Egypt's Tantawi to lift state of emergency except in acts of 'thuggery' [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The head of the Egyptian Military Council, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, has announced an end to the state of emergency in the country, starting Wednesday. However, Tantawi made an exception to what he described as "acts of thuggary." This news comes in a televised speech addressed to the Egyptian people, marking the first anniversary of the January 25 revolution.

Guest, Male #2 (Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Head of Egyptian Military Council)
I have decided to end the state of emergency across all regions of the republic, except in dealing with criminal acts of thuggary. The decision will take effect on the morning of January 25, 2012. Oh great Egyptian people, Egypt is the land of civilizations and history, and our people were able to reclaim this history by launching a national revolution and upholding the nation's security and unity despite all the challenges and difficulties facing us; and the people were up to the responsibility.

Presenter, Male #1
In any victorious revolution there's always what is referred to as a "counter-revolution," which is usually planned and carried out by opportunists and loyalists of the former regime. While this counter-revolution may succeed in certain cases, it may wait for the situation to be restored before trying to achieve its objectives. The following report by Atteya Nabil sheds light on the features of what could be referred to as the "counter-revolution" in Egypt, and examines its current stage, nearly a year after the launch of the January 25 revolution.

Reporter, Male #3
They are calling themselves "the children of Mubarak." They are rejecting the prosecution of the former president, as they consider him a national leader who looked after the nation for thirty years. They believe he deserves to be honored, not humiliated and held accountable.

Guest, Female #1
Mubarak lived thirty years as president. Before that, he served the country for another thirty years. He served in wars and battles. I'm sure that he knows history and how it works. He also knows that for every revolution or action there's a reaction.

Reporter, Male #3
They don't recognize the popular revolution that toppled Mubarak's regime. They believe that the previous status quo didn't require the launch of a revolution against a president who helped achieve economic prosperity for his citizens, as cited by international organizations.

Guest, Male #4 (Sameh Abu Arayes, Financial Analyst at the Stock Exchange)
Over the past 30 years, there has been a trend of continuing development in Egypt, unseen since the era of Mohamed Ali, so to speak.

Guest, Male #5 (Ashraf Faruk, Accountant and Member of "Sorry Mr. President" Group)
The former members of the National Party have always compared the president to his son. His son was a shrewd businessman. He was educated. He was the new blood needed to create change. He lobbied for a young leadership.

Reporter, Male #3
After the success of the Egyptian revolution and the beginning of its siege on the former regime, several former leaders launched a counterattack based on the saying "attack is the best form of defense." Followers of the counter-revolution believe that Tahrir Square should not be the epicenter of events unfolding in the new Egypt. This is why they decided to choose their own private square.

Guest, Male #6
We came out here to defend Egypt. We will not allow any American traitor or anyone receiving money to be here.

Guest, Male #7
I just want to say one thing to the people in Tahrir: "What do you want?"

Guest, Male #8
The youths in Tahrir Square were the ones who launched the revolution. The youths in al-Abasiyah are the ones who were in Tahrir before.

Guest, Female #2
It's a big mistake to say that the army must leave. The army doesn't leave.

Reporter, Male #3
Some see al-Abasiyah Square as the stronghold of the counter-revolution, and people at the square say they always prefer to swim against the current. They also believe that they have the right to express their opinions that may conflict with the opinion of the Egyptian public, which seeks to create real and tangible change across all walks of life.

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Competing claims emerge over fighting in Libya's Bani Walid [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male # 1
There were conflicting reports on the situation in the city of Bani Walid, southeast of Tripoli. While a member of the reconciliation committee in the city, Zackariya Hussein Khazimi, denied the presence of remnants of the Gaddafi battalions in Bani Walid, the head of the revolutionaries' military council in the city, Abdel-Salam Genouna, confirmed that members of Gaddafi battalions remain in Bani Walid. He added that those members crushed all the revolutionaries in the city. Meanwhile, a large military force is being deployed to maintain security in the region of az-Zawiyah, while awaiting the outcome of talks held by a delegation of prominent figures in the city.

