Egyptian protesters held a massive "departure day" rally Friday Feb. 4, aimed at ousting President Hosni Mubarak. Tens of thousands again filled Cairo's Tahrir Square—although this time army troops in riot gear backed up with armored vehicles formed a cordon around the square and controlled access, effectively separating the protesters from pro-Mubarak mobs, and avoiding violence. Inside the square, the atmosphere was festive—although there was no sign that Mubarak had responded to demands that he step down.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Feb. 2 praised the efforts of Egyptian protesters while repeating concerns over casualties, calling on the nation's leaders to give citizens the democratic reform they demand. There are currently unconfirmed reports of 300 casualties and 3,000 injured. Citing Article 21 of the of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pillay stated that the will of the people should determine the government:

Tens of thousands of protesters massed on Feb. 3 at Yemen's Sana'a University for a "day of rage" against Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule—while government loyalists flooded the city's central square in support of the embattled president. With Saleh supporters, some of them armed, taking over Tahrir Square the previous night, protest organizers were forced to change the planned venue of their demonstration. From early morning they drove through the streets publicizing the new site over megaphones, saying that "the men of the ruling party and their armed elements are holding Al-Tahrir."

Fighting between protesters and government loyalists raged into a second day in Egypt Feb. 3, with clashes continuing for control of Cairo's Tahrir Square. The Health Ministry said five people have been killed and 835 injured over the past 24 hours. Army troops finally moved in to create a buffer zone between the clashing demonstrators early in the day, but pro-regime militants later broke through the lines to hurl stones and protesters. Opposition leaders say they will go ahead with plans for a massive demonstration on Friday, their designated "departure day" for Mubarak.

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, facing growing demands that he step down, said Feb. 2 that he will drop constitutional changes that would allow him to be president for life. "No to hereditary rule and no to life presidency," Saleh said during an emergency session of parliament ahead of a "day of rage" civil society groups and opposition leaders have called. Saleh, whose term is due to end in 2013, urged an opposition alliance known as the Common Forum to halt its street protests. Four people have set themselves on fire in protests in Yemen over the past weeks.

Supporters of embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak—some on horses and camels and armed with whips—charged without warning into the ranks of opposition protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square Feb. 2, sparking running battles that have left hundreds injured and at least one dead. Both sides erected barricades and hurled stones, concrete and other missiles at each other. Government supporters on surrounding rooftops dropped Molotov cocktails on protesters below. Police fired tear gas at protesters, while seemingly leaving the rest to "unofficial" pro-Mubarak forces. Gunfire has been heard repeatedly, but it seems to be police firing into the air to intimidate protesters. The army, with a strong presence around the square, appeared not to interfere. Similar scenes are reported from Alexandria. The pro-government mobs are assumed to be organized by the ruling National Democratic Party, with a probable hand of the Mukhabarat secret police agency. (Middle East Online, AFP, Al-Masry al-Youm, BBC World Service, Feb. 2)

Several hundred thousand protesters filled Cairo's Tahrir Square in a eighth day of defiance of authorities Feb. 1, the biggest outpouring yet demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. A second "march of a million" was held in Alexandria. There were no incidents of violence reported anywhere in the country; army tanks continued to surround Tahrir Square but again did not interfere with the massive protest. Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei said Friday Feb. 4 had been set as "departure day" for Mubarak, pledging that there would be no negotiations with the regime until the president "leaves." Chants of "Revolution! Revolution until victory!" filled the square.

Rulers in Arab capitals are taking moves to avert the emergence of mass revolutionary movements such as seen in Egypt and Tunisia. In Yemen, where protesters have called a "day of rage" for Feb. 3, President Ali Abdullah Saleh has increased wages and cut income taxes, and on Feb. 1 announced that will address a special meeting of the consultative council. Online activists have also called for a "day of rage" in Syria this week to demand the resignation of President Bashir Assad.