A protester pleads with soldiers to allow her through the wire barricade outside the Tunisian prime minister's office on January 24, 2011 in Tunis. Getty Images
Egyptians celebrate the resignation of former president Hosni Mubarak in Tahrir Square in February 2011 / AP
Tunisians were the first to see their protests bring down a long-established leader, since when the 'Arabic spring' has spread through the Middle East. AFP
Demonstrators shout slogans against the Syrian regime during a protest following the Friday prayers in Wadi Khaled on the Lebanese-Syrian border on December 30, 2011 AFP
Anti-government protesters flash victory sign in the city of Daraa, Syria.
Demonstrators shout slogans against the Syrian regime during a protest following the Friday prayers in Wadi Khaled on the Lebanese-Syrian border on December 30, 2011. AFP
A Tunisian protester holding a baguette talks to riot policemen during a demonstration in Tunis on January 18, 2011. AFP
A protester pleads with soldiers to allow her through the wire barricade outside the Tunisian prime minister's office on January 24, 2011 in Tunis. Getty Images
Egyptians celebrate the resignation of former president Hosni Mubarak in Tahrir Square in February 2011 / AP
Tunisians were the first to see their protests bring down a long-established leader, since when the 'Arabic spring' has spread through the Middle East. AFP
Demonstrators shout slogans against the Syrian regime during a protest following the Friday prayers in Wadi Khaled on the Lebanese-Syrian border on December 30, 2011 AFP
Anti-government protesters flash victory sign in the city of Daraa, Syria.
Demonstrators shout slogans against the Syrian regime during a protest following the Friday prayers in Wadi Khaled on the Lebanese-Syrian border on December 30, 2011. AFP
A Tunisian protester holding a baguette talks to riot policemen during a demonstration in Tunis on January 18, 2011. AFP
A protester pleads with soldiers to allow her through the wire barricade outside the Tunisian prime minister's office on January 24, 2011 in Tunis. Getty Images