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Palestinians give cautious welcome to unity accord, students bring protest movement to Syria's Aleppo, Bahrain to try 47 medics who treated injured demonstrators, and more.
Democracy Now! | Feb 21
Democracy Now! correspondent Sharif Abdel Kouddous describes his recent trip to Bahrain, where the Sunni monarchy continues its crackdown on a two-...
Misurata shelled again as ICC seeks Libyan arrests
Al Jazeera TV, Qatar
Presenter, Female # 1
At least five people were killed in Gaddafi forces' shelling of the port of the besieged city of Misurata. A spokesman for the revolutionaries estimated an increase in the number of Libyan and foreign victims. The revolutionaries in Misurata were able to repel fresh attacks by Gaddafi's security forces.
Presenter, Male # 1
The Libyan colonel's forces are gearing up for attacks on the Wazen border crossing with Tunisia.
Presenter, Female # 1
The High Commissioner for Refugees said the number of Libyans who were displaced from Jabal al-Gharbi in the past few days has exceeded 80,000.
Presenter, Male # 1
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo threatened that NATO forces could be used to capture Muammar al-Gaddafi.
Reporter, Female # 2
Misurata insists on the option of a free Libya. It does not rest; its revolutionaries are resisting the siege and gunfire from Gaddafi forces. In the eastern area of Tamina, battles raged to prevent the advance of the Tripoli regime's soldiers. On the southern front, in the region of al-Ghiran, the revolutionaries repelled the security forces' attack after a fierce battle. They managed to force the retreat of some of the battalion but the end of one battle in Misurata only signifies the beginning of another. Information flows while images of the events in Jabal al-Gharbi remain scarce. The colonel's followers appropriate the land and those on it in order to recapture areas that proclaimed their rejection of Gaddafi's rule and family. Talks emerged on extensive security measures in anticipation of an attack on the Wazen border crossing with Tunisia, as dozens of armored vehicles and Grad missiles are being deployed to the area. Gaddafi's forces continue the attempt to storm the city of Nalut from the southern side. The battles have pushed thousands of Libyans to flee the uneven flames of war. According to the High Commission for Refugees, 80,000 people have recently fled Jabal al-Gharbi to southern Tunisia. Those displaced, most of whom are Amazigh, arrived in Zhiba, which was targeted by the security battalions' missiles. After crossing the border, the days of living in tents begins as the commander wants more days in power. He shells and displaces his people but wants a ceasefire.
Guest, Male # 2 (Abdul Ilah al-Khatib, UN's Special Envoy for Libya)
For the Libyan authorities, a ceasefire must be accompanied by an end to the attacks by NATO, in order to pave the road for national dialogue. The Transitional National Council, on the other hand, indicated that a ceasefire will not be sufficient to end the conflict in Libya if it is not directly linked to the departure of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi and his family.
Reporter, Female # 2
The Libyan colonel is facing the revolutionaries' rejection of his offer and attempts to drag him to the International Criminal Court. It wasn't a hard task for the head of the court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, to find conclusive evidence of the crimes committed against the Libyan people since they raised the Libyan flag of independence. Ocampo hinted at resorting to NATO action to implement the court's decision to arrest Gaddafi unless he surrenders, along with other wanted figures. These attempts coincide in order for British destroyer Liverpool to be able to legally shell targets of the colonel's leadership. The days of war and the list of victims are prolonged, but so is the revolutionaries' will to create a new Libya.
Students bring protest movement to Syria's Aleppo
Dubai TV, UAE
Presenter, Female #1
Syrians continue to stage pro-freedom protests across many Syrian cities despite the massive crackdown by the authorities on what they referred to as "criminal gangs." The wave of protests has spread to Syria?s second largest city of Aleppo. In response, security forces deployed tanks and armored vehicles in the cities of Ruston and Talibisa in Homs Province, amid fears by rights groups that a siege similar to the one imposed on Daraa may be implemented. Ahmad Qassem has the details.
