts of violence. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyif Erdogan said that Turkey will not defend Syria at the Security Council because of the extreme violence it has committed against protestors.

Libya: Alongside NATO’s military campaign, swift political action is being taken to find a solution to the Libyan crisis. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade met with leaders of the Libyan opposition in the city of Benghazi, the opposition's stronghold, in preparation for a new post-Gaddafi era. Wade also urged Muammar Gaddafi to declare a ceasefire and relinquish power in the interest of the Libyan people.

Yemen: Pro- and anti-Yemeni regime protests continued today in Sanaa and a number of other Yemeni cities. While supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh confirmed he would soon return to the country, opposition protestors demanded the formation of a transitional council as a temporary alternative to Saleh's regime