Violence in Syria surges as showdown looms at UN Security Council [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Local Coordination Committees said 21 people were killed in Syria today, including a child and four soldiers who were executed by security forces in Idlib. The Syrian Coordination Committees reported that the regime's forces managed to enter the town of Rastan and that the military operation was characterized by seesaw battles. Meanwhile, other groups announced their defection from the regime's army. A group of scholars announced that they would stand by the people's side. In turn, Syria's state media continued to air the 10th Forum of Syrian Clans and Tribes in the Raqqa region showing support for President Assad.

Reporter, Male #2
These tanks are shelling houses and residential neighborhoods in the town of Rastan.

Guest, Male #3
God is great! God is great! As you hear, it is artillery shelling pounding the city of Rastan.

Reporter, Male #2
This group of military vehicles is relentlessly and indiscriminately opening heavy fire on residential neighborhoods. The authenticity of these images cannot be verified, but they show how far deep into Syrian neighborhoods these military vehicles have pushed, as Syrian activists say. Also in Rastan, more soldiers defected from the regime's army. In the surroundings of the Syrian capital, clashes continued. In a phone call with the BBC, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the clashes as seesaw battles. He unveiled that three officers in the intelligence and security agencies were captured at dawn on Tuesday.

Guest, Male #3 (Rami Abdul Rahman, Director of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
Today, sounds of explosions were heard in a number of eastern regions, which I believe still continue. However, the operation in the countryside of Damascus seems to be a seesaw battle now. The Syrian authorities are dispatching their media networks accompanied by security forces to one of the checkpoints. Groups of defecting soldiers captured three officers, including an officer in the political security agency.

Reporter, Male #2
The Syrian National Council called for a general strike and for putting an end to the killings. Activists uploaded images online of protests in a number of areas.
Syrian state media continued to report about whom it describes as terrorists.

Guest, Female #1 (Syrian State TV)
In a quality operation in the regions of Duma, Harasta, Saqaba, Hamuriya and Kafr Batna in the countryside of Damascus, armed members of terrorist groups were captured. They committed the most ferocious crimes against citizens, including killing, kidnapping, and planting landmines.

Reporter, Male #2
The Syrian media showed images of large gatherings, which it said was the 10th Forum of Syrian Clans and Tribes in the Raqqa region. Preachers gathered at the forum to show support for President Assad's reforms and policies. In Idlib, a group of scholars who call themselves "the Commission for the Free Scholars" announced they would stand behind the people against the regime.

Guest, Male #4
We declare in all honesty and clarity to stand by our just Syrian people and their rightful demands to gain freedom.

Guest, Male #5
They were striking the area with mortar shells. They opened fire on us using all possible means. Thank God, we have been fending them off with the help of God Almighty. We protected the demonstration. The demonstration was peaceful and we came to protect the residents of the neighborhood and their peaceful demonstration.

Reporter, Male #2
Here in the Bab Sibaa neighborhood, demonstrations are protected by soldiers said to be from the Syrian Free Army. This scene indicates a strong presence of armed military defectors and of the Syrian army. If this does not indicate a civil war, then what does? Essam Abdullah, BBC.

Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is convening a special session on the situation in Syria amid speculations that a unified position will be difficult to reach due to Moscow's refusal to discuss the Arab-backed draft resolution and the demand that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad relinquish power. Meanwhile, Washington and its European allies are trying to adopt a resolution to end the violence in Syria and pave the way for a democratic transition of power.

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US drones patrolling Iraqi skies provoke outrage [Press TV, Iran]

Iraq says the US must obtain permission from Baghdad to operate surveillance drones over US facilities in the country. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh made the comments a day after US President Barack Obama said US drones are being used to protect the US embassy in Baghdad. Ali al-Dabbagh says the US embassy needs to get the go-ahead from the Iraqi government for any sort of surveillance operations.

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Yemen's information minister escapes assassination attempt in Sanaa [Press TV, Iran]

Yemen's Information Minister Ali al-Amrani has escaped an assassination attempt in the capital Sana'a. Amarani was leaving a weekly cabinet meeting when unknown assailants opened fire on his car and fled. No further details are available. Meanwhile, popular protests continue for the trial of Ali Abdullah Saleh and his aides. They blame him for the killing of nearly 2,000 people during anti-regime rallies since early last year. Protests for his trial have escalated after Saleh was granted immunity from prosecution. This, under an Arab initiated power-transfer deal. Saleh is in the US now for what he says is medical treatment.

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Egypt's PM addresses parliament for first time [Press TV, Iran]

Egypt's prime minister has addressed the country's new parliament for the first time. He's urged the people to help bring the government stability to the nation. Ganzouri also stressed the government's commitment to paying financial compensation to the families of those killed as well as those injured during the January revolution. The PM was appointed by the ruling junta last November after mass protests demonstrations demanding an end to military rule. Meanwhile, thousands have held a fresh rally at Cairo's Liberation Square calling for the transfer of power to a civilian government. The junta is scheduled to relinquish power after the presidential election due in June.