Reporter, Male # 2
The situation in Bani Walid remains ambiguous. Located in northwestern Libya and south of the capital Tripoli, reports emerging from the city conflict. Some reports indicate Gaddafi battalions seized the city, while others deny the claim. The head of the revolutionaries' military council in the city confirmed to al-Jazeera that Bani Walid has still not been liberated and that revolutionaries are being exterminated by Gaddafi battalions spread throughout the city. The revolutionaries hold the government and national council responsible for the situation. They say the council and government did not send the help they vowed to provide for the city's revolutionaries, especially after three revolutionaries were killed in the Souq al-Juma'a region.

Guest, Male # 3 (Abdel-Salam Genouna, Bani Walid Revolutionaries' Military Council Head)
These battalions include killers, wanted people, and those who participated in many massacres like the May 28 massacre, the Khawazin and Da'aka massacre, and the massacre of the Souq al-Juma'a martyrs. And now they have committed their latest massacre; they have crushed all the revolutionaries in the city of Bani Walid.

Reporter, Male # 2
But in an interview with al-Jazeera, Zackariya Hussein al-Khazimi, a member of the reconciliation committee in Bani Walid, denied the presence of any Gaddafi battalions. He says the situation is the result of an internal conflict related to the arrest of certain individuals, adding that efforts are underway to settle the issue.

Guest, Male # 4 (Zackariya Hussein Khazimi, Bani Walid Committee Member)
There are no battalions, and there are no remnants, and there is no residue of anything else. These are malicious rumors. We in the city of Bani Walid have taken many actions for local reconciliation and, eventually, national reconciliation. But some brothers, including Bani Walid revolutionaries, aim to prevent reconciliation in the city.

Reporter, Male # 2
So far, many facts have been lost. But what is happening could partly explain the trouble in the country and the debates occurring in the city. Many link the situation to the city's demographics and the inevitability of taking into consideration the reality and the need for balance in the city, regardless of the repercussions in the area. Bani Walid is the second most heavily armed Libyan city after Sirte, and is where resistance against Gaddafi battalions continued for over two months after the revolutionaries liberated the capital Tripoli. The city is the base of the Warfallah tribe, one of the largest Libyan tribes and the most politically powerful. Most of its members were traditionally loyal to Gaddafi.

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Syria accuses Arab League of 'foreign conspiracy' [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
In Syria, al-Assad's brigades killed more than 50 people.

Reporter, Male #1
It seems as though history is repeating itself. As the anniversary of the 1982 Hama massacre that claimed the lives of 40,000 people during the reign of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad approaches, al-Assad's son Bashar has given the green light to his brigades and shabeha to violently shell and storm the city in a bid to commit a new massacre there. The Syrian opposition said on social media websites that army tanks arrived in the area of Mahata near Hama's Bab al-Qabli neighborhood, as the communication services in the city were interrupted. The opposition also reported online that a number of Syrian tanks and heavy military machinery were seen entering the area of al-Ardi in Deir az-Zour and took position in Freedom Square. Incoming news confirmed that security forces and shabeha were deployed near al-Jura Square, amid reports of clashes with the Free Syrian Army, which vowed to escalate its military operations. A powerful explosion rocked Jurat al-Shayah neighborhood, amid reports of indiscriminate gunfire by security gangs and shabeha in al-Layliat neighborhood. In addition, a series of powerful explosions rocked the area of Bab al-Qabli in yet another attempt by al-Assad's brigades to storm the neighborhood. Meanwhile, reinforcements arrived for the Syrian army in the Kazu neighborhood. The sounds of heavy gunfire were heard in the area of Bab al-Qabli. This news comes as the opposition marked today as the "Tuesday of appreciation and loyalty for the free media." The opposition's supporters took to the streets in a massive demonstration to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hama massacre, which is ten days away. A general strike was also declared in various Syrian cities and towns to mourn the fallen victims killed by al-Assad's brigades.

Presenter, Male #1
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, attacked several Arab countries, affirmed his country's alliance with Iran, and justified security operations as a popular demand.

Presenter, Female #1
The Arab monitoring mission's report, which stirred doubt among a number of Arab and international circles, was used as a new bargaining chip by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, who spoke of a foreign conspiracy being hatched against his country in cooperation with several Arab states.

