Uprising anniversary marked by anti-Assad rallies as regime loyalists decry 'conspiracy' against Syria [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
Now that a year has passed since the spark of the Syrian revolution, it has become clear that political resolutions and diplomatic efforts have failed so far to stop the daily bloodbath and end the crisis; a year that left more than 8,500 people dead and thousands of others detained or missing. Nearly 30,000 Syrians also fled to neighboring countries, and more than 200,000 residents were displaced from their cities. Meanwhile, the Syrian street continues to witness daily demonstrations despite the violence. On the other hand, the Syrian regime is refusing to relinquish power, describing what's happening as a conspiracy against the country. Our colleague Ahmad Qassem places the spotlight on the most notable hubs of the Syrian revolution.

Reporter, Male #1
It all started on a day like this one year ago, when a few students took to the streets of Dara'a. The protestors wrote anti-regime slogans on the city's walls. In response, they were arrested and tortured, and their families were humiliated by Dara'a's provincial officials. This prompted the residents to hold protests under slogans that did not reference the regime in Damascus. None of the protestors chanted, "The people want the downfall of the regime." Instead, they were calling for the downfall of the governor of Dara'a. At the time, the Syrian authorities denied reports of any incidents taking place on its territories. It was a matter of days before a massive demonstration erupted in the city of Latakia, the birthplace of President al-Assad. However, security forces quickly and violently dispersed it. As a result, protests started to spread across most Syrian cities.

Reporter, Male #1
On April 18, activists posted on social media sites violent images captured in al-Baida village near Baniyas, provoking the wrath of the Syrian public. The Syrians continued to stage demonstrations despite the violent crackdown, which was first aimed at Dara'a. On April 16, Dara'a's residents discovered for the first time a massacre that was committed in their city. Videos showed bodies being pulled out by bulldozers. On April 30, a Syrian soldier announced the first defection from the Syrian army. Three months later, the Free Syrian Army was formed, with its members gathering for the first time in the areas of Jabal al-Zawiya and Jisr al-Shughour.

Reporter, Male #1
Days passed, then the conventional army stormed the area of Jisr al-Shughour and its surrounding villages. Thousands of residents fled to the border area with Turkey. Then, they crossed the border to the refugee camps. Hama was listed as the city witnessing the largest demonstrations in the country. However, the city, which has witnessed a month of anti-regime protests, paid a heavy price. On the first day of the month of Ramadan, the Syrian army stormed Hama. On November 4, the opposition raised the flag of independence instead of the Syrian flag, which they say represents the ruling regime. The Free Syrian Army continued to expand its influence, especially amid the growing numbers of defections within the ranks of the conventional army. On January 19, the city of al-Zabadani in the countryside of Damascus was liberated, which was the first Syrian city to fall from the regime's control. The victory was symbolic and didn't last long. A month later, an agreement was reached for the withdrawal of the Free Army from the city and the return of the regime's army amid a siege and shelling.

Reporter, Male #1
The most notable hub on the map of developments in Syria was the city of Homs, especially the neighborhood of Baba Amr. On February 4, the regime's army launched a violent shelling campaign, killing more than 130 civilians, including the two foreign journalists Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik. The conventional army seized control of Baba Amr following the withdrawal of the Free Army. Then, leaked videos started to emerge, showing horrific scenes of massacres committed in the Karm al-Zaytoun and al-Adawiya neighborhoods. The UN estimates that more than 8,500 people have been killed since the spark of the Syrian revolution a year ago. Despite the killing, crackdown, and violence, documented by a number of international organizations, the Syrian regime is still insisting that armed terrorist groups are behind the violence, explosions, and massacres.

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Pro-Assad rallies mark anniversary of Syria revolt [Press TV, Iran]

Syrians have held massive rallies across the country. They've called for unity in the face of foreign military intervention. The demonstrators, by the hundreds of thousands, poured into the streets to support President Bashar al-Assad, warning against any foreign intervention in their country. Syria has been gripped by yearlong unrest, which the government blames on foreign-backed armed gangs. Damascus has recently implemented new reforms, including a new constitution, to ease tensions in the country.

