Yemen, Syria, Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Touring the Destruction

2110 GMT: Claimed footage of a demonstration in the Harasta section of Damascus in Syria tonight:

2105 GMT: Riot police scatter protesters in Sitra in Bahrain:

2025 GMT: Masdar Online is reporting large explosions north of Yemen's capital Sana'a, with thick smoke and flames rising near a major roundabout. Two missiles fell on the University of Science and Technology.

1820 GMT: A car bomb has exploded near a hotel used by foreign diplomats and "Western" journalists in Libya's opposition-held city of Benghazi.

There were no casualties.

Opposition forces forces closed off the area as firefighters put out the blaze which had spread to three other cars. A crowd gathered at the scene, shouting, "Libya is free".

1800 GMT: Footage of live ammunition being used against demonstrators in the Souq al Jomaa district of the Libyan capital Tripoli on Monday:

1755 GMT: Two clips of protest in Sanabis in Bahrain today --- in the first, women chant their demands against the regime, and in the second, tear gas is used by security forces:

1751 GMT: According to Al Jazeera, at least 33 people, including an 11-year old girl, have been killed today in a wave of government shelling in southern and central Syria.

1741 GMT: Syria has released hundreds of people from prison who were detained during recent protests as part of the general amnesty, announced yesterday. However, activists are claiming that thousands of political prisoners remain in prison.  

1630 GMT: Earlier, we posted video of protesters marching in Aleppo, Syria. There are now reports that those crowds were dispersed by security forces, and 10s have been arrested.

1608 GMT: Protesters march in Abu Quaha, Bahrain, chanting against death penalty

1550 GMT: In Libya, rebels and activists are claiming to have made advances today. According to one source [audio, English], rebels have taken control of Shakshouk & Qasr al Hajj, and NATO airstrikes have destroyed artillery units near Zintan. 

However, the food shortage is deepening, and rebels are calling on NATO to drop food supplies both within rebel territory and inside Gaddafi held territory. Near the Gaddafi held towns of Gelaa and Yafran, rebels are using donkeys to move food behind enemy lines because the people are running out of food.

1539 GMT: Peaceful protesters take to the streets in Aleppo, Syria:

1534 GMT: After weeks of speculation, Libya's National Oil Corp head Shokri Ghanem has defected from the Gaddafi regime and is now in Rome. So far, he has not decided whether to join the rebel forces, but the "daily spilling of blood" has convinced him that a peaceful solution is not an option. 

1513 GMT: Protests are being reported in Bahrain in response to the speech made earlier by the King (see updates below). This video depicts the streets of Bilad Al Qadeem:

Protesters take to the streets in Jidhafs, northern Bahrain.

1503 GMT: According to activists on Twitter, and this opposition Facebook account, there is still gunfire that can be heard in Rastan, Syria. 

"Homs - Alrastan: shooting still continues until now in Al Rastan city (Homs Municipality) but in lesser frequency according to eye witnesses accounts to the local organization committees. Yesterday's shooting around 9 PM caused the death of 25 people, we now know more names to be added to the latest press release:"

1452 GMT: While the King speaks about freedom of expression, an activist posts this video, reportedly taken today, that shows riot police firing tear gas at protesters in Bani Jamra, Bahrain.

1428 GMT: The children of Daraa, Syria, chant in memory of Hamza al-Khatib, a 13-year old allegedly tortured and killed by the Syrian regime. They also chant slogans against the regime.

1417 GMT: US Congressional Representative Dennis Kucinich (D) will likely bring a vote to hault the continuation of the military operation in Libya to the floor of the House of Representatives sometime today. Barack Obama has not received official congressional support, and under the War Powers Act, Congress could revoke his authority in the manner, forcing him to withdraw troops within 30 days.

However, both the Democratic and Republican leadership in the House and Senate have plans to vote against the measure, meaning that there is a little chance that Obama's authority to participate in the NATO operation will be revoked in the short term.

1406 GMT: The Egyptian military is censoring its critics in the media. The New York Times has a fascinating story of how journalists who criticized the military in Egypt have been summoned to the military headquarters for questioning, but the journalist who attempted to shut down the criticism was not. 

As we reported earlier, the struggle is far from over.

1351 GMT: An important development in the tribal front of Yemen's three-front crisis. There are more signs that multiple tribes may be building a coalition to confront Ali Abdullah Saleh. Last week, the Bakil confederation, the second largest tribe in Yemen, shot down a government helicopter and took control of a Republican Guard compound in the Nahm region of Sana'a province, about 30 miles northeast of the capital.

The tribes now have access to tanks, anti-aircraft guns, and heavy artillery as a result. Journalists on the ground there have been impressed by the level of professionalism displayed by the tribal fighters, and have suggested that they now have enough soldiers and arms to challenge Saleh. 

1336 GMT: The King of Bahrain has made a speech to journalists and members of the press. The main theme is that reform is the primary goal of the regime, and the Kingdom of Bahrain has so many opportunities for its people to exercise their voice. Below are a few exceprts, but here is the link to the full text.

A free, impartial, and independent press is the backbone of democratic progress, and it plays a positive role in strengthening social cohesion, and in disseminating the spirit of affinity and love.

"Further, no one shall be harmed due to his peaceful, civilised expression of opinion in this state of law and intuitions."