Guest, Male #2 (Walid al-Muallem, Syrian Foreign Minister)
The contents didn't satisfy some of the Arabs, who are implementing the stages of the conspiracy, which they agreed upon abroad. They proposed a political draft resolution, which they already know we will not accept. It's a decision blatantly aimed at undermining Syria's sovereignty, and is a flagrant interference in its internal affairs

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Regime forces arrest nine people in eastern Saudi city of Qatif [Press TV, Iran]

In the top story, Saudi Arabia has arrested nine people in the restive eastern city of Qatif for involvement in anti-government protests. Opposition sources say Saudi forces opened fire on the men while arresting them. Some of them are now in critical condition, according to reports. Saudi officials are accusing the men of shooting members of the security forces in the Eastern Province, causing injuries. Six protestors have lost their lives so far during the regime's crackdown on peaceful rallies against the ruling al-Saud family.

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Security forces use shotguns, toxic gas against Bahraini protestors [Press TV, Iran]

Meanwhile, in Bahrain, clashed are underway between Saudi-backed regime forces and anti-government protestors across the country. Reports say government forces have used shotguns in the villages of Dair and Ma'ameer. They have injured several protestors including a teenage boy. There are also reports of extensive use of toxic tear gas in Sitra and Safala villages. Several protestors have also been arrested in the village of A'ali. The US has warned citizens against travelling to the tiny Persian Gulf state, citing security concerns. On Monday, Washington said it is relocating its embassy in the capital Manama.

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Turkey slams France over approval of 'Armenian Genecide' bill [Press TV, Iran]

In the headlines today, Turkey slammed the French senate for approving a bill that makes it illegal to deny as genocide the mass killing of Armenians during Turkey's Ottoman era. Ankara has warned the French president against signing the measure into law. This is a legislation that has raised the risk of a diplomatic rift between France and Turkey. The French parliament has approved a bill that makes it a criminal offense to deny as genocide the mass killing of Armenians by they Ottoman Empire in the middle of World War I. The Turkish prime minister has called the move racist and promised retaliation.

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Israel strikes Gaza, arrests another Hamas MP [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female # 1
An Israeli court sentenced detained speaker of the Palestinian parliament, Aziz Dweik, to jail for six months. Meanwhile, occupation forces kidnapped Hamas Member of Parliament Abdel Jaber Fuqaha from the city of Ramallah. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continue to express solidarity with the lawmakers arrested by the occupation forces in occupied Jerusalem.

Reporter, Male # 1
Sounds of bomb explosions and Israeli airstrikes shattered the calm of the night in the Gaza Strip. A series of airstrikes targeted different cities in the Strip. They came in coordination with the continuous threats by the political and military leaders of the Israeli occupation. Factions of the Palestinian resistance confirmed they will defend the Palestinian people, warning the occupation against carrying out its new threats on the Gaza Strip.

Guest, Male # 2 (Nafez Azzam, Islamic Jihad leader)
These threats are evidence of the guilt of the Israeli policy and new confirmation that Israel is continuing its aggression against the Palestinian people. But, right now, Israel must take into account and should seriously be concerned by the victories of the Arab revolutions and the roaring masses that have Palestine in their hearts.

Reporter, Male # 1
Alongside its military aggression, the Israeli occupation is escalating its arrest campaign of Palestinian members of parliament. So far, 27 lawmakers have been kidnapped and placed in the occupation's prisons. This, in addition to Israel's policy of aggression against other detainees, the Hamas movement called on the international community to bear its responsibilities in the face of the occupation's policies. It also called for holding a new parliamentary session to end internal division and as a response to the occupation's aggressions and threats.

Guest, Male # 3 (Khalil Hayya, Hamas parliamentary bloc head)
We ask the world's institutions to isolate this entity, to render it an isolated entity. We ask our Arab brothers, especially in Egypt, the land of the Kinaanah, and in green Tunisia, in the parliaments of the revolution. It is high time for them to change their conduct in relation to the issues of the umma.