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Fresh protests erupt in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain [Press TV, Iran]

Tensions are high in Saudi Arabia; protestors have taken to the streets in the capital Riyadh in solidarity with the student protestors in the southwestern city of Abha. The protestors are condemning the moral police's attack on female protestors a week ago. Demonstrators have come out, saying they stand with the students demanding a better education system.

In Bahrain, the regime's crackdown against anti-regime protestors continues. Saudi-backed forces have again attacked demonstrators calling for the downfall of the king with tear gas and sound grenades on the eastern island of Sitra. Meanwhile, activists in Bahrain have released footage showing Saudi-backed forces throwing Molotov cocktails in residential areas. Activists say police usually harass protestors in a bid to provoke fight back.

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Where's Libya headed? [Press TV, Iran]

Months after the overthrow of Libya's former regime, the situation is far from quiet and peaceful in the North African country. As the transitional government struggles to assert its authority, the fighters and militias in Benghazi, Zintan, and Misurata seem reluctant to give up their arms and recognize the new ruling system. With their initial objective achieved, they still cling to power in their local communities. They use the arms at their disposal to fight sporadic turf wars. These conflicts are seen by the National Transitional Council as threats to what little authority it possesses.

Perhaps the most important dispute in Libya following the revolution arose when leaders in the oil-rich east of the country declared their plans to establish a semi-autonomous region. The bid sparked mass protests in Tripoli and Benghazi, as well as drawing an NTC warning that such a move could lead to civil war.

Reports say that the US has stationed some 1,000 of its troops in eastern Libya. Such a strategy on the part of the West would no doubt add to suspicion surrounding the true intention of the foreign forces that joined hands during the revolution. Many say the oil-thirsty West went to the war in Libya to gain access to the country's vast fossil fuel resources. Russia and China, among other states, condemned the NATO military intervention.

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Yemen's Saleh lists new conditions for leaving [Al Alam TV, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh believes 10 of his former partners who defected from his government, including officers, politicians and tribal leaders, should leave the country with him for the sake of the country's stability. Saleh said in a statement that an agreement was previously reached that everyone would leave power for the sake of stability and security in exchange for his resignation. He added the agreement includes the defectors General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, Sheikh Abdul Majid al-Zindani, Hamid al-Ahmar, and others, indicating that he will not leave Yemen unless they leave with him.

Presenter, Female #1
Thousands of Yemenis gathered in front of the attorney general's office in the capital Sana'a to demand the arrest of the killers of the 'Friday of Dignity' martyrs, notably former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Reporter, Male #1
These slogans and chants mark a new level of the escalation that was previously announced by the demonstrators. This time, the march was launched from Taghyeer or Change Square, passing through many streets in the center of the capital, and reached the attorney general's office, where a protest was held. Demonstrators demanded the arrest of the murderers of the 'Friday of Dignity' martyrs, and the prosecution of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his relatives, and all his regime's figureheads who were involved in killing the protestors.

Guest, Male #2
We came out to protest in front of the attorney general's office and urge him to issue an arrest warrant for the murderers.

Guest, Female #2
We are calling on the attorney general to arrest the criminals of the dignity martyrs, and we say to him that we are not moving from this square until we fulfill all the revolution's goals.

Reporter, Male #1
The protests in Sana'a coincided with popular demonstrations in other Yemeni cities. Participants rejected the immunity Saleh and his aides were granted by the Riyadh agreement. Their resentment was clear after Saleh's latest announcements, during which he described the popular revolution as an act of thuggery.

Guest, Male #3
The latest statements by the deposed president are not welcome, and the Yemeni people view them as unacceptable. We are aware of the conspiracy hatched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Had it not been for the Saudi regime's support for Ali Abdullah, he would have left in April. But they supported him over and over again to kill this revolution.

Reporter, Male #1
The escalation of revolutionary acts coincides with growing demands for the prosecution of Saleh and his aides. The revolutionaries want justice for the martyrs and those injured nearly one year ago in the 'Friday of Dignity' massacre that claimed the lives of 52 martyrs and injured dozens. The popular mobilization and revolutionary acts continue with full force through a previously-announced escalation that is noticeable. Some view it as an interruption of the political process and its parties' work, especially since the latter is facing serious challenges.

