Revolutionary Yemeni youth reject presidential elections [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
In Yemen, a publicity campaign is urging citizens to vote in the presidential elections scheduled to take place on February 21 amid fears of a low turnout since acting President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi is the only candidate.

Reporter, Male #1
An atmosphere of disputes and complications clouds over the political scene in Yemen as the scheduled date for electing Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi as president approaches, in accordance with the power transfer deal. As usual, parties involved in the political process are trading accusations of hampering the electoral process. This atmosphere could take the political scene back to square one, where the situation has been stalled.

Guest, Male #2 (Abdullah Doubilah, Yemeni Writer and Journalist)
Currently, there are currently disputes between the General People's Congress and the Joint Meeting Parties. Today's situation was expected for a simple reason: a number of issues that have surfaced were not included in the power transfer deal. But we believe there will be an international and regional meeting on the media campaign for the elections.

Reporter, Male #1
And amid fears of disrupting the agreement signed between the political groups, Yemen is witnessing intensive political and diplomatic efforts by the conflicting parties and sponsors of deal, in an attempt to hold successful elections. Some see these elections as the equivalent of an actual end to President Saleh's rule, forcing revolutionary parties and elements to announce whether or not they will participate.

Guest, Male #3 (Walid al-Emari, Supreme Coordination Council of the Yemeni Revolution)
We affirm that we are keen on taking part in these elections, as they are considered a referendum for revolutionary legitimacy and our means of extracting our right to topple the autocrat and his fictitious legitimacy.

Reporter, Male #1
In contrast to that view, a number of parties in the country, as well its revolutionary components and youth, continue to reject this political move. This is an extension of their rejection to the Riyadh Agreement and all its outcomes, considering it an attempt to abort and outmaneuver their revolution.

Guest, Male #4
We completely refuse to participate in the elections, because participating in these elections means agreeing to the initiative. And agreeing to the initiative means the youth gave up and contributed to the betrayal of the goal for which they took to the streets, which is the "people want the downfall of the regime."

Reporter, Male #1
The revolutionaries' refusal to take part in the upcoming elections is manifested in their ongoing protests in a number of Yemeni cities. This has rendered the success of the elections uncertain so far, especially as uprisings continue in many civilian and military organizations. The talks and controversy surrounding the presidential election and the debate over its success or failure greatly preoccupy the Yemeni public's attention these days, in light of fears of possible chaos that may further complicate the situation. Ali al-Dahab, al-Alam, Sanaa.

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Israeli extremists desecrate Jerusalem monastery and school [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Jewish extremists attacked al-Masalba Monastery in West Jerusalem and wrote offensive graffiti against Christians on its walls. They also damaged the vehicles of church employees. The same kind of attack was carried out on a joint Jewish-Arab school. Meanwhile, similar attacks were launched on a number of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank. The assailants wrote "Death to the Arabs" and other slogans insulting Prophet Mohamed, peace be upon him.

Reporter, Male #2
Palestinians describe these acts as "systematic attacks" that do not spare either Muslims or Christians. The instinct of revenge propels groups of Jewish extremists to carry out these attacks. This happens every time the Palestinians take a step forward on the path of reconciliation or in realizing their dream of a Palestinian State. Al-Masalba Church and Monastery in West Jerusalem became a platform for spraying offensive slogans and graffiti against Christians, as well as damaging the cars of church employees.

Guest, Male #3
This church, the house of the Lord, is the place where we come to worship. I don't know what reasons they have to write graffiti on it, or come to tell us "Get Out" or "Death to the Christians."

Reporter, Male #2
This school in the Beit Safafa neighborhood in East Jerusalem, where Arab and Jewish students study together, was not spared from similar attacks. "Death to the Arabs" was written on the walls, in addition to other slogans insulting Prophet Mohamed, peace be upon him. This sparked outrage among the school's officials.

Guest, Male #4 (Baz Kuhn, School Principal in Beit Safafa, South of Jerusalem)
It is painful to see this happen to a school that works for coexistence between Arabs and Jews. Slogans such as "Death to the Arabs" are not only an insult to the Palestinians but to everyone in the society.

