Islamists clash with anti-military protestors in Egypt [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
In Egypt, over 70 people were wounded, most with minor injuries, in confrontations and skirmishes that took place yesterday between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and protestors from other political movements at the headquarters of the People's Assembly of Egypt.

Presenter, Female #1
This comes as elections for specialized committees in the Assembly resulted in the Freedom and Justice Party and the Salafist al-Nour Party winning a majority of the council's committees. Meanwhile, other parties withdrew from the elections to protest of what they referred to as the Islamists' monopoly in heading the committees.

Reporter, Male #2
With an overwhelming majority, the Islamists dominated the specialized committees in the People's Assembly. The Muslim Brotherhood and its allied blocs won 15 seats, while the Salafists won the four remaining chairs in the Assembly committees, with some representatives rejecting the Military Council's issuance of a new presidential election law.

Guest, Male #3 (Majdi Qarqar, Member of Egyptian Parliament)
We demand the Military Council retract this law. If it wants to pass this law, it should submit it through the government so the People's Assembly can review it, and then amend it, change it, or reject it.

Reporter, Male #2
Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri's presence added tension to the session during which he demanded government support for the military council's tasks in providing security and calming protests. He also announced the majority of the revolution's victims had been compensated. He confirmed real compensation is not financial.

Guest, Male #3 (Kamal al-Ganzouri, Egyptian Prime Minister)
Compensation for the revolution's martyrs, Egypt's martyrs, and the injured cannot be measured in any shape or form with material or financial compensation, or employment and housing. It can only be compensated with retribution.

Reporter, Male #2
Al-Ganzouri presented his government's efforts to improve the economy in the country, which he said is closely related to improving the security situation. This time, al-Ganzouri faced the political game's new rules in the People's Assembly. The majority is ready to support the government in any critical position but the assembly maintains its readiness to observe and criticize the government's performance. Egypt's heads of state are not accustomed to this new environment, and that was the case for many long decades. Outside the session, protestors gathered to demand an immediate end to the military council's rule and the transfer of power to the People's Assembly. This, as the Brothers insist on committing to the deadline set for the transfer of power to an elected president. This led the protestors to clash with several members of the Brotherhood, accusing them of allying themselves with the military, a claim the Brotherhood rejects. The clashes led to injuries on both sides. Ahmad al-Khilani, al-Jazeera, Cairo.

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Egypt football riots leave 74 dead, over 1,000 injured [Press TV, Iran]

In Egypt, the Cabinet is to hold crisis talks over the football related violence that has left at least 74 people dead and more than 1,000 injured. The violence erupted after a game between the teams Al Ahly and Al Masry in Port Said. Security officials say fans of the winning Al Masry flooded the field, attacking the players and fans of their opponents Al Ahly. There are also reports that rocks, bottles, and fireworks were thrown onto the field in the biggest disaster in the history of Egyptian football. The state prosecutor has ordered an immediate investigation into the violence. Meanwhile, parliament says it will convene an emergency session. The army has deployed troops in Port Said to contain any further outbreak of the violence.

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Detained Bahraini activists begin third day of hunger strike [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, jailed anti-regime protestors are still on a hunger strike after three days. The top Interior Minstry officials said some 100 jailed activists are on strike. But the Bahrain Center for Human Rights has put the number at 250. The prisoners began and one week hunger strike on Suday in protest of the ongoing suppression of anti-regime protestors. Bahrain is in the midst of a revolution that started in mid-February of last year. Regime forces have killed scores of people and arrested hundreds more in crackdowns on peaceful protests. A report by an independent inquiry last year said the regime has systematically tortured and detained protestors and has used extensive force against demonstrators.

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Iranians mark anniversary of Islamic Revolution victory [Press TV, Iran]

February the 1st marks the anniversary of the return home of the late Imam Khomeini from exile in 1979. The day starts a period of celebrations in Iran known as the Ten Day Dawn. Celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Iranians nation-wide are commemorating the event. Streets are decorated and special services are held in commemoration of the arrival of a great man who changed the course of history, Imam Khomeini. In Tehran, thousands of people from different walks of life, among them students and military forces, attended the Mausoleum of late founder of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini, south of Tehran, to commemorate his return to Iran, on February 1, 1979.

