Massive demonstrations in Syria's Aleppo University ahead of UN visit [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Syrian opposition sources have confirmed that the city of al-Rastan in the central province of Homs witnessed a heavy pre-dawn shelling by the Syrian armed forces. Activists in the city told a French news agency that al-Rastan is witnessing an unprecedented shelling, aimed at breaking the morale of residents and members of the Free Syrian Army. However, the activists ruled out the possibility of regime forces storming the city at this time. They also invited UN observers to visit the city. Also at dawn, the al-Khalidiya neighborhood witnessed heavy artillery shelling by Syrian tanks. In addition, a powerful blast rocked the city of Dael in Huran Province. Furthermore, a series of explosions rocked the coastal city of Latakia. The Syrian Revolution General Commission said that army and security forces killed 28 civilians across various parts of the country, notably in Homs.

Presenter, Female #1
The University of Aleppo has witnessed a massive demonstration demanding the downfall of the Syrian regime. Activists uploaded footage showing thousands of students demonstrating on the university's campus with the arrival of UN observers. The demonstrators also destroyed a large picture of the late president Hafez al-Assad. In addition, the colleges of medicine, mechanical engineering, and information witnessed sit-in rallies and demonstrations. The Syrian authorities closed the university for several weeks, as security forces stormed student dormitories. Four students were killed in the raid. The activists called for demonstrations tomorrow under the slogan, "The heroes of Aleppo University."

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Renewed clashes erupt in Lebanon's Tripoli as Hezbollah is blamed [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
In Lebanon, sporadic clashes and sniper operations in the districts of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen reflect the fragile ceasefire reached Monday morning, amid fears that the conflict may turn into an open battlefront linked to the situation in Syria. Meanwhile, Malik al-Shaar, the Grand Mufti of Tripoli and the North, said that Hezbollah has something to do with what's happening in the city.

Reporter, Female #2
Traffic has come to a complete stop across Tripoli's neighborhoods and the districts of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen. The renewed clashes indicate that the ceasefire announced Monday morning was nothing more than a temporary truce, warning that a battlefront could emerge at any time amid the political impasse seen in the city.

Guest, Male #1 (Malik al-Shaar, Mufti of Tripoli and the North)
What's happening in Tripoli is the outcome of several issues, most notably the political impasse seen in the country. And because Tripoli is a diverse city that's run by a weak administration, it's more vulnerable than other areas to such a breach. What's happening in Tripoli is not separate from what's happening in Syria.

Reporter, Female #2
However, what's notable about the remarks given by the Mufti of Tripoli and North Lebanon is that he accused Hezbollah, for the first time, of being connected to the recent incidents in Tripoli.

Guest, Male #1 (Malik al-Shaar, Mufti of Tripoli and the North)
I have a feeling that most of what's happening in the North has something to do with Hezbollah. I found out that large shipments of ammunition and arms, as well as stockpiles of weapons, are being stored in the North.

Reporter, Female #2
It seems that activist groups in the city of Tripoli were not surprised by this major violation of the truce that was achieved on Monday morning. However, one of the main questions being raised here in Tripoli is: Why did security forces fail to bring the situation under control? The Lebanese army, which has been deployed to the city of Tripoli, didn't enter the residential neighborhoods witnessing clashes. Instead, the army positioned and deployed military patrols throughout the main neighborhoods.

Guest, Male #2 (Marwan Charbel, Lebanese Interior Minister)
We didn't deal with them in a harsh way, though it was necessary. Slowly but surely, we will have positive results. The situation gets better by the day. Anyone who opens fire will be identified and will be served an arrest warrant. The overall situation in the country is reflected in the situation in Tripoli. We hope to bring the situation back to normal within a maximum of one week.

Reporter, Female #2
While waiting for the one week deadline, the situation on the ground seems to oscillate between the truce efforts and the possible collapse of the ceasefire.

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Israel and Iran beat the drums of war ahead of nuclear talks in Baghdad [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Israeli air force commander Ido Nehushtan said his forces are entirely ready to carry out any military operation it may be assigned to, including striking Iran's nuclear sites.

Presenter, Female #1
On the other hand, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, warned the superpowers of making any miscalculations and issuing statements that could harm the negotiations scheduled for May 23rd in Baghdad, regarding Tehran's nuclear case.

Reporter, Male #2
The Israeli air force is ready to execute any mission it may be assigned to, including destroying Iran's nuclear facilities. The Israeli air force commander was keen to announce the readiness, coinciding with the US's announcement that it is just as militarily prepared to use force against Iran if the diplomatic efforts fail to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Reporter, Male #2
The US's threat was conveyed by Washington's ambassador to Tel Aviv, who revealed that his country has completed the preparation of its military plan to execute a possible strike on Iran. Furthermore, the US military was trained on executing the operation several times. The US-Israeli statements on the matter were issued at a critical time, only several days before resuming the P5+1 talks with Iran concerning its nuclear case. The talks were initially held in Istanbul with an agreement to follow up in Baghdad on May 23rd. At this point, many followers of the issue place these threats in the framework of Washington and Tel Aviv's attempts to prove their seriousness regarding the military option, hoping it will be a helpful factor in prompting Iran to offer concessions, and agree to the demands of the superpowers, who seem fearful of the upcoming Baghdad meeting from turning into another stop where Iran gains additional time.

