See also Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers (14 May)
Our recurring feature in which EA readers use the Comments section to bring in the latest news and thoughts from social media....
Syria Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: 30 Die as Protests Continue
1645 GMT: The establishment of an “International South Azerbaijani Turks' National Council” has been announced in Ankara.
Cemal Mehmethanoğlu, the spokesperson of the council, declared:
Our ultimate aim is the independence of Turks living in ‘Southern Azerbaijan.' But we seek independence by democratic, peaceful means, not through the use of weapons.
1430 GMT: There has been a clash between Turkish soldiers and PKK members in the province of Diyarbakir. Last week, Veysel Celik. Justice and Development Party (AKP)'s chairman of the Kulp district of Diyarbakir had been kidnapped by PKK members. Two village guards are reportedly wounded.
1200 GMT: In response to the demands of public servants for a 16 percent increase in monthly wages, Minister of Labour and Social Security Faruk Celik had stated on May 1 that the proposals were on the table and had continued:
You will demand, as a necessity of democracy, and we will try to give you what you want. We will give less or more than you want, but we will solve this.
However, the government offered much less than what was expected. According to this offer, 3+3 percent increase in the first year and 2+3 percent increase in the second year are offered.
2159 GMT: Syria. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has released an internal report that suggests the US government does not believe the Syrian government is abiding by the UN brokered ceasefire. In fact, USAID reports that the Syrian military even killed aid workers. Foreign Policy reports:
"U.N.-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan expressed concerns regarding reports of SARG reprisal attacks in areas where Syrian civilians met with U.N. observers, including in Hamah and Damascus governorates," the report stated. "The observers report that SARG forces have not withdrawn heavy weapons from urban centers -- a condition of the U.N. and Arab League supported ceasefire and peace plan that went into effect on April 12."
2100 GMT: Syria. Earlier we received reports, and the impressive video below reportedly taken in Douma, of security forces flocking into the Damascus suburbs. Syrian security was also spotted moving in Hama and several other areas. Our reaction? The new FSA offensive may have hit a nerve, as the regime had pulled some of those forces out of these areas in order to appear as though they were complying with the UN ceasefire.
See also Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers (13 May)
Our recurring feature in which EA readers use the Comments section to bring in the latest news and thoughts from social media....
Syria Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 10:05 | Scott Lucas in Africa, EA Global, EA Middle East and Turkey, Middle East and Iran A Saturday evening demonstration in the Khamidiya section of Homs, including the children of those who have died in the 14-month conflict
One of a series of photos of fighting in the Lebanese city of Tripoli between supporters and opponents of the Syrian regime --- at least four people died (see 0905, 0955, and 1603 GMT)
See also Syria Snapshot: Assad's Supporters Clash With Kurds --- But Can the Kurds Unite?
Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers
Bahrain Live Coverage: Challenging the US Arms Sale
Saturday's Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: An Uneasy Frontline
1733 GMT: Lebanon. A sit-in demonstration at Aleppo University today:
1603 GMT: Lebanon. Witnesses and officials say at least four people, including a Lebanese soldier, were killed and another 24 injured in the overnight fighting in the Lebanese city of Tripoli between residents for and against the Assad regime (see 0905 and 0955 GMT).
See also Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers (12 May)
Our recurring feature in which EA readers use the Comments section to bring in the latest news and thoughts from social media....
Syria Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 15:22 | Scott Lucas in Africa, EA Global, EA Middle East and Turkey, Middle East and Iran A video from the Syrian frontline: a regime soldier defects in Armanaz in Idlib Province --- his surprised colleagues cannot attack him because of the presence of observers
See also Syria Snap Analysis: Who Is Behind Thursday's Damascus Bombs?
Bahrain Live Coverage: Marches and US Arms Sales
Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers
Friday's Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: Uncertainties After the Damascus Bombs
1722 GMT: Syria. Human rights lawyer Anwar Bunni has said that a military court has released eight activists, including blogger Razan Ghazzawi, until their 29 May trial on charges of "possession of banned publications".
1720 GMT: Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah has dismissed a senior cleric, Sheikh Abdulmohsen al-Obeikan, who criticised a measure that allowed women to mix with unmarried men.
The firing of the royal advisor fits a pattern of recent years in which senior clerics who oppose limited reforms have been dismissed.
Earlier this year, the head of the religious police was replaced by a cleric who was seen to be more liberal, and in 2010 King Abdullah fired the judiciary head, Sheikh Saleh al-Lohaidan, for attacking a new university that was the centrepiece of government education reforms.
Our recurring feature in which EA readers use the Comments section to bring in the latest news and thoughts from social media....
Syria 
Smoke rises from a highway in Damascus after two car bombs exploded on Thursday, killing at least 55.
Another car bombing, more contrasting claims of who's responsible. What does the evidence tell us about who conducted these attacks, and what does that mean for the conflict ahead?
Damascus, Free Syrian Army, Qazzaz, Syria, Terrorism, car bomb, extremists Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9:27 | James Miller in Africa, EA Global, EA Middle East and Turkey, Middle East and Iran 2013 GMT: Syria. Protests have lasted well into the night. This impressive video was reportedly taken in Douma, a key Damascus suburb:
However, a quick check of the LCCS suggests that the evening protest may have been disrupted by violence:
Reports of the fall of tank shells on Misraba and Hijarieh neighborhoods along with powerful explosions shake the Great Mosque's yard. In addition to heavy gunfire reported in Shuhada (Martyrs) Square and Shefonieh roundabout and the deployment of snipers in multiple places.
2007 GMT: Syria. Activist Rami Al Jarrah shares this video reportedly showing violence in Saqba, Damascus, earlier today:
