Egypt's Shafiq vows to crush revolution and restrain Islamists if he wins election [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Egyptian media sources revealed that in a secret dialogue last week, presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq assured American politicians that he would crush the revolutionaries and execute them if they oppose the election results, and that he would not abandon Mubarak. Newspapers also uncovered Shafiq's threats that he will deploy the army and tanks into the streets, if protests erupt against him if he wins the runoff elections.

Reporter, Male #1
In between building a new republic and returning to the oppressive past, Egypt is witnessing a political disappointment in light of the heated electoral battle between Mohamed Morsy and Ahmed Shafiq. Despite what appears to be a likely triumph of Morsy, versus a slim chance of Shafiq gaining more votes, the role of regional and international players and their plans will make it difficult to predict the election results thus far. Political observers believe it has become certain that Lieutenant General Shafiq, backed by the military institution and affiliated with the former regime, will not win the battle against Morsy in the runoff, unless foreign powers interfere in the matter.

Reporter, Male #1
This information was confirmed in a secret meeting last week between Shafiq and American officials and businessmen. Shafiq assured them that he will crush the revolutionaries if they oppose the election results. He considers Mubarak his role model and he will never abandon him.

Guest, Male #2 (Egyptian TV Anchor)
When asked about who your role model is, you said, your father is your first role model. And the second is President Mubarak, who manages to balance between fairness and leniency.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmed Shafiq, Presidential Candidate)
I still say the same thing; until the end of my days, I will still say the same.

Reporter, Male #1
Journalist Ala'a al-Aswani uncovered this information by quoting his sources, and also according to the American newspaper, The New York Times, which published the closed-door secret talks. Al-Aswani confirmed that Shafiq pledged to the US to protect its interests, repress the forces rejecting the US projects, fight the Islamic movement, and prevent it from spreading.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmed Shafiq, Egyptian Presidential Candidate)
I will put everyone in their place. I know who they meet with, and I will be watching them.

Reporter, Male #1
For his part, Major-General Mohsen el-Fangary, member of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces, called on the people to question Shafiq regarding his statements saying he will send the army and tanks into the streets to protect him, if the people oppose his victory in the elections.

Reporter, Male #1
In this context, the Jerusalem Post, quoting Raphael Israeli, a specialist in the Middle Eastern affairs in the Israeli entity, considered Shafiq to be Israel's only hope. The newspapers explained that many Egyptians consider Shafiq a modified version of Mubarak. It asserted that the decision-makers in the Israeli entity view Shafiq, pragmatically and morally, as the continuation of the deposed president's alliance with Washington, and what it referred to as a strategic partnership with Israel. Amid these dangerous developments of Shafiq's ideology and methodology, political observers believe that abandoning the square was a strategic mistake in the path of the Egyptian revolution. They also believe that the upcoming phase calls for popular and political coalitions in order to protect the revolution and its goals.

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Sudan pulls troops from Abyei amid new bombing accusations by South [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
The Sudanese rivals have returned to Addis Ababa amid a positive atmosphere. In a preemptive move, al-Khartoum expressed willingness to open a new chapter in its relationship with South Sudan. Meanwhile, al-Khartoum has completed the withdrawal of its military forces from the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei, as confirmed by the US and the African Union. However, South Sudan accused al-Khartoum of launching new air strikes on its territories, which may diminish hope of reaching an agreement between the old rivals. Al-Seghair Salam has the details.

Reporter, Male #1
Handshakes and smiles are exchanged in Addis Ababa before in the presence of African mediator, Thabo Mbeki. This is how the new round of talks between the governments of al-Khartoum and Juba appeared in the Ethiopian capital, after the two countries nearly witnessed a bitter war. The negotiators of Sudan and South Sudan sat down face-to-face for the first time since the talks failed, in a bid to find a solution to their outstanding issues, most notably the border oil-rich region of Abyei.

Guest, Male #2 (Pagan Amum, South Sudan's Chief Negotiator)
Through its public statements, the Sudanese government came to the negotiation table with pre-conditions. This raises concern for us. We are here for peace; are they here for the same reason?

Reporter, Male #1
The objective of this new round of talks is to help achieve a lasting peace between Sudan and the newly-established South Sudan. The two sides hope to create a new platform to help bring about a peaceful coexistence between them, as mandated by the seven-point roadmap drafted by the African Union.

