Background guide

About g8 The Group of Eight (G8, and formerly the G6 or Group of Six) is a forum,

created by France in 1975, [1] for the governments of six major economies: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1976, Canada joined the group (thus creating the G7). In 1997, the group added Russia, thus becoming the G8. In addition, the European Union is represented within the G8, but cannot host or chair. [2] "G8" can refer to the member states or to the annual summit meeting of the G8 heads of government.. G8 ministers also meet throughout the year, such as the G7/8 finance ministers (who meet four times a year), G8 foreign ministers, or G8 environment ministers. Collectively, the G8 nations comprise 53.0% of global nominal GDP and 42.5% of global GDP (PPP). Each calendar year, the responsibility of hosting the G8 rotates through the member states in the following order: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. The holder of the presidency sets the agenda, hosts the summit for that year, and determines which ministerial meetings will take place. Lately, both France and the United Kingdom have expressed a desire to expand the group to include five developing countries, referred to as the Outreach Five (O5) or the Plus Five: Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. These countries have participated as guests in previous meetings, which are sometimes called G8+5 the annual G8 leaders summit is attended by eight of the world's mo st powerful heads of government. However, as noted by commentators the G -8 summit is not the place to flesh out the details of any difficult or controversial policy issue in the context of a three-day event. Rather, the meeting is to bring a range of complex and sometimes inter-related issues. The G8 summit brings leaders together not so they can dream up quick fixes, but to talk and think about them together. [16]

The member country holding the G8 presidency is responsible fororganizing and hosting the year's summit.

Each of the 36 G8 summit meetings have been called a success . The G8 annual summit sets the stage for what needs to be done and establishes an idea of how to do it.

Core G8 participants
These summit participants represent the current "core members" of the international forum: [9]
Member Canada France Germany Italy Japan Russia United Kingdom United States European Commission European Council Title Prime Minister President Chancellor Prime Minister Prime Minister President Prime Minister President President President

Past summits Date Host country Host leader Location held

1st

Novembe r 1517, ce 1975 June 27 28, 1976 May 78, 1977 July 16 17, 1978 June 28 29, 1979 June 22 23, 1980 July 20 21, 1981 June 4 6, 1982 May 28 30, 1983 June 7 9, 1984 May 24, 1985 May 46, 1986 ada ce

Fran Valry Giscard d'Estaing Gerald R. Ford James Callaghan Helmut Schmidt Masayoshi hira Francesco Cossiga Pierre E. Trudeau

2nd

Unit ed States Unit ed Kingdom Ger many Jap an Italy Can

3rd

4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

Fran Franois Mitterrand Ronald Reagan Margaret Thatcher

Unit ed States Unit ed Kingdom Wes t Germany Jap an

10th

11th

Helmut Kohl Yasuhiro Nakasone

12th

13th 14th 15th 16th

June 8 10, 1987 June 19 21, 1988 July 14 16, 1989 July 9 11, 1990 July 15 17, 1991 July 68, 1992 July 79, 1993 July 8 10, 1994 June 15 17, 1995 June 27 29, 1996 June 20 22, 1997 May 15 17, 1998 June 18 20, 1999 July 21 23, 2000 July 20 22, 2001 June 26 27, 2002 June 2 ada ada ada ce

Italy Can

AmintoreFanfan i Brian Mulroney

Fran Franois Mitterrand George H. W. Bush John Major

Unit ed States Unit ed Kingdom Ger many Jap an Italy Can Fran ce Unit ed States Unit ed Kingdom Ger many Jap an Italy Can

17th

18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd

Helmut Kohl Kiichi Miyazawa Silvio Berlusconi Jean Chrtien Jacques Chirac Bill Clinton

24th

Tony Blair Gerhard Schrder Yoshiro Mori Silvio Berlusconi Jean Chrtien

25th 26th 27th 28th 29th

Fran Jacques Chirac

3, 2003 30th June 8 10, 2004 July 68, 2005 July 15 17, 2006 June 6 8, 2007 July 79, 2008 July 8 10, 2009 June 25 26, 2010[33] May 26 27, 2011 2012

ce Unit ed States Unit ed Kingdom Rus sia Ger many Jap an Italy Can ada Fran ce Unit ed States Tony Blair George W. Bush

