AL JAZEERA

As anti-government protests sweep across Libya, even entering the once-tranquil capitol of Tripoli, and major foreign oil companies suspend or withdraw operations in the wake of civil unrest, there are many unanswered questions.

Libyan army's Thunderbolt squad had switched sides after days of violence that mark the most serious challenge to Gaddafi's 42-year rule, threatening Gaddafi's 42-year rule.

Reports have emanated of intense violence in the port city of Benghazi, Libya where security forces have killed many dozens of anti-government demonstrators, including women and children.

President Barack Obama said on Friday he was deeply concerned about reports of violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen and urged the governments to show restraint in responding to peaceful protests.

About 200 anti-government protesters demanding the release of a human rights activist clashed with police on Wednesday in Libya's coastal city of Benghazi, according to reports.

Thousands of Iranians have gathered to demonstrate in Tehran in defiance of a government ban on such assemblies.

Egyptian vice President Omar Suleiman announced on Friday that President Hosni Mubarak had stepped down and was handing over power to the Egypt Supreme Council of Armed Forces.

Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as president of Egypt and handed over power to the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces, according to an announcement read by Vice-President Omar Suleiman on state TV.

President Barack Obama said late Thursday it was not yet clear how Egypt's government is moving to transfer authority, on the same day when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said he would be handing some of his powers to his vice president but would remain in office until September's elections.

A senior Egyptian army commander has reportedly told protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square on that Everything you want will be realized,” according to Al-Jazeera, suggesting that President Hosni Mubarak may soon be steeping down acceding to the protesters’ demands.

Pakistani Taliban movement, a part of the al-Qaeda terror network, killed at least 30 soldiers and army recruits in a daring suicide bombing in north western Pakistan.

With increasing number of government and other high-profile websites being targeted almost everyday, 'hacktivism' seems to have reached its peak. The recent targets of 'hacktivists' are listed here.

Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman met with representatives of about 50 opposition groups on Sunday, including the Muslim Brotherhood as well as liberal parties Wafd and Ahrar, however results of the meeting inconclusive, with a wide divide on whether President Hosni Mubarak should step down immediately.

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians marched peacefully in Cairo on Friday to demand an immediate end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, but there was no sign of his generals, or his U.S. allies, squeezing him out just yet.

With protesters set for a tenth day of demonstrations in Cairo on Friday, Egyptian leaders were seeking for opportunities - without success - for talks with opposition members.

The Egyptian army has moved to divide pro and anti government protesters on Thursday, amid reports that demonstrators from both sides were heading back to Tahrir square in Cairo, the site of Wednesday clashes which left at least 5 dead.

Fighting has erupted in Cairo between groups opposed to Hosni Mubarak and those who support the Egyptian President, the day after Mubarak announced he will not seek re-election.

Doha-based Al Jazeera television has reported that an Al-Arabiya correspondent in Egypt's Tahir square has been stabbed by pro-government mobs as clashes between factions raged in the Egyptian capital.

The crowd is not happy with Egyptian President Mubarak’s concession speech and is calling for more action.

The U.S. doesn't uphold democracy in the Middle East, which is highly hypocritical given the country's explicit ideological alliance freedom, democracy, and the universal rights of people, said Robert Grenier, former director of CIA's Counter-Terrorism Center

Protesters assembled in Cairo's Tahir square are considering a march to the presidential palace, Al Jazeera reported from Cairo.