Reporter, Male #1
They also hope that the talks will help put an end to armed hostility between the Sudanese people, who have been living in two countries for the past 10 months. In a goodwill gesture, the Sudanese government has completed the withdrawal of its military forces from the oil-rich Abyei region, as confirmed by the UN. On the other hand, Juba has once again accused the Sudanese army of shelling its territories. Will the negotiators in Addis Ababa be able to overcome the first obstacle on the path to finding a lasting peace and stability in the region?

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Prominent Bahraini activist Zainab Alkhawaja released on bail [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Bahraini authorities have released the opposition human rights activist, Zainab Alkhawaja, on bail. This comes hours after the attorney of Zainab's father, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who was sentenced to life in prison, announced that his client decided to suspend his hunger strike after he delivered his message to the world.

Reporter, Male #2
Zainab Alkhawaja was arrested in December 2011 after she joined opposition activists in a sit-in at the Abu Saiba Roundabout on al-Badia Street, near the Bahraini capital al-Manama. She was then released, only to be arrested again, and sentenced to a month in prison, on charges of unlawful assembly and assaulting the police.

Reporter, Male #2
However, Zainab, daughter of Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, the Shiite activist sentenced to life in prison, was finally released on bail, according to her lawyer. But the release is not the end of her case. Alkhawaja is still facing two trials for the charges of unlawful assembly and obstructing traffic.

Reporter, Male #2
Zainab's father, Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who refused to appear in court on Tuesday for charges of conspiracy against the regime, suspended his hunger strike on Monday. According to his wife, he had been on a hunger strike for 110 days. Alkhawaja's defense lawyer, Mohamed al-Jaish, said that his client decided to suspend his hunger strike, because he believes the strike has achieved his most important goal, which is to draw the world's attention to the issue of detainees in Bahrain.

Reporter, Male #2
More important than Alkhawaja's hunger strike, and the detention of his daughter and other dissident activists, most notably Nabeel Rajab, the small Gulf emirate of Bahrain is still facing a wide-scale campaign of protests led by the Shiite majority against al-Khalifa rule. But so far, this campaign has not brought about what the protestors demand: democracy and political reform. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC.

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Afghan rage over sharp increase in civilian casualties [Press TV, Iran]

Civilian deaths in Afghanistan were missing from talks at the recent NATO conference in Chicago. The UN envoy to Kabul, Jan Kubis, is blasting the alliance for ignoring what is thought to be the most controversial issue of the US-led war, and is calling for all warring groups in the country, such as the Taliban, to stop all civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, separate attacks killed at least two foreign soldiers in southern Afghanistan, where most foreign troops are American. The US-led NATO coalition said the deaths took place on Wednesday.

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Israel lacks courage to wage war on Iran, says Supreme Leader's aide [Press TV, Iran]

The Islamic republic of Iran says Israel knows it will not continue to exist if it ever attacks Iran, says Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to the Islamic Revolution, who adds that Israel does not have the power or the courage to attack Iran. The Iranian official was speaking to Egyptian journalists in Tehran. Velayati called Egypt the center of revolutions in the Arab world, and said Iran is prepared to establish friendly ties with the new Egyptian government.

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Iran's foreign ministry in talks with Saudi Arabia over jailed Iranians [Press TV, Iran]

Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi said he raised the issue of Iranians in Saudi jails in a formal memo to the head of the Saudi mission in Tehran. He said Iran's Foreign Minister, Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, has discussed the issue in phone conversations with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud al-Faisal, and said diplomatic actions were taken following reports of Iranian prisoners being executed in Saudi Arabia.

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Iran hit by 'Flame' computer virus as Israel keeps mum on speculated involvement [IBA, Israel]

Iranian officials today admitted that a malicious computer software virus, dubbed Flame, has attacked the country, causing substantial damage and the loss of massive amounts of data. As a result, Iran has ordered an urgent inspection of all computer systems in the country. The virus effectively turns every computer it infects into a spy machine, turning on PC microphones, taking screenshots, recording long-distance chats, gathering data files, and changing computer settings.

