William Shaw

Disconnect from conflict on the ground saps confidence in overseas political movement.
Although National Transitional Council has presided over period of calm, critics say it hasn’t lived up to high hopes placed in it.
Critics of peace plan warn it might give President Bashar al-Assad breathing space to consolidate control.
Presidential referendum offers hope of change, even though there’s only one candidate.
Fears that President Assad now believes he has a free hand to crush rebellion by military force.
New diplomatic staff tasked with rebuilding relations and recovering stolen state assets. Deputy mission chief Ahmed Gebreel talks about breaking with the Gaddafi regime.
Progress needed on security, economy and governance to dispel unhappiness with transitional authorities.
Efforts to secure weapons continue but interim rulers face uphill struggle to disarm population.
Activists want to hold new leaders to original aims of revolution, even as public tires of protest.
Interim leader could replace Ali Abdullah Saleh as elected president but questions remain about how much he would be in control.