Bahraini activists mark first anniversary of Saudi-backed raid on Pearl Roundabout [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Bahrainis continued to march against the Saudi invasion of their country on its first annual commemoration. Masses across the country flocked to the streets to demand an immediate end to the occupation. Meanwhile, the Bahrain Human Rights Society demanded the formation of a national committee to look into violations committed by the al-Khalifa regime and the occupation.

Reporter, Male #2
These are the slogans Bahraini protestors have been chanting since the eruption of their revolution on February 14, 2011. In Bani Jamra, the masses flooded the streets to reiterate their rejection to tyranny, and their resolve to escalate the resistance and expel the Saudi occupation forces from the country. Their chants reflected demands for change and democracy despite the repression of the occupation forces.

Reporter, Male #2
In the island of Sitra, residents reenacted a scene of Saudi occupation forces entering the country, and chanted slogans condemning the occupation and reaffirming their determination to expel it from Bahrain. The methods of repression used by these forces against unarmed protestors are no longer a secret to the international community and human rights organizations. Bahraini activists uploaded videos online, showing regime forces using tear gas and Molotov cocktails against protestors in the neighborhood of al-Juffair in the capital al-Manama and areas surrounding the US base.

Reporter, Male #2
The Bahrain Human Rights Society issued a report calling on the regime to allow international rights organizations and international monitors to visit Bahrain for an unlimited amount of time to observe human rights conditions and uncover the facts on the ground. The society urged the country to allow the special UN rapporteur on torture to enter the country on a scheduled date, and enable him to carry out his mission. It also asked the country to facilitate his meetings with officials, political groups, civil society organizations, and relevant individuals and their families so he can present a clear and transparent report. The society demanded the formation of a national transitional committee for justice, equality, and reconciliation to look into human rights violations in Bahrain. In addition, it called for monitoring violations in the country by looking into humanitarian cases, and working on ending them completely to improve the condition of human rights. The society stressed the importance of releasing all male and female detainees, and those convicted in the recent events, while dropping all charges against them. In addition, it called for an annulment of all sentences issued against those charged with expressing free political speech and peacefully assembling.

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Afghan survivors assert multiple soldiers were involved in massacre [Press TV, Iran]

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has slammed the US for not cooperating with an Afghan fact-finding mission that's probing the recent massacre of 18 Afghan civilians by the US forces. Karzai's criticism came after his meeting with the investigation team and the relatives of the massacre victims in Kabul. During the meeting, dozens of victims' relatives said the murder had been planned in advance and carried out by a number of US forces. An elder from Panjwaii district in southern Kandahar province where the slaughter took place said it was "an absolute lie that only one American soldier was responsible for the door-to-door killings." Other Afghan elders reiterated their demands that the soldiers responsible be put on trial in Afghanistan. They said they had never asked for compensation, only justice.

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Iraqi Kurds mark 24th anniversary of Halabja chemical attack [Press TV, Iran]

March 16 marks the 24th anniversary of the chemical attack on the northern Iraqi city of Halabja by the forces of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Also known as Halabja massacre, or "Bloody Friday" amongst Kurds, it was a genocidal action against the Kurdish people. Some 5,000 people, mostly Kurds, were killed, and up to 10,000 more were wounded in the attack. Halabja and surrounding districts were attacked with chemical weapons, and the city was razed to the ground afterward to remove evidence. The attack took place in the Iraqi regime's long and aggressive war against Iran.

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Fugitive Iraq VP Tariq al-Hashemi to remain in Iraqi Kurdistan [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi will maintain his current residence in the Kurdish region, as announced by President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud al-Barzani. Al-Barzani said he will not hand over al-Hashemi to the Iraqi judiciary to face terror charges. He also renewed the call on all three members of the presidency to meet in order to find a political solution to the crisis. Al-Barzani further said he rejects a proposal to help smuggle al-Hashemi outside the country.

