Iran denies role in bomb attacks on Israeli embassies [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Israeli officials said at least two people were wounded in the blast near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Israel said Georgian police dismantled a bomb targeting Israeli embassy employees in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of being behind the attacks on Tel Aviv's two embassies in India and Georgia. Tehran denied the accusation, considering it to be part of Israel's propaganda war.

Reporter, Male #2
Israeli diplomats have been the target of recurring attacks in a number of countries. This time, the assailants targeted the Israeli embassies in India and Georgia. Israeli officials said a bomb exploded in New Delhi, while another was dismantled in Tbilisi. The two attacks did not lead to any fatalities; however, Indian Interior Ministry said two drivers and the wife of a diplomat were wounded in the bombing near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi. According to a spokesman for the Israeli embassy, the New Delhi blast occurred this afternoon, the result of a bomb planted in a diplomat's car. The Israeli prime minister, who described the incident as terrorism, was quick to accuse Tel Aviv's enemies in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Guest, Male #3 (Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli PM)
Iran, which is behind the two operations, is the top initiator of terror in the world. The Israeli government and security institutions will continue to work with the security institutions of the two countries against the terrorist operations.

Reporter, Male #2
Coinciding with the Delhi incident, a spokesman for the Georgian Interior Ministry said a bomb was planted inside the car of a driver who works for the Israeli embassy in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, and that the police managed to dismantle the bomb. So far, no party has claimed responsibility for the two incidents. However, Netanyahu said Israel had recently foiled similar attacks in Azerbaijan and Thailand. Iran denied responsibility for the attacks on the two Israeli embassies in Georgia and India, considering Israel's accusations to be part of its propaganda war against Iran. This leaves the door open for further speculation.

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UN rights chief condemns Syria violence [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male # 1
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay presented her report on human rights in Syria to the UN General Assembly. Pillay said it is currently impossible to get a count of the dead and injured in Syria since the international organization is unable to enter the Syrian territory. Pillay said credible reports indicate that over 5,000 people have been killed since last year.

Guest, Female # 1 (Navi Pillay, UN Human Rights Chief)
While no exact figures can be provided due to our lack of access to the country, credible reports indicate that Syrian security forces killed well above 5,400 people last year, including civilians, as well as military personnel who refuse to shoot civilians. Due to extreme difficulties in substantiating the events on the ground, it has become almost impossible for my office to update the death toll in the past two months. However, we are certain that the number of dead and injured continues to rise every day. Tens of thousands, including children, have been arrested, with more than 18,000 reportedly still arbitrarily held in detention. Thousands more are reported missing. 25,000 people are estimated to have sought refuge in neighboring and other countries. And more than 70,000 are estimated to have been internally displaced.

Presenter, Male # 1
As for Bashar al-Ja'afari, Syria's ambassador to the UN, he objected to Pillay's report, saying it clearly charges his country on the basis of reports, not on-the-ground results.

Guest, Male # 2 (Bashar Ja'afari, Syria's UN ambassador)
It clearly accuses my country and my country's government of violating human rights, basing the allegations on reports, as Madame Commissioner said. She mentioned the word "reports" dozens of times in her statement. "Reports," not on-the-ground results, visits, and discussions with the Syrian government, or cooperation with the National Committee established by the Syrian government to investigate human rights violations.

Presenter, Male # 1
On the ground, the Syrian Revolution's General Commission said security forces and the army killed 25 civilians in different areas. Most died in the countryside of Damascus. The Commission also reported that army forces carried out a mass arrest campaign targeting many Deir az-Zour residents. The southern province of Dara'a was subjected to raids by army tanks. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three regime soldiers were killed in al-Rastan this morning.

Reporter, Male # 3
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three Syrian soldiers were killed in a failed attempt to storm the city of al-Rastan that has been besieged for days. As for Hama, the Observatory said one civilian was killed by sniper fire. Activists said violent clashes erupted between a defected group and army forces. Many were killed across different Syrian cities amid solidarity protests and demonstrations. And for the 9th day, some Homs neighborhoods were shelled by the regime's army, especially in Baba Amr, that has recently received reinforcement in anticipation of escalating the military operation in the city.

