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Egypt

Protesters call for President Mubarak to step down

The military has been running the country since President Hosni Mubarak, in power for three decades, resigned on 11 February 2011. He left office after 18 days of protests in the capital, Cairo, and other cities.

The army is in charge of overseeing Egypt's transition to democracy, which began with parliamentary elections held in three phases over six weeks from the end of November.

The new assembly met for the first time on 23 January. It is dominated by Islamists, who won 73% of seats.

As time passed since Mr Mubarak's departure, dissatisfaction grew with the pace of change and the refusal of the military to give a firm date for presidential elections.

There was anger about a draft document produced by the military, containing the principles for a new constitution, under which the armed forces would be exempt from civilian oversight.

Waves of fresh protest, often deadly, have hit Cairo and other cities. Violence in late 2011 prompted a statement from Egypt's military leader, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, in which he promised presidential elections by the end of June 2012.

It also led to the resignation of the cabinet, which is to be replaced by a "national salvation government" - the current ministers will stay on until such an authority can be formed.

Many activists say this is not enough and want to see the immediate resignation of Field Marshal Tantawi.

Hosni Mubarak has been put on trial, accused of ordering the killings of protesters during the uprising against him in January and February - a charge he denies.

He has been suffering from poor health and has appeared in court on a sick bed.

Mr Mubarak's sons and several former ministers and officials are also facing charges. Some have already been sentenced.

Much of the unrest in Egypt was driven by poverty, rising prices, social exclusion and anger at corruption and personal enrichment among the political elite, as well as a demographic bulge of young people unable to find work.

At least 846 people were killed during the uprising that toppled Mr Mubarak and more than 6,400 people were injured, according to an Egyptian government fact-finding panel.

Those figures do not include those killed or injured in the more recent unrest.