Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Defections v. A Military Push

2030 GMT: Al Jazeera English's Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports from her position with opposition forces at the western gate of Ajdabiya --- she was stopped by the insurgents from going further towards the front-line near Brega. She notes that Libya's opposition has appointed Abdel Fatah Yunis, the former Minister of Interior who defected in the early days of protests, as the head of military forces.

Reading Libya Amidst the Defections: Scott Lucas on the BBC
Syria Video: Woman Disrupts Assad's Post-Speech Celebrations
Libya: The CIA Operations Inside the Country (Mazzetti/Schmitt)
Thursday's Libya, Syria (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Assad Stands Firm but Qaddafi Ally Gives In

2025 GMT: A regime spokesman, Musa Ibrahim, has rejected cease-fire conditions set by the opposition, notably the withdrawal of Qaddafi forces from opposition-held areas: "They are asking us to withdraw from our own cities....If this is not mad then I don't know what this is. We will not leave our cities."

Ibrahim also accused coalition participants of a "crime against humanity" with airstrikes, delcaring, "some mad and criminal prime ministers and presidents of Europe are leading a crusade against an Arab Muslim nation".

1955 GMT: In Tunisia, police fired tear gas on stone-throwing youths after hundreds of demonstrators protested the country's secular laws.

Protesters held two demonstrations in Tunis on Friday, one by a group demanding more economic freedoms and another by young Islamists shouting "God is Great" and other religious slogans.

The Ministry of Interiorannounced Friday that women are no longer required to take off headscarves for official state ID cards.

1940 GMT: Pathik Root, a US university student taking Arabic classes in Damascus, has been freed by Syrian authorities two weeks after he was detained while photographing a demonstration.

Root was released to the US ambassador after Patrick Leahy, a Senator from the student's home state of Vermont, pressed for his freedom.

US-Egyptian national Mohammed Radwan was released earlier in the day (see 1345 GMT) after a week in prison.

1935 GMT: Activists claim that security forces of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, headed by Massoud Barzani, attacked protesters in Suleimaniya.

Demonstrators, who have been calling for reforms for more than six weeks, had gathered after Friday Prayers. Activists claimed more than 50 were injured, including some by live bullets.

Security officials said angry protesters stormed shops in central Sulaimaniya, threw stones at the police, and wielded sticks when police pushed back. They claim that of the more than 50 people wounded, 37 were members of the riot police.

Video of the clashes:

1930 GMT: Back from a break to find that hundreds of protesters have demonstrated in Oman in the city of Sohar, about 200 km(125 miles) northwest of the capital Muscat, demanding the release of people detained in government crackdowns.

Security forces attempted to disperse the crowd by firing tear gas, water cannons, and live bullets.

1740 GMT: Daily News Egypt reports on today's protests of "tens of thousands" in Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez, framing them as calls for the prosecution for corruption of former President Hosni Mubarak, his family, and other officials of the former regime, as well as call for the dissolution of Mubarak's National Democratic Party.

A video report from Ahram Online on the demonstration in Tahrir Square in Cairo::

1635 GMT: Footage of today's anti-regime demonstration in Sanaa in Yemen (see 1544 GMT):

1620 GMT: At least 8 UN workers were killed in Afghanistan today during protests against the burning of the Koran by an American pastor in Florida. Several hundred were protesting peacefully near a UN compound in Mazar-e Sharif when a small group broke off and storming the building, killing at least 5 Nepalese guards and 3 other staffers. 

Many high-ranking U.S. politicians and military leaders has urged Pastor Terry Jones to hault his plans to burn a Koran last year. On Macrh 20, Pastor Wayne Sapp burned a Koran in the presence of Terry Jones, sparking this unrest.

1600 GMT: Reuters reporter Suleiman al-Khalidi was released into Jordan today after spending three days in detention in Syria. Photographer Khaled al-Hariri has not been heard from in four days. Several foreign reporters have been expelled from Syria in recent weeks since protests have erupted. 

1544 GMT: Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Yemen's capital city, near Sanaa University today, during an event that opposition figures are calling "Friday of Salvation." There are reports that soldiers, frustrated at the government's use of live ammunition in previous protests, had joined the crowd, and military checkpoints were established to stop pro-government protesters from joining the crowd. Many mosques and stores were closed, and some have estimated that these were the biggest protests in Yemen's capital yet.

The protests also occurred in at least 14 provinces.  Almasryalyoum is reporting that, according to several sources, "hundreds of thousands" of protesters gathered in the provinces of Aden, Taaz, and Hadramout.

1525 GMT: Protests in Syria have also spread to Kurdish areas in the northeastern cities of Qamishli and Hassakeh. The Kurds have stayed out of recent protests, but that appears to be changing. Today, Kurds chanted "Neither Arabic, nor Kurdish, we want a national unity," signifying that this is not a Kurdish attempt to co-opt popular uprising, but rather a step towards a true democratic movement.

The list of confirmed locations of protests in Syria: Al Sanameen, Douma, Deraa, Qamishli, Hassakeh and Latakia. 

1511 GMT: Syria - CNN has received eyewitness reports that armed troops have opened fire on demonstrators near the town of Al Sanameem, killing at least 1 and wounding at least 10 others. Al Sanameen is near Daraa, in southern Syria, where 20 were killed last weekend.

1503 GMT: Al Jazeera Arabic is reporting that coalition fighter jets have struck Gadaffi forces near the town of Brega. Following these attacks, rebel forces have launched Grad missile attacks against Gadaffi positions, and the rebels are now advancing west once again. According to an opposition website:

The 17th February Youth Revolution spokesman from Misratah confirmed that the attacks on the city are still ongoing. He reported that there were 7 martyrs yesterday, two of which were a father and daughter killed in their car by a tank shell. Three others were martyred when a house was bombarded randomly while they were inside.

EA correspondent James Miller notes that a coordinated strike between NATO forces and the rebels suggests increased communication and cooperation between the two, perhaps also suggesting increased organization on behalf of the rebels, though it is still too early to tell.

1456 GMT: This picture, taken by an activist, reportedly shows Egypt's Tahrir Square about 40 minutes ago.

1450 GMT: Syria - There are more reports of large protests in Douma, 14 kms northeast of Damascus. Reuters is reporting that at least 3 people have been killed by security forces there, and witnesses are reporting that at least four have been killed, according to Rania Zabaneh.

1442 GMT:  According to the BBC, Libyan Oi Minister Shukri Ghanem has denied that he has defected, and told the Today Program's Justin Webb that he remains loyal to Gadaffi.

1432 GMT: The Libyan rebels are willing to accept a cease-fire. Opposition leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil said that if Gaddafi was willing to step down, and they are willing to remove some forces (especially the snipers) then the rebels are willing to come to the negotiating table with what remains of Gaddafi's government.

This could be huge news, or it could be nothing. There are a few things to keep in mind. This statement may have been given to place a wedge between Gaddafi and his government and military leaders. Also, Gaddafi doesn't appear to have any desire to step down, so unless he is "removed" by either his rebels or a member of his government, don't get too excited about the prospects of a retirement speech.

1345 GMT: Mohamed Radwan, an Egyptian-American national, has now been freed from detention in Syria (see 1323 GMT). He spoke to a relative from the Egyptian Embassy in Damascus.

1340 GMT: An eyewitness has told CNN that thousands of demonstrators from surrounding cities tried to enter Daraa in southern Syria but were blocked by an army cordon (see video of the military position in Thursday's updates).

1337 GMT: Today's demonstration in Alexandria in Egypt:

1335 GMT: Meeting the United Nations special envoy to Libya, Abdelilah al-Khatib, in Benghazi, the opposition leadership has said it does not object to a cease-fire, on condition that all regime forces withdraw and "Libyans in western cities have full freedom in expression of their views".

1330 GMT: A Libyan doctor has told the BBC that a coalition airstrike killed seven civilians, mostly children, and wounded another 25 near the oil town of Brega on Wednesday.

The doctor said he was called to a village 15 km (9 miles) from Brega after the strike hit a regime military convoy. A trailer containing ammunition exploded between two homes, killing girls and young men aged between 12 and 20.

1323 GMT: The Syrian Ambassador in Cairo has called a CNN reporter with the news that Egyptian-American Mohamed Radwan (@Battutta) will be released today from detention.

Radwan was arrested last week as part of a "foreign group paid to destabilize Syria" after he took photos of a demonstration.

1215 GMT: The report from Jordan is of competing demonstrations of "hundreds" in Amman. The march critical of the regime is surrounded by a large security presence; it has been loud but peaceful.

1200 GMT: Marchers have been converging on Tahrir Square in Cairo:

There are also reports of demonstrators gathering outside mosques in Suez.