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Kuwait marred by violence on eve of election [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female # 1
Kuwaiti voters will head to the ballot boxes tomorrow to participate in legislative elections that the opposition is expected to win. Candidates are calling for drastic reforms, a new constitution, and a constitutional monarchy. On the eve of the elections, police clashed with tribesmen who stormed a TV station over an interview with a pro-government candidate.

Reporter, Male # 1
285 candidates are competing for the 50-seat assembly in an unprecedented election. Observers describe the current electoral scene as a process for change that could determine the future of Kuwait. On one hand, this change depends on the fresh blood entering the assembly and on the other, it relates to the extent of cooperation between the new parliament and government, expected to continue to be headed by Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah, Sheikh Nasser's successor. The anger, sharp political speeches, counter accusations, and electoral financing have created an increasingly tense electoral scene. Ten members of parliament will be elected from five districts by 400,000 voters. Two essential factors dominate the alliances and vote: sectarianism and tribalism. As tribal sentiment rises in Kuwait, police clashed with young tribesmen who stormed the local TV station al-Watan that was hosting a pro-government candidate. The candidate accused some tribesmen of not being real Kuwaitis. This comes one day after another candidate's headquarters was set ablaze over accusations that he insulted the Mutair tribe. A number of the attackers and police officers were injured in the confrontations that erupted after hundreds of tribesmen gathered in front of al-Watan TV station.

Guest, Male # 2 (Ayed Manaa, Kuwait Journalists Association Consultant)
Unfortunately, it is the result of the behavior of some candidates who underestimate this community, and the tribes reacted. The youth were also incited by certain candidates.

Reporter, Male # 1
The demands accompanying the electoral campaigns are for drastic reforms, including a new constitution and a multi-party system. There are calls for the parliamentary majority to select the head of the government and establish a constitutional monarchy. This country's residents are accustomed to participating in great numbers in elections as parliament is key to enacting reforms in a region that has long lacked a reformist political movement that recognizes the democratic process.

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Pakistan rejects NATO report on Afghan Taliban links [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
In Pakistan, the military announced the deaths of more than 20 members of Pakistan's Taliban in airstrikes launched by the army on Taliban hideouts in the country's northwestern tribal region of Orakzai.

Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, the Pakistani foreign minister headed to Kabul on a diplomatic mission aimed at improving the strained bilateral relations of the two neighboring countries.

Presenter, Female #1
Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar's visit to Kabul coincided with the release of a secret NATO report accusing the Pakistani intelligence agency of supporting the Afghan-based Taliban, which said it has no intention of holding talks with Afghan authorities. Al-Seghair Salam has the details.

Reporter, Male #2
There's a heavy burden straining the bilateral relations of Islamabad and Kabul, and both sides are equally affected by such a deterioration. Meanwhile, the Pakistani foreign minster arrived in Kabul in a bid to ease tension between the two neighboring countries. The Pakistani minister's visit comes at a sensitive time, amid an exchange of accusations on the two sides.

Guest, Male #2 (Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistani Foreign Minister)
I don't think these claims are new. These claims have been made for many years, and all of us know the hidden reasons behind them. We have joint agendas with most of the world's main players. But most importantly, we must examine the current talks between the Taliban and several of the world's major capitals.