Guest, Male #2 (Masoud al-Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region)
It has reached a point where some had suggested that we facilitate his escape outside Iraq. Our response was that we do not work as smugglers and we won't accept that. If al-Hashemi wishes to leave the country, then it will be done publicly. And if he is guilty as the government claims, then why would they want the Kurds to help him escape abroad?

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Baghdad heightens security ahead of Arab League summit [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Baghdad is ready to host the Arab leaders, as confirmed by most Iraqi officials two weeks ahead of the upcoming Arab summit scheduled for March 29. As part of a security plan drafted specially for the event, security forces were heavily deployed on the streets of the Iraqi capital, where a curfew is scheduled to go into effect next Saturday. Effective March 26, Baghdad's airport will be shut down during the Arab delegations' summit. Shafiq Abed al-Jabar reports from Baghdad.

Reporter, Male #3
The Iraqi capital is fully secure, and it's ready to host the Arab summit at the end of the month, as confirmed by the Baghdad security command center Chief of Staff General Hassan al-Bidani. In an exclusive interview with Dubai television, al-Bidani wanted to diffuse fear and reassure Iraq's guests.

Guest, Male #4 (General Hassan al-Bidani, Baghdad Command Center Chief of Staff)
We are at the final preparatory stage. Militarily, we are in the process of tying up all loose ends. We carried out preemptive strikes against the enemy's hideouts. We are currently seeking to secure areas that may witness hostility.

Reporter, Male #3
Iraqi security agencies adopted a tight security plan, which includes providing air and intelligence support aimed at foiling looming security breaches. Security forces were heavily deployed, and checkpoints were set up on every street and corner of the Iraqi capital. In addition, security agencies will impose a no-fly zone and a curfew in the capital, raising security to its highest alert level. The Iraqi street was not surprised by such stringent measures.

Guest, Male #5
Curfew and security measures should be implemented on the 28th, 29th, and the 30th, during the summit. God willing, it will be a success.

Guest, Male #6
When they come, they need to see that everything is normal and that the streets are open. They need to feel that there's security. This is not the way to do it.

Reporter, Male #3
Convening the Arab summit in Baghdad has always hinged on security; a challenge that seemed hard to overcome, but not for security agencies. Baghdad's security agencies have placed their final touches. They were heavily deployed, and conducted preemptive raids targeting possible threat sources. The security plan may include measures to impose a curfew and close the roads, especially those leading to the Green Zone, where the Arab leaders are scheduled to hold their summit.

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Annan calls for dialogue to end Syrian crisis as activists demand Arab intervention [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The joint UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, warned of serious regional implications if the crisis in Syria is not dealt with in a suitable manner. Annan called on the opposition to unite its fronts to negotiate with the Syrian regime, assuring he will do everything he can to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria. Annan also announced he will send a delegation to Damascus this week to follow up on talks with the Syrian regime.

Presenter, Male #1
The Syrian Human Rights Network confirmed that 11 civilians were killed today by Syrian security forces in several Syrian cities. The Syrian revolution's coordination committees confirmed that a military convoy of tanks was deployed to the area of Tal, in the countryside of Damascus, while regime forces started to conduct raids in the cities of Deir az-Zour and Dara'a. According to Syrian activists, heavy gunfire was heard in the area of al-Hajar al-Aswad and the Barzeh neighborhood in the capital Damascus.

Reporter, Male #2
The regime's military victory in the northern Syrian town of Idlib and central Homs has not yet ended the heated scene in Syria. Areas in the countryside of Damascus that were marginalized for several decades are witnessing a significant presence of groups of army defectors who are moving swiftly across the mountains and rugged areas surrounding the Syrian capital. This has caused the confusion of regime forces that have also intensified their presence in the areas of Barzeh and al-Hajar al-Aswad in Damascus. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, clashes took place between regime forces and elements of the Free Syrian Army in the countryside of Damascus, in the areas of Demir and Qatana, which resulted in the deaths of seven people. And in the city of Hama, clashes between units of the regime's army and armed groups caused the death of five people. Images uploaded online by activists revealed the deployment of Syrian forces to Idlib to continue their sweeping operations in search of armed men.

