5:53pm UK, Sunday February 20, 2011
Violent clashes continue to erupt across the Middle East as reports surface of Iranian officials using tear gas to disperse crowds in Tehran.
A fresh wave of protests, inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, has swept across the region, with demonstrations taking place in Libya, Yemen, Morocco, Iran and Djibouti.
Thousands also continue to occupy Bahrain's Pearl Roundabout after a week of protests which has seen sporadic violent clashes.
While each country has its own grievances, the protest movement is said to be largely caused by high unemployment, rising food prices and a large young population who are disillusioned with corrupt and repressive regimes.
Troops have apparently used heavy weaponry, such as machine guns, to fire at the crowds protesting against Colonel Gaddafi's 40-year rule.
Clashes have erupted with Yemeni government supporters
Here is a round-up of the other key clashes across the region:
Iran: Opposition websites have called for more anti-government protests today and as people take to the streets, witnesses have reported seeing tear gas fired in Valiasr Square and outside the state television building in Tehran.
Footage has also emerged apparently showing security forces on motorbikes, chasing protesters through the streets in the city of Shiraz.
The daughter of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was reportedly arrested for taking part in a banned opposition rally, although it is believed she has since been released.
And there are also reports that protests have spread to the cities of Esfahan and Mahabad.
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RT @iran88: Video from Tehran http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=29070 #iranelection #1esfand by FreddyCrazyLove
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#Iran #1Esfand Friend in Tehran "I see a revolution in the making. I have to go back." by MikVerbrugge
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and so, iran joins the countries that want to over throw their regime.. by el_facee
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RT @JShahryar: Iran: Security forces indiscriminately fired live ammunition on protesters in Mahabad too. #IranElection #1Esfand by mubaraketganen
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Rafsanjani's daughter has been arrested in Tehran - if anything tell you the governing elites in Iran are fracturing, that's it... #1esfand by aaronjohnpeters
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RT @MikVerbrugge: #Iran #1Esfand Tehran Crowd still growing at unbelievable rate. Sporadic Gun shots heard from many places. by bektashi
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Hard clashes around Tehran University #Iranelection #iran #tehran http://fb.me/AbJiVbiy by freedommesenger
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Islamic Regime of Iran use 2day all its thugs forces Bassijs Plain clouthes RG against our brave innocent ppl who still protest 2 peacefully by KoutchoulouJan
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RT @GEsfandiari: without brave #Iran citizen-journalists we wouldn't be knowing about today's protest & clashes in Tehran&other cities #1Esfand #Iranelection by nina_isabella0
Yemen: Pro- and anti-government protesters have clashed in the capital Sanaa, with stones and missiles thrown between the two groups.
The embattled president Ali Abdullah Saleh has offered to oversee a dialogue between his ruling party and the opposition in a bid to end 11 days of violent demonstrations.
He has already made a series of concessions, promising that his son would not succeed him as president and saying he would not seek another term in office.
Morocco: Around 2,000 people have gathered in the capital, Rabat, to demand a clean-up of government corruption and constitutional reform.
Some protesters are carrying Tunisian and Egyptian flags, but it is thought unlikely that Morocco will succumb to the revolutions sweeping across the region.
The protests have been peaceful and there have been no direct attacks on the country's king. Police are currently keeping their distance from demonstrators.
Thousands have gathered for peaceful demonstrations in Rabat
Djibouti: The authorities have detained three top opposition leaders after several days of demonstrations.
Thousands have turned out for fresh protests and police have reportedly fired tear gas into the crowds.
New footage has emerged of demonstrations which took place in the country on Friday showing crowds of people calling for the resignation of the country's president.
Bahrain: Thousands of people continue to flock to Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama, where protesters camped out overnight after troops and armoured vehicles left the area.
Most protesters are Shi'ite Muslims, who make up 70% of the population. They claim the ruling Sunni minority keep them out of state jobs, housing and healthcare.
However, there are reportedly Sunni Muslims also gathered at the roundabout, saying the protest is about unity, not division between the two groups.
Protesters have set up camp at the Pearl roundabout
Algeria: Police armed with batons yesterday thwarted a rally by thousands of pro-democracy supporters by breaking them up into smaller isolated groups and blocking their march route.
No firearms were used, but police tackled protesters to keep traffic moving and prevent a second protest a week after 10,000 people brought the city of Algiers to a halt.
The demonstration had been called by the Coordination for Democratic Change, but police were said to outnumber protesters, succeeding in keeping them away from main avenues and confined to the side streets.
Authorities have promised to lift a 19-year-old state of emergency that outlaws public gatherings in Algiers, by the end of February.
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