Protesters clash with Libyan security forces

While Bahrain’s streets were mostly empty Thursday, thousands defied authorities by marching in cities in Libya and Yemen as the wave of political unrest persisted in the wake of uprisings that toppled leaders in Egypt and Tunisia. Here is a summary of Thursday’s developments in the Arab world:

Libya

Libyans demonstrated in five cities, defying a crackdown by security forces. Reports emerged that at least 20 demonstrators have been killed in two days of clashes with pro-government groups and security forces. A U.S. rights group said at least 14 people have been arrested. In Tripoli, government supporters stage counter-demonstrations.

The anti-government protesters demand that Moammar Ghadafi, who has ruled for more than 40 years, step down. Ghadafi has met with tribal leaders, offered to double salaries and released 110 suspected Islamic militants in an attempt to defuse public anger.

Yemen

Several thousand protesters marched in the capital of Sanaa, clashing with police and government supporters swinging batons and daggers. Witnesses say municipal vehicles ferry sticks and stones to the pro-government side.

Protesters have marched for seven straight days in Sanaa and other cities in Yemen. They demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled the Arab world’s poorest nation for 32 years. The demonstrators’ main grievances are poverty and official corruption.

Egypt

At least 1,500 Egyptian workers from the Suez Canal Authority protested for better pay in three cities straddling the strategic waterway, one of the world’s major transit routes for shipping and oil transport. The protests are part of growing labor unrest sparked by the 18-day uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak last week.

The country’s new military rulers have appealed for calm. They say they need to be able to ensure security in order to move ahead with democratic reforms.

Iraq

Hundreds of Kurdish protesters rallied in the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah, demanding political reforms from the regional government in the semiautonomous territory. Security forces opened fire, killing at least two people. Demonstrations also took place in three southern cities.

Iraq has seen several small-scale demonstrations almost daily in recent weeks, mainly centered in the impoverished southern provinces and staged by Iraqis angry over a lack of basic services.