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Tunisia
The leader in this President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. He ruled for 24 years. This is the country where the Arab spring began. During the Arab spring in Tunisia about 300 people died. This all started when a 27 year old man went to go get a business permit to sell fruit and they wouldn't give him one so he went to the gas station bought gasoline when in front of the place that wouldn't give him the permit and set himself on fire. -
Egypt
The leader of Egypt was President Hosni Mubarak, he was president for about 30 years. He is put on trial for ordering the killings of protesters. In Egypt the ciaos was because of poverty, rising prices, young people couldn't get jobs and many other reasons. Violence in the late 2011 prompted a statement from President Honsi Mubarak and he promised that by the end of June 2012 that there will be president elections. At least 846 people were killed and more then 6,400 people were injured. -
Syria
The leader of Syria is Bashar al-Assad, in power since 2000. He inherited the power from his father. Since March 11, about 5,000 Syrians have been killed. All the protesters were protesting about political freedom, an end to corruption, action on poverty, and an end to the emergency law of 1963. The Syria government says the protesters are terrorist and armed gangs. Mr. Assad has promised reform since 2000 but there are little to no changes. -
Libya
The leader of Libya was Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. He was in power for about 40 years. After 8 months of civil war and with NATO’s help, Gaddafi was captured and killed on October 31. Libryas uprising began mid-February. They were inspired by Tunsia and Egypt, and then hundreds of people came on to the street and started demanding he end of Col Gaddafi's rule. The authorities then responded with violence, and started shooting protesters. -
Libya Part 2
In March, the UN Security Council passed a resolution which let them do anything to keep them under control but the troops needed to stay off the ground so the civilians were safe. The government widened the no-fly zone to include government targets and there were many air attacks. After 6 months of fighting the rebels took over Tripoli and thousands of people poured into the streets and celebrated. -
Saudi Arabia
The leader of Saudi Arabia was King Abdullah Al Saud. The leader has been ruling since 2005. Saudi Arabia is one of the most traditional and wealthiest country in the Middle East. The leader supports the Middle Eastern leaders and supplied them with soldiers to take down protesters. Small protest have happened in Saudi Arabia about labor rights, woman wanting electoral rights and the right to drive. Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, fled in January, and Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh got injured.
