Russia accuses Syrian rebels of waging a terror campaign [Press TV, Iran]

Russia has accused Syrian armed groups of waging a wide-scale terror campaign to kill as many civilians as possible. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that armed groups are reverting to tactics that bear al-Qaeda hallmarks despite a ceasefire, and are also trying to destroy infrastructure as al-Qaeda did in Iraq.

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Over four hundred Syrians leave refugee camps to fight regime [Press TV, Iran]

Meanwhile, 442 Syrian refugees reportedly left camps in Turkey for their own country to fight the government. The return to Syria comes despite Ankara's commitment to abide by the UN-brokered truce. The move has renewed allegations that Turkey has been allowing its soil to be used for training Syrian armed groups.

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CIA expands drone war on Yemen to unidentified individuals [Press TV, Iran]

The US has approved a new authority that allows US assassination drones to fire on targets in Yemen, even when their identities are not known. Officials say President Barack Obama approved the use of "signature strikes" this month, which provides the CIA and the US joint special operations command the opportunity to expand the drone campaign in the country.

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Jordan's prime minister resigns [Press TV, Iran]

Jordan's prime minister, Awn Shawkat al-Khasawneh, has resigned amid growing disagreement over reforms in the country. Sources close to him have cited alleged efforts by the royal palace to undermine his attempts to introduce democratic reforms as the main reason behind his resignation. His resignation marks Jordan's fourth change of government since the Arab Spring began in 2011.

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Three more US soldiers killed in Afghanistan bomb blast [Press TV, Iran]

A bomb blast killed at least three US soldiers in southern Afghanistan. The soldiers were on patrol where the bomb went off in Kandahar Province. The bomb was planted on the roadside by the Taliban, who claim to have killed over ten American soldiers. The latest deaths have pushed the number of foreign troops killed so far this year to 130.

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan's northeastern Badakhshan Province, the Taliban attacked a military outpost and killed four Afghan soldiers, capturing 16 others.

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Pakistani PM convicted of contempt [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
A political quake shook Pakistan. The Supreme Court convicted the prime minister of contempt for disobeying orders to file money laundering charges against President Asif Ali Zardari two years ago. Gilani was sentenced with imprisonment until the rising of the court. The ruling may lead to serious implications, which include a move to disqualify him from running for the prime minister's office. This places Gilani's fate in the hands of the parliamentary speaker. Mahyub Khuder reports from Islamabad.

Reporter, Male #2
It's a decisive day in the history of Gilani and Pakistan. The Supreme Court convicted the prime minister of contempt and sentenced him to imprisonment until the rising of the court. Though it was symbolic, the punishment was not the end of the road for Gilani. This comes after the court referenced a constitutional provision which may lead to disqualifying him from running for public office. With this, Gilani is headed toward a political and ethical crossroads.

Guest, Male #3 (Shahed al-Ruhman, Legal Expert)
He is a convict. Therefore, he is no longer qualified to stay in office. This issue will be decided by the parliament's speaker. The court's decision means that Pakistan is about to enter a new phase of political instability, especially if the People's Party decided to appeal the ruling and challenge the judiciary.

Reporter, Male #2
During the more than three months of deliberations, the defense team has failed to prove Gilani's innocence of contempt for disobeying a court order requesting him to reopen a Switzerland-based corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani, who refused to apologize to the court and described its ruling as "inappropriate," seems to be placing himself in a serious position despite his party's support.

Guest, Male #4 (Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Pakistan's Defense Minister)
We will analyze each word said by the court, and then we will take the appropriate decision and respond. We respect the judiciary, and we have the right to appeal.

Reporter, Male #2
The right to appeal, if exercised by Gilani with his party's support, will grant him 120 days to counter the ruling. Meanwhile, the opposition seized on the court's decision and called for Gilani's immediate and unconditional resignation from office. This leaves the door open to all possibilities.

Guest, Male #5 (Hasan Khan, Journalist)
I think this is a very historic decision, which helped restore integrity to the judicial system. In order to solve this dilemma, Gilani must resign and the National Alliance must set an earlier date for parliamentary elections.

Reporter, Male #2
Gilani accepted to be the scapegoat, and now he's paying the price, rendering his political future ambiguous, especially if he is disqualified from office, pending an appeal and an exercise of presidential privileges. Mahyub Khuder, Dubai TV, Islamabad.