Guest, Male # 4 (Salim Homsi, Political Activist in Homs)
There are armored vehicles, and T-72 and T-52 tanks. This means Homs is being shelled and there are reports additional rockets were sent to Homs.

Reporter, Male # 3
The continuous bombardment of Homs led to the killing of hundreds, injury of even more, and destruction. Activists say a humanitarian crisis is growing in some besieged areas; a crisis in food, medical supplies communications, and fuel. The opposition is boycotting Russian and Chinese products to protest the two countries' position on the crisis. This, as Damascus is denying there's a humanitarian crisis in the country.

Guest, Male # 5 (Ahmad Sawan, Writer and Political Analyst)
There is no humanitarian crisis. Hospitals are functioning normally. Medication is available. Food is available as well. But these allegations and intimidations are being exploited to push foreign intervention onto Syria.

Reporter, Male # 3
This comes after the Arab League decided to head to the Security Council once again and ask the council to approve a joint United Nations-Arab peacekeeping force in Syria. Damascus was quick to reject the proposal.

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Pakistani tribesmen protest US drone strikes [Press TV, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
The US-led NATO force in Afghanistan has admitted that several children were killed during a bombing last week. That strike happened in the northeastern province of Kapisa, where French troops are based. At the time, local officials said a French commander claimed that the target was a group of Taliban facilitators. The area was checked later, and there were no Taliban. Now NATO has admitted that "young Afghans of varying ages were killed," but it seems it's shifted the blame on others. NATO says that a group of armed men were engaged by coalition aircraft. An Afghan investigation is probing the latest civilian deaths upon an order by President Hamid Karzai, who has condemned the attack.

Presenter, Female #1
Now in Pakistan, hundreds of angry tribesmen have marched in the northwestern city of Banu protesting against US drone attacks in the region.

Guest, Male #1 (Fakhr Azam, Local Leader and Anti-Drone Activist)
These are the innocent tribesmen who defeated the British. Today America is terrified of their might. There is no terrorist here. They're just poor tribals. This is just American terrorism. America is the biggest terrorist.

Presenter, Female #1
Protestors chanted anti-American slogans and assembled in a large field to listen to local leaders denounce the US' controversial attacks. Over the last three years, drone strikes have quietly become the US administration's weapon of choice against militants. Since taking office, President Barack Obama turned drone attacks into a twice-weekly onslaught that claimed more than 1,000 lives in Pakistan in 2010. Washington claims the drones are used against local militants, but most often civilians are targeted.

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Iraqi women's rights activists outraged at government-imposed dress code [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
Recent media reports said the Ministry of Women's Affairs is imposing a dress code on female employees that infringes on their personal freedoms and religious beliefs, but the minister strongly denied the claim.

Presenter, Male #1
The ministry said the recommendation by the Higher National Committee for the Advancement of Iraqi Women stresses the importance of female employees adhering to wearing appropriate clothing to work in government institutions.

Reporter, Male #2
The Ministry of Women's Affairs issued a set of guidelines suggesting that female employees should wear appropriate clothing to work in government institutions. The decision has been interpreted differently by the relevant ministries and organizations. This led activists to organize a women's rally in al-Mutanabi Street to demand constitutional compliance. They said women's rights are equal to those of men, and that singling out women in their workplaces and undermining their reputation is an act that infringes on their honor.

Guest, Female #2 (Dr. Bashari al-Abeedi, Women's Rights Activist)
No one has the right to decide what others should wear. This decision is guardianship over women and undermines women's citizenship. This is wrong.

Reporter, Male #2
For her part, the Minister of Women's Affairs said the decision was recommended by the Higher National Committee for the Advancement of Iraqi Women, which is subordinate to the Ministry and consists of 37 members representing various ministries and government institutions. She said the decision gives women the freedom to wear what they see as appropriate, provided they respect public decency.