31st

32nd 33rd 34th 35th

Vladimir Putin Angela Merkel Yasuo Fukuda Silvio Berlusconi Stephen Harper

36th

37th 38th

Nicolas Sarkozy Barack Obama

About the agenda ;

the series of protests and demonstrations across the Middle East and North Africa has become known as the "Arab Spring",[28][29][30][31][32][33] and sometimes as the "Arab Spring and Winter",[34] "Arab Awakening"[35] or "Arab Uprisings"[36] even though not all participants in protests identify as Arab. It was sparked by the first protests that occurred in Tunisia on 18 December 2010 following Mohamed Bouazizi'sself-immolation in protest of police corruption and ill treatment.[37][38] With the success of the protests in Tunisia, a wave of unrest struck Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, and Yemen,[39] then spread to other countries, with

the largest, most organised demonstrations often occurring on a "day of rage", usually Friday after noon prayers. [40][41][42] The protests have also triggered similar unrest outside the region. As of July 2011, demonstrations have resulted in the overthrow of two heads of state: Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on 14 January following the Tunisian revolution protests, and in Egypt, PresidentHosni Mubarak resigned on 11 February 2011, after 18 days of massive protests, ending his 30-year presidency. During this period of regiona l unrest, several leaders announced their intentions to step down at the end of their current terms. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced that he would not seek reelection in 2015,[43] as did Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose term ends in 2014,[44] although there have been increasingly violent demonstrations demanding his immediate resignation. [45] Protests in Jordan have also caused the resignation of the government [46] resulting in former Prime Minister and Ambassador to IsraelMarouf al-Bakhit being appointed prime minister by King Abdullah and tasked with forming a new government. [47] Another leader, President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, announced on 23 April that he would step down within 30 days in exchange for immunity, [48] a deal the Yemeni opposition informally accepted on 26 April; [49]Saleh then reneged on the deal, prolonging the Yemeni uprising. [50]Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi has refused to step down, causing a civil war between his loyalists and rebels based in Benghazi.[51]

Tunisian revolution

Demonstrators in downtown Tunis on 14 January 2011

Main article: Tunisian revolution Following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in SidiBouzid, a series of increasingly violent street demonstrations through December 2010 ultimately led to the ouster of longtime PresidentZine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January 2011. The demonstrations were precipitated by high unemployment, food inflation, corruption,[164] lack of freedom of speech and other forms of political freedom,[165] and poor living conditions. The protests constituted the most dramatic wave of social and political unrest in Tunisia in three decades,[166][167] and have resulted in scores of deaths and injuries, most of which were the result of action by police and security forces against demonstrators. Ben Ali fled into exile in Saudi Arabia, ending his 23 years in power.[168][169] Following Ben Ali's departure, a state of emergency was declared and a caretaker coalition government was created, which included members of Ben Ali's party, the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD), as well as opposition figures from other ministries. However, the five newly appointed non-RCD ministers resigned almost immediately.[170][171] As a result of continued daily protests, on 27 January Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi reshuffled the government, removing all former RCD members other than himself, and on 6 February the former ruling party was suspended;[172] later, on 9 March, it was dissolved.[173] Following further public protests, Ghannouchi himself resigned on 27 February, and BejiCaid el Sebsi became Prime Minister. [edit]

Egyptian revolution

Main article: 2011 Egyptian revolution See also: Supreme Council of the Armed Forces#Actions

Celebrations in Tahrir Square after Omar Suleiman's statement concerning Hosni Mubarak's resignation

Following the uprising in Tunisia and prior to his entry as a central figure in Egyptian politics, potential presidential candidateMohamed ElBaradei warned of a 'Tunisia-style explosion' in Egypt.[174] Protests in Egypt began on 25 January and ran for 18 days. Beginning around midnight on 28 January, the Egyptian government attempted, somewhat successfully, to eliminate the nation's internet access, in order to inhibit the protesters' ability to organize through social media.[175] Later that day, as tens of thousands protested on the streets of Egypt's major cities, President Mubarak dismissed his government, later appointing a new cabinet. Mubarak also appointed the first Vice President in almost 30 years.[citation needed] On 2 February, pro-Mubarak activists led a counter-protest that turned violent. [citation needed] Many international journalists complained of harassment and one local journalist was killed in the protests. [citation needed] On 10 February, Mubarak ceded all presidential power to Vice President Omar Suleiman, but soon thereafter announced that he would remain as President until the end of his term.[176] However, protests continued the next day, and Suleiman quickly announced that Mubarak had resigned from the presidency and transferred power to the Armed Forces of Egypt.[177] The military immediately dissolved the Egyptian Parliament, suspended the Constitution of Egypt, and promised to lift the nation's thirty-year "emergency laws". It further promised to hold free, open elections within the next six months, or by the end o f the year at the latest.[citation needed] A civilian, EssamSharaf, was appointed as Prime Minister of Egypt on 4 March to widespread approval among Egyptians in Tahrir Square.[178] Protests have continued through July 2011, however, in response to Sharaf and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' perceived sluggishness in instituting reforms.[179] [edit]