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Egypt announces list of presidential candidates [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The Presidential Electoral Committee in Egypt announced a list of candidates running in the presidential elections, which are expected to be held next month. There are now 13 candidates after the Appeals Committee accepted Ahmed Shafiq's request; he had been disqualified on the basis of legal amendments adopted by parliament and approved by the military council.

Reporter, Male #1
Twenty-three candidates had registered for the presidential elections; ten of them did not meet at least one requirement needed for their approval as candidates. Today, the head of the Presidential Electoral Committee announced the final list of the presidential candidates. The list includes 13 candidates. The most prominent are Amr Moussa, the former secretary-general of the Arab League and a former foreign minister, and Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, the former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. The committee's surprise decision was allowing Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister during Mubarak's era, back into the presidential race after accepting his appeal. He was initially disqualified by the disenfranchisement law, which was adopted by parliament and approved by the military council. The head of the committee said the constitutional court has the final say on the constitutionality of the disenfranchisement law.

Guest, Male #2 (Farouq Sultan, Head of the Presidential Electoral Committee)
Concerns over this exception should be taken to the specialized court for a verdict. In this case, it is the constitutional court. As for us, as a judicial committee overseeing the elections, we believe the election process should proceed on its normal path until the constitutional court issues a verdict on the issue.

Reporter, Male #1
The committee had flipped the political equation at the beginning of the month when it declined the appeals of the ten disqualified candidates due to violations of the candidacy requirements. The most prominent of the disqualified candidates is the main candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Khairat al-Shater, the party's former deputy leader. Al-Shater, who was in prison until March 2011, was barred from running due to the legal requirement mandating that six years are needed before any prisoner can gain the status of rehabilitation and regain their political rights.

Reporter, Male #1
The committee also excluded Omar Suleiman, the former intelligence chief and former vice president, who was disqualified for not having enough voter endorsements in some governorates. Salafi candidate Hazem Salah Abu Ismail was also excluded because his mother had attained foreign citizenship. The presidential map is more clear after the electoral committee's last decision, but there are no guarantees that all 13 candidates will continue in the race until the elections are held on the 23rd and the 24th of next month. We might witness new alliances, or even withdrawals. Ahmed Maher, BBC.

Presenter, Female #1
Also in Egypt, the Salafi Front decided to endorse presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. This comes after the presidential electoral committee rejected the candidacy of Salafi candidate Hazem Salah Abu Ismail.

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Palestinians rally in solidarity with hunger strikers, clash with Israeli troops [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The area near Ofer Prison, located west of Ramallah, witnessed clashes between Palestinian youth and Israeli occupation forces. Israeli soldiers fired large amounts of tear gas at the protestors who organized a sit-in in solidarity with the prisoners waging a hunger strike in the occupation's prisons. Meanwhile, over 1,600 Palestinian prisoners are continuing their open-ended hunger strike for the 10th consecutive day.

Reporter, Female #2
The scope of the hunger strike continues to grow in the occupation's prisons as tensions escalate. This has become a familiar scene in front of the Ofer military prison west of Ramallah. Palestinians confront the soldiers by throwing stones at them, while the soldiers shower the protestors with tear gas, wounding some of the angry youths. The soldiers arrest activists peacefully demonstrating, and no one manages to avoid the tear gas and stun grenades. The confrontations took place after a sit-in was held to demand a response to the prisoners' demands. Nearly 1,600 Palestinian prisoners have been on a hunger strike for ten days. One of their essential demands is to allow residents of the Gaza Strip visit their children in the prison, and put an end to the policy of solitary confinement.

Guest, Female #2 (Wafa Abu Ghalma, Wife of Prisoner Ahed Abu Ghalma)
Ahed has now been in solitary confinement for two and half years; we are in fact forbidden from visiting him. They're denied everything in solitary confinement, except for being outside for one hour a day.

Reporter, Female #1
Besides these prisoners, around 25 Palestinian prisoners have been on hunger strikes between one to two months, demanding an end to the policy of administrative detention. Mohamed al-Tajj is one of the six prisoners who were transferred to the prison's hospital after his health condition deteriorated. He was arrested 40 months ago without any charges; he has endured solitary confinement and was denied visitations. So he started his hunger strike in mid-March, demanding to be treated as a prisoner of war.

Guest, Female #3 (Dalal al-Tajj, Mother of Prisoner Mohamed al-Tajj)
I miss him a lot. I want to hold him. I want to kiss him. I want to talk to him and check on his health.