Guest, Female #3 (Ibtihal Gasid, Minister of Women's Affairs)
The dress code stipulates that female employees should wear appropriate clothes to work in the government. I believe that such a dress code gives women the freedom to wear the clothes they choose, but those that are also appropriate for the government institution they work in.

Reporter, Male #2
Another point that activists brought forward against the Minister of Women's Affairs, which is the subject of controversy and debate, is that the minister does not acknowledge equality between men and women, but advocates men's guardianship over women.

Guest, Female #2
When she said she does not believe in equality between men and women, she broke her oath because she violated Article 14 of the Constitution, which stipulates that all Iraqis are equal before the law.

Reporter, Male #2
The minister of Women's Affairs denies she advocates men's guardianship over women. She confirmed that certain statements about her private family life were not correctly interpreted.

Guest, Female #3
Media outlets said I don?t leave my home, or go to work, or to a parliamentary meeting unless my husband allows me to, and that is completely false.

Reporter, Male #2
Issuing a dress code that forces female employees to wear formal clothing rendered the ministry a center of protests by women activists. They view the guideline as an encroachment on women's freedom, while their minister affirms it was issued for their benefit, not to limit their freedoms. From Baghdad, Ta'adi Ghazala, al-Iraqiya.

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Israeli PM accuses Mahmoud Abbas of "turning his back on peace" [IBA, Israel]

Presenter, Male #1
Prime Minister Netanyahu today has harshly criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, accusing him of turning his back on peace after signing a reconciliation bill with Hamas. Here with the latest diplomatic developments is IBA's Elli Wohlgelernter. Good evening, Elli.

Reporter, Male #2 (Elli Wohlgelernter, IBA Reporter)
Good evening and thank you, Yochanan. Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments followed those of PA President Abbas earlier in the day, when he spoke to representatives of the Arab League in Cairo. Abbas told the gathering that if Netanyahu refuses to comply with his ultimatum and begin negotiations immediately, then Abbas will return to the UN and attempt to seek a recognition of a Palestinian state. Abbas conditioned the resumption of direct negotiations on a full secession of settlement construction, Israeli acceptance of the two-state solution on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, and the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, especially those who were imprisoned before the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. Abbas again hinted at the possibility of dissolving the PA if no progress is achieved to revive the peace process. He said he is sending a letter to Netanyahu with his demands for resuming negotiations, and would wait for a response from Israel before moving on to the UN.

Reporter, Male #2
Abbas did not have long to wait. The Prime Minister's office responded to Abbas' speech a few hours later, issuing a statement saying that the Palestinian leader has turned his back on peace. "Instead of entering into negotiations that will lead to an end to the conflict, Abu Mazen prefers to join up with the Hamas terrorist organization, the same Hamas that is hugging Iran." One Israeli diplomatic source referring to the low-level Israeli-Palestinian talks held last month in Jordan said, "Every time we start to make progress, Abbas runs away. This also characterized him during previous rounds of negotiations. Precisely when Israeli starts to show flexibility is when he decides to blow up the negotiations."

Reporter, Male #2
Meanwhile, a rare public rift broke out yesterday in the usually tightly disciplined Hamas movement. At issue was the reconciliation deal with Abbas, which would require Hamas to relinquish key areas of control in the Gaza Strip. Senior Hamas figures in Gaza who stand to lose the most from the deal said it was unacceptable, while top Hamas loyalists in the West Bank defended the agreement. The argument raised new questions about the ability of the two Palestinian factions to implement the deal.

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US Navy commander on Iran: "We're ready" [IBA, Israel]

Presenter, Male #1
More saber rattling in the Persian Gulf. Iran is reportedly building up its naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz, and has now prepared small boats for suicide attacks. This, as diplomatic efforts against Tehran have so far failed to deter the hardline Islamic regime. IBA's Erielle Reshef has more.

