ICC prosecutor refers Libya to UNSC over failure to extradite son of Gaddafi [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo sent the court's judges a letter asking to refer Libya to the UN Security Council over its failure to extradite Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi. In addition, Ocampo asked the ICC judges to reject an appeal filed by Libya requesting more time to transfer Saif-al Islam to the Netherlands. Libya wants to try Saif al-Islam on its territory rather than extradite him to the ICC. An arrest warrant was issued against him last June over his involvement in the murder of protestors during the uprising that toppled his father, Muammar al-Gaddafi.

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Pakistan demands an immediate end to US drone strikes [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
After a month of debates and discussions, the Pakistani parliament has unanimously approved a document entailing recommendations proposed by the national security committee regarding ties with the US and NATO. The document calls for the reopening of NATO supply routes provided that the Pakistani territory would not be used to transport arms to Afghanistan. It also calls for the immediate cessation of drone attacks. It further demanded the US offer an unconditional apology over the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers last November. Mahyub Khuder reports from Islamabad.

Reporter, Male #2
If implemented, three nos may help restore relations between Islamabad and Washington: no to drone attacks, no to the transportation of weapons, and no to military bases and spy networks. In a joint session, the Pakistani parliament has unanimously approved a 14-point set of recommendations proposed by the national security committee. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani described the resolution as "historic," saying it holds fundamental messages.

Guest, Female #1 (Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistani Foreign Minister)
Our position is clear. Yes to friendly ties with the US, but not at the expense of our country's interests. In achieving peace in the region, Pakistan's sovereignty must be respected. We reject all unilateral actions.

Reporter, Male #2
The consensus reached between the loyalists and the opposition came after a month of debates and discussions, especially over the issue of NATO supply routes to Afghanistan. Between imposing a complete halt to NATO supplies and reopening routes subject to taxation, the two sides offered concessions in favor of a midway solution.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan Muslim League Member)
It's very clearly stated that Pakistan will not allow NATO supplies that contain arms or ammunition. We don't want to be part of the ongoing war in Afghanistan. The resolution is comprehensive, and it will help reshape our policy and restore our sovereignty.

Reporter, Male #2
One of the recommendations demanded the US offer an unconditional apology for the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers, amid concern over the government's ability to achieve such a demand.

Guest, Male #4 (Muti'i Haydar, Journalist)
As far as the government is concerned, it will be under tremendous pressure from the parliament in order to seriously implement the recommendations. A failure to do so will shatter the unity, and place the government in the range of the opposition's fire.

Reporter, Male #2
Though they were strongly worded, the recommendations didn't include a time frame for their implementation. The Pakistani street fears that this latest resolution may be nothing more than a useless peace of paper, just like previous parliamentary resolutions, especially amid ongoing US pressure on the Gilani-led government that is trying to dodge US sanctions.

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Pakistanis express fury at rising violence against Shi'ites in north [Press TV, Iran]

Pakistanis have staged a huge gathering outside of parliament in the capital Islamabad to express fury at rising violence against Shia Muslims in the country's northern areas. Protestors chanted slogans condemning the killings; over a dozen were killed and more than 50 wounded in sectarian violence in northern Pakistan earlier this month. The government deployed troops and imposed a curfew in the area.

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Man attacks King Mohammed VI during Friday prayers [Press TV, Iran]

In Morocco, activists have released footage showing a man in a mosque running up to King Mohammed VI and attacking him. Press TV cannot verify the authenticity of the footage. The incident happened during Friday prayers. Tensions have been high in Morocco as people have been protesting for more reforms for over a year.

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Jordanians march against proposed electoral law, demand fair representation [Press TV, Iran]

Protestors in Jordan have again taken to the streets after Friday prayers to reject the government's proposed electoral law and widespread corruption. Protestors from Amman marched from al-Husseini mosque to the nearby city hall to reject what they call "martial laws," saying that the proposed electoral law is against the role of the nation. They instead demanded modern and democratic election law that ensures fair representation.

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Anti-regime protests continue in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, thousands of people took to the streets for a massive anti-regime rally outside the capital Manama. Demonstrators also demanded the release of thousands of political prisoners. The protest also honored eight journalists killed by Saudi-backed forces about a week ago.