Reporter, Male #1
The security option seems to be only option used by the government to deal with protests, which continue to spread across Syria. The latest city to join the protests was the city of Aleppo in the country's far-east region. Pro-freedom protests broke out in Aleppo today. Students from the University of Aleppo took to the streets calling on the authorities to lift siege on Daraa. They chanted the same slogans as in Daraa. Human rights activists said that many Daraa protestors have been arrested, adding that anyone under the age of 40 is either in jail or subject to arrest. The army and security forces have tightened the siege on the city. The international Red Cross described humanitarian situation in Daraa as very grave. Children in nearby villages took to the streets in solidarity with Daraa. They called for lifting the siege imposed on the city. The residents of Homs protested the sieges imposed on the cities of Daraa, Talibisa, and Ruston. Meanwhile, a video taken from a phone showed between 40 and 50 tanks heading to Talibsa and Ruston from the village of Firnala, on the main road from Hama to Homs. The residents of Ruston and Talbisa fear they will face the same fate as the people of Daraa, which is under siege and a security crackdown. Meanwhile, a group of army officers joined the protestors in the city of Ruston, as confirmed by human rights activists. Nearly 3,000 protestors took to the streets of the besieged coastal city of Baniyas, calling on authorities to lift the siege imposed on their city and on Daraa. In Baniyas, a group of activists expressed concern over a looming attack by Syrian security forces, adding that members of the Shabiha gangs are arming themselves. In Qamishli, thousands took to the streets in a candlelit solidarity march, saying Syrians are one nation.
Guest, Male #2
We came out in a show of solidarity with Daraa, Duma, Baniyas, and Homs.
Reporter, Male #1
In addition, protests broke out last night in the capital, Damascus. Protestors also staged rallies in the areas of Barza and Midan. Protestors took to the streets of Idlib Province, where tanks are being deployed on its outskirts, as confirmed by human rights groups. Some activists believe that a new round of popular mobilization is about to begin, as calls for sit-ins across Syrian cities continued to increase. More than 1,000 people, including women, children, and seniors, have been arrested over the past three days, raising the total number of detainees to 2,800. According to the Syrian branch of Human Rights Watch, the detainees are being charged with "degrading the prestige of the state," a charge that carries a three-year prison sentence.
Bahrain to try 47 medics who treated injured demonstrators
Al-Alam TV, Iran
Presenter, Male # 1
Bahraini and Saudi occupations forces conducted a series of house raids and pursuits in the areas of Karzakan and Sanabis. In Bilad al-Qadim, the forces arrested Baqer el-Shaabani, the brother of detained Sadeq el-Shaabani, after beating him in his home.
Reporter, Male # 2
As part of its crackdown and ongoing violations against Bahraini civilians, the regime announced it will try 23 doctors and 24 nurses in a military court. The court is accusing them of providing medical care to protestors, being involved in the attempts to topple the ruling family, participating in illegal gatherings, and damaging public opinion by spreading false news. The decision against doctors and nurses came hours after the arrest of two ministers who had resigned from al-Wefaq Society. Matar Matar and Jawad Fairuz were taken from their homes in Manama's suburbs. This also comes days after the military court issued death sentences to four young men. The authorities say they ran over police officers. However, a video refutes this claim proving the Bahraini authorities' narrative false. The crackdown did not spare the written press. A close source to al-Wasat newspaper announced an end to the paper's publication due to the authorities' harassment of freedom of the press in Bahrain. The Bahraini king believes that free press still plays a role in the political process in Bahrain. Within the "Oh Muslims" week, the February 14 youth revolution coalition called for reviving their actions on the Day of the Prisoner, May 5, by visiting the prisoners' families and looking into their situations. The popular Bahraini coalition called for reviving the "Sacred Defense" week throughout the country on May 6. In regards to the events in Bahrain, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton warned Manama's authorities of the consequences of the death sentences issued to the four Bahraini youths. She said the sentences could heighten the tension in the country and expressed her concern over the fate of the four detainees. The European minister told Bahraini authorities to start enabling national reconciliation and real reform, without delay and without preconditions. For its part, Reporters Without Borders held Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa responsible for all violent and arbitrary acts against citizens. The organization added the king to its blacklist of "predators" against the freedom of press. In addition, it expressed astonishment and amazement at the measures taken against the press in Bahrain. The country's systematic repressive practices target not only the living, but also the dead. A video from the village of Nuwaidrat revealed Bahraini security forces, backed by Saudi occupation forces, exhuming graves of prominent Bahraini figures and as well as others.
Yemeni political rift deepens with Saleh's refusal to sign GCC deal
Press TV, Iran
In Yemen, anti-regime protestors have staged a rally dubbed "Silent Protest" to demand an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 32 year-rule. Protestors in the city of Ibb have said that Saleh has no choice but to leave after the government's deadly crackdown on protestors. They are also demanding his prosecution for the killing of some 150 protestors over the past three months. In the meantime, another anti-government protestor has died of wounds sustained during the government's brutal crackdown. The chief of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council is in Yemen to persuade Saleh to agree to a unity agreement. The political rift deepens after Saleh's refusal to sign a GCC deal that gives him a safe exit in exchange for his resignation within 30 days.
