Morocco's February 20 Movement makes comeback after reform pledge falters [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
In Morocco, the February 20 Movement resumed its actions demanding reforms and freedoms after the deadline it gave the government expired. The movement held protests in a number of Moroccan cities to demand the government tackle many unresolved issues, notably political arrests.

Reporter, Male #2
The February 20 Movement took to the street in many cities after a three-month truce. The movement considered the action a clear message to Prime Minister Benkirane on his government's failure to carry out change in the country. The movement noted a decline in the citizens' rights and freedoms, and a resumption of using the security approach to deal with social issues.

Guest, Male #3 (Nawfal Abdel Muhni, Committee for the Defense of Basic Freedoms Coordinator)
The achievements of the Benkirane government are close to zero, be it in the economic and social justice arena, or in the arena of political and civic freedoms.

Reporter, Male #2
The failure of the government to deal with major issues, including freedoms, political arrests, and employment nullified the slogans for change that were raised by the government's political parties. The movement said these parties were engaged in theatrics to end the country's mobilization.

Guest, Male #4 (Munsef Atifee, February 20 Movement Activist)
It was an attempt to drug the society, and drug the Moroccan people, with a piece of theatre and the farce of elections and a new government. Our position was sincere. You have 100 days, do as you please. We have the street; we will retake it.

Reporter, Male #2
The movement that demanded the government release its detained activists, who were arrested after participating in popular demonstrations, confirmed it will continue to protest, and will not lower the ceiling of its demands.

Guest, Male #5 (Mohammad Awni, Coordinator of National Council for Support of February 20 Movement)
The Moroccan people are determined to attain their legitimate demands, and move toward democracy, and a state of rights and laws, and a state of institutions.

Reporter, Male #2
In addition to the political demands, the movement warned it will continue to escalate the protests, confirming that peacefully demonstrating is legislated by the constitution and international charters. From Rabat, the movement sent the masses a call to get involved to confront corruption and tyranny.

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Mass funeral held for Bahraini man killed by regime forces [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, people have taken to the streets outside the capital Manama to hold a funeral procession for a man killed on Friday. Thousands turned out on the streets of Bilad al-Qadim, a suburb of Manama, to condemn the killing of Salah Abbas Habib by Saudi-backed forces. Abbas's body was found on Saturday, a day after he was killed on top of a house in a village outside the capital. His death took place on the eve of the Formula One race.

Joining Press TV on the phone from London to talk about the funeral, the Formula One race, and the struggle against the al-Khalifa regime is Saeed Shehabi of the Bahrain Freedom Movement.

Bahrain's courts have also delayed their rulings for 21 protestors who have been detained after being charged with attempts to overthrow the regime. Among them is rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on hunger strike for over two months.

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Yemenis rally for political and military restructuring [Press TV, Iran]

In Yemen, huge rallies have been held in several cities across the country. Protestors have called for the dismissal and trial of deposed ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh's relatives from authority and called on the new president to restructure the military.

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Egyptians welcome cancellation of gas sales to Israel [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
A sense of relief is dominating the popular and political scene in Egypt. This comes after Egypt decided to terminate a controversial gas deal with Israel. Under the terms of the deal, Egypt would supply Israel with nearly half of its gas consumption at below market prices. In Egypt, conflicting reports have emerged over the reason behind the termination. While the Egyptian Oil Ministry attributed the halt to the terrorist attacks on the gas pipeline, others said the decision was caused by a delinquent payment, in which an intermediary oil company owed Egypt USD 100 million. In the spring of 2008, Egypt agreed to export natural gas to the Hebrew state for two decades, as mandated by a deal signed in 2005. Tawfiq Ahmed reports from Cairo.

Reporter, Male #1
Amid the state of turmoil sweeping Egypt, overwhelming joy has dominated the popular and political scene. This comes after Egypt terminated a gas deal with Israel, a deal that has been widely rejected by the Egyptian street.

Guest, Male #2
This decision should have been made a long time ago. If people don't have enough gas for their homes, then why export it abroad?

Guest, Male #3
We have waited for this for a long time. This was a good decision.

Reporter, Male #1
Egyptian officials attributed the abrupt halt to a commercial rather than a political dispute. The East Mediterranean Gas Company, which exports gas to Israel, has failed to make monthly payments in the amount of USD 100 million to the General Petroleum Corporation and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, rendering the deal null and void. The decision has raised several legal issues, which include the possibility of imposing sanctions on the Egyptian side due to a breach of contract.

Guest, Male #4 (Ali Hassan, Deputy Director General of the Middle East News Agency)
Egypt will not face any sanctions in case an international arbitration is launched. Egypt has every right to terminate this deal due to Israel's failure to meet its financial obligations toward Egypt.

Reporter, Male #1
Egypt started supplying Israel with natural gas in 2008, as mandated by a deal signed in 2005. The gas deal was widely rejected for several reasons. Among them is the price that Israel is paying for the gas, which is less than half its cost. The decision may further fuel the Egyptian-Israeli relationship that has been strained in post-revolution Egypt, which toppled Mubarak and his regime. However, the decision, though it was late, has brought comfort to the Egyptian scene regardless of its reason, be it commercial or political. Tawfiq Ahmed, Dubai TV, Cairo.

