Syrian regime denounces interference of "colonial" powers
Dubai TV, UAE

Presenter, Male #1
The Syrian official news agency SANA has quoted a foreign ministry source saying that Damascus strongly condemns statements issued by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, and that such comments bring back the sentiment of the old colonial era and its high commissioners. The source added that Syria objects to any foreign intervention, and that its reform comes in the framework of meeting the people's objectives apart from any foreign assessments. Meanwhile, the residents of Jisr al-Shughour continued to flee the violence into Turkish territories. The Turkish Anatolia news agency said that nearly 1,500 people, including children, women, and seniors, have crossed into Turkey in the past 24 hours. More than 448 refugees fled yesterday from the town of Jisr al-Shughour into Turkey. Yesterday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement to reassure the refugees in their quest for security, saying that his country's borders will remain open at this stage. Erdogan sent a message to the Syrian authorities, urging President Bashar al-Assad to implement reform as soon as possible in a more convincing way, so its impact can be perceived by the citizens.

Guest, Male #3 (Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister)
At this point, it is out of question for us to close our doors to Syrian refugees. The developments in Syria are really sad and we are following them with concern because the intelligence we're receiving is very conflicting. We wish Syria to be more tolerant to civilians. The regime has to implement reform as soon as possible in a more convincing way so its impact can be perceived by the citizens.

Presenter, Male #1, back on screen
On the ground, Syrian military units continue to be deployed along the road leading to Jisr al-Shughour in preparation of launching an imminent military operation. The offensive comes in response to the deaths of 120 troops by what Damascus is referring to as "armed groups." In anticipation of an imminent attack on their town, the residents of Jisr al-Shughour continue to flee to neighboring towns as well towns across the Turkish side of the border.

Reporter, Male #3
Here is the town of Jisr al-Shughour, abandoned by its residents due to fear of losing their lives. A few people with hand-held cameras are wandering the quiet streets, where shops and markets are closed, looking for someone to tell the story of a town abandoned by its residents.

Guest, Male #4
All the people of Jisr al-Shughour have fled the town due to fear that the army will move in.

Reporter, Male #3
On the road leading to Jisr al-Shughour, the Syrian army is mobilizing additional military convoys. The goal is to expel the armed groups that killed more than 120 troops, as cited by the Syrian official agency. The Syrian Interior Ministry warned that the army will act swiftly and firmly against what it referred to as "the outlaws." It seems that the Syrian armed forces are planning to open a new battlefront. Meanwhile, the Syrian public continues to mobilize across the country. In anticipation of an imminent attack on their town, hundreds of Syrian families have fled the town of Jisr al-Shughour, which is home to tens of thousands of residents. While some displaced residents fled to neighboring towns, others crossed the border into Turkey in search of a safe haven. Some crossed olive groves and traveled on gravel roads into Turkey, ending here in this refugee camp that was set up by the Turkish Red Crescent. Conflicting reports continue to emerge out of Jisr al-Shughour. While some say that an armed group has ambushed security forces and that the residents issued a plea to the army asking it to intervene and protect them, the fleeing residents say otherwise.

Guest, Female #1
They are robbing the people. They are slaughtering the people. They are taking the women out of their homes. They are killing them, they are killing them.

Reporter, Male #3
It's a national security operation aimed at restoring order in Jisr al-Shughour and expelling the armed bandits. This is the objective of the military operation, as cited by Damascus. Meanwhile, new waves of refugees continue to flee in anticipation that the worst is yet to come. Amid this, Jisr al-Shoghour in the upper Asi River region will likely be turned into a new military zone that may further fuel the crisis.

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IAEA to vote on Syria nuclear program
IBA, Israel

The International Atomic Energy Agency also has its eye on Syria. IAEA members will vote today on a US-led effort to bring Damascus before the UN Security Council, for failing to provide information on a covert nuclear program. UN?s nuclear watchdog has been frustrated in repeated attempts for the past three years to follow up on evidence that Syria had nearly a nuclear reactor, capable of producing plutonium used in the manufacture of atomic bombs. The site was destroyed in a bombing raid carried out in September 2007. It was widely reported to have been carried out by Israel. The facility was allegedly built with the help of North Korea.

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PA convinced US will veto request for statehood
IBA, Israel

The Palestinian Authority has now conceded that the US will veto its request to recognize statehood at the UN Security Council in September. This according to Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat who said his recent visit to Washington convinced him that the Obama Administration is committed to negotiations as the only solution. Erekat insisted that the Palestinians will only agree to peace talks if Israel agrees to a two-state solution based on pre-1967 lines and stops all settlement construction, including in eastern Jerusalem.