Reporter, Male #2
The Taliban seems to be the knife that is severing ties between the two neighboring countries. Afghan President Hamid Karazi and Asif Ali Zardari held talks late last year in an attempt to open a new chapter of their countries' relationship. At that time, the issue of holding talks with the Taliban was the focus of discussion, in a bid to reach a peace deal marking an end to a decade of conflict between the two countries. Kabul has openly and often accused Pakistan of supporting the Afghan Taliban Movement, which possesses bases in tribal areas along the Pakistani side of the border. Kabul's suspicion is echoed by a new secret military report for NATO forces accusing the Pakistani government of supporting the Afghanistan-based Taliban. The report added that the Pakistani government and intelligence service know the locations of senior Taliban leaders. To add insult to injury, the Taliban said it has no intention of holding talks with the Afghan government under the auspices of the Saudi Kingdom. Will NATO's report and Taliban's denial be the "mercy bullet" that derails the rapprochement efforts of the two countries? Or will it be a "summer cloud" that merely passes by?

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Fifty-six killed in Syria as UN chief calls on Damascus to halt violence [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Local Coordination Committees said 56 people were killed by the gunfire of military and security forces in Syria today. Most of them were in the city of Homs and the Wadi Barada region northwest of Damascus. The Free Syrian Army controls some towns in the Wadi Barada region. This comes as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 15 regime soldiers were killed in the countryside of Homs in confrontations with defectors, while civilians in a number of the city's neighborhoods were killed by the gunfire of the security forces.

Reporter, Male #1
This is another bloody day in Syria, as shown in these images and reports emerging from a number of cities and towns across the country. Military and security forces continue to attack defectors and armed men who have taken control of numerous parts of the country. Various sources confirm that government forces managed to control the towns located in eastern Syria. However, violent battles broke out in the west, more specifically, in a region known as Wadi Barada, where the Syrian Free Army controls Zabadani and several nearby towns. Opposition sources confirmed that six defected soldiers were killed in clashes near Ein al-Fija. As usual, Homs and its countryside are witnessing the most violent conflicts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that 15 regime forces were killed in clashes with groups of defectors in the Bostan Diwan neighborhood. The Observatory also confirmed that eight civilians were killed by the security forces' gunfire in a number of neighborhoods of the city. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it inflicted significant damages to what it referred to as armed terrorist groups, alluding to what appeared to be a massive attack that was deterred by the military and security forces several days ago. Even though the regime's forces succeeded in regaining control in certain regions, other areas were taken over by defectors who are out of the regime's control. For instance, defectors control most neighborhoods of Rastan. Syrian state TV said a terrorist group attacked a car transporting supplies to a military unit in the countryside of Daraa. The Syrian news agency said special institutions and the car's escort team confronted the attack, and 11 terrorists were killed during the clashes. These developments, which led to a rise in the death toll, did not stop protests demanding the downfall of the Syrian president's regime, as shown in these images from the suburb of Qudssai near Damascus. The official news agency asserts that groups of terrorists and gunmen are behind these protests and the people are demanding they be eliminated, according to a statement by the foreign minister, Walid al-Muallem several days ago. This statement may explain the massive destruction in the area caused by confrontations between the army backed by the security forces and opposition forces. Firas Kidani, BBC.

Presenter, Female #1
Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Bin Helli said the League is committed to resolving the Syrian crisis within the Arab framework. Bin Helli's statements came during his visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Guest, Male #2 (Ahmed Bin Helli, Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League)
We are committed to resolving this crisis with the opposition and the Syrian government within the Arab framework without any foreign intervention; in a framework that guarantees Syria's stability, security, unity, and independence, and reflects and responds to the Syrian people's aspirations for development, modernization, and reform.

Presenter, Female #1
On the other hand, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated the necessity of taking proper steps to stop the violence and human loss in Syria, considering it key for a political solution.

Guest, Male #3 (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General)
We cannot wait any longer until the political process is finished, while many people are being killed. While I fully support the political solution of this issue, this is quite advisable. But first and foremost, we have to take necessary action so that we will not lose any more human lives. Therefore, first, the violence, all violence must stop. And I sincerely hope that it will lead to a political solution.