Libyan civil war

Thousands of demonstrators gather in Al Bayda

Main article: 2011 Libyan civil war The protest began in Libya, after the success of the revolution of Tunisia and went out the first demonstration to protest living conditions in the city of Al Bayda on 14 January, and protesters clashed with police and attacked government offices.[180][181] Anti-government protests began in Libya on 15 February 2011. By 18 February, the opposition controlled most of Benghazi, the country's second-largest city. The government dispatched elite troops and mercenaries in an attempt to recapture it, but they were repelled. By 20 February, protests had spread to the capital Tripoli, leading to a television address by Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, who warned the protestors that their country could descend into civil war. The rising death toll, which currently numbers in the thousands, was drawing international condemnation, resulting in the resignation of several Libyan diplomats and their call for the regime's dismantlement. [citation needed] On 26 February 2011, amidst ongoing efforts by demonstrators and rebel forces to wrest control of Tripoli from the jamahiriya, the opposition set up an interim government in Benghazi to oppose Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's rule.[182][183] However, despite initial opposition success, government forces subsequently took back much of the Mediterranean coast.[citation needed] On 17 March, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 was adopted, authorising a no-fly zone over Libya, and "all necessary measures" to protect civilians. Two days later, France, the United States and the United Kingdomintervened in Libya with a bombing campaign against pro-Gaddafi forces. A coalition of 27 states from Europe and the Middle East soon joined the intervention. The forces were driven back from the outskirts of Benghazi, and the rebels mounted an offensive, capturing scores of towns across the coast of Libya. The offensive stalled however, and a counter-offensive by the government

retook most of the towns, until a stalemate was formed between Brega and Ajdabiya, the former being held by the government and the latter in the hands of the rebels. Focus then shifted to the west of the country, where bitter fighting continued. After a three-month-long battle, a loyalist siege of rebel-held Misrata, the third largest city in Libya, was broken in large part due to coalition air strikes. The three major fronts of combat are generally considered to be the Nafusa Mountains (also known as the Western Mountains), Misrata District, and the Gulf of Sidra,[184] though a fourth front may have opened as of late July 2011 in the southern Libyan Desert.[185] [edit]

Syrian uprising
Main article: 2011 Syrian uprising

Large protests in Al-Assysquare in Hama

Protests in Syria started on 26 January, when one case of self-immolation was reported. Protesters have been calling for political reforms and the reinstatement of civil rights, as well as an end to the state of emergency which has been in place since 1963.[186] A "day of rage" was set for 45 February, but it was uneventful.[187][188] Thousands of protestors gathered in Damascus, Aleppo, al-Hasakah, Daraa, Deirez-Zor, and Hama on 15 March,[189][190][191][192] with recently released politician SuhairAtassi becoming an unofficial spokesperson for the 'Syrian revolution'.[193][194][195][196] The next day there were reports of approximately 3000 arrests and a few 'martyrs', but there are no official figures on the number of deaths.[197] Protests have continued through July 2011, with the government responding with harsh security clampdowns and military operations in several districts, especially in the north.[198] [edit]

Yemeni uprising
Main article: 2011 Yemeni uprising

Protesters in Sana'a on 3 February.

