Yemen votes for Saleh's ouster as violence erupts in the south [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male # 1
In a historic election today, Yemen officially turned the page on Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule, opening a new page with Saleh's deputy, Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Hadi will be the country's first president in 33 years.

Presenter, Female # 1
In implementation of the Gulf initiative, Yemen witnessed presidential elections today that were marked by a high turnout, notably in the capital Sana'a. Under the supervision of Yemen's security forces, the process calmly proceeded until the ballot boxes were sealed. Our correspondent Abdel Rahman al-Shamiri reports from Sana'a.

Reporter, Male # 2
In front of the polling stations, millions of Yemenis gathered to vote in the presidential election that resembled a referendum on the Yemenis' desire for change. The sole consensual candidate, Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi, is vowing to put an end to an old chapter and open a new one in the country. Many are counting on this man to take the country out of its accumulating crises.

Guest, Male # 3
This election day builds a new Yemen and ends the old phase.

Guest, Male # 4
Ali Abdullah Saleh and his entire regime must be removed.

Guest, Female # 2
We came to vote for security and for comfort. We are tired of injustice. We have no water or electricity.

Reporter, Male # 2
Voices calling for boycotting the elections did not prevent political parties and popular organizations from gathering their supporters and pushing them to head to the ballot boxes; the voter turnout exceeded all expectations.

Guest, Male # 5
This is the first time we participate in elections without Saleh and Saleh's regime; rather, one without Saleh as a candidate in more than 30 years.

Reporter, Male # 2
Heightened security measures were implemented in all electoral districts in Sana'a. It seems they contributed to the safety and security of the voting process, leading the elections to be held in a calm and safe atmosphere. For most Yemenis starving for change, the result of this election represents a turning point to get rid of the miserable past, and move toward the rule of law that has been absent for decades. Abdel Rahman al-Shamiri, Dubai TV, Sana'a.

Presenter, Female # 1
The images of voters in Sana'a were vastly different from those in the south.

Presenter, Male # 1
There, the vote presented an opportunity to be exploited by opposition Southern Movement members to turn the elections into a display of force. Six people were killed in the cities of al-Mukalla, Lahj, and Aden, including a child, an activist, and four soldiers, in clashes between government forces and gunmen, believed to be affiliated to the Southern Movement. The movement demands the secession of the south from the north. A government source said many polling centers, especially in the city of Aden, were violently shut down to prevent voters from casting their votes.

--

Palestinian baker held by Israel ends 66-day hunger strike [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Prisoner Khader Adnan's lawyer, Jawad Boulus, said a deal was reached to release Sheikh Khader Adnan on April 17th, four months after his administrative detention began, with no possibility of renewal. Adnan is to end his hunger strike tonight, which lasted over 65 days, in protest of the abuses he endured while detained, and Israel's policy of administrative detention that is often extended to Palestinian detainees.

Guest, Female #2
Thank God, mother. God willing he will be honored. Life will run its course. We received victory from God.

Reporter, Female #3
Tears of sorrow were replaced by tears of joy. Celebrations erupted and ululations echoed in the house of Sheikh Khader Adnan in his village of Arraba, south of Jenin, as soon as his family heard the news that a deal was reached. The deal stipulates that Adnan will be released by the Israeli occupation authorities four months after his administrative detention began; his detention cannot be extended. For over two months, Adnan's family lived in fear over their son's life.

Guest, Male #1
My son is a child of the Palestinian people! This is a victory for the entire Arab and Muslim nation!

Reporter, Female #3
According to the agreement, Sheikh Adnan is expected to be released on April 17th, which is Palestinian Prisoners' Day.

Guest, Male #2 (Jawad Boulus, Khader Adnan's Lawyer)
Even more importantly, we hope to begin the health rehabilitation process for prisoner Khader tonight.

Reporter, Female #2
Palestinians described the deal as a victory through which Adnan managed to draw attention to the issue of administrative detention. Israel still holds over 300 Palestinian prisoners in custody without trial.