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UN chief: Israeli settlement expansion 'not helpful' to Mideast peace [IBA, Israel]

Arriving in Israel this morning, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to make some confidence boosting gestures toward the Palestinians in order to encourage direct talks between the two sides to get the peace process moving forward again. Ban also spoke about the violent situation in Syria and his fears over the Iranian nuclear weapons program. Yes, it was a very busy day for ban Ki-moon, as the secretary-general settled from place to place to meet with Israeli leaders, and there was a lot on the agenda in all of his talks. We'll start first with his visit this afternoon with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the main topics of course were Iran and the peace talks with the Palestinians. Ban told Netanyahu that settlement building is not helpful and he urged Israel to refrain from further construction.

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Netanyahu claims win in party primary [IBA, Israel]

To the surprise of no one, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged victorious in yesterday's Likud party leadership contest. Net won by a comfortable three-to-one margin, winning 75 percent of the vote against his right-wing rival, Moshe Feiglin. The result followed a tense day of voting and a relatively disappointing turnout. Only about 50 percent of the 125,000 registered party members actually showed up to cast their ballots, although this was more than the last time the primary was held. Declaring a victory at a celebration in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said that the real Likud had won. Netanyahu also told the general elections are still a ways off and there were challenges to overcome in the meantime. This was the fifth time that Netanyahu has won a Likud leadership contest

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Palestinians rally in solidarity with Khadar Adnan's 45-day hunger strike [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Male #1
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said the occupation's prison administration informed the Club's lawyer that prisoner Khadar Adnan announced he will no longer drink fluids in protest of the administration denying him the right to meet with his lawyer. Earlier, the Ofer Court postponed the hearing about Khadar Adnan's administrative detention to today, Wednesday. In this context, the High Follow-up Committee for Prisoner Affairs organized a sit-in in solidarity with prisoner Khadar Adnan, who has been on an open-ended hunger strike for 45 days.

Reporter, Female #1
In protest of the repressive practices and rights violations by the occupation's prison administration that prisoner Khadar Adnan has endured, the High Follow-up Committee for Prisoner Affairs organized a sit-in in front of the Red Cross headquarters in al-Bireh as Adnan began the 45th day of his open-ended hunger strike. A number of official figures and families of prisoners took part in the sit-in.

Guest, Male #2 (Abbas Zaki, Member of Fatah's Central Committee)
Right now, Khadar Adnan is standing like a beam of shining light with his 45-day hunger strike against this tyrannical Israeli policy that violates laws and human rights. Therefore, we must unite all our people in order to gain more momentum to fight for those who sacrificed their freedom for us.

Guest, Male #3 (Essa Qaraqi'a, Minister of Prisoner Affairs)
This sit-in is in solidarity with the prisoner who has been on a hunger strike for 45 days, Sheikh Khadar Adnan. Here in front of the International Red Cross, we send our greetings to the hunger striking prisoner and we hold the Israeli government responsible for his life and the deterioration of his health due to the hunger strike.

Reporter, Female #1
Khadar's father sent a message to the whole world that everyone must immediately intervene in order to save the life of his dear son, especially since his health has been continuously deteriorating.

Guest, Male #4 (Father of Khadar Adnan)
I swear to God the Almighty, my son Khadar does not enjoy this hunger or thirst.
He has a wife and children; he has a father and a mother. They need him back; they need their family member back.

Guest, Male #5 (Amin Shuman, High Follow-Up Committee for Prisoner Affairs)
We are by your side, by the side of all administrative detainees and all prisoners in solitary confinement. We came here today to protest in solidarity with our prisoners, the detained representatives in the occupation's prisons, the prisoners who are ill and old, and all the men and women behind these prisons' bars.

Reporter, Female #1
Prisoner Khadar Adnan was arrested on December 17, 2011 without charge, which forced him to go on a hunger strike for 45 days in protest of the abuses he has endured in the executioners' basements and of his continued administrative detainment. Sara al-Abira, Palestine TV.

Presenter, Male #1
In Tulkarem, families of prisoners condemned the repressive practices and measures taken by the prison authorities against their imprisoned family members. They threatened to escalate the protests against these practices.