The International Automobile Federation says that the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled on April 22 despite the deadly Saudi-backed crackdown against the opposition, ignoring calls from human rights groups to for its cancellation.

In Saudi Arabia, protestors have staged rallies in the oil-rich Eastern Province. Demonstrators in the main eastern city of Qatif, along with several nearby towns and villages, called for the release of prisoners. Activists have said that there are over 30,000 prisoners behind bars. Demonstrators also showed solidarity with neighboring Bahrain.

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Thousands of Egyptians rally against Mubarak-era candidates [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians demonstrated in a million-man march to protect the revolution in Tahrir Square in the center of the Egyptian capital Cairo. This comes in response to a call by the country's Islamist parties and groups. The protestors affirmed the revolution is still continuing against anyone who tries to steal it or kill it in its infancy. They expressed their rejection to the idea of boycotting the presidential elections. At the same time, they stressed the Egyptian people will overthrow the regime's remnants through the ballot box.

Reporter, Male #1
There is no doubt that remnants of the defunct National Democratic Party and the deposed Mubarak regime have strongly returned to organize their ranks. This return was not spontaneous. Rather, it points to a scheme to reproduce a regime overthrown by the revolution by nominating ousted vice president Omar Suleiman, former prime minister Ahmed Shafik, and former foreign minister Amr Moussa. Islamists in Egypt and other political parties gathered on Friday to protect their revolution in the center of its eruption, Tahrir Square.

Guest, Male #2 (Abdul Rahman al-Bur, Muslim Brotherhood Guidance Office Member)
All these millions are gathering here in this square to return to this people, once again, their bright image and their unity. They are here to restore the strong spirit of the revolution and reiterate to anyone who seeks to harm Egypt that Egypt is ready and that Egypt is vigilant, and that no one can steal its revolution.

Guest, Male #3 (Abu al-Ma'ali Fa'iq, Labor Party Assistant Secretary-General)
Egypt's revolution has not been completed. It is being completed now. The great revolution will be completed so we won't see the day when Omar Suleiman leads the regime in Egypt.

Reporter, Male #1
The idea of boycotting the presidential elections if the deposed regime's remnants continue to be nominated was proposed in the square. But it did not receive much approval. The Egyptian people are capable of overthrowing them once again through the ballot box.

Guest, Male #5 (Amir Basam, Egyptian People's Assembly Member)
We will not boycott any elections. Instead, we will stand with our flesh and blood, we will stand until the people's will of isolating the remnants is legally and popularly achieved, and free and fair elections are held.

Guest, Male #6 (Tariq al-Zamar, Egyptian Islamic Society Member)
All the Egyptian people will reject any elections with the regime's remnants as candidates. It is the squares which are alive that will draw the roadmap for the upcoming elections.

Reporter, Male #1
The masses on this Friday sent a sharp-worded warning to Suleiman, Shafik, and Moussa that they no longer have any place, even in the Egyptian people's imagination, and they will not be able to deceive them once again.

Guest, Male #6 (Nader Bukar, al-Nour Party Spokesman)
I think this Friday and other Fridays will bring the law of political isolation. It will send a clear message, not only to the regime's remnants but to everyone supporting them, that the people's revolution is not over.

Reporter, Male #1
This is the scene in Tahrir Square. It is witnessing the Islamists' reaction to the audacity of the remnants of deposed president Mubarak's regime. They seek the presidency as though they are guarding the place and position of their old master. That's impossible! From the heart of Tahrir Square in Cairo, Mohamed Amin, Al-Alam.

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The opposition tests Syria's ceasefire with peaceful protests [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian Revolution's General Commission said eight civilians were killed in different parts of Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said clashes erupted in the morning between Syrian forces and members of the Free Syrian Army in the surroundings of Jisr ash-Shugur, in Idlib Province, near the Syrian-Turkish border. This comes as protests were held in different parts of Syria, under the banner of "a Friday for all Syrians."

Reporter, Male #1
This is the neighborhood of al-Qarabis in Homs on the second day of the ceasefire in Syria. On Friday, the sound of machine guns dominated, while on Thursday it was the sound of tank fire. As for the countryside of Idlib, a brief clash in Jisr ash-Shugur broke the calm, in the surrounding of Khirbet al-Joz, along the Syrian-Turkish border. It is the area that witnessed the first overt appearance of gunmen one year ago.

