Islamist parties secured 73% of assembly seats following first post-Mubarak parliamentary elections held 21 Jan; president due to be elected by June. Freedom and Justice Party leader Mohammed Saad al-Katatni elected 23 Jan as speaker of People’s Assembly. Military 24 Jan partially lifted decades-old emergency law, released roughly 3,000 prisoners ahead of 25 Jan 1st anniversary of start of revolt that toppled President Hosni Mubarak’s regime. Tensions with U.S. after travel ban on 10 Americans, Europeans as part of criminal investigation into foreign-funded democracy groups. Clashes between authorities and Bedouin continued throughout month; Bedouin 11 Jan clashed with army near Suez in attempt to reclaim land, 24 Jan stormed Sinai tourist resort demanding 4m Egyptian pounds to leave. Radioactive material reportedly stolen 19 Jan when Dabaa residents broke into unfinished nuclear plant, blowing up buildings, including what is believed is the reactor.

At least 17 people killed 16-22 Dec in clashes between protesters and security forces in Cairo; violence erupted after military forces attempted to disperse 3-week-old sit-in of Tahrir Square demanding swifter transfer to civilian rule. Several thousand women marched in Cairo 20 Dec over abuse of female protesters by security forces. Security forces 29 Dec raided NGO offices across country in investigation into foreign funding; U.S. urged govt to “halt” harassment. In first round of 6-week parliamentary election Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) won around 37% of votes but almost half available seats; ultraconservative Salafi al-Nour Party won some 24% of votes; liberal Egypt Bloc and Wafd won 13% and 7%. In 2nd round unofficial results show FJP with some 36%, al-Nour 29%, Wafd 10%; 3rd round scheduled 3-4 Jan, with run-offs 10-11 Jan.

First parliamentary elections since ouster of President Mubarak began 28 Nov. High turnout for first round despite clashes 19-23 Nov between protesters demanding end of army rule and police in Cairo and other cities. At least 41 killed, over 2,000 injured; truce agreed 24 Nov negotiated by Muslim clerics. Cabinet resigned 21 Nov over violent crackdown on protests; Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) 24 Nov named Kamal al-Ganzouri as new PM. Head of SCAF Field Marshal Tantawi 22 Nov promised civilian president will be elected June 2012, 6 months sooner than planned. Supreme administrative court 18 Nov ruled former members of Mubarak’s NDP party may run in parliamentary elections. 29 injured in 17 Nov clashes with residents during Coptic Christian march in Cairo commemorating 9 Oct clashes with security forces.

In worst outbreak of violence since ouster of President Mubarak 26 people killed, over 200 injured 9 Oct in army crackdown on Christian protest in Cairo; Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) denied troops used live ammunition. Thousands of police in nationwide strike 24 Oct to demand better salaries and purge of Mubarak regime officials from security posts. Political parties 2 Oct retracted threat to boycott Nov parliamentary elections after concessions by SCAF on rules allowing members of Mubarak’s former ruling party to run. Head of SCAF Field Marshal Tantawi 5 Oct vowed military will step down but only after it had “fulfilled its commitments”. Egypt and Israel 27 Oct swapped 25 Egyptians in Israeli custody for U.S.-Israeli citizen (see Israel/OPT).

Demonstration 9 Sept in Cairo’s Tahrir Square to speed up political reforms and end emergency law turned violent as thousands attacked Israeli embassy; 3 protesters killed, over 1,000 injured in clashes with police. Ruling Military Council reactivated emergency law after attack on embassy, 21 Sept said law will remain in place until 30 June 2012; activists and politicians condemned decision. PM Sharaf 15 Sept said peace deal with Israel not “sacred”; Israeli PM Netanyahu said treaty is anchor of regional stability. Military Council 27 Sept set 28 Nov as date for start of parliamentary elections for lower house, 22 Jan for upper house; registration to start 12 Oct. Almost 60 political parties from across political spectrum 28 Sept threatened to boycott polls unless military council amend election law by 2 Oct. Former Trade Minister Rachid and former Information Minister el-Fikky sentenced to 15, 7 years jail for graft. Gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan attacked 27 Sept in N Sinai; 6th attack on pipeline since Mubarak’s ouster.