Presenter, Female #1
Israel, which imports nearly 40 percent of its gas needs from Egypt, said that termination of the gas deal was a business dispute, as confirmed by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Lieberman added the Egyptian decision was "not a good sign," but it would be a mistake to turn it into a diplomatic dispute. He also affirmed Israel's commitment to upholding the peace treaty with Egypt. The 20-year-old gas deal was signed in 2005 between Egypt and Israel, under the context of the peace treaty brokered between the two sides. The deal sparked fierce protests before the former regime's ouster. This prompted the current government to review the gas export contracts with Israel. Critics argued that gas is being sold to Israel at a price far below the international market value.

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Dozens killed in Hama after UN observers' visit [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Syria's Local Coordination Committees said today's death toll rose to 44. Most were killed in Hama. Meanwhile, the Syrian state news agency said two soldiers were killed by the gunfire of armed gangs in Hama and the countryside of Daraa. The team of observers toured al-Zabadani, Harasta, and Duma in the countryside of Damascus. Activists indicated that security forces opened fire at the protestors who came out to welcome the observers. They also said security forces opened fire at protestors in Daraa's Dael and Aleppo's al-Atarib.

Reporter, Female #1
Once again, Hama has returned to the forefront of the events, holding the highest death toll after observers visited the city. Its two neighborhoods of al-Arbaeen and Mashaa al-Arbaeen were shelled and dozens were killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Local Coordination Committees.

Guest, Male #2 (Abu Omar al-Hamawi, Hama Local Coordination Committee Spokesman)
At nine o'clock this morning, the security forces, the army, and the shabeha began to deploy with tanks, armored trucks and military vehicles to prevent demonstrations. Because when the residents of Hama heard there was a delegation from the UN, they started taking to the street with all their strength.

Reporter, Female #1
The military operations continued as well in the town of al-Harak in Daraa, which witnessed a general strike condemning the siege that has been imposed on the town since the observers left days ago. In Deir az-Zour, activists uploaded videos online showing the damage inflicted on al-Jura neighborhood, which was shelled by the regime's army. The Syrian regime justifies its ongoing military operations by claiming they are a response to what it refers to as armed gangs.

Guest, Male #3 (Sharif Shahadah, Writer and Analyst in Damascus)
The attacks you speak of, saying they are carried out by the Syrian forces, are a natural response to the armed gangs' attempts to assault the army and also attack state-owned civilian sites.

Reporter, Female #1
In turn, Syrian state TV said the Customs Secretariat of the Jdeidet Yabous Crossing along the Syrian-Lebanese border seized a large amount of weapons and ammunition in a tourist car with a Lebanese license plate that was driven by a Lebanese citizen who was accompanied by a Syrian.

Reporter, Female #1
Despite the military operations, the killings, the strikes, thousands continue to protest across Syria, from Daraa to Idlib. These images are never absent from these two provinces in particular. The movement by college students is still in the picture despite the arrests students have been subjected to. Demonstrations broke out in universities in Deir az-Zour, Daraa, and Aleppo. Security forces dispersed the protestors with tear gas. In the countryside of Damascus, where the delegation of observers stopped during their tour, thousands welcomed the military officers in the blue helmets in Duma. Meanwhile, military checkpoints continued to be set up in its neighboring area of Kafr Batna despite the observers' presence. The observers are inspecting the situation on the ground every day. Meanwhile, it seems the killing of civilians and soldiers has become a custom for the past year in Syria. Zaina al-Hayyam, BBC.

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Sudan's Bashir in Heglig, rules out talks as new air raids hit South [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir vowed not to negotiate with South Sudan after the latter occupied the oil-rich region of Heglig. During his visit to Heglig, al-Bashir threatened to eliminate the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, and accused its leadership of betraying the people of the South and of stealing their wealth, which is generated from oil revenue.

Guest, Male #1 (Omar al-Bashir, Sudanese President)
Our language with them is the rifle. Our language with them is the ammunition. This is the language they understand. They don't understand any other language. Our position now is to remove the People's Movement. The People's Movement must be eliminated! This insect, the People's Movement, must be eliminated!

Presenter, Female #1
The spokesman for the Sudanese Armed Forces, al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad, denied Juba's accusation that Khartoum shelled the cities of Bentiu and Rubkona in Unity state in South Sudan. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Saad said Khartoum had nothing to do with what is happening in the state. He said South Sudan's government has many enemies there.

Guest, Male #2 (Al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad, Sudanese Armed Forces Spokesman)
We have absolutely no connection to what is happening in Unity state, be it the shelling on the ground or from the air. These areas might have been targeted by other parties.