Guest, Male #2 (Ramy Abdel Rahman, Syrian Human Rights Observatory Director)
In the beginning, regime forces fired at defected armed groups. There was no response at all in the beginning during the withdrawal from the area. Regime forces continued to fire, then some members of the defected armed groups responded. Clashes occurred; there were no casualties in those clashes. The regime forces then withdrew from the area.

Reporter, Male #1
Gunfire in Khirbet al-Joz was from heard in a Turkish border village holding a Syrian refugee camp.

Guest, Female #2
We heard the gunfire, and all the villagers were scared.

Reporter, Male #1
But Damascus said what happened near the border is part of the implementation of Annan's plan, and a redeployment of its forces. As for the breach, it said it was caused by yesterday's attack on a military vehicle.

Guest, Male #3 (Sherif Shahada, Writer and Political Analyst)
These forces were heading to the Syrian border with Turkey, not to fight or engage in battles, but it was a redeployment of the tanks and personnel carriers outside of the cities. This confirms that Syria is truly committed to the truce. And this is why I'm telling you that these breaches didn't happen today; they occurred yesterday when armed terrorists bombed a bus in Aleppo, which lead to the martyrdom of a colonel and injured 26 people.

Reporter, Male #1
Military and security forces are still deployed in other Syrian areas, with security forces storming some areas and arresting people, according to activists, who confirmed the regime's armored vehicles withdrew from most cities and villages. In some areas, security forces cordoned off some mosques in the morning, in anticipation of Friday protests titled "a Friday for all Syrians." Nonetheless, protests were held as usual before Friday prayers in the areas that insist on holding peaceful protests despite the consequences. But skirmishes violated the ceasefire; they occurred when regime forces tried to suppress peaceful protests, which led elements of the Free Syrian Army to respond with the aim of protecting the demonstrations. This has not led to confrontations.

Reporter, Male #1
In the village of Bridij in the countryside of Hama, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed one civilian died from injuries sustained on Thursday night when Syrian regime forces fired bullets. The Free Syrian Army intervened and killed two members of the regime's forces.

Reporter, Male #1
Not far from home, Syrian refugees in Turkey, who escaped the suppression and clashes, want Annan's plan to secure a safe passage for their return to their cities, villages, and homes. The test seems difficult, and Annan's mission is only starting. And amid the counter-accusations between Damascus and the opposition, it is unpredictable whether these guns will break their silence or remain silent forever. Hayan Yaqoub, BBC.

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Iranian delegation arrives in Istanbul for P5+1 talks [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, arrived to Istanbul to hold talks with representatives from major Western powers and Russia. This is the first round of talks in over a year. The major powers are hoping Tehran will provide convincing explanations of its nuclear program in order to extend the negotiations and avoid the outbreak of a Middle Eastern war. Iranian state TV said Iran will present new proposals aimed at easing concerns over its nuclear program.

Reporter, Male #1
All eyes are turning to the city of Istanbul that will host a new round of talks tomorrow between Iran and world powers which will be focused on the Iranian nuclear program. Western diplomats say the six world powers, namely the US, France, the UK, Russia, China, and Germany expect indications that Iran is ready to offer concessions.

Reporter, Male #1
Istanbul welcomed the European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to discuss the focus of the negotiations. The previous rounds of talks failed due to Iran's refusal to negotiate the scale of its uranium enrichment program. Instead, Iran brought forward trade and security cooperation proposals, which were described as ambiguous. Shortly before the Iranian chief negotiator Saeed Jalili arrived to Turkey, Iran announced it will submit proposals during the talks aimed at easing the concerns of world powers.

Reporter, Male #1
However, it is unclear whether Tehran is ready to discuss its uranium enrichment program. Jalili hinted that Tehran is ready to hold what he referred to as successful and constructive talks on cooperation. He warned that using threatening language and pressure will not lead to fruitful results. The US has shown no sign of changing its position. The US secretary of state insisted it is imperative for Iran to be ready to be seriously involved in negotiations on its nuclear issue.

Guest, Female #2 (Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State)
We want them to demonstrate clearly, in the actions they propose, that they have truly abandoned any nuclear weapons ambition.

