Yemeni protestors resilient on revolution's first anniversary [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female # 1
The Yemeni capital Sana'a and other provinces witnessed demonstrations under the banner "the Friday of making history," an indication that one year has passed since the protest movement against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime started in Yemen on February 3rd. Members of the air force also continued their demonstrations demanding the dismissal of Saleh's brother.

Reporter, Male # 1
"Making history" is the name given to the 51st Friday of the Yemeni revolution that completed its first year. These masses are aware they are creating a new phase and a different Yemen.

Guest, # 2 (Mohammad Sabri, Yemeni journalist)
On the "Friday of making history," we would like to send the world many messages. Yemenis today are creating their new history through the popular and peaceful youth revolution and, today, they are showing Yemen's civilized side.

Reporter, Male # 1
On this Friday, the squares of the revolution in Sana'a and all Yemeni provinces celebrated the launch of protests demanding the downfall of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime. Yemenis were also celebrating all the achievements and victories they have attained during an exceptional year in Yemen's history.

Guest, Male # 3 (Bassem Hakimi, Popular Youth Revolution Leader)
February 3 represents a strategic turning point in the foundation of the political regime. The revolution that was sparked on February 3, 2011 brought real and fundamental change to the regime's political structure. That regime ruled the country for 33 years.

Reporter, Male # 1
The masses also vowed to continue what they called the "revolutionary act," until all their goals are attained and the remnants of Saleh's regime are removed.

Guest, Female # 1
We tell the regime of Abduallah Saleh: "You are over; your rule is over; your injustice is over; enough, enough, and enough."

Reporter, Male # 1
The demands for cleansing the country of Saleh's figureheads and relatives, and for holding the corrupt accountable, have been reiterated on many Fridays. This is a demonstration for members of the air force that took place in front of the president's house. These masses gathered at the Interior Ministry headquarters on a Friday they called "You get life for retribution," demanding that the killers of one citizen surrender, and accusing ministry soldiers of being involved in the killing. The youths of the revolution are aware of the exceptional importance of this day in Yemeni history, and this was made clear when they rallied under the banner "Friday of making history." Everyone realizes they are experiencing a transitional phase created by the revolution, and these masses are resolved to make change happen. Ali al-Zahab, al-Alam, from al-Siteen Street in Sana'a.

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Document reveals NYPD's religion-based policing eyed Shiites [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The New York Police Department is facing strong criticism after documents were leaked revealing its means of dealing with the Muslim community in the city. These documents unveiled that police have intensified their surveillance of Muslims, especially Shiites, out of concern that they may be linked to what the police referred to as terrorism.

Reporter, Female #1
These people are part of the Shiite community in New York. Leaked documents indicate the police see them as potential terrorists linked to Iran, which prompted the city's police to increase surveillance on them based solely on their religion. This has evoked a number of questions.

Guest, Male #2
The commissioner police knows me very well. So does the city's mayor and most government bureaus. Officials in the White House also know me well. Therefore, if we are under the surveillance, it is a kind of surprise for me.

Reporter, Female #1
The leaked documents explained the NYPD's mentality and the reasons why they expect terrorist threats from certain institutions and people, more specifically, those linked to the religion of Islam. The police set up surveillance in dozens of mosques across the city without proof of any connection between the mosques and terrorist groups in the last ten years.

Guest, Male #3
We reach out to the Muslim community, we work with them. They provide us with plenty of information. We hope to continue a trustworthy relationship with them.

Reporter, Female #1
Police data indicates that there are approximately 35,000 Shiite Muslims in New York City and its suburbs. More than 8,000 of them are of Iranian descent, and they are the most watched. Other groups in the Muslim community are also under surveillance, such as Palestinians, because police believe that they are more likely than others to be connected to terrorists. The documents revealed that undercover policemen visited a number of local businesses, such as Islamic libraries and cafes, to chat with the shop owners and cricket players in order to identify their origins and understand their general opinions. All this was within the framework of a spy program designed by an officer in the US Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA.

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Islamists take parliament in Kuwait vote [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Amid an absence of women and few liberals, Kuwait held its parliamentary elections. The Islamist-led opposition won by a landslide by securing a majority of 34 seats in the 50-member parliament, compared to only nine seats in the previous, dissolved National Assembly. The liberals sustained a major defeat by losing three of their five previously held seats, while women lost all four of their seats. Our correspondent Ahmad al-Einaizi reports from Kuwait.

Reporter, Male #2
With more than 60 percent participation, the end of elections in Kuwait marked the beginning of the vote count. There were many surprises, most notably the arrival of new lawmakers in parliament, accounting for more than 50 percent of the vote, which makes it the highest percent of change in the history of Kuwaiti Parliament.

Guest, Male #3
Opposition blocs and activists who supported the opposition at the squares by holding demonstrations and forums, which eventually led to the dissolution of parliament, have been increasingly gaining momentum.