Protests occurred in many towns in both the north and south of Yemen starting in mid-January. Demonstrators initially protested against governmental proposals to modify the constitution of Yemen, unemployment and economic conditions,[199] and corruption,[200] but their demands soon included a call for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh,[119][200][201] who had been facing internal opposition from his closest advisors since 2009.[202] A major demonstration of over 16,000 protesters took place in Sana'a on 27 January,[203] and soon thereafter human rights activist and politician Tawakel Karman called for a "Day of Rage" on 3 February.[204] According to Xinhua News, organizers were calling for a million protesters.[205] In response to the planned protest, Ali Abdullah Saleh stated that he would not seek another presidential term in 2013.[206] On 3 February, 20,000 protesters demonstrated against the government in Sana'a,[207][208] others participated in a "Day of Rage" in Aden[209] that was called for by Tawakel Karman,[204] while soldiers, armed members of the General People's Congress, and many protestors held a pro-government rally in Sana'a.[210] Concurrent with the resignation of Egyptian president Mubarak, Yemenis again took to the streets protesting President Saleh on 11 February, in what has been dubbed a "Friday of Rage".[211] The protests continued in the days following despite clashes with government advocates.[212] In a "Friday of Anger" held on 18 February, tens of thousands of Yemenis took part in anti-government demonstrations in the major cities of Sana'a, Taiz, and Aden. In the capital, Sana'a, the crowd marched towards the Presidential Palace, chanting anti-

government slogans, despite the attempts of riot police to stop them. Three people were killed in the demonstrations, one of whom was killed by a hand grenade in Taiz. There were also reports of gunfire in Aden during a rally, and as the riots continued overnight protesters set fire to a local government building. Security forces killed one demonstrator, and killed another demonstrator during protests the following day.[213] Protests continued over the following months, especially in the three major cities, and briefly intensified in late May into urban warfare between Hashid tribesmen and army defectors allied with the opposition on one side and security forces and militias loyal to Saleh on the other. [214] After Saleh agreed to accept a Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered plan allowing him to cede power in exchange for immunity only to back away before signing three separate times,[215][216] an assassination attempt on 3 June left him and several other high-ranking Yemeni officials injured by a blast in the presidential compound's mosque.[217]Saleh was evacuated to Saudi Arabia for treatment, but he handed over power to Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi, who has largely continued his policies[218] and ordered the arrest of several Yemenis in connection with the attack on the presidential compound.[217] It is unclear whether Saleh will return from Saudi Arabia or when he might do so, but he appeared briefly on television from Riyadh to address the Yemeni people on 7 July.[219] Protests have continued in his absence and are ongoing as of July 2011.[220] [edit]

Concurrent incidents
Concurrent with the events in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen, protests flared up in other parts of the region, some of them becoming violent, some of them facing strong suppression efforts, and some of them resulting in various political changes. [edit]

Algeria
Main article: 20102011 Algerian protests
8 January protests in Algeria.

On 29 December, protests began in Algiers over the lack of housing, quickly escalating to violent confrontations with the police. At least 53 people were

reported injured and another 29 arrested.[221] Over the course of the Algerian protests, three demonstrators were killed, over 800 were injured, and at least 1,100 were arrested.[citation needed] From 1219 January, a wave of self-immolation attempts swept the country, beginning with Mohamed Aouichia, who set himself on fire in BordjMenaiel in protest at his family's housing. On 13 January, Mohsen Bouterfif set himself on fire after a meeting with the mayor of Boukhadra in Tebessa, who had been unable to offer Bouterfif a job and a house. Bouterfif reportedly died a few days later, and about 100 youths protested his death, resulting in the mayor's dismissal by the provincial governor. At least ten other self-immolation attempts were reported that week.[citation needed] On 22 January, the RCD party organised a demonstration for democracy in Algiers, and though illegal under the State of Emergency enacted in 1992, it was attended by about 300 people. The demonstration was suppressed by police, with 42 reported injuries. On 29 January, at least ten thousand people marched in the northeastern city of Bjaa.[222] In an apparent bid to stave off unrest, President AbdelazizBouteflika announced on 3 February that the 19-year state of emergency would be lifted,[223] a promise fulfilled on 22 February when Algeria's cabinet adopted an order to lift the state of emergency.[224][225]Bouteflika said on 15 April that he would seek revisions to the country's constitution as part of a broad push for democratic reforms.[226] [edit]

Bahrain
Main article: 2011 Bahraini uprising

Thousands of demonstrators gather for "National demands: An elected government" rally in Karrana, Bahrain on July, 8