1145 GMT: Back from a break to find Reuters reporting that Syrian security forces have fired tear gas to break up a protest in Duma near Damascus.

There are also reports from activists and Reuters of anti-regime demonstrations throughout Syria. Footage has also been posted of a protest.

1005 GMT: Al Jazeera English's Sherine Tadros reports that security forces have detained the former Sana'a TV chairman, Abdelghany Al Shamiri, who joined the opposition earlier in the political conflict.

0940 GMT: Mattar Ibrahim Mattar, a member of the opposition party Wefaq, has said the official arrest count in Bahrain is now 329 and added that the real number was likely to be more than 400.

Mattar said at least 20 people had been detained on Thursday and 31 were missing. It was unclear whether the missing were in hiding or had been abducted.

0920 GMT: Syrian State TV has asked people to remove France24 Arabic and BBC Arabic from their satellite decoders.

Security forces have reportedly arrested two groups of people outside Damascus "stirring trouble in the area".

0915 GMT: Yemen State TV is showing thousands of people heading to Sabaeen Square near the Presidential Palace in the capital Sana'a for a "Day of Solidarity" with the regime.

There are reports of thousands in demonstrations against President Saleh in Change Square, as well as many thousands protesting against the regime across Yemen's 15 provinces, but foreign media are not being permitted to cover the events.

0910 GMT: BBC Monitoring reports that Libyan intelligence chief Abuzayd Umar Durdah called a live discussion programme on State TV late last night to deny claims that he has defected: "I don't have one reason to depart the homeland or to betray the people or the leader and the victorious revolution he is leading."

0900 GMT: CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports from inside Misurata, where a running battle has been waged for control of Libya's third-largest city:

0855 GMT: Protesters have reportedly begun gathering in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, asking for reforms.

One activist says there are now more than 1,000 demonstrators. Iraqi security forces have closed all the bridges and roads that lead to the square.

0720 GMT: Facing the possibility of mass protests, the Syrian regime has announced that Friday --- usually considered the weekend --- will be a working day for public offices and schools.

0710 GMT: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, on a visit to China, said the Libyan crisis cannot be resolved through military means and all sides must work on a political resolution.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also declared support for a diplomatic solution, expressing concerns about reports of clashes and civilian casualties.

Both China and Germany abstained in the UN Security Council vote that authorised the establishment of a no-fly zone and "necessary measures" to protect civilians.

0610 GMT: Overnight supporters of Muammar Qaddafi gathered at the Libyan leader's compound to act as human shields against coaliition airstrikes:

Photo: Reuters

0555 GMT: Minister of Oil Shokri Ghanem has denied reports that he left Libya for Tunisia, telling Reuters by phone: "This is not true, I am in my office and I will be on TV in a few minutes."

0530 GMT: Two very different developments continue to race each other for primary effect in Libya.

On the one hand, Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi continues to lose allies and high-level personnel. After the departure of former Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa to Britain on Wednesday, Ali Abdessalam Treki, who was recently named as Libya's envoy to the UN, has fled to Egypt. He made a statement, posted on opposition websites, that he was not going to accept that job or any other: "We should not let our country fall into an unknown fate. It is our nation's right to live in freedom, democracy and a good life."

There are also reports that Libya's head of intelligence and Minister of Oil are now in Tunisia (see Thursday's updates).

However, as one analyst has noted, none of these men were in "a command-and-control position", and the regime clings to hope with the military situation. Yesterday, the front-line in the north of Libya was outside the oil port of Brega. 

That is a significant advance for Qaddafi's men in 48 hours, yet it is not far as they reached last week, when they took Ajdabiya, the last town before the opposition base of Ajdabiya. And the insurgents, despite all the regime assaults, are still in Misurata, Libya's third-largest city and only 210 km (130 miles) from Tripoli.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has damped down damaging speculation --- for the insurgents and for American officials considering assistance such as arms to the opposition --- that Al Qa'eda could have a significant presence amongst the challenge to Qaddafi.

Gates declared, "I think that the future government of Libya is going to be worked out among the principal tribes. So I think that for some outside group or some element of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb to be able to hijack this thing at this point looks very unlikely to me."

There has been a flurry of assertions this week in the US press, made without foundation, that Al Qa'eda would benefit from US support of the opposition. On Tuesday, NATO's top commander Admiral James Stavridis abetted this by talking about "flickers" of possible Al Qa'eda or Hezbollah influence among the insurgents.