Reporter, Male #1
The recent statements, remarks, and accusations exchanged between political parties in Yemen reveal the charged atmosphere that is dominating the political reality, which is the result of Saleh's continued presence on the scene, in addition to the growing demand for restructuring the military. These plans could diminish the opportunity to hold an anticipated national dialogue between Yemen's different parties in the near future. Ali al-Dahab, al-Alam, Sana'a.

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The Afghan Taliban suspends peace talks with the US [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The Taliban movement in Afghanistan announced its suspension of negotiations with Washington. On the other hand, Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today. The meeting coincides with the growing popular anger in Afghanistan after the American soldier who shot and killed 16 Afghan civilians was flown to Kuwait.

Presenter, Male #1
An American military leader defended the soldier's transfer, saying it would help conduct an appropriate investigation and prosecution.

Presenter, Female #1
However, the victims' relatives, parliament representatives, and angry civilians are demanding the prosecution of the offender in Afghanistan in accordance with Afghan law.

Reporter, Male #2
The Afghan public's attention is still focused on the ramifications of the massacre committed by an American soldier on Sunday in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar. He shot and killed 16 Afghan civilians, including nine children. The anger of the Afghan street is growing after the US forces moved the culprit from Afghanistan to guarantee an appropriate investigation and trial. Afghans say the crime was committed in their homeland and its perpetrator should be prosecuted in Afghanistan. They also doubt the intention of moving the culprit from the country.

Guest, Male #3
The American soldier should be prosecuted in the city of Kandahar. Why was he extradited from Afghanistan after he killed innocent people in this country? He was moved so that he can eventually be released.

Guest, Male #4
The American who killed 16 innocent people for no reason should be prosecuted in our country. We have a government, a court, and a judicial system that should seriously look into this case and announce his punishment to the public.

Reporter, Male #2
Washington is attempting to appease the escalating popular anger of the Afghan people. The massacre has also raised questions over the war strategy adopted by the West. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta flew to Kabul and met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Panetta is the first US official to visit Afghanistan since the massacre took place. Before the meeting, Panetta met with members of the US forces in Afghanistan and told them that nothing will change their mission, reiterating the purpose of their presence in the country is to defeat al-Qaeda and the Taliban. He considered the Kandahar massacre to be an individual incident, asserting that Washington will not allow the massacre to restrict US plans in the region. Panetta admitted that his forces will face more ordeals and challenges in the upcoming phase. It seems these challenges may be difficult to contain with a mere visit in light of the rising official and popular anger.

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Egypt charges 75 over soccer riots [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Egypt's public prosecutor referred 75 defendants to the criminal court over the Port Said incident, including nine policemen, most notably the former security chief and three of his associates. The Port Said incident on February 1st led to the killing of at least 74 soccer fans.

Reporter, Male #1
The Egyptian public prosecutor ordered 75 people to stand trial over the Port Said incident, including nine policemen. This indicates the blood of those killed in the soccer match was not shed in vain. But observers were perplexed that the nine policemen who were accused are not part of the security leadership that is usually in charge of investigations and giving orders. The prosecution also included three officials from al-Masry's soccer club. It came after a parliamentary investigation held local security institutions mostly responsible for the violence. The belief was that the security personnel on the soccer field underestimated the possibility of riots and ignored the danger of the match, even when many al-Ahly fans left after sensing the danger.

Reporter, Male #1
At least 74 people were killed and a hundred were injured in the violence that erupted early last month, after the referee blew his whistle to mark the end of the game between al-Masry and al-Ahly. Al-Masry won 3 to 1 inflicting on al-Ahly its first defeat of the season. Hundreds of al-Masry fans, one of Port Said's local clubs, descended onto the field and threw stones and glass bottles at the fans of al-Ahly, a team from Cairo. Violent clashes between policemen and protestors followed the incident, killing 16 people in Cairo and Suez. The incident led to additional protests against the military council that has been ruling the country since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak's regime. A number of witnesses and political officials accused the security forces of not intervening, and of having flawed security arrangements. Essam Abdullah, BBC.