The 2011 protests in Bahrain were initially aimed at achieving greater political

freedom and respect for human rights, and were not intended to threaten the monarchy. [227] Lingering frustration among the Shiite majority with being ruled by the Sunni government was a major root cause, but the pro tests in Tunisia and Egypt are cited as the inspiration for the demonstrations. [228][229] The protests began in Bahrain on 14 February [227] and were largely peaceful, until a raid by police on the night of 17 February against protestors sleeping at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama, in which police killed three protestors. [230][231] Following the deadly raid, the protestors' aims expanded to a call for the end of the monarchy.[232] On 18 February, government forces opened fire on protesters, mourners, and news journalists,[233] prompting protesters to begin calling for the overthrow of the Bahraini monarchy and government. [234] On 19 February, protesters occupied Pearl Square after the government ordered troops and police to withdraw. [235][236][237] On 22 February, an estimated one hundred thousand people, one fifth of the nation's population, ma rched. On 14 March, at the request of the Crown Prince, GCC Saudi Arabian troops entered the country, [238] and opened fire on the protesters, several of whom wer e killed. [239][240] Later thousands of Shia protesters arose in Iraq and Qatif in opposition to the Saudiled intervention in Bahrain. [241][242][243] KingHamad bin Isa Al Khalifa declared a three-month state of emergency on 15 March and asked the military to reassert its control as clashes spread across the country.[244] It was later lifted on 1 June 2011. [245] On 16 March 2011, the protesters' camp in the Pearl Roundabout was evacuated, bulldozed, and set on fire by the Bahraini Defense Force, riot police, and the Peninsula Shield Force, the military arm of the Gulf Cooperation Council , which intervened reportedly at King Hamad's behest. [246] Later on 18 March, the Pearl Roundabout monument was torn down as part of the crackdown on protesters. [247] Since the lifting of emergency law on 1 June, several large rallies have been staged by the Shi'ite community demanding the release of detained protesters, greater political representation, and an end to sectarian discrimination. As of July 2011, medical personnel are being prosecuted for treating injured protesters, and several human rights groups and news organizations have alleged they have been deliberately targeted by the Bahraini government. [248] [edit]

Iraq
Main article: 2011 Iraqi protests

In an effort to prevent unrest, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced that he would not run for a third term in 2014. [249] Nevertheless, hundreds of protesters gathered in several major urban areas (notably Baghdad and Karbala) on 12 February, demanding a more effective approach to national security, to the investigation of federal corruption cases, as well as increased government involvement in making public services fair and accessible.[250][251][252] In response, the government promised to subsidize electricity costs.[253] Israel's Haaretz reported that a 31-year-old man in Mosul died from selfimmolation, while protesting high unemployment. Haaretz also reported a planned 'Revolution of Iraqi Rage' to be held on 25 February near the Green Zone.[254] On 16 February, up to 2,000 protesters took over a provincial council building in the city of Kut. The protesters demanded that the provincial governor resign because of the lack of basic services such as electricity and water. As many as three people were killed and 30 injured.[citation needed] On 24 February, Hawijah, Mosul, and Baghdad featured violent protests.[255] [edit]

Israeli border
Main article: 2011 Israeli border demonstrations See also: ArabIsraeli conflict
Free Palestine rally in Cairo

Inspired by the uprisings and revolutions taking place in the Arab world, Palestinians used Facebook to call for mass protests throughout the region on 15 May 2011, Nakba Day.[256][257] A page calling for a "Third Palestinian Intifada" to begin on 15 May garnered more than 350,000 "likes" before being taken down by Facebook managers at the end of March after complaints from the Israeli government that the page encouraged violence.[258][unreliable source?][259] The page called for mass marches to Palestine from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan to commemorate the Nakba and demand the right of return for all Palestinian refugees.[260] Palestinians from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank attempted to reach and cross the Israeli border. However, they were all stopped and 12 were shot and killed by Israeli security forces. Lebanese armed forces also made efforts, including the use of live fire according to some reports, to stop protestors from approaching the Israeli