Reporter, Female #1 (Erielle Reshef, IBA Reporter)
A Chinese delegation landed in Iran today in an attempt to defuse tensions over that country's disputed nuclear program. During the meeting, the Chinese envoys urged the Islamic republic to cooperate on the nuclear issue. But China has stood behind its longtime ally in the face of growing international pressure. Despite Western efforts to isolate Iran, in recent days the hardline regime has boasted that it will soon reveal new progress on the nuclear front, and has continued its naval buildup in the Strait of Hormuz.

Guest, Male #1 (Vice Admiral Mark Fox, US Navy Fifth Fleet)
Some of the small boats have been outfitted with a large warhead that could be used as a suicide explosive device. The Iranians have a large mine inventory, and mines represent an indiscriminate and a very difficult maritime problem to deal with just because it's the equivalent of the IED at sea.

Reporter, Female #1
The US navy is making it clear that it is prepared to counter any Iranian aggression.

Guest, Male #1
We spent a lot of time thinking about this, and we're very vigilant, and we've built a wide range of potential options to give the president. We're ready.

Reporter, Female #1
At the same time, the US is persisting in its efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Guest, Male #1
You hear all this discussion about, well, what should we do about all of this overheated rhetoric from Iran. We really do believe that the best way to handle this is with diplomacy.

Reporter, Female #1
Washington continues to up the pressure on Jerusalem not to engage in unilateral actions against Iran. In a report published in today's Newsweek magazine, a senior American source is quoted as saying, "The White House does not want Israel to start a war with Iran, at least not yet." But what if Israel decides to go ahead despite US opposition? Newsweek claims that for months, Israel has been withholding significant information regarding its military preparations for a possible strike. And the chilly relations between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have done little to assure the Israeli security establishment that the two countries are on the same page.

Guest, Male #2 (Avi Dichter, Former Shin-Bet Security Services Chief)
What I expect to hear is an announcement, a statement, given by the president of the United States, who leads the noble world and the noble superpowers, a statement that says loud and clear, "Iran will not be able to complete their nuclear weapon program."

Reporter, Female #1
Still, some Israeli officials insist, at least publicly, that the US should take the lead on any use of force.

Guest, Male #2
Israel is a state, a country. We are not a superpower. We cannot lead the world offensive against Iran.

Reporter, Female #1
As tensions with Iran seem to be reaching a crescendo, it remains unclear if Israel will continue to hold back. Erielle Reshef, IBA News.

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Egypt's fact-finding committee holds security, fans accountable for Port Said [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
In Egypt, the fact-finding committee announced the result of its investigation into the Port Said incidents, which killed more than 70 fans following a soccer match. The committee held fans and security officers equally responsible. However, the parliamentary committee's findings ruled out the incidents were part of a plot hatched by elements within the security institution seeking to create chaos in the country. Member of the People's Assembly and head of the parliamentary committee, Ashraf Thabet, said in a preliminary report that incitement by sports TV channels was one of the causes of the disaster.

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Tunisia's president hopes to revive Arab Maghreb Union [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
In an effort to revive the Arab Maghreb Union, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki arrived in Algeria on his three-leg tour that includes Morocco and Mauritania.

Presenter, Female #1
Marzouki held talks with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the capital Algiers. The Tunisian president expressed hope that 2012 will be a year to unify the Arab Maghreb. He confirmed he agrees with leaders of the Arab Maghreb to hold a summit this year, most likely hosted by Tunisia, amid hopes it will lead to tangible results.

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Pakistani PM charged with contempt over graft case [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
In Islamabad, the Pakistani Supreme Court officially indicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on contempt charges over his refusal to open old corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Presenter, Male #1
If convicted, Gilani, who pleaded not guilty, will be forced to step down and could face up to six months in jail, which may push the country into a new cycle of political turmoil. Our correspondent Mahyub Khuder reports from Islamabad.