Guest, Male #3 (Qadura Fares, Head of Palestinian Prisoners' Society)
This is a victory for Khader Adnan and a victory for the Palestinian prisoners' movement. This day marks a turning point for the issue of administrative detention. This reminds us of all the victories the prisoners' movement has achieved, especially through strikes. This means hunger striking will be once again considered in the struggle.

Guest, Male #4 (Ahmed al-Tayebi, Arab Member of Israeli Knesset)
The possibility of his martyrdom could have ignited the people's anger, and led to protests and a state of popular rage. They understood the implications.

Reporter, Female #2
Sheikh Adnan's hunger strike, the longest in the Palestinian prisoners' history, sparked a wide-scale mobilization with solidarity action held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. On a number of occasions, these events turned into confrontations between Palestinian youth and the Israeli occupation forces. The Palestinians believe the battle of the empty stomach has triumphed, while Israel resorted to saving face. However, the battle is still far from over at a time when the occupation's prisons are still detaining over 4,000 Palestinian prisoners. Shireen Abu Aqleh, al-Jazeera, from the Arraba village, south of Jenin.

--

Palestinians in Hebron face intensified attacks from Israeli Golani Brigade [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Female #1
After the occupation deployed a unit of the Golani Brigade in Hebron's Old City, the residents' life turned into a nightmare, caused by the repressive and arbitrary measures carried out by members of the unit.

Reporter, Male #1
This video, filmed by an international peace activist, shows soldiers from a Golani Brigade unit detaining children heading to Qurtuba School in Hebron's Tel Rumeida. Another video shows soldiers from the same unit surrounding a residential house in Hebron's Old City.

Guest, Female #2 (Aida Tah, Resident)
The way they look at us scares us. I swear, my child urinated on himself out of fear.

Reporter, Male #1
After this unit was deployed to the city eight months ago, the occupation and its settlers escalated their aggression against residents here. Most notable are the brutal raids of homes late at night.

Guest, Male #2 (Fahmi Nasser ad-Din, Resident)
The other day they broke down the door, you can see it. They broke the locks. They came in violently and put the young men aside and humiliated and beat them. It is very tense here.

Reporter, Male #1
These measures inflict a blow to the efforts of governmental and civil organizations that managed to restore life to the Old City, even if only relatively. The occupation authority's goal is to clear the town of its residents, and its attempts to do so is seen through its deployment of this infantry unit that repeatedly assaults the residents, and even local and international peace activists.

Guest, Male #3 (Ra'ed Abu Arhilah, Beit Salam)
The Golani Brigade came 21 days ago, and since then we've been suffering from this unit in the city of Hebron. It seems they were given the power to assault and violate women and children. I also have a video that shows how many entered some homes in the Old City and assaulted children and women at three in the morning.

Guest, Female #3 (Fathiyah Abu Rahila, Resident)
They're always raiding our homes and breaking down our doors. They don't even knock or anything. They're stationed on rooftops at night. They open our doors because we can't close them, and still, they throw garbage at our homes and look inside our apartments.

Reporter, Male #1
Official sources are concerned about these systematic attacks, and have called on international organizations to put pressure on the Tel Aviv government to withdraw this unit, which holds the elite of the ultra-extremists. An army equipped with various kinds of weapons is facing unarmed citizens who only have patience and perseverance to stay on their land. Duya'a Junaidi, Palestine TV, Hebron.

--

Israeli PM to visit White House in March to discuss Iran [IBA, Israel]

Presenter, Female #1
Iran today announced that it will take preemptive action against its enemies if it feels that its national interests have been endangered. The warning came from the deputy head of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Hejazi, amid the escalating pressure and isolation against the hardline republic against its nuclear activity. According to Hejazi, if Tehran feels threatened, it will act without waiting to be attacked. Just last week, a top US intelligence official said that while Washington believes that Iran would retaliate if attacked, it was likely that the Islamic republic would initiate a conflict.