border. Almost 300 people were injured, including 13 Israeli soldiers. There were also clashes across the annexed east Jerusalem. [261] On 5 June, 23 Syrian demonstrators were killed and hundreds injured by Israeli forces after entering the Golan Heights to protest the controversial Israeli occupation of the territory. [262][263][264] Included among the dead was an unarmed 12-year old boy. [265] In the aftermath, thousands began a sit-in near the Golan Heights,[266][unreliable source?] resulting in the Syrian government creating a security buffer zone to prevent more demonstrators from approaching the border. [262]Lebanese President Michel Sleiman accused Israel of genocide over the incident,[267]U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights NavanethemPillay condemned the Israeli Defense Force's use of force against unarmed, civilian protesters,[268] and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party called for an international response to the incident, calling it a " massacre".[269] An IDF spokeswoman called the Golan Heights violence "an attempt to divert international attention from the bloodbath going on in Syria." [263] Several days later, The Daily Telegraph reported that leaked Syrian state documents seemed to support Israel's claim that the Syrian government orchestrated the Nakba Da y protests as a deliberate provocation to distract from the ongoing uprising in Syria proper.[270] [edit]

Jordan
Main article: 2011 Jordanian protests On 14 January, protests commenced in the capital Amman, as well as at Ma'an, Al Karak, Salt and Irbid, and others. The protests, led by trade unionists and leftist parties, occurred after Friday prayers, and called for the government of Prime Minister Samir Rifai to step down. [271] The Muslim Brotherhood and 14 trade unions said that they would hold a sit -down protest outside parliament the next day to "denounce government economic policies". [272] Following the protest, the government reversed a rise in fuel prices, [273] but 5,000 protested on 21 January in Amman despite this effort to alleviate Jordan's economic misery. [274] On 1 February, the Royal Palace announced that King Abdullah had dismissed the government on account of the street protests, and had asked Marouf alBakhit, a former army general, to form a new Cabinet. [275] King Abdullah charged Bakhit to "take quick, concrete and practical steps to launch a genuine political reform process". The monarch added that the reforms should put Jordan on the path "to strengthen democracy", and provide Jordanians with the "dignified life

they deserve".[276] This move did not end protests, however, which peaked with a rally of between 6,000 and 10,000 Jordanians on 25 February.[277] A protest camp led by students calling for democratic reforms was established on 24 March in Gamal Abdel Nasser Circle in downtown Amman, [278] but at least one person was killed and over 100 injured the next day after pro-government vigilantes clashed with the protesters in the camp, forcing police to intervene. [279] These clashes and belated police interventions have become a hallmark of the Jordanian protests, with a major rally in central Amman planned for 15 July being derailed by belligerent regime supporters.[280] As of July 2011, protests are ongoing. [edit]

Morocco
Main article: 2011 Moroccan protests

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Casablanca.

Inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, at least four Moroccans set themselves on fire on 30 January 2011 at a protest gathering in Tangier.[281] According to a media report, Moroccan authorities approved the anti-government protest that was planned through the popular social networking site Facebook. The same report said that the government had welcomed the plan by several Moroccan youth movements to organize an Egypt-style anti-government protest on 20 February.[282][283] On 20 February, at least 37,000 Moroccans rallied in the capital, Rabat, to demand that King Mohammed relinquish some of his power. [284] The protests were not aimed at overthrowing the king, however, as he remains revered by Moroccans[285] Everything calmed down for about a week following the demonstration, but on 26 February about 1000 demonstrators gathered in Casablanca to demand political reform.[286] On 9 March, in a live televised address, King Mohammed VI announced that he would begin a comprehensive constitutional reform aimed at improving democracy and the rule of law. He promised to form a commission to work on constitutional revisions, which would make proposals to him by June, after which a referendum would be held on the draft constitution. [287] On 20 March, at least 20,000 people,[288] including many Islamists, participated in peaceful protests in more than 60 cities across the nation. Some of the

demonstrators demanded greater political change than what King Mohammed had promised in his 9 March address, while others continued pressuring the government to make the promised reforms.[289] The police did not intervene and no violent acts were reported. [edit]

Oman
Main article: 2011 Omani protests
Protesters set ablaze Lulu Hypermarket in Sohar, Oman on 28 February 2011