Reporter, Male #2
For its part, Iran said that in the past few days, a positive atmosphere dominated its talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The talks, in Iran's opinion, are going in the right direction. At the same time, Iran attempted to show its composure against all the circulating threats, warning the major powers to make no mistake in their calculations.

Guest, Male #3 (Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security)
We are ready to cooperate, but some say that time is running out. I want to tell them that what's running out is their time of pressuring the Iranian people.

Reporter, Male #2
In between warning and counter-warning, it appears that all sides are practicing the brinkmanship. Day by day, Iran is suffering under the burden of sanctions, while the West and Israel are sending out warnings at a moment of political tension which could lead to an extremely costly war.

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White House threatens to target anyone 'obstructing' transition in Yemen [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
A US drone targeted a convoy in the historical city of Shibam in eastern Yemen's Hadramaut Province. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama signed a decree authorizing measures against those who he said are working to abort the power transfer process in Yemen.

Reporter, Female #2
These people have been raising their voices for many months here in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, demanding change, freedom, and social justice. In the cities of Taiz, Aden, and Ibb, and in most squares in Yemeni cities and provinces, the same calls were raised to achieve the revolution's goals, and not to overtake them. It seems that these voices have fallen on deaf ears for the White House and President Barack Obama, who immediately began to interfere in Yemen's internal affairs, both directly and indirectly.

Reporter, Female #2
Washington is still present in this country on the ground, and has interfered by responding to the gunfire of armed men from various groups in and outside of Yemen, which is headed for civil war. Politically, it interfered by continuing to support former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, hosting him in Washington, and brokering the Riyadh agreement, which transfers power from Saleh to his deputy, Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi. The agreement aims to outwit the revolution, and to maintain a regime that serves Washington's purposes with a mere name change. This is contrary to how the US is dealing with the events in other Arab countries, such as Syria and Bahrain.

Reporter, Female #2
In every country, the US has its special agenda. President Barack Obama is violating all diplomatic protocol and international laws, and is displaying his intervention in Yemen's affairs. He issued a decree authorizing measures against those whom he described as seeking to abort the power transfer process and to undermine the will for change expressed by the Yemenis. Obama's spokesman, Jay Carney, said the decree will allow Washington to impose sanctions against individuals and personnel who threaten the stability of Yemen. The sanctions include confiscating the individuals' property in the United States. Carney added that the president believes the Yemeni people's aspirations cannot be achieved if political progress is hindered.

Guest, Male #1 (Ahmed Abdul Rahman, Youth Revolution Activist)
America is, of course, working with Yemen in the battlefield, after Yemen turned itself into a veritable war zone by waging battles against al-Qaeda in Abyan and various areas. This decree confirms the fact that America is dealing with Yemen in this manner. The youth wants a revolution that restores Yemen's dignity and protects its sovereignty, by electing people who aim to preserve Yemen's sovereignty and independence. They do not want someone who will attempt to restore US hegemony, be it through internal parties, foreign powers, or regional powers, such as Saudi Arabia.

Reporter, Female #2
The US interference in Yemen has largely increased in recent years. As the number of al-Qaeda gunmen in the country has grown, the US has found an excuse to justify the rising pace of its air strikes. Most recently, the strikes hit Saada Province, and provoked overwhelming rage among the people.

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US to give Israel another USD 70 million for Iron Dome missile defense system [Press TV, Iran]

The Pentagon says that it plans to give Israel an extra USD 70 million for its Iron Dome missile system. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made the announcement after talks with Israel's Minister of Military Affairs Ehud Barak in Washington. Israel says the Iron Dome is meant to protect it from missile bombardment. Washington has already provided USD 205 million to help fund the project. It gives an additional USD 3 billion to Tel Aviv every year in the name of security assistance, while the US government has made major cuts in its own military budget because of financial problems. Press TV speaks with Mr. Ralph Schoenman, author of The Hidden History of Zionism, on this development.

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Bahrain's al-Wefaq opposes proposed Saudi-Bahrain union [Press TV, Iran]

Bahrain's largest opposition bloc, al-Wefaq, has lashed out at Saudi Arabia over its recent initiative to merge with Bahrain, saying that no country has the right to undermine Bahrain's sovereignty and independence. The group has warned any such attempts will drag the country into what it calls sectarian strife. Saeed al-Shahabi from the Bahrain Freedom Movement says Arab monarchies have rejected Saudi Arabia's initiative to merge with Bahrain, saying these nations do not want to be associated with a regime that imposes its domination over other people.

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Egypt's military ruler pledges fair presidential elections [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of the Military Supreme Council, vowed to secure an ideal election worthy of post-revolution Egypt. Tantawi's vows flowed in the direction of the judiciary's statements, which aimed to disperse the Egyptian people's fears of fraudulent elections, following the numerous violations cited in several presidential candidates' campaigns. From Cairo, Tawfiq Ahmed reports.