Presenter, Female #1
The nuclearization of Iran will top the agenda when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama meet in the White House on March 5 following intensive talks here in Jerusalem between Israeli leaders and Obama's top security advisor. IBA's Elli Wohlgelernter joins us now with those details.

Guest, Male #1 (Elli Wohlgelernter, IBA Reporter)
Thank you, Erin. With the question of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran still very much undecided, Prime Minister Netanyahu will talk it over with President Obama in two weeks during the Prime Minister's visit to the United States to attend the annual APEC conference. Next month's meeting is seen as particularly significant, coming amidst a flurry of reports suggesting that Israel is considering imminent military intervention to try to thwart Iran's nuclear program. That position right now is contrary to the Obama administration, which is seeking to discourage unilateral Israeli action. The US has been urging Israel to give more time for economic sanctions on Iran to have an impact. Netanyahu is reportedly urging the US to intensify the sanctions.

Guest, Male #1
The March 5 meeting follows discussions over the last three days between Obama's national security advisor Tom Donilon and Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Last month, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey was here, and on Thursday James Clapper, the US direction of national intelligence, is also coming for more talks. After his two-hour meeting with Donilon, Barak said there is no friction with the United States, and that the US-Israel relationship is between two foreign countries, each one responsible in the final analysis of the decisions it takes for itself and its future. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon echoed those comments this morning, telling Israel radio that ties between the US and Israeli administrations were solid, and denying that the two were in a crisis mode. Ayalon said that cooperation between the two countries was strong, and that mutual understanding was constantly growing. Before landing in Washington, Netanyahu will stop in Ottawa and meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Netanyahu can expect a warm welcome there, as the conservative government made Canada one of Israel's strongest international suppoerters. It will be Netanyahu's second visit to Canada in three years. The last time in May 2010, Netanyahu was forced to cut short his trip to deal with the fallout of the raid on the Mavi Marmara.

--

US Senator wants Egypt to halt crackdown on foreign-funded NGOs [IBA, Israel]

US Senator John McCain held meetings with Egypt's military leaders in Cairo, where he called for the swift resolution of the government crackdown on foreign-funded nonprofit groups. Four pro-democracy US-based non-governmental organizations have been charged with operating in Egypt illegally, including one group chaired by McCain. Currently leading a congressional delegation on a mission to the Middle East, the former Republican presidential candidate also called for US assistance to opposition forces in Syria.

--

American Jewish leaders visit Jordanian king in Amman [IBA, Israel]

Some 100 US Jewish leaders are in Amman to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah. Delegates attending the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations traveled to the Hashemite capital this morning from Jerusalem, where they are holding their annual meeting with senior Israeli leaders. Ahead of their departure, the group issued a statement expressing gratitude for Jordan's recent hosting of the last round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. But according to Executive Vice President Malcolm Hoenlein, the main issue on the minds of American Jewry is the prevention of a nuclear-armed Iran.

--

Iranian air defense training enters second day [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
On the second day of Iranian air defense maneuvers, a training session to counter threats by mock enemy jet fighters and drones was held. Knowledgeable sources said mock enemy drones were able to fly at low altitudes and penetrate the site in which maneuvers were carried out, but were prevented from completing their mission after being detected by Iranian surveillance and radar systems. In this phase, a number of short and medium-range missiles were test-fired. In addition, Iran test-fired tanks, which were able to accurately identify and hit targets. Meanwhile, a Suez Canal source said the two Iranian warships, which were on a mission in the Mediterranean Sea, have crossed the canal and headed to the Iranian coast. The source added the two ships sailed from the Syrian port of Tartous and headed toward the Red Sea, passing through the Suez Canal. Iranian media said earlier that the two ships, a Naqdi destroyer and supply vessel Khark, were on a mission to train the Syrian navy, as stipulated by a defense agreement signed by the two countries.