In the Gulf country of Oman, 200 protesters marched on 17 January 2011, demanding salary increases and a lower cost of living. The protest shocked some journalists who generally view Oman as a 'politically stable and sleepy country'.[290] Renewed protests occurred on 18 February, with 350 protesters demanding an end to corruption and better distribution of oil revenue. [291] Some protesters also carried signs with slogans of support for the Sultan. [292] On 26 February, protesters in Sohar called for more jobs.[293] On the following day, tensions escalated with protesters burning shops and cars.[294] The police responded using tear gas to contain and disperse the crowds of protesters.[295] Demonstrations also spread to the region of Salalah, where protesters had reportedly been camping outside the provincial governor's house since 25 February.[295][296] In Sohar, witnesses claimed that two protesters were killed when police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. [80][81][82][297] Witnesses further reported that protesters burnt a police station as well as the Wali's house (where the representative of the Sultan to Sohar stays).[298] The Omani protesters insisted that they were not challenging the rule of Sultan Qaboos, who has been in power since 1970, but were merely calling for jobs and reform.[299] The protesters even apologized to the Sultan for allowing violence rattle the city of Sohar on 28 February 2011.[300] The Sultan continued with his reform campaign by dissolving the Ministry of National Economy, setting up a state audit committee, granting student and unemployment benefits,[301] dismissing scores of ministers, and reshuffling his cabinet three times.[302] In addition, nearly 50,000 jobs are being created in the public sector, including 10,000 new jobs in the Royal Oman Police.[303]) The Omani Ministry of Manpower has furthermore directed various companies (both private and public) to formulate their own employment plans. The Royal Army of

Oman has also initiated employment drives by publishing recruitment advertisements in newspapers, etc.[304] The government's efforts largely placated protesters, and Oman has not seen significant demonstrations since May 2011, when increasingly violent protests in Salalah were subdued.[305] [edit]

Saudi Arabia
Main article:
Poster for the Saudi Arabia's #women2drive Movement, artwork by Carlos Latuff

In Saudi Arabia hundreds of people protested against the poor infrastructure in Jeddah following flooding. [306][307] At the same time, an online campaign began calling for major political and economic changes. On 5 February, forty women demonstrated for the release of prisoners held without trial. [308] Several protests of a few hundred demonstrators each took place in late February, and also in early March in the north-east, mostly in Qatif[309] but also in Hofuf, in alAwamiyah, as well as in Riyadh.[310][311] Security in the north-east was tightened on 5 March,[312] and a 'significant' police presence in Riyadh[313] and Jeddah[314] prevented protests from occurring on 11 March. A day earlier, three protesters were injured by police gunfire in Qatif. [309] Nonetheless, protests calling for the release of prisoners took place outside the Ministry of the Interior in Riyadh on 12 March.[315][316] Following the crackdown during the 2011 Bahraini uprising, frequent demonstrations of a few hundred to a few thousand [84][85] people occurred in and around Qatif from 15[83] to 25[317][318] March, which demanded the release of prisoners and the withdrawal of the Peninsula Shield Force from Bahrain.[319][320] On 2223 March, men-only municipal elections to elect half the members of local councils were announced for 22 September 2011.[88][89] On June 17, the anti-government movement "Women2Drive" has organized a drive-in to demand fairer treatment of women in the country. It was sparked by the arrest and imprisonment of Manal al-Sharif[321] for driving a vehicle with another woman. al-Sharif has been called a modern Rosa Parks.[322] Reports of desperation within the government surfaced as the rally is expected to highlight one of the worst gender rights' regimes in the world. [323] On June 9, several women were arrested north of Riyadh for practicing in a parking lot. [324][325][326] On June 15, female drivers in the United States have organized a protest in

solidarity with Saudi women, planning to encircle the Saudi embassy in Foggy Bottom.[327] During the month three females from Minnesota, supported by an advocacy group, announced a gender discrimination complaint against the kingdom's livery services in Rochester to coincide with the "Women2Drive" campaign.[328][329] [edit]