Reporter, Female #1
On May 2nd, the prison administration is expected to give a response to the prisoners' demands. However, in the meantime, it has imposed a series of punitive measures on the hunger strikers.

Guest, Male #1 (Qaddoura Fares, Palestinian Prisoners' Society)
They have confiscated all of their possessions except their clothes and a towel. They have also carried out a broad transfer campaign from one prison to another to destroy the foundation of the hunger strike that was built by the prisoners.

Reporter, Female #2
Israel encourages the harassment of the prisoners on hunger strikes and, as a consequence, more prisoners are joining the strike. The equation is unequal, but the balance may tip in favor of the prisoners, at least according to historical battles of empty stomachs. Shirin Abu Aqla, Al Jazeera, near Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah.

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Israelis commemorate fallen soldiers on Yom Hazikaron [IBA, Israel]

At eight o'clock on Tuesday, a one-minute siren will sound to usher in Memorial Day as Israelis remember 22,993 servicemen and women who have given their lives in the defense of the country. The siren will be followed by the national ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. A two-minute siren will be sounded on Wednesday at 11 o'clock in the morning, immediately followed by memorial ceremonies throughout Israel. At 8 PM, a torch-lighting ceremony will begin on Mount Herzl to officially mark the transition to Independence Day celebrations.

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Two rockets fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon, Shaar HaNegev [IBA, Israel]

Palestinians in Gaza fired two rockets into Israel Wednesday night; no injuries or damage were reported in either incident. One of the projectiles slammed into a field in the Ashkelon Regional Council, and the other fell in the Shaar HaNegev Regional Council.

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Israel's foreign minister calls rumored Iran strike from Azerbaijan 'science fiction' [IBA, Israel]

Israel does not have clearance to launch a military assault on Iran's nuclear facilities from Azerbaijan. That's the word from Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who called the latest speculation "science fiction." Speaking from the Azeri capital Baku, Lieberman accused the world media of leaking information aimed at jeopardizing Israeli-Azeri relations. The predominantly Shia Muslim country shares a southern border with Iran, and ties with Iran have been strained in recent months.

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Armenians in Jerusalem demand Turkish recognition of Armenian Genocide [IBA, Israel]

Ethnic Armenians, along with other supporters, marched on the Turkish Consulate in Jerusalem to mark the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Protestors carried signs and shouted slogans demanding that the Turkish government recognize the genocide, which began on April 24, 1915. More than 1.5 million Armenians were killed; survivors say most were massacred by the Ottoman Turks, while others died of starvation after being forced from their homes. Turkey has neither apologized nor recognized the genocide, claiming instead that the Armenians were victims of war.

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Bahrainis rally in Diraz as regime forces demolish another mosque [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
The people of Bahrain continued their marches demanding reforms and regime change. The village of al-Diraz witnessed a demonstration themed "Cry of the Revolutionaries" demanding the departure of the Saudi occupier, the downfall of the regime, and the release of the movement's figureheads. And with a timid statement, Washington expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Bahrain.

Reporter, Male #1
Peaceful popular marches continue; the people are insisting on attaining their demands despite the regime's systematic repression. This is a scene that Bahrain has become accustomed to 14 months after its people began their revolution. Massive crowds participated in a centralized peaceful march called for by al-Diraz Youth Movement under the slogan "Cry of the Revolutionaries II." The march was held amid heightened security measures in al-Diraz, and was led by religious scholars, human rights advocates, and families of the martyrs, including the father of martyr Ali Mushaima, who ignited the revolution.

Reporter, Male #1
With these chants, the Bahraini people demanded the downfall of the al-Khalifa regime, whose hands are stained with the blood of dozens of Bahrainis despite being peaceful and having legitimate demands. Meanwhile, a large number of armored trucks belonging to the Saudi occupation and the regime's forces massed at the village's entrance to provoke the protestors who peacefully continued their march.

Reporter, Male #1
The protestors demanded the release of the prisoners of conscience, most notably human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike for over two months. In this context, al-Khawaja's wife expressed concern over her husband's health, confirming he has not called her since Tuesday. She believes something happened to him. For its part, Amnesty International demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Zainab, al-Khawaja's daughter, after she was arrested last week for participating in protests demanding the release of her father. Her preventive detention was extended for seven days. The Bahraini regime's aggressions have once again expanded from peaceful protestors, and reached houses of worship as one mosque was demolished.