Reporter, Male #1
Russia's position seemed to be optimistic, as its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Istanbul round of talks brings some hope. He revealed that Moscow and Washington will also propose an initiative to dispel Iran's concerns. The dialogue seeking a diplomatic exit for the Iranian nuclear crisis had been stalled for 15 months. And while Iran insists that its nuclear program is designed for peaceful purposes, the major powers remain suspicious that Tehran is seeking to possess a nuclear weapon under the cover of peaceful programs.

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Expert says Iran is 'playing for time' with P5+1 talks [IBA, Israel]

The Times of Israel editor David Horovitz expressed his own doubts that tomorrow's nuclear talks between the P5+1 and Iran will yield progress. In an interview with IBA, he highlights his own pessimism, and says that he thinks the Iranians are playing for time and that the P5+1 have differences among them that the Iranians will exploit. He also discusses Iran's relationship with nearby Syria and Turkey.

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Israeli security in high gear for Sunday's 'flytilla' [IBA, Israel]

Security preparations have entered high gear ahead of Sunday's so-called "flytilla," in which some 1,200 pro-Palestinian activists, primarily from Europe, will attempt to enter Israel through Ben Gurion Airport, with hopes of ultimately reaching the West Bank. Germany's Lufthansa airline canceled the tickets of dozens of participants who were scheduled to arrive on April 15.

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Algeria's first president remembered as an Arab hero [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Ahmed Ben Bella created a new dawn for his nation, and was one of the last heroes of the glorious Arab struggle. We take a look at the near century-long journey of an extraordinary man in an exceptional time.

Reporter, Male #1
For a long time, Ahmed Ben Bella had been a figure more esteemed than a revolutionary hero, and seen as a prisoner with a will stronger than his warden's. He lives in the Arab consciousness as one of the most important figures of this nation's recent history. Soaring from his position as a fighter in the Algerian million-martyr revolution, and reaching his destination as the first president of the republic established following the country's victory, he restored Algeria's natural status in the heart of the nation's struggle, and restored his people's stolen identity.

Reporter, Male #1
Ahmed Ben Bella also overcame the anger and resentment he felt for his armed comrades, who deposed him from his official position. By doing so, they added to his glory as a hero; the resistance of a fighter who never lost faith in the revolution, even if his brothers imprisoned him longer than the French colonizers did. Ahmed Ben Bella kept his faith in his country, his Arabism, and the Arabic language. He cried for not having mastered Arabic when he was elected president. He cried a second time when he tried, with his broken Arabic, to welcome the Algerians' partner in their glorious revolution, Gamal Abdel Nasser, when he came to celebrate with the Algerian people and raise the flag of triumph in Algeria. Ahmed Ben Bella remained a hero.

Reporter, Male #1
One night, some of his power-hungry armed comrades rebelled against him and threw him in jail without a trial. His imprisonment lasted 14 years, until the death of his closest friend and right-hand man Houari Boumedienne. Boumedienne had deposed Ben Bella and appointed himself as his replacement in the fight against the Liberation Army that expelled civilians and seized authority in the name of the Mujahideen, or strugglers, without their leader.

Reporter, Male #1
Ahmed Ben Bella remained a hero in exile in his country's former colonizer, France. He later settled in Switzerland for many years as a political refugee. And, as always, by his side was a great woman who cared for him in prison and eased his pain. She then married him and stayed with him until his release. They were blessed with two adopted daughters and formed a unique family. Ahmed Ben Bella not only lived in the consciousness of his Algerian people as a hero, but in the consciousness of the entire Arab nation. Perhaps his saddest day was when Abdel Nasser passed away while he was still in prison. He regretted not being able to bid his friend a final farewell.

Reporter, Male #1
Ahmed Ben Bella passed away to join his most beloved comrade at the age of 96. The entire Arab nation is mourning him, most notably his comrades in the Arab National Forum and the Arab National Congress. The New TV crew sent their deepest condolences through the chairman of its administrative council, Mr. Tahsin al-Khayad, who had a special relationship with the deceased. Ben Bella departed the world as a history maker, and he goes down in history as one of the most glorious leaders of this nation. He left the world with a clean conscience, setting an example for his successors. And today the youth are returning to the squares destroyed by dictatorships that oppressed their people far worse than the colonizers. Now the youth are mobilizing to reclaim their identity and rights in their motherlands. The spirit of Ahmed Ben Bella lives on in their consciences.