Reporter, Male #2
Meanwhile, the same graffiti with the phrase "Price Tag" was sprayed on property belonging to Palestinians in Luban al-Sharqiya village east of Nablus and al-Janiya village west of Ramallah. This phrase proves that extremist settlers are behind these attacks. Extremist settlers are active during the night. The number of recorded attacks by extremist settlers increased by 20 percent last year, as acknowledged by the occupation's authorities. Over 600 attacks targeting mosques and churches were recorded, including burning cars and Palestinian crops. The same types of attacks are carried out on Palestinian property and holy sites, and the Israeli occupation is not taking any initiative to control this phenomenon and arrest those behind these attacks. Palestinians are concerned that these attacks will escalate into something much more dangerous. Ilyas Karam, al-Jazeera, West Jerusalem.

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US threatens to cut aid to Egypt over activist trials [IBA, Israel]

Calm returned to the streets of Cairo today following five days of clashes between protestors and riot police. Meanwhile, anger is growing in the United States over Egyt's plan to put dozens of pro-democracy activists on trial. Among them are 19 Americans, including the son of US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. A member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee described Cairo's behavior as totally unacceptable. The White House also denounced the action, saying it could have long-term consequences including ending US aid to Egypt.

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Israeli officials make last-ditch efforts to avoid general strike [IBA, Israel]

Israel is bracing for a nationwide general strike tomorrow morning. The meeting between Histadrut Liberation Federation Chairman Ofer Eini and Finance Minsister Yuval Steinitz to try and avoid a strike over the status of contract workers ended without progress today. The officials decided to meet again at nine o?clock tonight in a last-ditch attempt to reach an agreement and prevent the strike, which is set to begin tomorrow morning at six o'clock. This list of services affected by the work action include a host of government offices, the Knesset, local councils, the tax authorities, the Bank of Israel, commercial banks, Magen David Adom will be on emergency services only, no take-offs or landings at Ben Gurion Airport from six a.m. until noon. Others who will be striking are the ports authority, Israel railways, all museums and theaters, and the educational television channel. Hospitals around the country will work on a Shabbat schedule, as will the electrical company and the Mekdorot water company.

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Iran shrugs off latest US sanctions [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Iran said it needs nuclear energy to generate electricity, not to produce an atomic bomb. It also expressed willingness to resume talks on its nuclear program. Meanwhile, Washington and its Western allies decided to increase their pressure on Tehran. According to media sources in Tehran, Iran's parliament said it is ready to halt oil exports to certain European countries.

Reporter, Male #2
Iran has rejected the new US sanctions that target the Islamic Republic's Central Bank and grant American banks new powers to freeze Iranian government assets. The US move, which was announced in an executive order signed by President Obama, is the latest of a series of measures targeting the Central Bank of Iran in order to fix the loopholes in the existing sanctions.

Guest, Male #3, (Ramin Mehmanparast, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
This campaign is in the sphere of a psychological war. Many of these sanctions will not have an effect on the progress of our cooperation with various countries.

Reporter, Male #2
Tension between Iran and the West escalated last month after Washington and the European Union took measures that target the exports OPEC's second largest oil producer, in a bid to force Iran to abandon the military aspect of its controversial nuclear program. Tehran said it will counter the sanctions with similar sanctions. However, Iran postponed a parliamentary debate on the issue scheduled for January 30. It seems as though Obama's announcement has provoked Iranian parliamentarians, who said they are ready to adopt a resolution to ban oil exports to certain European countries, as confirmed by local media circles. The Iranian move aims to mount pressure on the European Union to change its position before the ban of Iranian oil imports goes into effect next July. In a letter addressed to Congress, Obama said Iranian banks were hiding transactions in order to undercut the financial sanctions imposed by the United States and other powers in response to Iran's ambiguous nuclear program, which the West insists has a military component. The last round of negotiations in early 2010 failed due to Tehran's refusal to halt uranium enrichment, as demanded by the UN Security Council and the world's leading powers. Washington and Israel have not ruled out the military option if diplomacy fails to restrain Iranian nuclear ambitions. For its part, Tehran is warning of a strong response if it comes under any attack.