--

Thousands of Afghans protest Quran-burning at US base [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Thousands of Afghans demonstrated in the capital Kabul to condemn the burning of the Holy Quran by US troops at the Bagram military base. The demonstrators gathered in front of Bagram, the largest US base in Afghanistan, chanting anti-US slogans. They also burned the American flag.

Reporter, Male #1
With angry voices and slogans demanding the departure of foreign troops from Afghanistan, thousands of protesters took to the streets in the area of Bagram, northeast of the capital, Kabul. The protesters condemned the burning and desecration of the Muslims' holiest book, the Quran, by American forces at the Bagram base, which is the largest foreign military base in the country. Demonstrators burned the American flag and expressed rage over the continuous desecration of Muslim holy sites.

Guest, Male #2
The American forces' desecration of the holy Quran violates all Islamic and civil laws. We will not remain silent over the continuous desecration of our sacred sites by foreign troops, and we will continue the demonstrations.

Reporter, Male #1
Protests have spread to areas adjacent to the Bagram military base, amid a wave of indignation and rage over the way the authorities dealt with the Quran-burning incident. NATO Commander General John Allen quickly offered an apology to the Afghan government and people, and described the incident as "unfortunate." Observers believe these types of acts will further widen the gap between the Afghan public and foreign forces.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohamed Yasin Alami, Afghan Political Analyst)
Over the days and years, the gap has been widening between the Afghan public and foreign troops. And these types of acts will further widen this gap. If this continues, the Afghan people will soon rebel against these forces.

Reporter, Male #1
Starting with the killing of Afghan civilians, to the desecration of dead bodies, and ending with the burning of the holy Quran, these incidents have started to repeat themselves, a clear indication that foreign forces are still unable to gain the trust of the Afghan people despite the ten years that have passed since they arrived to the country. Mahmud Wathiq, al-Alam, Kabul.

--

Red Cross calls for daily humanitarian ceasefire in Syria [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian Revolution's General Commission said 52 people were killed in Syria in the ongoing shelling of Homs and Idlib. Activists said a dire humanitarian situation prevails in most of Homs' neighborhoods. The International Committee of the Red Cross announced it is holding talks with the Syrian authorities to halt military operations so the organization can deliver humanitarian aid to the residents. The Syrian state news agency said a regime soldier was killed by armed groups in the Idlib region.

Reporter, Male #1
These buildings used to be populated, and the markets used to be crowded. Now, they are in ruin. The streets are no longer bustling with life; only the sound of artilleries and gunshots can be heard, and only the scent of death can be smelled. People have stopped counting the number of days they've been shelled under siege. As for the number of bereaved families, it is rising daily. They hold funerals for their loved ones, and sometimes for entire families, according to activists. Those who are lucky enough to escape death with injuries can only be treated by field doctors with the most basic tools and medicine, if they're available.

Guest, Male #2
He was severely injured in the chest. His chest bleeds as he breathes. There's nothing we can offer him.

Reporter, Male #1
The International Committee of the Red Cross announced it is negotiating a ceasefire with the Syrian authorities to deliver humanitarian aid to Homs. The opposition views the city as disaster-stricken as a result of the siege and shelling; the same applies to other damaged areas surrounded by the Syrian security forces.

Guest, Male # 3 (Hadi Abdullah, Syrian Revolution General Commission Member in Homs)
Who is the Red Cross is negotiating with? That is the first issue. Second, we report to you the shelling Homs is witnessing every daily, and the videos prove that reality. Yes, the killing continues after the Russian veto. The shelling is coming from only one side, and that is the regime's side. There is no response by the Free Syrian Army. We informed you of that because we feared the implications. In turn, there is no need to negotiate with the other side. We can't even compare regime forces to the Free Syrian Army. So the Syrian regime is fully responsible for the Red Cross' inability to deliver its aid.