Reporter, Male #2
The Syrian revolution's coordination committees confirmed the deaths of three civilians from the same family by Syrian security forces. In Homs, five civilians were also killed by Syrian security forces in al-Khalidiya neighborhood, according to opposition activists. This comes as demonstrations were held in several Syrian areas on a Friday named the "Friday of immediate intervention by Arabs and Muslims," followed by the rest of the world. The biggest demonstrations were held in the countryside of Damascus and the city of Aleppo and its surroundings that have witnessed an escalation of protests for several weeks after having been relatively removed from this mobilization. And in al-Amouda near al-Qamishli, thousands of protestors marched carrying Kurdish and Syrian flags in commemoration of the first anniversary of protests against the regime in Damascus.

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Jordanians stage nationwide rallies to demand release of political activists [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
In Jordan, marches continue to be held to denounce the security institutions for arresting a number of activists in the mobilization in at-Tafilah and referring them to the state security court. Participants in the marches demanded the immediate release of the detained activists. The Public Security Directorate confirmed it will not change its policy on protests demanding reform, and would continue to protect these marches as long as they adhere to what it referred to as a peaceful expression.

Reporter, Male #1
Once again, an angry march was held in the southern Jordanian province of at-Tafilah to demand reform. Participants in the march demanded the immediate release of activists involved in the city's mobilization. The activists were arrested nearly 10 days ago, and referred to the state security court. They were charged with insulting the Jordanian king and holding an unlawful assembly. Participants also demanded that security institutions and intelligence agencies go after the corrupt and those who stole the wealth of the country, instead of arresting those who demand an end to corruption.

Guest, Male #2 (Dr. Jihad al-Moheissen, Scholar and Activist in Tafilah Popular Mobilization)
The message that we're sending is a very simple and clear: rush the constitutional reforms; fight corruption and the corrupt figureheads; immediately release the detainees, and do not reinstate martial law. We will not go back in time.

Reporter, Male #1
Demanding the release of at-Tafilah activists and condemning their arrest were the common dominators in a number of actions witnessed in many Jordanian cities. The most notable march, held in the city center of the capital Amman, was called for by the National Front for Reform and the Islamic Movement, with the participation of a number of youth and tribal movements. Participants who were subjected to a stone-throwing attack by unidentified individuals stressed that these arrests will not prevent the Jordanian street from continuing to demand reforms and fight corruption.

Guest, Male #3 (Hamza Mansour, Jordan's Islamic Action Front Secretary-General)
We came today to say, "No to corruption and no to covering up corruption, no to the arrests, and no to the security's arrest campaign, and no to infringing on the citizens' rights and livelihoods."

Reporter, Male #1
On the other hand, the Public Security Directorate confirmed it will not change its policy on street protests and would continue to protect them. The directorate added it will not use force or arrest anyone unless they resort to violence or riots.

Guest, Male #4 (Hussein Hazza' Al-Majali, Jordanian Public Security Chief)
I stress, repeat, and confirm that we will never change our ways of dealing with protests on the street, as long as the mobilization remains responsible, as we are accustomed to.

Reporter, Male #1
Political observers believe the essence of the Jordanian reform crisis lies with some Jordanian parties' insistence on focusing their efforts on containing and repressing the mobilization on the street, and suppressing it with pre-Arab Spring methods, instead of focusing on responding to its demands. Ahmed Jarar, al-Jazeera, Amman.

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One Bedouin killed in attempted Sinai border crossing into Israel [IBA, Israel]

On the nearby Sinai border with Egypt, IDF thwarted an attempted infiltration by an unknown group into Israel last night. One Bedouin was killed in an exchange of gunfire. Three others were injured and evacuated to a hospital in Beersheba. The IDF spokesman reported that soldiers opened fire on the infiltrators after they refused orders to stop. Egyptian forces on the other side of the border also opened fire, and the suspects responded by shooting at both the Egyptian and the Israeli forces. The IDF has been placed on high alert along the border amid intelligence reports that Gaza-based terror groups are plotting to launch another attack in the area, similar to one last August that killed eight Israelis. The IDF believes that last night's suspects were likely weapons smugglers.