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Russia's Lavrov seeks peaceful resolution to Syria's crisis [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
After the Russian veto, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed from Damascus Syrian President Bashar al-Assasd's commitment to ending the violence in the country, and the authorities' readiness to hold a dialogue with opposition groups.

Reporter, Female # 2
To the beat of drums, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was welcomed to Syria. His convoy passed through a million-person rally as it headed from the Damascus International Airport to the People's Palace. Thousands of citizens rushed to salute his country's position at the UN Security Council. A number of people held Syrian and Russian flags, and a large Russian flag made out of balloons. The streets of Damascus witnessed mass marches with protestors raising Russian and Syrian flags, repeating chants welcoming the man from Russia, the holder of the veto power in the international organization. The two men met in the People's Palace in Damascus. The Russian news agency reported Lavrov saying at the beginning of the meeting that heads of states must assume their responsibilities. He addressed al-Assad, saying, "You are assuming your responsibility."

Guest, Male # 1 (Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister)
The Russians are ready to solve the Syrian crisis in accordance with their stance on the Arab initiative. President Bashar al-Assad confirmed he is committed to stopping the violence from all sides and that he is committed to carrying out reforms. Syria needs peace and an agreement without any foreign intervention must be reached. We believe it is important to continue efforts aimed at reaching a solution to the Syrian crisis. These efforts must be accompanied by a dialogue between all political forces. I received confirmation from Assad on his readiness to organize a dialogue; he has asked Russia to sway opposition groups that continue to reject dialogue.

Reporter, Female # 2
Lavrov indicated that Syria wants the delegation of Arab observers to continue its mission. He said the regime expressed to the Arab League its wish for the delegation to continue it work and increase the number of observers. He pointed that Assad will announce the date of a referendum on the Syrian constitution as soon as possible. President al-Assad thanked Russia for its position in the UN Security Council on behalf of the Syrian people. He also expressed gratitude to Russia for giving priority to dialogue and for pushing national solutions instead of escalating the situation and giving orders, the way other countries in the council have. The states are seen as disregarding the Syrian people's interests and are not taking into account the Syrians' views to achieve reform in the internal front without foreign interference. He confirmed Syria's insistence on holding a national dialogue with representatives of the government and opposition, in addition to independents. Al-Assad said Syria welcomed from the beginning efforts that support the Syrian solution to the crisis and implemented the Arab League's mission, and full cooperation with the delegation of observers despite some Arab countries' disruption of the delegation's work. He renewed Syria's readiness to cooperate with all efforts that support stability in his country.

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Erdogan seeks new international initiative on Syria [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male # 1
As Lavrov arrived in Damascus, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming it will continue to fight terrorists in the neighborhoods of Homs until it restores security. The affirmation was represented on the ground as heavy shelling of the city was renewed. This morning, heavy artillery and army tanks began shelling the neighborhoods of Baba Amr and al-Khalidiya, in addition to Bayada and al-Inshaat, which have been subjected to storming attempts by military forces, backed by armored vehicles. This reality has made it difficult for the residents of the city to hold funerals for the 95 people killed in the heavy shelling of these neighborhoods yesterday and today. Amid this suffocating siege of Homs, activists and the Syrian opposition launched appeals to aid the residents. The military operation's focus on Homs does not mean the situation in other Syrian cities is better. Five civilians were killed today by the gunfire of the security forces. According to the Syrian Revolution's General Commission, one person was killed in Qadisiyah and another in Idlib, one child in Houla of Homs, and two in the city of al-Zabadani, which is also witnessing violent shelling by tanks and artillery. The surrounding areas and the region of Houla in Homs are facing the same situation. One child was killed by sniper fire in Houla as the city of al-Rastan is also being subjected to heavy shelling. Security forces launched an arrest and raid campaign in Dariyah and Muadamiyat in the countryside of Damascus as forces arrested dozens of people in the northeastern city of al-Roqosh after protests broke out in support of the city of Homs. A new international initiative on Syria will be launched by Turkey following the Russian and Chinese vetoes at the Security Council. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the announcement during a speech at the Turkish parliament, saying his country will work with the states supporting the Syrian people, not the regime.