Morocco's February 20 Movement to continue protests
France 24, France
Presenter, Female # 1
Despite Moroccan King Mohammed VI's vows for reform, the mobilization continues and the size of demonstrations grows everyday. Omar el-Hayane is a blogger and cyber activist from Rabat. He has participated in the movement's protests since they began on February 20th. He will explain why the number of Moroccan demonstrators keeps increasing. We'll listen to his account from the Moroccan capital.
Guest, Male # 1
The first protest on February 20th was large but many people were not aware of the February 20 Movement's goals and were afraid of the security forces. During the second demonstration, more people were introduced to the movement?s demands and found them to be reasonable and legitimate. A large number of people attended last Sunday's demonstrations despite the rain, the government's announced reforms, and the release of some political prisoners. Many people, young and old, men and women across all social classes, laborers, administrators, the unemployed, housewives, everyone participated in these demonstrations. The barrier of fear has mostly been lifted. The first barrier fell after the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions and the second fell after the first demonstration in February. These marches have been peaceful and families and children are attending, despite some minor issues and acts of vandalism by infiltrators.
Presenter, Male # 2
The Moroccan king has announced a series of reforms on March 9th, so why are the demonstrations continuing?
Presenter, Female # 1
The protests are raising the slogan: "the people want to topple corruption and despotism," and according to Omar they will exert pressure on the authorities until their demands are met.
Iraqis mark "Friday of Resistance"
Al Rafedin, Iraq
Presenter, Male #1
Hundreds of citizens poured into Tahrir, or Liberation Square in central Baghdad to participate in the "Friday of Resistance." The protestors chanted slogans demanding the end of the occupation and Maliki's incompetent and illegitimate government, in addition to the eradication of corruption and the release of detainees. The citizens insisted on protesting in Tahrir Square despite the government's decision to assign specific areas for protests instead of Baghdad's two major squares, Tahrir and Fardaos.
Presenter, Male #1
In Mosul, government forces besieged hundreds of protestors at Bab Jadid Square to prevent them from reaching Ahrar Square, or Square of the Free. In turn, the protestors reiterated their right to go to Ahrar Square despite the government's repressive methods aimed at dispersing protestors before they arrived there. On the "Friday of Resistance," Mosul citizens continued their rally at Ahrar Square for the 20th consecutive day. Protestors continued calling on the city's residents and religious elders to take to the streets in large numbers and join them at Ahrar Square. Sources involved in the investigation of protests revealed that six martyrs were shot in the head and 50 others were wounded.
Netanyahu tells UK PM that a PA with Hamas cannot be a peace partner
IBA TV, Israel
Israeli officials blasted the Palestinian unity agreement as completely incompatible with a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Britain today for talks with Prime Minister David Cameron to convince him and other world leaders not to support the PA-Hamas partnership.
Palestinians give cautious welcome to unity accord
BBC- Arabic
Presenter, Male #1
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said that the Palestinian Authority, the PA, will stand by the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, if they have to choose between peace with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas. The PA President made his remarks during the signing ceremony for the national reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. A few days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave President Abbas a choice between seeking rapprochement with Hamas or achieving peace with Israel.
Presenter, Male #1
The BBC documented the reaction of some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip over the future of their nation following the signing of the reconciliation deal, which they hope will help remove the negative impact caused by the feud between Fatah and Hamas.
Guest, Male #2
Everyone has rights. The joint committee must satisfy both sides' demands. They must help them reconcile and come together. We are one nation.
Guest, Male #3
Anyone who knowingly caused harm to another person must come to that person and reconcile with him. He must offer to compensate him. The government must do the same because they are primarily responsible. The PLO must play a major part in the reconciliation process.
Guest, Male #4
They must pay retribution to the victims' relatives. They must resolve this issue of retribution. God willing, there will be a solution. The Palestinians are a conscious and understanding people. The victims' families understand that the strife was fueled by Israel. God willing, we have learned a lesson from all of this, and God willing, they will come to an agreement.
Guest, Male #5
The Palestinian people are known for their generosity and tolerance. God willing, nothing will go wrong that may undermine the reconciliation deal.
Guest, Male #6
If they are sincere and have a pure heart, before God, all praise to him, they will try to overcome their differences. God wiling, they will open a new chapter. May God compensate those who lost a loved one!
Guest, Male #7
What happened is already in the past. Let's open a new chapter.
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