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Bahrainis plan 'Great Return' to Manama's Pearl Roundabout [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
In the town of Barbar in Shamaliyah or Northern Province, citizens organized a massive festival under the slogan "the Great Return to Pearl Roundabout." The February 14 Youth Movement launched the festival with the slogan "Return to the Martyrs Square," affirming a return en masse to the square in downtown Manama, Bahrain's capital, from February 12 to 15. This slogan was announced amid the masses' chants calling for unity among all opposition groups. Amnesty International demanded that Bahraini authorities release detainees, stating that nearly 3,000 people have been arrested during the protest movement and that 700 are still behind bars. The organization demanded that an independent investigation be launched into the torture cases of certain detainees, including prominent activist Fadhila Mubarak who was tried in a military court.

Reporter, Male #2
With one march after another, the popular movement continues in Bahrain, affirming legitimate demands that the regime does not hesitate to reject. Nor does it hesitate to repress the peaceful protestors. The authorities are accused of terrorizing the protestors taking to the streets in the cities and countryside of the kingdom by using poisonous gas and shotguns. At the same time, political dissidents were arrested and tried in military courts. This was verified in the statement by a defense lawyer for the prominent opposition figures detained by Bahraini authorities in the capital Manama.

Guest, Female #1 (Jalilah al-Said, Defense Lawyer for Detained Opposition Members)
The government is refusing to stop the military trials. The civil trials ended on June 1, and the military trials began in October.

Reporter, Male #2
Lawyer Jalilah al-Said indicated that the Bahraini authorities are continuing to refer civilian cases to military courts, even though it announced that the trials would be halted under the state of emergency months ago. Also in this press conference, she highlighted cases in which security institutions followed political activists and arrested them in a blatant violation of international charters and laws that protect freedom of speech.

Guest, Female #1
Unfortunately, they are politicians and leaders. Therefore, this regime does not acknowledge democracy, nor does it allow citizens to participate in political life, nor does it accept a difference of opinions. Naturally, the dissidents become its targets.

Reporter, Male #2
These statements condemning the Bahraini regime for continuing to violate human rights and freedom of speech coincided with Islamist party al-Wefaq's confirmation that detainees in Jaw Prison were subjected to suppression by security institutions. The security institutions attacked the detainees using poisonous gas, leading to cases of suffocation and pandemonium among the detainees. The party considered this act to be collective punishment for the hunger strike by prominent opposition figures and leaders in prison in protest of the harsh verdicts issued against them, in addition to the human rights violations by members of the Saudi-backed regime.

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PLO: Israel to blame for failure of exploratory talks [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas held the Israeli government fully responsible for the failure of the Amman talks, and once again referred the problem to the Arab League and Western nations. This news comes during the PLO Executive Committee's meeting last night to evaluate the recent exploratory talks and explore new options in light of Israel's determination to pursue settlement activities and its rejection of the two-state solution. Our correspondent Mohamed al-Sayyed reports from Ramallah.

Reporter, Male #1
The exploratory meetings between the Israeli and Palestinian sides have reached a deadlock, and as usual, Israel was the obstructing side, as cited by the PLO Executive Committee following weeks of negotiations in Amman. The Executive Committee has redirected its efforts at the Palestinian internal front, starting with the launch of presidential and legislative elections and ending with the mobilization of national reconciliation efforts.

Guest, Male #2 (Mahmud Abbas, Palestinian President)
Elections will be held on February 4 and 5. This requires us to speed up the preparatory process to hold these elections. God wiling, we will head to the polls at the legislative, presidential, and national council.

Reporter, Male #1
Israel is held fully responsible for the failure of talks because of the Israeli authority's determination to pursue settlement activities and its rejection to the two-state solution, as echoed by the recent Israeli offer aimed at turning the state of Palestine into isolated regions.

Guest, Male #3 (Yasser Abed Rabbo, Secretary-General of PLO Executive Committee)
The Palestinian leadership holds Israel fully responsible for the failure of talks. These meetings exposed Israel's determination to pursue settlement activities and its rejection of the two-state solution based on the 1967 boundaries.

Reporter, Male #1
In light of this new reality on the ground, the Palestinian leadership has no choice but to reengage in consultations with the Arabs via the Arab Follow-Up Committee set to meet next week as part of a political campaign launched in the international arena. After the failure of the Amman meetings, the Palestinians are returning to the Arab Follow-Up Committee and the international community, especially since the talks were held amid a relentless settlement campaign. In addition, the meetings affected the progress of reconciliation efforts aimed at holding elections and ending the division. Mohamed al-Sayyed, Dubai TV, Ramallah.

