77% voted for constitutional amendments in 19 March referendum, precursor to Sept parliamentary elections and later presidential vote. Ruling Supreme Council 30 March issued interim constitution until new head of state elected. Govt 23 March passed laws easing formation of political parties and imposed prison sentences and fines for strikes and protests disrupting business. State security buildings stormed 4 March, secret police dissolved, renamed National Security, senior officers to face prosecution. Wildcat protests, labour strikes continued; hundreds of protesters reported detained, tortured. 13 Christians killed, 140 wounded 8 March in sectarian violence in outskirts of Cairo. Under pressure from protesters PM Shafiq and other Mubarak-linked cabinet members resigned 3 March. Former transport minister Essam Sharaf PM, new cabinet sworn in 7 March. Public prosecutor 23 March charged former interior minister and security officials with aiding killing of protesters during uprising that ousted former President Mubarak.

President Hosni Mubarak stepped down 11 Feb following 18 days of massive protests; up to 365 civilians and 32 police killed, 5,500 and 1,000 injured respectively. Supreme Military Council assumed control until promised presidential and parliamentary elections within 6 months; 13 Feb dissolved parliament and suspended constitution. Reformists continue to press for purge of all those linked to Mubarak, lifting of 30-year emergency law. Military council 18 Feb warned it will not tolerate further protests or strikes due to disastrous effect on economy following post-Mubarak wave of strikes over economic conditions. New civilian cabinet sworn in 22 Feb with 11 new ministers, including opposition and independent members; however, former Mubarak loyalists retained key PM, FM and justice minister posts. Army 25 Feb forcefully dispersed activists from Tahrir Square; military council 26 Feb apologised, said violence was “unintentional”. Ruling military council 26 Feb proposed constitutional amendments to be put to referendum before planned elections, including term limits on presidency, stronger judicial oversight of elections, restriction of govt power to retain emergency laws. Public prosecutor 28 Feb issued travel ban, freeze of assets on Mubarak.

Over 135 killed, more than 2,000 injured in security crackdown on anti-govt protesters. Protests against authoritarian rule, poor living standards began 25 Jan during organised “day of revolt” inspired in part by Tunisian uprising (see Tunisia); tens of thousands protested across country over following days. Most serious violence in Suez, Alexandria and Cairo. Army deployed 28 Jan to control late month unrest and looting, 31 Jan vowed to not use force against protestors; some reports implicating regime in chaos and lawlessness as deliberate ploy. Embattled President Mubarak 29 Jan sacked cabinet, appointed intelligence chief Omar Suleiman Vice President, former air force commander Ahmed Shafik as PM, 31 Jan replaced unpopular interior minister implicated in police violence, but protesters continued calls for Mubarak to step down. Opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei 30 Jan claimed popular and political mandate, including backing of Muslim Brotherhood, to negotiate creation of national unity govt. U.S. President Obama 30 Jan called for “orderly Egyptian-led transition” of govt. Situation rapidly developing as CrisisWatch went to press with major day of protests 1 Feb. Earlier in month, more than 100 people injured during demonstrations over 1 Jan deadly bombing of Coptic Christian church.

Ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) won 83% of seats in parliamentary election following 5 Dec run-off after main opposition parties Muslim Brotherhood and Wafd boycotted second round over alleged massive vote-rigging. Protests carried on for weeks, opposition and rights groups called for results to be annulled. Gamal Mubarak, son of President, 27 Dec said presidential election will be held Sept 2011; NDP to meet July to choose candidate. Authorities 20 Dec said Israeli spy ring uncovered, charged Egyptian businessman, 2 Israelis with spying, trying to recruit operatives working for telecoms companies in region. 21 people killed, more than 90 injured in 1 Jan suspected suicide bombing of Coptic Christian church in Alexandria; police 2 Jan clashed with Christian protestors in Cairo, Alexandria demanding more protection. Security forces 28 Dec uncovered weapons stockpile in Sinai Peninsula, including anti-aircraft missiles, bound for Gaza Strip.