The Russian Kaspersky computer labs, which first found the virus, said that it hit Iran the hardest, but was also found in Israel, the West Bank, Syria, and Sudan, and say that it may have existed for almost five years before being discovered. Experts seem to agree that the program was likely engineered by a country as part of a secret cyberwarfare program, because private hackers could not reach its level of sophistication. Government leaders in Jerusalem did not try to deflect speculation about possible Israeli involvement in the cyberattack.

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Turkey authorizes arrest warrants for ex-IDF chiefs over 2010 flotilla deaths [IBA, Israel]

The Israeli Foreign Ministry held discussions on how to respond to charges filed by Turkey's Attorney-General against Israeli army officers involved in the Mavi Marmara flotilla operation in 2010. A court in Istanbul authorized the issuing of arrest warrants for former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, former navy commander Eliezer Marom, former air force intelligence chief Avishai Levy, and former military intelligence chief, Amos Yadlin, all indicted on charges of murdering nine Turks aboard the Gaza-bound ship.

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Israeli forces turn Palestinian family home into prison [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Male #1
The Abu Aisheh family from the Tel Rumeida neighborhood in the center of Hebron City is suffering. Occupation forces are barring them from reaching their home, under the pretext that they do not have advance permission from the Israeli Coordination and Liaison authorities. Their house is encircled by the Ramat Yishai settlement, which was built on the citizens' land.

Reporter, Male #2
This is how the occupation forces countered our demonstration in the neighborhood of Tel Rumeida in the center of Hebron. They detained us for several hours while we tried to reach the house of the Abu Aisheh family, claiming we did not make prior arrangements with the Israeli Liaison. The occupation prevents the entry of any citizen, save for family members of the house, which is encircled by Ramat Yishai, built on the citizens' land.

Guest Male #3 (Taisir Abu Aisheh)
I am not allowed to pass, except with coordination from the Palestinian Liaison; before them, it was with the Red Cross. If anyone needs to come over, they need to coordinate with the Palestinian Liaison, but it is not to be done on the same day; it must be laid out a day or two ahead. And then whoever is accepted is given a time to come in.

Reporter, Male #2
The Abu Aisheh family house, surrounded by five settlements, has become nothing but a camp for the occupation's army, which is turning it into a big prison. From the first glance, you would think that these children live inside a prison, but this is just a barbed-wire fence placed there by the family, in the hope that they would be protected from rocks and garbage from these settlers, who attempt to terrorize the family.

Guest, Male #4 (Mohamed Abu Aisheh)
As for the net, it catches rocks and garbage. But you have eggs, acid, and paint that pass through, ruin our clothes, and stain our walls.

Guest, Male #5
When I go out to play, the settlers throw rocks and water at me, so I cannot play outside. They are over there; the ones who sprayed water and threw rocks at me are right over there.

Reporter, Male #2
Inside their humble house, we found the family members anticipating the settlers' assaults, with cameras and a TV monitor that they set up in the house to document the attacks.

Guest, Female #1 (Reem Abu Aisheh)
We keep an eye on our children through these cameras. So when the settlers attack our children, the camera will capture it and provide the best evidence. We can take the tape and show it to the police, so they can see who is at fault.

Reporter, Male #2
This family's suffering paints a picture of what the Palestinians are enduring in their own territory, exposing the racist and discriminatory policies adopted by the occupation. The attempts to intimidate and bait the family members cannot bend their will to remain steadfast in the house of their fathers and grandfathers. Despite the occupation and its settlers' assaults on the members of the Abu Aisheh family here, the family's determination to remain a thorn in the throat of the occupation, and its plans, is stronger than the attacks.

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Mood 'deeply disturbed' by executions in Syria [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
The UN Security Council began a closed-door session to discuss two reports by the international observers' delegation in Syria. The UN-Arab League envoy to Syria assured the Security Council that conducting direct talks between the Syrian government and the opposition is currently impossible. The envoy indicated that the opposition is no longer fearful, and it is unlikely that the uprising will end without a political solution. German ambassador to the UN, Peter Wittig, who presided over the session, expressed his hope that the Houla massacre would prompt some of the member countries to open their eyes.

Presenter, Male #1
The international pressure on al-Assad's regime did not reduce the impact of the vicious military operations conducted by his brigades.

Reporter, Male #2
This is a sample of the brutal and severe killing of the Syrian people by al-Assad's brigades and gangs. The entire world has not deterred the Syrian regime, which has become increasingly more insurgent and brutal, from continuously and openly shelling Syrian cities and towns with light and heavy weaponry.

