Middle East protests: Country by country

Libya

An uprising against Col Muammar Gaddafi's rule has left an estimated 1,000 people dead and many more injured since 16 February.

Much of eastern Libya, including Libya's second city, Benghazi, has fallen to anti-government rebels, who have formed a 30-member Interim Transitional National Council. Several towns in the west are also being controlled by the rebels, although the government's elite troops have made a concerted effort to retake them.

Benghazi, effectively the rebel headquarters, is the focus of current fighting and has come under air attack by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi. Both rebels and government-linked forces claim to be getting the upper hand in the key town of Ajdabiya, near the Egyptian border. If it falls, Benghazi could be surrounded.

In the capital, Tripoli, there is an air of confidence among regime loyalists as their control appears to be consolidating. Central areas, including Col Gaddafi's stronghold of Sirte, also remain firmly under their control.

The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to impose sanctions on Col Gaddafi and his government, including an arms embargo and asset freeze. It continues to wrestle over a resolution aimed at authorising a no-fly zone. Russia has strong reservations about military action, as does China.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague has announced it will investigate Col Gaddafi and his associates for alleged crimes against humanity.

Meanwhile, the Arab League is considering plans for a negotiated end to the crisis in Libya, notably one from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

In several appearances, Col Gaddafi has remained defiant, primarily blaming al-Qaeda for the uprising. With loyalists staging public rallies in support of their beleaguered leader, he has warned of "another Vietnam" if the crisis escalates.

The unrest has led to a massive exodus of people by land, sea and air. More than 200,000 foreign nationals have streamed over the borders with Tunisia, Egypt and Niger to flee the violence, according to the United Nations, which has launched a $160m (£99m) appeal for emergency humanitarian aid.

Protests of any kind are prohibited in Libya but the latest unrest was triggered by the arrest of a lawyer who is an outspoken critic of the government.

In power since 1969, Col Gaddafi is the longest-serving ruler in Africa and the Middle East, and also one of the most autocratic.