Reporter, Male #1
In light of the Free Syrian Army's seizure of heavy military equipment such as tanks, defections are expanding, and more brigades are being formed under its banner every day. Clashes between the regime's army and the Free Army are ongoing in many areas around Damascus, Hama, Idlib, Homs, Aleppo, Dara'a and Deir az-Zour. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights releases daily figures of regime soldiers being killed in clashes with the Free Army's brigades. All this may be pointing to a military escalation in other parts of the country. As for Damascus, it is still accusing armed terrorist groups of receiving funds and weapons from foreign parties to destabilize the country.

Guest, Male #3 (Hayyan Suleiman, Political Science Professor at Tishreen University)
Syria has been subject to a global conspiracy against it for the past 11 months. There are still some criminal gangs carrying out the killings. Yesterday, I heard from brothers in Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey, and even the US, that al-Qaeda members were captured.

Reporter, Male #1
The opposition says these images were taken in the Bab Amkar neighborhood of Damascus, showing a group of protesters shutting down the road with fire. The university campus in Aleppo is still witnessing demonstrations demanding freedom and the downfall of the regime. Security forces disperse the demonstrators by force, opening fire and arresting protesters.

Guest, Male #4
A general strike dominates the city of Boukamal.

Reporter, Male #1
As for other anti-regime regions that are not seeing protests, they are witnessing general strikes in an attempt to impose civil disobedience. Hayyan Waaqoub, BBC.

--

Men in police uniforms kill two NATO soldiers in Kandahar [Press TV, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Men in police uniform have killed two US-led foreign soldiers in southern Afghanistan. The killed NATO troops are said to be Albanian. Another Albanian and a US soldier were injured in the attack, which took place in Kandahar Province on Monday. The Albanian Defense Ministry says the soldiers were shot dead while escorting US intelligence personnel and other American officials near the city of Kandahar. There's been a rise in attacks on NATO forces by Afghan government troops in recent months. One of the deadliest attacks took place in January, when an Afghan soldier shot and killed four French troops.

--

Afghanistan's Karzai invites Taliban leadership for direct talks [Press TV, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has invited Taliban leaders to direct talks with his government. Karzai also urged Pakistan to facilitate negotiation efforts in order to end the decade-old war in Afghanistan. The Afghan president has recently stepped up efforts to bring the militants to the negotiating table. Earlier, he asked senior Pakistani cleric, Maulana Sami ul Haq, to help mediate talks with the Taliban. Karzai is not the only one who wants reconciliation with the militant group; US and NATO officials have been also pushing for talks with the Taliban in recent years. This, after NATO suffered heavy casualties in its battle with the militants. A large number of Afghan civilians have also lost their lives during the war.

--

Ex-Jordan PM resigned due to GCC agenda against Syria [Press TV, Iran]

Jordan's former prime minister says he resigned after rejecting calls from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council to allow his country to be used against Syria. Marouf al-Bakhit said the US, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar intended to impose their agenda on Jordan. The GCC had reportedly conditioned Jordan's accession to the organization on Amman's agreeing to their use of Jordanian soil as a base against Syria. Reports also say Jordan's intelligence apparatus, which has close links to the US and Israel, has turned the region near the Syrian border into a military site. Tens of thousands of people, including 18,000 Salafist militants, are said to be stationed in the region. Syria has repeatedly blamed the unrest in the country on what it calls "foreign-backed armed gangs."

--

Lebanon, Russia boycott 'Friends of Syria' meeting [Press TV, Iran]

Meanwhile, Lebanon says it will not take part in the Western-backed conference on Syria. This, after Russia disagreed that the event be held in Tunisia later this week. Lebanon's Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said the decision was made in line with Beirut's policy to stay away from developments in Syria. Earlier, Russia boycotted the conference, named the "Friends of Syria." The conference, backed by the US, the European Union, and some Arab countries, is to be held in response to Russia and China's vetoing of an anti-Syria UN resolution earlier this month.