Reporter, Male #2
Several cities in Old Homs and al-Rastan City in Homs Province have been subject to artillery shelling, which led to the destruction of dozens of homes, in light of the deployment of military reinforcements to the al-Nozha neighborhood. According to activists, dozens of bodies arrived to the field hospital in al-Qusayr in Homs, as a result of the helicopter shelling of residential areas. Meanwhile, a leaked video from a member of the regime's shabeha showed the discovery of mass graves in Homs. In Damascus, fierce clashes erupted between regime forces and members of the Free Syrian Army in the Mashdal area in the suburb of Sayyida Zeinab.

Reporter, Male #2
It is reported that continuous explosions by artillery rockets were heard east of the capital, as well as in the eastern edge of the countryside of Damascus. Violent shelling was also carried out on Duma City in the countryside of Damascus, where civilian houses were targeted by al-Assad's brigades.

Reporter, Male #2
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that two defected military members were killed in violent clashes that broke out between regime forces and the Free Army in the town of Kfar Zeeta in Hama, which is enduring fierce artillery and mortar shelling.

Reporter, Male #2
Al-Assad's brigades continued their military operation, ignoring the presence of UN observers. They launched strikes with helicopters on the villages of Batbo and al-Jina, and Atarib Town in Aleppo Province. Meanwhile, clashes between the revolutionaries and regime forces intensified after the military operation escalated in Aleppo Province. Fighting was documented in al-Maghara, as well as defections in Idlib City and the village of Heesh. Activists uploaded videos online showing al-Assad's shabeha destroying houses of displaced residents.

Reporter, Male #2
It seems that the massacres committed by al-Assad's regime are being unveiled daily in front of the international observers' delegation. Head of the UN observers' team, Robert Mood, said he was deeply disturbed by the discovery of 13 dead bodies with their hands tied in Deir az-Zour. In light of these dramatic developments on the ground, massive demonstrations broke out across Syria. Idlib City saw enormous marches condemning the Houla massacre, and demanding the execution of President Assad. Assad's brigades also shelled al-Hamidiya neighborhood of Homs to prevent the residents from holding a funeral for film director Bassel Shehadeh, who was killed by the gunfire of the regime's forces.

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Iraqis rally for national unity as government faces no-confidence vote [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
Tribal sheikhs and leaders in Salah al-Din Province held a demonstration in front of the provincial council's headquarters. The demonstrators expressed support for the national coalition government, and called on all political parties to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Reporter, Male #1
Iraqis called on their politicians to return to the negotiation table, and resolve their differences while distancing themselves from sectarianism and cabinet quotas. Under the slogan of preserving Iraq's unity, tribal sheikhs and leaders in Salah al-Din held a demonstration in front of the provincial council's headquarters. The demonstrators called on the local government to support the Baghdad federal government, and preserve Iraq's unity.

Guest, Male #2 (Ahmed Abdullah, Governor of Salah al-Din)
A dialogue is the only way to resolve the issues between political rivals. All these meetings in the local provinces should have been held in Baghdad. Everyone should participate in these meetings for the sake of the nation's interests. The objective of today's rally is to convey our message.

Reporter, Male #1
They issued a final statement entailing their demands, which include a call for supporting the national coalition government and preserving the country's unity. The demonstrators also called for the repeal of Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution. In addition, they demanded that Kirkuk remain an Iraqi territory for all Iraqis.

Guest, Male #4 (Maher Abed al-Hadi, Local Mayor)
I call on all political rivals to sit down at the bargaining table for the sake of Iraqi interests. They shouldn't share power based on sectarianism, private interests, or cabinet quotas.

Guest, Male #5 (Mohamed Hassan, Mayor of Dujail)
A massive crowd of citizens from various walks of Iraqi society has taken to the streets of Salah al-Din Province, expressing support for the national coalition government. They also called for preserving the country's unity.

Reporter, Male #1
Amid the political polarization being witnessed in the country, the Iraqi people are reaching out to their political leaders, and urging them to resort to dialogue as a way to resolve their differences, as seen in this demonstration. From in front of the Salah al-Din provincial council headquarters, Kathem al-Samara'i, Al-Iraqiya.