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Hezbollah leader says movement receives significant support from Iran [Press TV, Iran]

Hezbollah's secretary general says the Lebanese resistance movement has received moral, political, and material support from Iran in all its forms. Sayyid Hasad Nasrallah also criticized the US policy towards the Middle East, saying Washington has only two concerns in the region: Israel and oil. He also touched on the situation in Syria. He said Hezbollah has no role there and that the ongoing situation does not benefit either side in the country.

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Lebanese army confirms massive operation to curb arms smuggling [Press TV, Iran]

Meanwhile, Lebanon's army has confirmed starting a massive operation along the border with Syria in order to fight weapons smuggling and infiltration of armed gangs into Syria. This development also comes amid increased reports about the Free Syrian Army being present here in Lebanon. We have heard a lot of reports about the Free Syrian Army being active, being present, launching attacks across the border. Also religious fundamentalists here being active; Salafist groups assisting as well. There is belief that there are more armed elements and now after the Russian and Chinese veto we do believe that the situation on the ground will escalate.

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Al-Iraqiya bloc ends boycott of parliament [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
Al-Iraqiya bloc decided that its ministers will officially return to the parliamentary sessions after the bloc's leaders convened a meeting the day before yesterday.

Presenter, Female #1
This comes as the preparatory committee for the national conference, which was called for by the president of the republic, is convening a meeting to discuss all necessary arrangements and measures pertaining to the conference.

Reporter, Male #2
Al-Iraqiya bloc decided that its remaining ministers should return to the parliamentary sessions. This decision coincided with the national conference's preparatory committee's meeting attended by the republic's president Jalal Talabani. This sends a positive message about the outcome of the meeting.

Guest, Male #3 (Shawn Mohamed Taha, Kurdistan Alliance MP)
This also creates an appropriate environment for rapprochement and for bridging the gaps between political blocs. In addition, the national conference's preparatory committee is convening a meeting this evening that will be attended by His Excellency President Talabani. The return of al-Iraqiya to the political arena is a positive step.

Guest, Male #4 (Abdul Hussein Eitani, National Alliance MP)
Al-Iraqiya represents a social component from the Sunni community. This component must exist in the political scene, just as the Shiite component and the Kurdish component. So the al-Iraqiya brothers are returning to parliament as representatives of an important social component, and as representatives of the people and various communities. The return of the al-Iraqiya ministers means the completion of the political process.

Reporter, Male #2
Members of parliament indicated that the return of al-Iraqiya, which coincides with the preparatory committee's meeting, means diminishing the division and saving time in terms of achieving a reconciliation among the three major blocs.

Guest, Male #5 (Abbas al-Bayani, State of Law Coalition MP)
This means that the political process has taken a path of detente for the political crisis, which will strengthen cooperation and understanding among blocs. This step was accomplished by al-Iraqiya's return to parliament. There are many issues in the cabinet and parliament that al-Iraqiya should take part in by voicing its stances.

Reporter, Male #2
Representatives from al-Iraqiya bloc explained that the president's proposal for a national conference was a positive reaction to their boycott. They said al-Iraqiya will bring forward their demands for discussion at the preparatory committee's meeting, and then refer them to the national conference as part of its agenda.

Guest, Female #2 (Wahda al-Jamili, al-Iraqiya Bloc MP)
This is a positive situation in the political process and good preparation for the national conference. The requests and demands by the Iraqi people will certainly be referred to the national conference. The call for a national conference came as a positive reaction to the party's boycott of the legislative and executive sessions.

Reporter, Male #2
The politicians expressed hope that the preparatory committee's meeting would strengthen the dialogue among the political groups and result in a clear agenda and schedule for convening the anticipated national conference of political parties. From inside the conference hall in Baghdad, Ala'a al-Khafaji, al-Iraqiya.