Current Events

Middle East

Tunisia

Ennahda party president Rached Ghannouchi, leaving the presidential palace this morning after speaking with Tunisia's President Moncef Marzouki, declined to name which Ennahda figure will replace outgoing Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, who resigned late yesterday. However Ghannouchi said the country will have a new government "by the end of the week".

Algeria

Dozens of foreign hostages are killed by Islamist militants during a four-day siege at a remote gas complex. Algerian special forces storm the site. PM Abdelmalek Sellal says the attackers entered Algeria from northern Mali.

Egypt

President Morsi brings forward the start of parliamentary elections to 22 April. The main opposition National Salvation Front announces a poll boycott.

Libya

Libya dismisses security concerns that prompt Britain, Germany and the Netherlands to urge their citizens to leave the country's second city, Benghazi.

Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah swears in 30 women to the previously all-male Shura consultative council - a major step in female participation in public life. It is the first time women have been able to hold any political office.

Jordan

Pro-government candidates victorious in parliamentary elections which are boycotted by the main opposition Islamic Action Front. Abdullah Ensour resigns to make way for a new prime minister, to be elected by MPs.

Yemen

A Saudi diplomat and his bodyguard are shot dead in Sanaa. Security officials say the assailants, who opened fire on the diplomat's convoy, were dressed in police uniforms

Syria

Syria says Israeli jets targeted a military research Centre north-west of Damascus, but denies reports that lorries carrying weapons bound for Lebanon were hit. Israel has not commented, but has frequently expressed concern at the possible movement of chemical weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.