Reporter, Male #2
In another surprise twist, the Islamist-led opposition won by a landslide, which grants them full authority over parliamentary resolutions. In addition, Kuwaiti women lost all of their parliamentary seats, after their historic 2009 victory at the National Assembly. Meanwhile, the liberals, who decided to run on a separate ticket from the opposition, only won two seats. Tribal candidates sustained a major defeat despite their good performance in the primaries. This has provoked concern by some.

Guest, Male #4
The opposition will likely control the council and its presidency.

Reporter, Male #2
A period of conflict has ended, marking the beginning of a new phase filled with many challenges. Most notably, the competition for the council's presidency and the formation of new alliances in parliament, especially with the emergence of new blocs and the disappearance of others that previously played a major role in the political scene. The election results stirred mixed reactions that fluctuated between approval and disapproval. While some describe the new parliament as "strong," and have high hopes for it, others believe it includes troubling figures that may further fuel the situation. Ahmad al-Einaizi, Dubai TV, Kuwait.

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New UN draft resolution on Syria does not call for al-Assad's resignation [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
On the eve of the anniversary of the Hama massacre, the city witnessed military reinforcements, as shown in these images uploaded online by activists. The activists said the army closed public streets in Hama and staged checkpoints and barriers. The US and European-backed Arab League efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis have not yet produced any positive results at the UN Security Council. A new development was announced late last night, New York local time. Members of the UN Security Council were handed an amended draft resolution on Syria. According to the French news agency, the new draft resolution stipulates that the council supports the Arab League proposal for a political transition led by the Syrians, and which will lead to the formation of a democratic, multi-party regime. However, the draft resolution no longer includes an explicit call for President Bashar al-Assad to step down, and it doesn't include imposing an arms embargo or sanctions on Damascus. Commenting on the draft resolution, Russia's envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin said that sending a draft resolution to the government for consideration "doesn't at all predetermine its fate."

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Protests escalate in Egypt after deadly soccer riot [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Renewed confrontations erupted between protestors and security forces in the surrounding areas of the Interior Ministry in central Cairo over the incidents in Port Said. One protestor was killed in the confrontations. Approximately 800 others were injured in clashes near the ministry's building and in Tahrir Square last night.

Presenter, Female #1
At the same time, Tahrir Square is witnessing demonstrations under the slogan "the President First," demanding that presidential elections be held early.

Presenter, Male #1
In the eastern Egyptian city Suez, eyewitnesses said two people were killed and nearly 30 others were wounded in clashes between security forces and protestors over the Port Said incidents.

Presenter, Female #1
A fact-finding committee for the Port Said incidents has begun its mission in the city.

Reporter, Male #2
Protests and bloody conflicts broke out once again. This is the situation in Egypt two days after the disaster killed 74 people and wounded hundreds of others following a soccer match between two the teams, al-Ahly and al-Masry, in Port Said. Here, in the surrounding areas of the Interior Ministry in central Cairo, seesaw battles are ongoing between security forces guarding the ministry's building and dozens of protestors, most of whom are from the al-Ahly fan club known as al-Ultras. Tahrir Square, which was described as the beating heart of the Egyptian revolution, has become a platform for a mix of political protestors and soccer fan protestors. These people gathered to demand that the Military Council accelerate the transfer of power to civilians on a Friday they named the "Friday of the President First."

Guest, Male #3
They are supposed to relinquish power, so they should. If you can't handle the responsibility, then leave.

Reporter, Male #2
Last night, Tahrir Square was also a platform for massive turmoil and confrontations. The square and the surrounding areas of the ministry witnessed wide-scale clashes. The memory of incidents in Port Said, which are being referred to as a massacre, is still fresh.
Most victims in the incidents were Al-Ahly fans. Thousands of al-Ahly fans took to the streets, along with their sympathizers, to express their anger towards what they consider to be a security institution's conspiracy in the massacre. Hundreds of protestors were injured in the night clashes. The protestors believe that security forces allowed the al-Masry fans and those they describe as thugs to kill al-Ahly fans. Their reasoning is that the security institutions want revenge against the al-Ahly fans who took part in the revolution and subsequent events, along with fans of other soccer teams. Part of the protestors' anger is directed at the ruling Military Council. They accuse the council of negligence and of being unable to provide security in Port Said and other cities.
Suez is another platform for clashes. Eyewitnesses reported that two people were killed by police gunfire and dozens were injured when protestors of the Port Said massacre attempted to storm the security directorate's building. The Suez security directorate denied that the security and police are responsible for killing protestors, accusing outlawed perpetrators of being behind the incident. In any case, it seems as though confrontations will continue to escalate.

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Bahrainis, Saudis stage fresh anti-regime protests [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, thousands of protests have hit the streets in Bilad al-Qadim near the capital of Manama to demand the ouster of the al-Khalifa regime. The protestors also condemned the brutal Saudi-backed crackdown on demonstrations. Earlier on Thursday, an elderly man and woman died in Manama after inhaling tear gas fired by regime forces. Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, people have taken to the streets in the country's oil-rich Eastern Province against the recent killing of protestors by regime forces.

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Iran Supreme Leader threatens retaliation against attack [Press TV, Iran]

The leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Khamenei says his country will continue to stand by any nation or group that chooses to fight against Israel. Ayatollah Khamenei has also warned that Tehran will retaliate if the West carries out its threats of a unilateral oil embargo and war.

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Iran's suspected nuclear program spotlighted in Herzliya Conference [IBA, Israel]

Here at home, in capping a day of strident warnings from Israeli officials about the dangers posed by Iran, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that the world is increasingly prepared to consider a military strike against the Islamic republic if the economic sanctions fail to halt Iran's suspected nuclear program. Barak made his comments at the 12th Herzliya Conference, which serves as a center stage for the articulation of national policy by many prominent leaders. Vice President Premier Moshe Ya'alon, who heads the Strategic Affairs Ministry, described all Iranian nuclear installations as vulnerable to military strikes. This assessment from the former IDF chief of staff comes in contradiction to those of other Israeli defense officials and experts, who have estimated that such a strike would be extraordinarily difficult due to the location of Iranian nuclear targets dozens of meters below the ground. Ya'alon also went on to tell the audience that Tehran is also attempting to develop missiles with a 10,000 kilometer range, with the capability to strike the United States, and has already enriched uranium sufficient to construct four rudimentary nuclear bombs.

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US Defense Secretary predicts Israel will strike Iran in the spring [IBA, Israel]

The United States believes that there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June, before Iran enters what Israeli leaders describe as "the zone of immunity" to commence building a nuclear bomb. These words reportedly from US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, published in the Washington Post. CNN is reporting that a senior Obama administration official has validated that report.

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Ban Ki-moon's Herzliya keynote calls for stop to Israeli settlement building [IBA, Israel]

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivered the keynote address at the Herzliya Conference, emphasizing that time is running out to solve the conflict with the Palestinians, and said that Israel should think carefully about how to empower those on the other side who wish for peace, saying that now is the moment for a demonstration of goodwill by both sides. Ban specifically called on Israel to stop building in the settlements, and to permit the increased delivery of construction materials into the Gaza Strip.

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An in-depth look at the Free Syrian Army, part II [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
In the second part of al-Akhbar newspaper's special report on the Free Syrian Army in the Lebanese border region of Wadi Khaled, my colleague Radwan Mortada's video reveals information about a number of this army's members, their munitions, and their operations in northern Lebanon.

Reporter, Male #1
In Wadi Khaled, Free Syrian Army members are active as part of armed and relatively organized groups that share control of the crossings. These people make deals with smugglers to transfer those injured in the incidents taking place in Syria, and to buy and smuggle weapons. According to my colleague Radwan Mortada, they receive support from influential political groups in the regions where they are active.

Guest, Male #2
The soldiers who defected from the regime are carrying their own weapons: a rifle, a rocket launcher, a machine gun, or submachine guns such as PCCs or PTTs. These are light weapons.

Reporter, Male #1
These groups gather to support the Syrian revolution by any means. However, they disagree about control and influence, and communication between their leaders is nearly severed.

Guest, Male #3
We function according to this coordination. We used well-known devices to contact the leadership of the Free Army, like the Thuraya phone, walkie-talkies, and many other means of communication. We dismantle landmines; we have soldiers who defected from the engineer battalion and they dismantle the mines.

Reporter, Male #1
Some of them conceal their real identities and pretend to be Syrian refugees. They hide during the day and are active at night. And from deep inside Syria, they come back with recordings of their loot.

Guest, Male #4
The city of al-Qusayr, December 17th 2011. With the help of God Almighty, a group of the regime's shabeha was captured. They were wearing army uniforms.

Guest, Male #5
I swear I'm from Daraa.

Guest, Male #6
I'm from Aleppo's countryside.

Guest, Male #7
They're sending you to die, you lowlifes? What don't you understand? Don't you understand, you two?

Guest, Male #5
They attacked us, we tried to flee, but we were prevented.

Guest, Male #4
This is a gift from the Free Army to Bashar al-Assad from the city of Qusayr.

Guest, Male #6
The party, Hezbollah; Hassan Nasrallah is sending his shabeha to kill our people in Syria. This is well-known, it's well-known. Iranians are also coming from Iran to kill the people in Syria. Al-Sadr's men are also coming.

Reporter, Male #1
This man also reveals that they captured two prisoners from Hezbollah who they're detaining in Syria.