There was no mention of snipers, the destruction of mosques, or the prosecution of doctors, but the people in attendence had a very favorable response to the speech (WARNING: EXTREMELY DISTURBING FLATTERY: DON'T READ THIS).

1328 GMT: According to Yemeni officials, the death toll in the fighting between security forces and tribesmen loyal to heikh Sadiq al-Ahmar has risen to 41. 

1316 GMT: Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's trial will begin on August 3rd.

1310 GMT: The African Union has called upon Russia to join mediation efforts in Libya. Russia was initially resistent to the NATO action in Libya, and the AU has condemned the lack of a role for African countries, despite the fact that Libya is part of Africa.

1248 GMT: Tanks entered the city of al-Rastan, Syria, from four directions yesterday, and shelling could be heard throughout the night. An opposition Facebook page has this report, that 50 have been killed in overnight artillery and tank shelling. It also contains a partial list of the names of the dead:

Homs: Al-Rastan: Eyewitnesses reported to the Local Coordination Committees about heavy gunfire from the security forces and the military yesterday night around 9pm. At least 50 people were killed and injured during the shooting then the security forces kidnapped the dead bodies and the wounded . Several houses and mosques were bombed. Among those buildings were the Al-Ashtar Mosque and the houses of Shamoo Al-Rajab, Abdul Aziz Naser. The security forces also burned the residents' motorcycles. and the gunshots continue up till now.

1241 GMT: A day after conflicts in Taiz between protesters and security forces after a protest camp was destroyed Monday night, protesters again took to the streets.

1232 GMT: The calls for the prosecution of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are growing in strength and number. The New York based Human Rights Watch has stated that recent killings should be considered "crimes against humanity," and Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has said that al-Assad should be prosecuted for his crimes, including the killing of 13-year old Hamza al-Khatib.

1225 GMT: An Egyptian panel has accused Ahmed Saad, former head of Egypt's Capital Market Authority, with abuse of power and profiteering. He will not be able to leave the country.

Saad is a known associate of former President Mubarak's son, Alaa, who is already in prison on similar charges.

1214 GMT: The Kuwaiti government has withdrawn its diplomatic corps from Yemen "due to the tense security situation." 

James Miller takes the helm.

Protesters in Homs in Syria last night chant, "Whomever can't hear, listen....We will not go back ...until the regime [falls]":

1130 GMT: A spokesman for the Libyan regime has claimed that coalition bombing killed 718 civilians and injured 4067 between 19 March and 26 May.

1125 GMT: A spokesman for opposition generals in Yemen has said that four missiles struck a compound last night where the commanders were meeting. There were no casualties.

A regime spokesman Abdu Ganady denied the report.

1122 GMT: Al Jazeera Arabic reports that assailants tried to disrupt a conference of more than 300 exiled Syrian opposition figures in Antalya, Turkey. Police intervened to separate the two groups.

The exiles are trying to establish a plan for a "new, democratic Syria" and to form a committee to work with the international community.

Conference participants swear to God to support protests until Syria is free:

1120 GMT: NATO has formally extended its mission in Libya for another 90 days.

1035 GMT: Associated Press updates the overnight toll from fighting in Yemeni capital Sana'a to 41.

The agency also reports that Presidential Guard units shelled the headquarters of an army brigade responsible for guarding sensitive government institutions. The regime forces suspected the brigade commander was about to the opposition.

Opposition army officers said the armoured brigade commander, Brigadier-General Mohammed Khalil, was neutral and without political affiliation but had apparently angered Saleh.

0950 GMT: Doctors and officials say that at least 37 people have been killed in overnight fighting in the Yemeni capital Sanaa.

Fighting is continuing between forces loyal to President Saleh and fighters of the opposition tribal leader Sheikh Sadeq al-Ahmar.

0645 GMT: The Guardian of London follows up on the story of "Westerners" with the insurgents in Libya, writing that former members of Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) and other employees of private security companies are helping NATO identify targets from opposition-held Misurata.

The special forces are sending the locations and movements of Gaddafi's forces to the headquarters of NATO's commander, Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, in Naples, Italy.

The former soldiers are there with the knowledge and support of Britain, France and other NATO countries, who have supplied communications equipment.

On Monday, Al Jazeera English filmed six "Westerners" --- "possibly British" --- with insurgent fighters.

0640 GMT: Bahraini authorities released human rights activist Nabeel Rajab after more than four hours of interrogation.

Rajab has been briefly arrested during the uprising that began 14 February, and he has been subjected to a high-profile propaganda campaign by the regime.

0635 GMT: Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has urged the United Nations to consider referring Syrian President Assad to the International Criminal Court.

Rudd said Australia had extended sanctions against Assad's inner circle to more individuals associated with the President, and Canberra would discuss possible further legal steps with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

0605 GMT: As we catch up on the overnight news, we begin with a 6-minute tour of the Hasaba district of Yemen's capital Sana'a. The area has been a battlefield between the troops of President Saleh and the fighters of the opposition tribal chief Sheikh Sadeq al-Ahmar; the regime has also used shelling and even aerial bombardment in an attempt to quell the uprising.

This is only one front of a three-front conflict in Yemen: fighting continues between the regime and insurgents in the south, and protesters --- despite at least 68 being killed this week by security forces --- continue their demonstrations for Saleh to step down.

In Syria, protesters video their overnight marches to establish they are not going away while they limit the chances of confrontation with security forces. Footage from Deir al Zor and chants of "Allahu Akbar (God is Great)" in Hama last night: