Bahraini opposition ignites week of resistance against Saudi occupation [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
The Bahraini regime's forces cracked down on marches held in many regions, and fired poisonous gas into houses. In addition, they arrested a number of citizens after raiding their homes. And as the first annual commemoration of the Saudi invasion approaches, the Bahraini opposition has launched the "week of resistance against the Saudi occupation".

Reporter, Male #1
These are the slogans of the marches of anger held in loyalty to the martyrs. They are demanding retribution for the killed, political reforms, and an end to the regime's ongoing repressive campaigns across the country. Protestors took to the street in all Bahraini towns and villages such as Ma'ameer, al-Sanabis, al-Sitra, al-Diya and others, chanting for the downfall of the regime. In addition, protestors demanded the prosecution of those responsible for the repressive campaigns carried out by the authorities. Protestors also condemned the Saudi occupation and confirmed they are adamant to continue their protests, and to never yield to the authorities' humiliation and repression.

Reporter, Male #1
The Bahraini authorities continued their repressive campaigns against the protestors, and shut down the various Bahraini villages and towns with poisonous gas, leading to the injury of a number of protestors. Not only did the Bahraini authorities fire tear gas at protestors to disperse their marches, but they also fired poisonous gas inside homes located in rebelling towns. Many citizens were arrested after their homes were raided and destroyed.

Reporter, Male #1
In a related development, the February 14 Youth Coalition called for a march to mourn martyr Fadel Murzaq in the town of al-Diraz, and to intensify the media campaign exposing the Saudi occupation's crimes. Ahead of the first annual commemoration of the Saudi invasion of Bahrain on March 16, the Bahraini people are organizing a week of escalated protests against the repressive regime and the occupation. The opposition is calling it "the week of resistance against the occupation," as the February 14 Youth Coalition is asking for an intensified media campaign against the occupation.

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Post-Saleh Yemen looks to heal from psychological trauma [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Yemenis have been divided between supporters and opponents of the former president since the beginning of popular protests against him a year ago. Sociologists in Yemen confirmed this impacted many people's mental state and the Yemeni society as a whole, resulting in conflict between different social groups. But the consequences on Yemenis have started to gradually fade away after a new president was elected and Ali Abdullah Saleh relinquished power.

Reporter, Male #1
In Yemen, many psychological side effects and ideological changes resulted from the popular protests and the political crisis between Yemenis from different classes and political affiliations. The dispute between supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his opponents was continuous for an entire year. Within the same family, some supported former President Saleh, while others demanded his departure. Some of these differences had unexpected results.

Guest, Male #2
In al-Jawf, a man divorced his wife just because she watched al-Suhail TV channel, which supports the revolution and the Yemeni opposition. So he divorced her; then, he wanted her to come back but she refused to return unless she could watch al-Suhail channel.

Guest, Male #3
I disagreed even with my brother. I have my own point of view and he has his own, but reason controlled us. I told my brother, and others who opposed my opinion, that everyone should be entitled to their own beliefs and should be able to express them.

Reporter, Male #1
Some of the discussions were calm and characterized by logic and reason, while others lead to scuffles, and some even fired live bullets. Despite everything, many Yemenis call for forgiveness.

Guest, Male #4
The future should be about forgiveness. This year granted us many things that were not present before. People were divided. People have different affiliations, but our national affiliation should come first.

Reporter, Male #1
Many viewed the challenges, and the personal and social divisions that prevailed between Yemenis last year, to be the result of a media campaign they described as inciting. Sociologists spoke about the social effects of such conflicts.

Guest, Female #2
Many families have been torn apart. Many children were displaced, and are now stuck in between two separated parents. Many children no longer sit together with their parents at the dining table because they have different opinions.

Reporter, Male #1
Voices calling for putting differences aside, and asking Yeminis to be solely devoted to development and reconstruction, have recently increased. Since the election of a new president, Yemenis have started to be gradually freed from the stress and tension that prevailed last year after the protests and political crisis erupted in the country. Today, supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and his opponents are more convinced that forgiveness is the start of a better Yemen. Abdullah Ghorab, BBC, Sana'a.

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Turkey plans to host Syria crisis talks [Oman TV, Oman]

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey plans to host a meeting of friends of Syria, grouping mostly Arab and Western governments on April 2 to find ways to pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad into halting a crackdown on unrest. Meanwhile, UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said he was expecting a response from the Syrian government to concrete proposals he made to end the violence.

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US and Europe clash with Russia at UNSC meeting on Syria [Oman TV, Oman]

The United States and its European allies clashed with Russia at the UN Security Council last night over how to end escalating violence in Syria. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed to Syria to act within the next few days on peace proposals by the UN-Arab League envoy on the Syrian crisis, Ban's predecessor, Kofi Annan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Security Council should press for an immediate end of violence by all sides. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that it was time for Moscow and Beijing to join the Arab League and the rest of the Security Council in supporting calls for an end to the Syrian crisis.

Opposition activists said Syrian forces killed dozens of people near a mosque in the city of Idlib, and rebels killed at least 10 troops in an ambush in the same area. Fighting was also reported in the eastern city of Deir az-Zour, and in Syria's third largest city, Homs.

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Sixteen killed in new US drone strike on northwest Pakistan [Press TV, Iran]

At least 16 people have been killed in two US drone attacks in Pakistan's northwestern tribal belt. The air strikes took place in the South Waziristan region. There's been a surge in US drone attacks against other nations since President Barack Obama took office in 2009. Pakistan has borne the brunt of the air attacks. Washington claims the drones are aimed at taking out militants, but most of the victims have turned out to be civilians. The UN has condemned Washington's use of unmanned planes for what it calls "targeted killings" that violate international law.

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Syria's Assad sets parliamentary poll date [Press TV, Iran]

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has set parliamentary elections for May 7. The voters under the new constitution approved in a referendum in February. It will be the first election to follow the constitution's new outline for political plurality. The new constitution was supported by nearly 90 percent of eligible voters.

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American support of Afghan war at all-time low after Kandahar killings [Press TV, Iran]

According to a news poll, overall views of the war in Afghanistan are at an all-time low. 60 percent of Americans see the war as not worth its costs. And while the Pentagon said in a media briefing that the killings were "tragic," it insisted it was an isolated incident. Many believe that's simply not the case. While the Taliban has vowed revenge in the aftermath of the rampage, the White House announced the shootings would not affect the schedule for US troop withdrawal.

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Afghan protest rages over US soldier's massacre [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
At least one Afghan soldier was killed when Taliban gunmen opened fire on an Afghan government delegation visiting the town of Panjwaii in Kandahar province. The delegation was visiting the site where an American soldier killed 16 Afghan civilians, most of them children.

Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, hundreds of Afghan students demonstrated against the United States in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan, in protest of the crime committed by the American soldier. In turn, the US embassy in Kabul called on its nationals to be prudent and remain cautious in anticipation of retaliatory operations.

Reporter, Male #2
In the first popular reaction to the killing of 16 Afghan civilians by an American soldier, the largest city in eastern Afghanistan, Jalalabad, witnessed an angry demonstration by hundreds of students. The protestors carried banners with anti-US slogans and demanded a public trial for the American soldier in Afghanistan.

Guest, Male #3
First, we condemn the killing in Kandahar by the occupying infidels. Second, we, the students of the Islamic University of Kandahar, demand an immediate trial of the criminal.

Reporter, Male #2
The students burned an effigy of President Barack Obama, prompting additional security forces to be deployed to the area in anticipation of violence, even though the demonstration was peaceful. However, the Taliban movement vowed to cut off the heads of American soldiers, described in a statement as "sadistic murderers." Taliban fighters attacked a high-level delegation sent by President Hamid Karzai to the region to probe the incident. One Afghan soldier was killed in the attack, forcing the delegation to cut its visit short and quickly return to the city of Kandahar.

Reporter, Male #2
The killing of civilians provoked a wave of condemnation that extended beyond Afghanistan's border. The American president expressed his shock and sorrow, and presented his condolences to the families of the victims. However, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the horrific incident should not accelerate the plan to withdraw the international forces from Afghanistan despite the increasing opposition to the war inside the United States.

Guest, Male #4 (Leon Panetta, US Defense Secretary)
War is hell. These kinds of events and incidents are going to take place; they've taken place in any war. They're terrible events. This is not the first of those events, and it probably won't be the last.

Reporter, Male #2
The Kandahar massacre comes amid a series of incidents that caused trust between the Afghan people and the international forces to hit rock bottom. There are also concerns that the strategic relationship between the Afghan government and NATO may be impacted. However, political observers believe that any change in this relationship depends on Washington's internal calculations, and not necessarily on the events on the ground.

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Israel and Palestinian factions agree on Gaza truce [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
The calm after the storm is the dominant scene in Gaza. Israel and Palestinian factions have reached a truce to stop the cycle of death that has claimed the lives of 25 martyrs over the past four days. Israeli authorities announced their commitment to the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad said it remains committed to the truce as long as Israel respects it, warning of a harsh response if Israel returns to its assassination campaign. Our correspondent, Bassam al-Madhun, reports from Gaza.

Reporter, Male #2
Gazans are gradually returning to a semi-normal life. This news comes after a truce was reached between Israel and the Palestinian resistance. The Egyptian mediators convinced both sides to halt all attacks and counterattacks, with the factions reserving the right to respond to any new acts of aggression.

Guest, Male #3 (Dawoud Shihab, Islamic Jihad Spokesman)
It's an achievement for the resistance. We will monitor Israel's actions on the ground. The fate of this deal, whether it survives or dies, hinges on Israel's commitment to it, and its actions on the ground.

Reporter, Male #2
Some believe the cooling-off period that went into effect last night at midnight will serve Palestinian interests, especially considering that the occupation, through its aggression, is seeking to prevent Palestinians from achieving political gains. However, maintaining peace in the Strip hinges on Israel's hidden agendas.

Guest, Male #4 (Dr. Mukhaimar Abu Sa'ada, Professor of Political Science at Azhar University)
For the truce to continue to hold, Israel must end its assassinations and indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian civilians. If Israel commits to this ceasefire, I believe the Palestinian side will also commit to it as long as Israel refrains from carrying out new assassinations or operations against the Strip in the coming days or near future.

Reporter, Male #2
The Palestinian street expressed a mixed reaction to the truce, which helped close a new chapter of violence amid harsh living conditions in the Strip caused by fuel shortages and long power outages.

Guest, Male #5
At this stage, I think the truce will serve Palestinian interests.

Guest, Male #6
The truce will not serve Palestinian interests because the powerful response of the Palestinian people and resistance was more effective this time than in the past.

Guest, Male #7
The Palestinian people have nothing to lose. They endured war, an uprising, and starvation. Nothing could happen that's worse than this!

Reporter, Male #2
With its latest escalation, Israel is seeking to assess the capabilities of the resistance and its arsenal, as well as test-fire its newly improved Iron Dome. This round of violence may have ended, but experts believe it's a matter of time before the occupation's warplanes return to the skies of Gaza.

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Ceasefire reached as Israel hails Iron Dome defense system [IBA, Israel]

After absorbing some 200 rockets, life is slowly returning to normal in southern Israel. A tense quiet has prevailed in the south since the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire went into effect at one in the morning. But three projectiles did come towards Israel from the Gaza Strip since that ceasefire and truce, and many in the area believe that the violence is set to continue, and are encouraging the government to engage in more decisive action towards inside the Gaza Strip to root out the terror cells responsible for the incoming rocket fire.

In the meantime, the Iron Dome missile defense system continues to intercept incoming rockets at a relative success rate of around 90 percent. Each time the Iron Dome is deployed, it costs USD 50,000. But with an ominous warning from IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz that all of Israel remains under threat, many Israelis are demanding that more of the systems be deployed all over the country no matter what the cost.

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Syrians continue to flee the country as violence escalates [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Injured Syrians continue to enter Lebanon through its northeastern border. New TV's crew visited the refugees, and my colleague Ramiz al-Qadi reports.

Reporter, Male #1
As the crisis escalates in Syria, the number of refugees fleeing to Lebanon is rising. According to figures released by municipalities, their number has doubled in less than two weeks, reaching 2,000. They are spread across the northeastern border in al-Qa'a and Arsal. The trip there requires passing through a number of military checkpoints reinforced by the army with additional military units, preventing any member of what is known as the Free Syrian Army from crossing the border under the pretense of being a refugee. As for humanitarian aid, the High Relief Commission did not pass through here, and aid is only coming from certain groups and the residents of the region. The refugees of Syrian villages bordering Lebanon are still close to the flames of the Syrian crisis. These refugees are enduring a daily humanitarian crisis that they hope will soon end, as they watch white smoke rising.

Reporter, Male #1
Most refugees came from villages bordering Homs, especially al-Qusayr and al-Jousi; they say they fled the regime's persecution.

Guest, Male #2
The situation is very tragic. We plead for the Lebanese government to help these displaced poor people who are in need.

Reporter, Male #1
Refugees are not the only ones crossing the border. 12 injured Syrians entered Sunday night, and were transferred by the Lebanese Red Cross to hospitals in the north. Children always share crises. They only know the slogans that are chanted by adults, which become their favorite songs.

Reporter, Male #1
Did you drop out of school?

Guest, Male #3
Yes.

Reporter, Male #1
Do you want to go back to school?

Guest, Male #3
Yes!

Reporter, Male #1
Do you still have friends inside?

Guest, Male #4
They all escaped.

Reporter, Male #1
The tragic reality of these refugees forces at least three or four families to share one tent near the border to escape the cold and wait for the dream of return. From the Lebanese-Syrian border, Ramiz al-Qadi, New TV.