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Ban Ki-moon urges resolution on Syria as fighting continues near Damascus [IBA, Israel]

At the start of the Middle East peace mission, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today held talks in Amman with Jordan's King Abdullah. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ban focused his remarks on Syria, expressing support for a Security Council resolution demanding that President Bashar al-Assad be removed from office. Bitter fighting continued outside Damascus today as forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad battled to regain the suburbs from rebel troops. Syrian state television today broadcast images of what are purported to be American and Israeli weapons discovered during raids on the eastern districts of the capital, as well as tunnels that the Assad regime maintains were used to transport those arms.

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Canadian FM urges direct peace talks with Israel in meetings with Abbas [IBA, Israel]

Currently amid his three-day visit to the region, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird attended meetings in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas, Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki, and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Topping the agenda were the stalled Middle East peace process, regional security, and economic cooperation. Baird reaffirmed Canada's support for direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians and sharply criticized unilateral moves taken by the PA at the United Nations

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Enraged Kuwaiti tribesmen torch election candidate's tent over 'offensive remarks' [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The headquarters of the Kuwaiti National Assembly's Third Constituency's candidate, Mohammad al-Juwaihal, was burned down and its contents vandalized after al-Juwaihal made insulting remarks to certain al-Mutair's candidates and tribesmen. Thousands of people stormed the electoral headquarters and set it ablaze. The emir of Kuwait met with several opposition candidates and former Members of Parliament and promised that the law would be enforces after a request was made to revoke al-Juwaihal's candidacy bid and hold him accountable.

Reporter, Male #1
The first spark was ignited from these headquarters. Mohamed al-Juwaihal, a candidate running in the Third Constituency, criticized the tribesmen of al-Mutair Tribe and insulted several candidates of the Fourth Constituency, as cited by his opponents. Law professor Abaid al-Wasmi, a candidate running in the Fourth Constituency, warned the government against failing to enforce the law.

Guest, Male #2
I would like to tell them and all the traitors, mercenaries, sore losers, and corrupt who seek to harm the country, not to get carried away. I swear to God the law will be applied, because if it's not applied, we will apply it as we wish.

Reporter, Male #1
The emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, met with twelve candidates, former Members of Parliament, and several al-Mutair tribal Sheikhs, who demanded he revoke al-Juwaihal's candidacy bid and hold him accountable for his comments. The incident and its expected effects on the social fabric of Kuwaiti society have raised concerns among the public.

Guest, Male #3
What happened yesterday caused concern among many people and the general Kuwaiti public, regardless of their affiliation or whether they are a civil or tribal community. No one is condoning what happened because neither torching the headquarters nor attacking the candidates or their tribes is the solution. We must resort to reason and join efforts to diffuse the tension.

Reporter, Male #1
All Kuwaiti sects and political blocs condemned the incident, as everyone is urged to use reasonable judgment to prevent fire from spreading to other areas. After several tribesmen were insulted, a fire engulfed these election headquarters, turning them into ashes. Kuwaitis are now asking: "is the democracy they are proud of at stake?" Sami al-Saidi, al-Jazeera, Kuwait.

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A look back at the Armenian Genocide [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
The Armenian Genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century killed 1.5 million people.

Presenter, Male #1
The genocide that Sultan Abdul-Hamid was accused of starting is considered one of the largest massacres committed in human history.

Reporter, Female #2
The Armenian Genocide, or the Armenian Massacres, is considered one of the first genocides in modern history and the second most-studied case of genocide after the Holocaust. The Armenian Genocide, also known as the Armenian Holocaust or the Great Crime, refers to the deliberate and systematic annihilation of the Armenian population by the Ottoman Empire during and shortly after World War I. It was implemented through group massacres and forced deportations under conditions designed to lead to the deaths of the deportees. The total number of resulting Armenian deaths is generally believed to have been between one and 1.5 million people. The Ottoman rulers rounded up hundreds of the most prominent Armenians in Istanbul and executed them in the city square. According to scholars, the Ottoman Empire also adopted the same policy of extermination against other sects when it attacked Syriacs, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Greeks, and others. There are a number of memorial sites that commemorate the victims of the massacre. Every year, April 24 is considered the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the same day that commemorates the Massacres of Assyrians. On this day in 1915, over 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders were arrested in Istanbul. Thereafter, the Ottoman army uprooted Armenians from their homes and coerced them to march hundreds of miles into the desert of what is now Syria, depriving them of water and food. The 1915 massacres were indiscriminately carried out against Armenians of all ages and genders, and a number of women were assaulted. The Republic of Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire, denies that the word "genocide" is an accurate description of the events, even though this is the term used by the United Nations. In recent years, repeated calls have been sent to Turkey to accept the events as genocide. To date, twenty countries have officially recognized the massacres of the Armenians as genocide. Sultan Abdul Hamid II is accused of being the first one to implement the massacres against Armenians and other Christians who lived under the Ottoman Empire's rule. Since the 11th century, Armenians have lived under the shadow of a Turkish emirate granted by the Ottoman Empire. Sahar al-Ibrahimi, al-Iraqiya.