Trial of ousted President Mubarak began 3 Aug in Cairo court, accused of complicity in killing of protesters and graft; judge ended live TV broadcast 15 Aug to “protect public interest”. Armed forces 1 Aug forcefully dispersed several dozen protesters from Cairo’s Tahrir Square after most groups 31 July suspended 3-week sit-in for Ramadan. 1 Coptic Christian killed, 4 Muslims wounded 7 Aug in sectarian clashes in southern Minya province. Muslim Brotherhood, country’s largest political group, 13 Aug warned military rulers not to interfere in writing of new constitution, after Deputy PM Ali al-Silimi 11 Aug said govt may lay down basic tenets before elections. Army 15 Aug began operation in N Sinai involving about 1,000 troops in coordination with Israel after spike in attack on security forces in region including 30 July assault on police station that killed 6. 5 policemen killed by Israeli army 18 Aug responding to cross-border attack by militants on southern Israel; Egypt threatened to withdraw envoy to Tel Aviv (see Israel/OPT).

Largely peaceful sit-in protests in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez 8-31 July; activists demanded swifter reforms, faster prosecution of Mubarak and officials. In face of protests PM Sharaf 21 July shuffled cabinet, replaced 12 members including FM, though unpopular interior minister el-Essawy remained. Over 100 injured in clashes 23 July when protesters attempted to march on Ministry of Defence. Military 23 July intervened to break up rival protests in Alexandria; authorities denied using force. Field Marshall Tantawi, head of ruling military council, 27 July blamed foreign groups for stirring unrest. Parliamentary elections postponed from Sept, polls for both houses now in Nov. Ruling military council 20 July said it will not allow international monitors to observe elections for reasons of national sovereignty. Cairo court 25 July postponed trial of former interior minister Habib al-Adli until 3 Aug, to be tried alongside ousted president Mubarak; unclear whether Mubarak will appear. 6 killed, 21 injured 29 July in fighting between security forces and armed gunmen in Sinai region.

Head of appeals court 1 June announced ousted President Mubarak and 2 sons to stand trial 3 August for killing protesters; Mubarak’s lawyer 20 June confirmed former president has stomach cancer, too ill to transfer from hospital to prison. Former finance minister Youssef Boutros-Ghali 4 June sentenced in absentia to 30 years in prison for profiteering and abusing state and private assets. Over 1,000 injured as protesters, police clashed 28-29 June in central Cairo following confrontations between families of those killed in Jan-Feb uprising. Interim govt 7 June officially recognised Muslim Brotherhood’s new non-theocratic Freedom and Justice Party to participate in Sept parliamentary elections; group 13 June announced will run on one candidate ticket with liberal Wafd party. Ruling military council 12 Jan said it will not field a candidate in forthcoming presidential elections. Supreme Administrative Court 28 June ruled local councils, elected under Mubarak and controlled by disbanded NDP, to be dissolved. Interim govt, Hamas 8 June reached agreement on numbers and opening hours of Rafah border crossing, after Hamas 5 June closed crossing over disagreement over blacklists and delays.

At least 12 killed, 230 injured 7 May in sectarian riots in Cairo between Coptic Christians and Muslims; security forces detained 190 for military trial (140 subsequently released), blamed Salafi and ex-regime incitement, warned it will use “iron hand” to maintain security. 2 killed, dozens injured 14 May during clashes as Christians held sit-in protest in front of state TV building from 8 May against lack of state protection. Former interior minister Habib el-Adly 5 May sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption, awaiting trial for ordering killing of civilians. Public prosecutor 24 May announced ousted president Mubarak and 2 sons to be tried for conspiring to kill unarmed protesters, graft. Tens of thousands in 27 May nationwide protests at slow pace of democratic change; Muslim Brotherhood did not participate. Military rulers 19 May said parliamentary elections will be held by 30 Sept. FM Elaraby elected new Arab League chief 15 May. Rafah border crossing with Gaza Strip permanently opened for certain groups 28 May.

Protesters 8 Apr returned to streets in greatest numbers since former president Mubarak’s resignation, demanded Mubarak, top regime officials stand trial. Military, police next day cleared protesters from Tahrir Square; at least 2 killed, military denied it used live rounds. Mubarak and 2 sons 12 Apr placed in detention for alleged corruption, role in deaths of protesters during uprising; following health problems Mubarak held in hospital. Other top regime figures, including former PM Nazif, on trial for graft from 17 Apr. Military 15 Apr replaced provincial governors appointed by Mubarak in concession to ongoing demonstrations. Supreme Administrative Court 16 Apr dissolved Mubarak’s former ruling party, NDP. Formerly banned Muslim Brotherhood 30 Apr announced formation of non-theocratic Freedom and Justice Party, will contest up to half of parliament’s seats in Sept elections. Internal govt report 19 Apr said at least 846 protesters killed, 8,000 injured during Jan-Feb popular uprising; held Mubarak ultimately responsible for deaths.