Others
In Kuwait, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, gave every citizen [1.12 million people] 'free food rations and a grant of $4,000 [1,000 dinars]'.[330] Officially the grant was in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation from occupying Iraqi forces, as well as of the 50th anniversary of the state's independence.[331] Dozens of Bedouns demonstrated in Kuwait on 19 February[332] and opposition groups called for protests on 8 March.[333][334] In June, hundreds of Kuwaitis marched in an anti-government protest, calling for the resignation of the prime minister.[335] A 10-year old Egyptian boy named Bassem, whose father is an academic[vague] at Kuwait University, was expelled from education[vague] in the country for asking "Why didn't you have a revolution in your country?" Accused of inciting a revolution, the expulsion sparked an outcry, resulting in his reinstatement later that month.[336][337] Soon thereafter, reports surfaced of a crisis growing in the country as a rebellious parliament stepped up pressure on the ruling family over allegations of mismanagement of public funds, corruption and inefficiency. [338] In Lebanon, hundreds or protesters rallied in Beirut on 27 February in a march referred to as "The Laique pride", calling for reform of the country's confessionalpolitical system. At the same time, a peaceful sit-in took place in Saida.[339] On 13 March, tens of thousands of supporters of the March 14 coalition called for the disarmament of Hezbollah in Beirut, rejecting the supremacy of Hezbollah's weapons over political life. They also showed support for the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) after the fall of the Haririgovernment and the creation of the Mikatigovernment.[340] In Mauritania, YacoubOuldDahoud, a protester, burned himself near the Presidential Palace on 17 January, in opposition to the policies of Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.[341][342] The following week, hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital Nouakchott. The mayor of the city of

Awjeft, Mohamed El MoctarOuldEhmeyen Amar, resigned from the ruling party to politically support what he called "the just cause of youngsters".[343] In addition to the capital Noukchott, cities such as Atar, Zouerate, and Aleg also organised sporadic protests.[344] Despite minor economic concessions by the authorities, on 25 April protesters again took to the streets to call for the resignation of the prime-minister, MoulayeOuld Mohamed Laghdaf.[345] In Qatar, a campaign called "The Freedom Revolution, March 16, Qatar" has been launched on Facebook calling for a revolution against the regime of Qatari Emir Hamad binKhalifa Al Thani. However, on 28 February 2011, all the content of the main page of the revolution was deleted and replaced with content in support of the emir. [346] However there were no reports of major protests taking place. the Qatari media claims that the call for a Qatari Revolution was created by Pro-Assad Syrians against Al-Jazeera for its negative reports against Bashar Al-Assad's crackdown.[347] In Sudan, protests took place on 30 January and 1 February, when hundreds called for SudanesePresidentOmar al-Bashir to step down. On 21 February, President Omar al-Bashir announced that he would not seek to run in the next presidential election (in 2015).[348] In the United Arab Emirates, a group of intellectuals petitioned their ruler for comprehensive reform of the Federal National Council, including demands for universal suffrage. About 160 people signed the petition, many of whom were academics and former members of the FNC.[349] On 12 April, Ahmed Mansoor, a prominent blogger and pro-democracy activist, was charged with possession of alcohol. According to his lawyer, two other men, a blogger and a political commentator, were detained a few days earlier, a charge denied by the police.[350] In May, the government started expanding its network of surveillance cameras, as a preventive measure against revolts.[351] In June, Mansoor and 4 other reform activists pleaded not guilty to insulting the ruling family after being charged.[352] In the Palestinian Territories, Haaretz suggested that an announcement by the Palestinian Authority on 1 February to hold municipal elections in July was a reaction to the anti-government protests in Egypt. On 14 February, amid pan-Arab calls for reform, the Palestinian Authority's Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, submitted his resignation along with that of his cabinet to President Abbas. [353] After consultations with other factions, institutions, and civil society groups,

Abbas asked him to form a new government. [354] The reshuffle had long been demanded by Fayyad as well as members of Abbas's Fatah faction. [354] In Western Sahara, young Sahrawis held a series of minor demonstrations to protest labour discrimination, lack of jobs, looting of resources, and human rights abuses. [162] Although protests from February 2011 onward were related to a series of Sahrawi demonstrations outside El Aaiun that originated in October 2010 and died down the following month, protesters cited inspiration from the events in other parts of the region. A few academics, notably Noam Chomsky, viewed the October protests as the starting point from which 'the current wave of protests actually began'. [355]

United nations response to the revolts ;

theUnited Nations Security Council voted to authorize military action, a risky foreign intervention aimed at averting a bloody rout of the rebels by loyalist forces. On March 19, American and European forces began a broad campaign of strikes against Colonel Qaddafi and his government, unleashing warplanes and missiles in a military intervention on a scale not seen in the Arab world since the Iraq war.

Please add mention response

of world leaders. Changes and addition are always welcome .

What is expected from delegates-

1. How do you fix economies slowed down by the Arab Uprisings? If economies are taking a serious hit - was it worth it? 2. The role that capitalism and Islam should play in future Arab societies.