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Yemen's rivals react to Saleh's possible return
BBC Arabic, UK

Presenter, Male #1
The Yemeni government said that 12 armed al-Qaeda fighters were killed during clashes in Zinjibar city in the southern Abyan province. Sources told the BBC that dozens of Yemenis were killed and wounded while supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh celebrated him leaving the intensive care unit after undergoing surgery in Saudi Arabia.

Reporter, Male #1
The celebrations of the Yemeni opposition continue. They believe their goal has been achieved. President Ali Abdullah Saleh is receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia. Opposition figures say they do not care about President Saleh's health, and that what is most important is that he does not return to Yemen.

Guest, Male #1
The news of whether he is well or not doesn't matter to us. The important thing is that he has left and that we are making plans for the future.

Reporter, Male #1
But there are many people who do care about Saleh's health. The Yemeni state media believes that him leaving the intensive care unit at a hospital in Saudi Arabia is evidence of his recovery. His supporters see this as a reason for rejoicing. Everyone celebrated in their own way, especially after the government announced to make preparations for Saleh's return. The result of these celebrations was that ten cars were destroyed and scores of people were killed or wounded, including some who are against Saleh. Meanwhile, the Yemeni government said that al-Qaeda fighters were killed in clashes in Zinjibar city of Abyan province in southern Yemen. Local sources said that the clashes also killed a number of soldiers. The government had previously announced that armed groups took control of Zinjibar, but those opposed to Saleh doubted the veracity of this announcement at the time. They said that the regime was trying to showcase the security risks in Saleh's absence.

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Libya Contact Group pledges additional support for the rebels
Al-Alam, Iran

Presenter, Female # 1
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi hosted the Libya Contact Group's third meeting. Delegations from 40 countries along with international and regional organizations attended the meeting in an attempt to activate a financial mechanism to support the Libyan opposition. UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed said in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart that participating countries renewed their recognition of the opposition's transitional council in Benghazi. They called on Colonel al-Gaddafi to resign and expressed support for NATO's military operations in Libya. In the capital Tripoli, NATO warplanes operated night raids with no reports of death or injury. Meanwhile, Libyan opposition sources in al-Jabal al-Gharbi said they regained control of the strategic Jabal Safita area after waging battles against al-Gaddafi's forces.

Reporter, Male # 1
Residents of the Libyan capital Tripoli woke up to NATO air raids. The raids targeted a number of Muammar al-Gadhafi's sites in Bab al-Aziziya and a suburb of Tajura. However, the most intensive raid targeted a site near the hotel hosting international reporters in Tripoli. There were no reports of killings or injuries as a result of these raids, which come as part of the most violent campaign witnessed since the start of operations against Gaddafi. The Libyan capital was subjected to intensive shelling by NATO warplanes that has led to the deaths of dozens and injury of many in the last two days. As for the situation concerning the ongoing battles in Jabal al-Gharbi, the rebels confirmed their control of the strategic hills of Jabal Safita. Here, a fighter rests. These opposition combatants are just coming out of fierce battles against Gaddafi's forces in the town of al-Qalaa.

Guest, Male # 2
There were violent confrontations. Gaddafi's forces were stationed in this area and after hours-long battles, from six in the morning until six or seven at night, we managed to retake control of the town.

Reporter, Male # 1
In al-Qalaa, traces of the shelling are apparent everywhere and witnesses to the violence of the battles are scattered around the area. As for the opposition's fighters, they were redeployed across the city, in fear of the return of Gaddafi's forces. Meanwhile, residents of the town continue to flee in fear of renewed shelling.

Guest, Female # 2
May God protect Libya and its men. I pray to God that we will see him come watch how everything is destroyed and how people have been displaced. May God bless the revolutionaries and may God grant them victory.

Reporter, Male # 1
After a stalemate that lasted weeks, battles between Gaddafi and opposition forces were reignited. The third meeting of the Libya Contact Group was then held in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi to put a mechanism in place to deliver aid to the Libyan opposition.

Presenter, Female # 1
According to the New York Times newspaper, the United States, Britain, and France failed to convince Germany, Holland, Poland, Spain, and Turkey to let go of their reservations about operations in Libya and to play a bigger role in military operations. This came as NATO defense ministers met in Brussels. The newspaper confirmed that pressure and tension affecting countries participating in military operations in Libya cast a shadow over the meeting. In addition, it reported that participants discussed the situation in Afghanistan with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, confirming that the withdrawal of international combat forces from Afghanistan will take place at the end of 2014, as planned. National Transitional Council leader Mahmoud Jibril said Qatar was in contact with the council prior to its decision to expel Libyan citizen Iman al-Obeidi, who was subjected to an immoral attack by security forces in Tripoli. Jibril expressed a negative view of al-Obeidi, who was forced to flee Benghazi to Qatar after she was pushed to leave Tripoli. The head of the transitional council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, had said Qatar's decision to expel the victim, Iman al-Obeidi, was the result of her violations of local regulations. International organizations condemned the Qatari action against al-Obeidi.