Guest, Male #2 (Hisham al-Sabbagh, Islamic Action Society Leader)
Just now, news is emerging that the demolition of Imam Hassan al-Askari Mosque in the city of Hamad, also known as the House of Flowers. And again, this is a response to the American authorities, and a response to the United Nations.

Reporter, Male #1
On the other hand, independent representative Ali Shantut requested the Interior Ministry quickly disclose those involved in the killing of martyr Salah Habib, and bring them to justice immediately, regardless of their positions. He expressed fear of attempts to cover up for the criminals. The representative pointed to a parliamentary statement that confirmed Salah Habib's martyrdom was caused by a shuzen shotgun, adding the incident took place as everyone in and outside Bahrain is observing the regime forces' excessive use of force against peaceful protestors. He affirmed his complete rejection to using internationally-banned shuzen ammunition. Through a timid statement by US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, Washington expressed its deep concern over the rising violence in Bahrain. The statement equated the victim and the executioner when it called for an end to the violence against the protestors and the police on equal grounds.

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Palestinian leftist scholar jailed in Syria for dissent [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
Palestinian leftist intellectual Salameh Kaileh has been imprisoned once again for dissenting. For the first time, New TV will air parts of an exclusive interview we conducted with him in Beirut in this special report by my colleague Ghadi Francis.

Guest, Male #2
Who are you with?

Guest, Female #1
Dunia TV.

Guest, Male #2
Leave me alone; I'll talk to you when you become humans.

Guest, Female #1
We're independent media.

Guest, Male #2
Independent? You're not independent, you're not independent.

Reporter, Female #2
This was a scene at the conference organized by opposition and independent figures at Samiramis Hotel in the heart of Damascus on June 27, 2011. The man had nothing to fear or lose. Salameh Kaileh is a Palestinian-Jordanian-Iraqi-Syrian, a steadfast leftist who is protective of the resistance. He has been living in Syria for 30 years, and was imprisoned from 1992 to 2000; he got married while in prison. He wrote a series of articles for al-Akhbar Newspaper that included a rebuke to its editor-in-chief, Ibrahim al-Amin. Al-Amin wrote yesterday an article titled, "Free Salameh Kaileh!" that was featured on the front page of the newspaper after Syrian security decided on the morning of April 24 to imprison Kaileh again.

Reporter, Female #3
So you're saying these things while you're in Syria.

Guest, Male #2 (Salameh Kaileh, Leftist Scholar Imprisoned in Syria)
Let's focus on our subject. You want me to talk about Syria? This is how you're welcoming me?

Reporter, Female #2
In an exclusive interview we held in Beirut in late 2011, Kaileh's opposition was made clear. He opposes both the regime and the opposition, and is betting on the street.

Guest, Male #2
It should be made clear that change must not aim to establish a religious state or bring the Muslim Brotherhood to power. This point is clear. Another point is the issue of foreign intervention. We've had experiences in this arena, especially in Iraq. And it should be clear that we also want to liberate the Golan Heights, and that the regime is stalling on the issue.

Reporter, Female #2
Who has the power to influence the street?

Guest, Male #2
The street itself. Political parties don't have any real influence on the street, and not even the Coordination Committees, which have become part of the National Council; their role is mostly played in the media. They don't play an effective role in the struggle on the ground. I am neither with the Coordination Committees nor with the National Council. I have serious objections to both.

Guest, Male #3 (Dr. Samah Idris, Dar al-Adab Magazine)
Salameh Kaileh is a Palestinian intellectual. He was born in Birzeit; he studied political science in Baghdad. He then went to Jordan, since he has Jordanian citizenship. He has lived in Syria and in Lebanon. He worked with the Palestinian resistance, and worked with the Arab left. He is obsessed with Palestine, and obsessed with liberating Palestine. He doesn't believe in compromise; he doesn't believe in that ridiculous idea of a two-state solution. Even if a person is clearly hostile to the US and Israel, Arab regimes, and specifically the Syrian regime, are indifferent. These regimes are only concerned with surviving.

Reporter, Female #1
Under the leadership of Idris, as a salute to their comrade in the struggle, Dar al-Adab Magazine is convening a solidarity gathering with the Union of Lebanese Democratic Youth in Tawfiq Tabbara Center Thursday afternoon. Those who smuggle, destroy, and infiltrate remain free. As for those who oppose the authorities, even if they are stronger advocates of socialism, liberty, and Arab unity than the Baath Party itself, and work on new reforms, well, their fate is prison. Ghadi Francis, New TV.