Reporter, Male #3
According to South Sudan's government, the Sudanese Air Force launched an air strike Monday morning on South Sudanese border regions. The shelling burned part of Rubkona Market, and damaged the properties of some citizens. A child and storekeeper were killed, and dozens of people were injured. Local authorities in Unity state accuse the Sudanese Air Force of shelling large parts of the state. They say the incident is a confirmation that Khartoum is targeting innocent people. They added it was also clear evidence of the extermination of Southerners and others in Sudan's conflict zones.

Guest, Male #4 (Taban Deng Gai, Unity State Governor)
He said those are insects; the oppressor said the Southerners were insects, not humans. We were very afraid, not only for us in the South, because we here in the state are able to defend ourselves. We were frightened by al-Bashir's statement for the unarmed Southern citizens in the Nuba Mountains, the Blue Nile, Darfur, and the rest of Sudan.

Reporter, Male #3
As for the Sudan People's Liberation Army in South Sudan, it considers the Sudanese army's killing of civilians to be a criminal act, saying it will pursue judicial prosecution. The Liberation Army also confirmed it will reserve the right to respond to avenge the civilian victims.

Guest, Male #5 (Majak D'Agoot, South Sudanese Deputy Defense Minister)
After what has happened, we have the right to respond by any possible means.

Reporter, Male #3
The air strike on large areas of Unity state caused great fear among the citizens. They condemned the Southern army's withdrawal from the Heglig region. This time, the air strike on the cities of Bentiu and Rubkona hit the depth of civilian areas. Residents of the region believe it is the beginning of another battle of what they refer to as the genocide of the South Sudanese people, while the government of South Sudan is saying it reserves the right to respond. Adel Faris, Al Jazeera, Rubkona, South Sudan.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of EU countries expressed their deep concern over the rapid escalation between Sudan and South Sudan. At their meeting in Luxembourg, the ministers called on the two countries to return to negotiations under the auspices of the African Union. For his part, US President Barack Obama said in a speech in Washington that killing innocent people must end in Sudan and South Sudan. He urged the leaders of the two countries to negotiate to end the conflict.

Guest, Male #6 (Barack Obama, US President)
In Darfur, Abyei, South Kordofan, and the Blue Nile, the killing of innocents must come to an end. The presidents of Sudan and South Sudan must have the courage to negotiate, because the people of Sudan and South Sudan deserve peace.

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Police indict over 20 fans and players in Ramat Gan soccer riot [IBA, Israel]

Police implicated more than 20 individuals as a result of Friday's soccer riot at Winter Stadium in Ramat Gan between the Hakoah Ramat Gan and Bnei Lod teams. The chaos led to the cancellation of games for the weekend, and is but the latest in a series of violent soccer-related clashes this season.

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Debate over future of Beit El settlement outpost leads to Israeli Cabinet showdown [IBA, Israel]

The future of a contentious neighborhood in the West Bank settlement of Beit El whose legality is in dispute is pitting Israeli Cabinet ministers against each other in a political showdown. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked his Likud Cabinet ministers to tone down the debate on the future of the Beit El neighborhood Ulpana. The Likud ministers have been upset with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who supported evacuating Ulpana following a High Court ruling in favor of Palestinians who challenged the legality of Beit El.

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Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp commemorates Palestinian martyrs [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Female #1
The Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon held a popular festival to commemorate the martyrdom of leaders Abu Jihad al-Wazir, the two Kamals, and Abu Youssef al-Najjar. Participants called for restoring national unity, and praised the resistance of the prisoners in the occupation's jails.

Reporter, Female #1
Martyred leader Abu Jihad al-Wazir, the two Kamals, namely Kamal Adwan and Kamal Nasser, Abu Youssef al-Najjar, and all the leaders who followed the path of struggle with their blood, were commemorated by the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.

Guest, Male #2 (Mahmoud Assadi, Consul of the Palestinian Embassy in Beirut)
It is imperative to stress that our Palestinian unity is the source of our force and morale. It is more important than us and our organizations. Therefore, reconciliation must be achieved. Abandoning this path will inflict significant losses on all the Palestinian people.

Reporter, Female #1
Once again, Ain al-Hilweh sent a message in support of the brave detainees in the prisons of injustice and oppression.

Guest, Male #3 (Essam Halihal, Palestinian Popular Struggle Front Central Committee)
We must be loyal and appreciative of our brave prisoners, who are carrying out the most wonderful resistance and defiance of the criminal Zionists. The hunger strikes these heroes are engaged in are real battles.

Reporter, Female #1
The occupation and its practices of aggression have been exposed to the entire world. Participants who spoke at the festival repeatedly stressed this point.

Guest, Male #4 (Ahmed Malali, Political Bureau of Hezbollah)
The era when the Zionist entity was represented as the only democracy in the Middle East is over. And, today, free people from the world are coming to us to express solidarity near the border with Palestine.

Guest, Male #5
Abu Jihad, you were the symbol, title and leader of the intifada.

Reporter, Female #1
The Palestinian cause is living in the people's consciences and hearts. These words can summarize the reality of the situation in the capital of the Diaspora. The words were translated during this event through loyalty to the martyrs and support for the prisoners. From the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, Zainab Abu Samad, Palestine TV.