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Hezbollah chief praises Palestinians in Gaza for Israel rocket attacks [IBA, Israel]

Hezbollah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah praised Palestinians in Gaza for the launching of hundreds of rockets into Israel this week. In a televised speech to his followers, Nasrallah bragged that half a million Israelis were forced to run for shelter. He was critical of the Arab media's portrayal of the conflict, saying that their coverage of the fighting seemed to place blame on the Palestinians for the violence.

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Iran warns Hamas of plots seeking to divide Palestinian resistance [IBA, Israel]

Senior Gaza-based Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar has vowed that the Palestinians' struggle against Israel will not change. His comments came during a visit to Tehran, where Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi voiced his country's support for the Palestinians as part of the Islamic republic's principles and religious beliefs, and other members of the Iranian government cautioned the Hamas leader to beware of plots seeking to divide the Palestinian resistance.

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Netanyahu praises SWIFT's sanctions against Iran [IBA, Israel]

Staying with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the latest step towards cutting Tehran's ties with global commerce. This, following the announcement from SWIFT, the company handling international financial transactions, of its intention to sever contact with 30 banks and subsidiaries in Iran over its disputed nuclear development program. Netanyahu had advocated the move during his recent trip to North America.

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Avigdor Lieberman stresses Israel's right to self-defense should Iran measures fail [IBA, Israel]

In a Beijing meeting with top Chinese officials, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stressed that Israel reserves the right to defend itself in the event that diplomatic measures involving the P5+1 and sanctions against Iran should fail.

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Jailed Mubarak officials propose buying their freedom [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Female #1
Members of the former Egyptian regime held in Tora prison offered to give up some of their assets in exchange for their release. The issue has raised many questions and divided the citizens. And while some approve the offer in light of the economic situation, others believe that accepting the deal would encourage corruption.

Guest, Female #2
I approve; they should return the money to the people because the people are tired.

Guest, Male #1
No, no. Jail and the money.

Guest, Male #2
There should be a fair trial, and the money both here and abroad should be confiscated.

Reporter, Male#3
This is the view of the citizens; some support while others reject the initiative proposed by the former regime's officials, who are accused of financial corruption. They would give up some of their assets, and in exchange they would be freed, and charges against them dropped. Supporters believe retrieving the money is more important than prosecuting the former officials, since citizens and the economy will not benefit from their imprisonment. They do not object to retrieving the stolen money to revive the economy, but only if they can guarantee the money will returned.

Guest, Male #4
We need to look into what the best option is for Egypt. What matters for me is that the money is returned. Executing them will not do any good.

Guest, Male #5
All this chaos is the result of corruption! How are we supposed to forgive them?

Reporter, Male #3
Another group believes that reconciliation will encourage corruption, since thieves will not be penalized for their crimes, leading corruption to continue if there is no deterrent.

Guest, Male #6
The money of every corrupt official should be taken, and they should be prosecuted for the crimes they were involved in.

Guest, Female #3
I want to retrieve the rights of all the people who were martyred; not just those who died in Tahrir, but all the others who have been oppressed by these people.

Reporter, Male #3
Others believe retribution should come first for the martyrs' blood and all the corrupt regime's figures for oppressing an entire population and causing the spread of ignorance, poverty, and unemployment.

Guest, Male #7
We cannot accept this initiative. They are doing this to distract the people. God only knows what they will do if they get out of prison. What will they do to the country? They will wage a second counterrevolution.

Reporter, Male #3
Others view the case as non-negotiable. They say the people have rights, and crimes were committed, and those responsible for these crimes must be held accountable, since dreams and lives were stolen. So the opinions of the citizens differed. Some supported while others rejected the offer to return assets and money in exchange for the release of defendants accused with corruption. But everyone agrees there will be no reconciliation when it comes to the "bloodshed cases" and the killing of protestors. There will be no reconciliation with those figures, while the case remains disputed. Abdel Moneim Mohamed, Nile TV.