28 Nov parliamentary elections marred by irregularities and reports of scattered violence. Ruling National Democratic Party won 209 of 221 seats decided in first round; 287 seats to be contested in 5 Dec run-off. None of 130 candidates affiliated to banned opposition Muslim Brotherhood won seats outright in first round; 26 will contest second round. Movement called vote “rigged and invalid”. Demonstrations, clashes with police during voting, particularly in Nile Delta and the city of Suez; at least 3 people reported killed. U.S. 30 Nov said it was “disappointed” with conduct citing “worrying” problems with restrictions. Ahead of elections, more than 1,300 Muslim Brotherhood supporters detained, about half released by polls. Security forces 11 Nov arrested at least 25 suspected of belonging to radical Islamic group planning to attack Israeli tourists in Sinai Peninsula. Mob torched 10 homes of Christians 16 Nov in al-Nawahid village after rumours of interfaith relationship. One killed, dozens injured, over 150 arrested 24 Nov after Christians clashed with police in Giza over permission to build church.

President Mubarak 20 Oct set 28 Nov date for parliamentary elections. Banned Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, largest opposition group, 9 Oct ignored calls for opposition boycott led by Mohamed el Baradei, announced affiliated candidates will contest 30% of seats; reported that within a week more than 160 members detained, 90 affiliated businesses raided. Govt increased state control over media and information through series of new measures; journalists’ union 4 Oct accused govt of cracking down on media critical of authorities. High Administrative Court 23 Oct banned permanent Interior Ministry presence on university campuses.

Reformist Mohamed ElBaradei 6 Sept called for boycott of Nov parliamentary elections, warned of “civil disobedience” if political reform not forthcoming. Opposition Al-Ghad party 14 Sept joined boycott; Al-Wafd party 17 Sept voted to participate in election. Police 21 Sept arrested at least 55 protesters during anti-govt demonstrations in Cairo, Alexandria. Intelligence chief reportedly met Hamas leader Khaled Meshal in Saudi Arabia early Sept in attempt to reconcile group with Fatah ahead of 14 Sept second round of U.S.-brokered peace talks in Egypt (See Israel/OPT). Top Hamas internal security official arrested in Cairo airport 19 Sept over falsified travel documents, freed 24 Sept. Bedouin 24 Sept surrounded police station in remote Sinai village, set police vehicle on fire.

Officials 4 Aug alleged Palestinians from Gaza entered Sinai Peninsula through tunnels, launched 5 rockets at Jordan and Israel 2 Aug, killing 1 and injuring 5 in Jordanian port of Aqaba; Hamas spokesman denied claims. Security forces in Sinai 30 Aug seized 100kg of high explosives, 250 anti-aircraft missiles bound for Gaza.

Gun battles between Bedouin and security forces near Egypt-Israel border end of June; unrest returned 27 July with Bedouin hijack of bus in Sinai peninsula. Trial of 2 police officers began 27 July for “unlawful arrest, torture and excessive use of force” against Khaled Said, whose 6 June death sparked protests in Cairo and Alexandria; U.S. attorney general Holder called for accountability in case. Libyan-chartered ship carrying aid to Gaza docked in Egypt 14 July after altering course following warnings from Israeli navy not to challenge blockade; aid transported to Gaza via Rafah crossing. President Mubarak 18 July met separately in Cairo with PA President Abbas, Israel PM Netanyahu and U.S. Mid East Envoy Mitchell in effort to move peace process towards direct talks.

Scores of people arrested in Cairo, Alexandria as security forces clashed with protesters following 6 June death of activist Khaled Said, with rights groups blaming death on police. U.S. expressed concern over case, urged Egypt “hold accountable whoever is responsible”. Independent monitors reported 1 June polls for upper house of parliament marred by violence, voter intimidation; supporters of Muslim Brotherhood injured by rubber bullets and one by live fire; and voters, journalists barred from polling stations by police. Candidates from or affiliated with President Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party won all but four seats. Egyptian authorities 7 June announced Rafah crossing with Gaza would remain open indefinitely, but only those seeking medical treatment or study in Egypt can cross, goods limited to mostly medicine, food; over 16,500 Palestinians reported to have crossed since 1 June.