Reporter, Male #2
The presidential elections are nearing, and the politicians' voices are rising to stress the importance of guaranteeing that the elections will not be fraudulent. This talk was not taken lightly by the elections committee, which declares the integrity of the process, which is supervised by 14,000 judges, and monitored by nearly 50 civil organizations and about 900 correspondents, in addition to popular observation. But in light of the immunity enjoyed by the electoral committee, concerns still linger.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmed Aqil, Freedom and Justice Party)
What assures us regarding the integrity of the elections is the law that was passed by parliament, which guarantees that each candidate will receive the results of the elections in the sub-committees. Each committee will issue a copy of a sealed document to each candidate, so that the process looks transparent and clear to all the candidates.

Reporter, Male #2
As the advertising campaigns continue, a research center that monitors the performance of the media's election coverage issued an unprecedented report confirming the bias of satellite channels.

Guest, Male #4 (Dr. Safwat al-Alam, Head of the Media Coverage Evaluation Committee)
The channels that have interests are not committed to being neutral. And the channels that cover the elections, which they see as a big political event, are keen to have a neutral approach. Those channels will receive thanks and praise from the committee members.

Reporter, Male #2
Media outlets that stray away from neutrality have often impacted the voters' opinions one way or another, along with the efforts of persuasion being exerted by the candidates on the campaign trail. This matter makes it difficult to predict who will win the presidential office, especially since the polls show many contradictions. The election campaigns continue with vigor, amid accusations exchanged between the candidates that play on the weaknesses of each party: This one was part of the old regime, and that one was a member of an outlawed group; as for this one, he is not fit for the presidency. This is an atmosphere entirely new to Egyptian voters. However, surrounded by growing political awareness, they are more capable of choosing their candidates.

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Israeli interior minister says African migrants in Israel should be jailed [IBA, Israel]

Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai said that all African migrant workers and asylum seekers in Israel should be jailed, adding that those in the country illegally should be placed in detention or given repatriation grants. He claimed that most infiltrators are engaged in criminal activity. His comments come one day after four Sudanese and Eritrean nationals were arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in Tel Aviv. There are over 50,000 migrants and asylum seekers in Tel Aviv alone, and about 7,000 have crossed illegally through Israel's southern border since the start of 2012.

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South Sudanese minister of agriculture appeals to Israel amid growing food crisis [IBA, Israel]

Israel is forging new partnerships with South Sudan, where more than half of the population faces critical food shortages due to the ongoing conflict with its neighbors. The South Sudanese minister of agriculture is currently attending the AgriTek Conference in Tel Aviv, and appealed for compassion and sanctuary for South Sudanese refugees, and explained how Israeli technology can benefit the nation.

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Iraqis mark national day for the martyrs of the mass graves [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
Iraqis marked the national day of the mass graves martyrs, committed by the defunct Saddam regime.

Presenter, Female #1
May 16th was chosen to be the annual day dedicated to the martyrs of the mass graves, after the first and largest mass grave was discovered in the al-Mahawil region, of northern Babil Province, in 2003, after the Saddam regime collapsed. Considered the bloodiest in modern history, the barbaric massacres claimed the lives of tens of thousands of men, women, and children, after they were buried alive or killed execution-style. These scenes, which still haunt humanity today, record an echoing scream of the brutality and savagery of Saddam, the dictator, and are protesting anyone attempting to extend his policy, be it the Arab or regional regimes, or the political entities in Iraq.

Reporter, Male #2
No one disagrees that Iraq, in its modern history, went through the most difficult and bloodiest era after the Baathists seized power in 1970s. This was an era during which the people experienced the cruelest calamities, which turned the spring into a deadly autumn. Truckloads of youths, elders, and women were driven to the altar of freedom where their pure blood wrote the story of a country that was founded on the principles of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, and learned to stand in the face of those who tried to deprive them of their convictions. In his speech at the official ceremony marking the national day for the mass grave martyrs in Baghdad, the prime minister stressed on the importance of following the example of the unity manifested by the martyrs of the mass graves, and to work together to solve the current crisis.

Guest, Male #3 (Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi Prime Minister)
Today, Iraq is still fragile. It has not yet completed the construction of its infrastructure. But come, let us agree on one basic thing that we do not violate: we mustn't allow anyone to become a dictator or an abuser. Let's meet face to face and speak openly. We want you to speak out, so we can find out who's right and who's wrong.

Reporter, Male #2
According to the minister of human rights, a series of government measures were taken recently to disclose the remains of thousands of victims, through establishing a database for all the people who went missing during that era. Some families of the victims believe that these measures came too late. They believe that some of the victim's cases were given preference, at a time when no one dared to challenge the selection process.

Guest, Male #4
I'm still waiting for justice to be served. I want to ask a question: Does the ministry of human rights handle prisoners' cases only? How about those people whose families were killed and their homes destroyed? None of these families have been compensated.

Reporter, Male #2
This is a call on the relevant institutions not to keep the issue of mass graves merely for commercial purposes, or to limit it to its commemoration day, but to seriously look into compensating their families and truly honoring their pure blood. Al-Forat, al-Hareth Mohamed, Baghdad.