Reporter, Male #3
With full confidence, he greeted his supporters before taking on the judiciary. Behind these doors and far from media cameras, a two-page list of charges was read against Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The charges include contempt and failure to enforce the court's decision on the expiration of the National Reconciliation Ordinance issued two years ago. With Gilani maintaining his innocence, the court was adjourned for two weeks.

Guest, Male #4 (Latif Khusa, Ruling People's Party member)
The ruling People's Party is committed to abiding to the law and the spirit of democracy. I want to assure the Pakistani people that the prime minister did not violate the law, and that he will defend himself and prove his innocence. By personally appearing at the court, the prime minister showed us he respects the judiciary.

Reporter, Male #3
By rejecting the list of charges, Gilani and his government show they are clinging to their position by continuing to refuse to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari in Switzerland. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court vowed to continue fighting against corruption and punishing the corrupt. This may open a new chapter of confrontation between the government and the judiciary, with Gilani, instead of Zardari, being the scapegoat.

Guest, Male #5 (Tariq Shouderi, journalist)
From an ethical standpoint, the prime minister lost the battle inside and outside the country. His political future will be determined at the end of the trial by the Supreme Court's decision. He may be acquitted or imprisoned. But regardless, Gilan's indictment on contempt charges will shatter the coalition government and render him incompetent to serve as prime minister.

Reporter, Male #3
The political situation in the country is subject to further deterioration, especially considering that Gilani is the first prime minister to be indicted on contempt charges in the history of Pakistan. Between enforcing the law and bidding loyalty to the president, Gilani is faced with a difficult test that could cost him his position if convicted on these charges that are viewed as an insult to Gilani, and to Pakistan as well. Mahyub Khuder, Dubai TV, Islamabad.

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Algeria's Islamist Justice and Development Party rallies supporters ahead of May elections [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Algeria's new political party held its founding congress in preparation for legislative elections scheduled for May 10. The Justice and Development Front, led by prominent Islamist Abdallah Djaballah, who recently returned to the political scene, held a public conference with the participation of thousands of the Front's supporters in the capital Algiers.

Reporter, Male #2
The conference held by the Justice and Development Front was a political festival and rally for the newly-formed political party led by Mr. Abdallah Djaballah. Mr. Djaballah, who is familiar with the rules of Algeria's political games, is a prominent Islamist politician who has been widely popular in the past several years.

Guest, Male # 3 (Abdallah Djaballah, Justice and Development Front Leader)
We are working to become the top party, God willing.

Reporter, Male #2
Political observers viewed the large number of participants in the party's founding congress as a political message to other political parties and the Front's allies that it will have a say in the upcoming elections.

Guest, Male #4 (Al-Khadar Bin Khalaf, Justice and Development Front Leader)
We came in second place in the 2002 elections, the last elections we took part in. Now we're in front of a new situation; we're facing a new wave of parties comprised of all social groups in Algeria. So we consider ourselves the top party in the country, God willing, as long as the people's will is respected and the elections are free, fair and democratic, as stated in the most recent speeches by Algerian officials.

Reporter, Male #2
Abdallah Djaballah, 56 years old, was an activist in the Islamic movement during the "secret phase," which was also known as the one-party rule. He was repeatedly imprisoned in the 1980s. After the political arena allowed for a multi-party system, Djaballah founded the Islamic Renaissance Party, al-Nahda, which was succeeded later by the Movement for National Reform that won the second place in the 2002 elections. Abdallah Djaballah's political ambitions are not limited to leading the new political party. He aspires to build a larger popular base to overcome the defections that occurred during his chairmanship of former movements, and he seeks to play a more prominent role in Algeria's political life. With the establishment of the Justice and Development Front, it is safe to say the political map of Algeria will witness major changes in the upcoming elections. According to political observers, these changes will occur either within the political parties and movements, or in terms of these parties' positions in elected committees. Taofiq Ghareen, al-Alam, from the Algerian capital Algiers.