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Israel and Gaza Strip beset by sporadic rocket fire despite shaky truce [IBA, Israel]

Sporadic rocket fire on towns across southern Israel continued despite the shaky truce which went into effect on Tuesday. Despite home front command recommendations to reopen schools, the cities of Beersheba, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Malakhi, and Gan Yavne decided to cancel school for the day, and Beersheba announced that schools would not be open the next day. Sporadic rocket attacks by terrorists in Gaza continue for the seventh day after the Israel Air Force struck a rocket-launching site in northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip overnight. A Grad rocket launched from Gaza was intercepted by the Iron Dome system in Beersheba. Earlier, a shorter-range Qassam rocket exploded near the town of Netivot. There were no casualties or damage reported in the attacks. The IDF believes that the rockets were fired by small splinter terrorist groups and not by Islamic Jihad, which was behind the bulk of the rocket fire into Israel since Friday. Defense officials say Hamas is not interested in a resumption of violence and will therefore try to restrain smaller factions.

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Obama, Netanyahu warn that time is running out for Iran on nuclear issue [IBA, Israel]

Amid a fragile ceasefire with Gaza terrorists, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again focused his attention on the Iranian nuclear threat. In one of his strongest speeches on the issue at the Knesset, the Prime Minister said that Israel will act to defend itself at any price, even at the risk of American opposition. He added that Gaza has become a terror base for Iran, blaming the so-called Iranian takeover of the Hamas enclave on the 2005 disengagement, which was spearheaded by the Qadima faction.

Time is running out for Iran. US President Barack Obama said at a White House speech that the window for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear standoff grows smaller with each day, adding that Iran's talks with the P5+1 must be seized on to avert even worse consequences for Iran in the future.

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Israel's Prison Ethics Committee considers force-feeding Palestinian Hana Shalabi [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Male #1
The so-called Ethics Committee of the occupation's prison service is looking into the possibility of pushing female prisoner Hana al-Shalabi, who has been on a hunger strike for 28 consecutive days, to end the strike by force-feeding her.

Reporter, Male #2
The occupation's prison has kept her away from her country, but its might has not managed to extinguish the flame of her struggle. The so-called Ethics Committee of the occupation's Prison Service is looking into force-feeding female prisoner Hana al-Shalabi. This comes after medical reports confirmed the prisoner's health is severely deteriorating, especially as she enters her 28th consecutive day of hunger strike.

Guest, Male #3 (Qaddoura Fares, Palestinian Prisoners' Society Manager)
The prisoner has a right to reject the decision of the Ethics Committee. Right now, the lawyer is visiting sister Hana and will explain to her that she has the right to reject the decision of this committee. Even if they force-feed her through intravenous injection, she will still be considered on a hunger strike. But it will give them some room to maneuver and postpone her release.

Reporter, Male #2
The occupier can create new methods of torture, and deprive people of rights recognized by international and human rights organizations to force these heroes to relinquish the struggle. But the occupier, as always, is powerless in the face of unyielding mountains embodied by the resistance of every male and female prisoner, and is unable to move them.

Guest, Male #4 (Ghaedi Rub'e, Independent Committee for Human Rights)
This is a new kind of abuse and a violation of the dignity of free citizens. First, Israel kidnapped this citizen. According to international and humanitarian law, Israel, as an occupying state, has no right to do so. Of course, it cannot end the hunger strike or override the will of the struggling prisoner, even if they inject all the nutrition of the world into her. What is important is that the Palestinian woman's determination in the face of the occupation remains solid.

Reporter, Male #2
Regardless of which conspiracy is hatched, force-feeding prisoner al-Shalabi will not end her growing strike to attain her rights, and the rights of all the prisoners who reject the policy of administrative detention against them. The voice of the just remains high despite the suppression, and their bodies stand strong in front of the warden's tyranny. The battle of empty stomachs is one of their battles. With it, they announce there are men and women who are still suffering from a forceful injustice that faces naked bodies, cuffed hands and prisons further solidified. They are the heroes of our time, and all times, struggling for rights they refuse to relinquish. From in front of the Ofer military prison, Ali Dar Ali, Palestine TV.