Reporter, Male # 1
Observers confirm the arrest of the lawmakers, the escalation of Israeli attacks, and the threats to further expand the aggression against the Palestinians is a reflection of Israeli opposition and anger over the ongoing Palestinian reconciliation process that aims to end the division.

Guest, Male # 4 (Yehya Rebah, Palestinian writer and political analyst)
Israel is sending clear messages that cannot be confused or misunderstood; it does not want Palestinian reconciliation. Rather, it wants to derail it. As for the Gaza Strip, it was threatened with gunfire; it is a prelude to an operation that could be major or very minor. In turn, all Palestinians must seriously study all these messages and pick the suitable options, the first of which is to push for reconciliation.

Reporter, Male # 1
It is as if new Israeli aggression is moving toward the Gaza Strip. Palestinians are bracing for it, confirming that their fate is to face the attacks. They question the position of the international community and its rights organizations in the confrontation of Israeli aggression against the Palestinians. Muntar Abdel Hadi, al-Alam, from the Palestinian Legislative Council in the city of Gaza, Palestine.

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Ashton: Israel-Palestinian talks must continue [IBA, Israel]

Ahead of tomorrow's talks in Amman between Israeli and Palestinian envoys, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton arrived in the country a short time ago for meetings with Israeli officials. At this hour, Ashton is slated to hold discussions with defense Minister Ehud Barak and later with President Simon Peres with a focus on restarting the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The meetings tomorrow in Jordan are expected to determine whether the two sides will continue this type of direct communication. The Palestinians have set a January 26 deadline for Israel to present a comprehensive proposal regarding borders and security. In accordance, of course, with the demands laid out by the Quartet back in September.

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Iran says EU sanctions 'won't make a difference' [IBA, Israel]

The West stood behind the European Union's new punishing sanctions against Iran, the only exception being Japan, which requested it be exempted from abiding by those sanctions. Iran is thumbing its nose at the new measures, saying it won't make a difference. Yes, Tehran is acting tough today in the wake of the most significant ratcheting up of pressure thus far from Brussels against Tehran over Iran's nuclear program. Iran's initial response was to treat the embargo as an act of aggression and to threaten to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. The US isn't buying that threat and sent the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln through the strait into the Persian Gulf on Sunday while Iran did nothing.

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Israel accused of implementing apartheid water policies in West Bank [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Male # 1
A report published by the French parliament confirmed that Israel is implementing apartheid policies in the allocation of Palestinian water. The report indicated the occupation authorities seize water from Palestinian land and deprive the citizens of their water rights.

Reporter, Male # 2
"Like a camel in the desert dying of thirst while it carries water right on its back." When the poet composed this poem, he did not realize it would one day become applicable to the Palestinians, who are now in an even worse situation after the occupation stole their water in broad daylight. This time, it is the French parliament that accuses Israel of implementing apartheid in its water policies. The author of the report, Socialist Party Member of Parliament Jean Glavany, the agriculture minister under President Lionel Jospin in the late 1990s, indicated that Israel's expansion of settlements has led to the occupation of underground aquifers and streams on Palestinian land. He described it as the worst apartheid policy implemented by Tel Aviv. Glavany, who visited the Palestinian territories last May, reported on the geopolitical impact of water. He described Israel's theft and confiscation of Palestinian water resources as apartheid, adding that Israel's use of the term "Jewish state" is clear apartheid. Glavany said water is not allocated fairly to Palestinians and that Palestinians have no access to the territories' underground aquifers. He confirmed that the 450,000 settlers in the West Bank use much more Palestinian water than the over two million Palestinians, who are deprived from their own water. Israeli racism is reflected in the average Palestinian's daily consumption of water that does not exceed 20 liters, less than the World Health Organization's recommended level of 100 liters per person; whereas the settler occupying Palestinian land consumes 20 times more than the Palestinian. At the same time, 90 percent of the Gaza Strip's water supply is contaminated or unsuitable for human consumption. In addition, over 200,000 Palestinians in the West Bank endure both situations and lack water especially in the summer, a scene that is as dangerous as the confiscation of land, which aims to expel the Palestinians.