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20 killed in Taliban checkpoint attack in Pakistan
Al Jazeera, Qatar

Presenter, Female #1
Pakistani security sources said that eight soldiers in the Pakistani army and 12 militants were killed in Waziristan in an attack launched by 150 militants with heavy weaponry on a military checkpoint in the region.

Presenter, Male #1
Four people were killed and three were wounded in a bombing caused by explosive devices at a market in the town of Matni near the city of Peshawar, the capital of the Khaiba region in northwestern Pakistan.

Presenter, Female #1
Our correspondent in the Pakistani capital, Ahmad Zidan has more.

Reporter, Male #1
The witness absent from the Pakistani tribal region is the media, both old and new. There are no video clips or evident photos coming from this tormented region. Everyday, US forces launch air strikes on militants' locations. Dozens of militants responded by attacking a Pakistani military base. This attack occurred after over a year of relative calm. Political analysts fear that the Pakistani army will be caught in between the jaws of the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani Taliban.

Guest, Male #1 (Rana Jawad, specialist in armed Islamist movements)
It is certain that the attack indicates there are safe havens for the active extremists on the Afghan side of the border. But we were accused by the West and Americans of having these safe havens in Pakistani territories. These safe havens in Afghanistan coordinate with the Pakistani Taliban, which seeks to weaken the morale of the Pakistani forces in the tribal areas.

Reporter, Male #1
The sharpened tone in the official Pakistani statement demanding an end US air strikes did not change anything in reality. Political observers point to the irony of the fact that the statement comes as the Pakistani security sources confirmed that the US air strikes killed several militants, which would clearly justify continuing the American air strikes. Despite the demonstrators that took to the streets of Pakistani cities demanding an end to the air strikes, the strikes intensified. Experts believe that the intensified air raids may be linked to the implications of Bin Laden's death, as well as the plans for when the US troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan. Here, near Peshawar is the Matni region, which is loyal to the government against the Taliban and usually subject to routine attacks. The latest attack targeted the director of municipality, who is hostile to the Taliban. The target survived, but the bombing led to deaths and injuries. What concerns Islamabad is that it may become a victim of retaliation by the Pakistani Taliban due to the intensified US attacks on the Pakistani tribal regions. Pakistan's concerns will increase after US troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan. Pakistan will become a target for the Pakistani Taliban's revenge and the Pakistani Taliban will be devoted to the situation inside Pakistan. Ahmad Zidan, al-Jazeera, Islamabad.

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Rights body to take Bahrain, UK to ICC
Press TV, Iran

The International Coalition against Impunity is prepared to file a new case against the Saudi-backed Bahraini regime as well as Britain. The case against Manama is for its deadly crackdown on opposition protests. London stands accused of training the Bahraini forces to suppress the protests. The chief representative of the International Coalition against Impunity is to officially take a new complaint to the International Criminal Court against the Bahraini regime.

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Five Saudi women arrested for driving
Press TV, Iran

Saudi police have arrested five women for practicing driving in an empty car lot in the capital city of Riyadh, calling in their male guardians. The arrests took place north of the city on Thursday for the females' violation of an unwritten law, which is practiced across the kingdom against women's driving. Saudi women are also deprived of a choice in marriage, divorce, and child custody. The females are dictated to and guarded by male relatives and cannot travel without the consent of a male guardian. They are also barred from the municipal elections, which form the kingdom's only public electoral event.

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Al-Jazeera reporters resigning over network bias
Syria TV, Syria

Presenter, Female #1
Lebanese reporter Lina Zahar ad-Din worked at al-Jazeera for eight years before she concluded that al-Jazeera's external image does not match its reality, confirming that "not everything that glitters is gold."

Reporter, Female #2
It appears the halo over the famous TV channel may not last very long after insider secrets became public and professional and ethical violations of the model "the view and the other view" were exposed. In her book, Al-Jazeera is not the end of the journey, journalist Lina Zahar ad-Din describes her personal and professional experience during her time at the TV channel, where she worked since 2002. Lina began her career at al-Jazeera with big dreams and ambitions that faded as time passed. Her dreams collided with the fact that al-Jazeera's external image does not match its reality and that "not everything that glitters is gold." During her book release, Zahar ad-Din did not hesitate to criticize al-Jazeera's conduct. She asks: is it reasonable for a network the size of al-Jazeera not to confirm the identities of eyewitnesses or to verify the accuracy of images it broadcasts? She confirms this practice was forbidden when she was working at the Qatari satellite TV channel, where each image whose authenticity could not be verified was banned from appearing on the screen. There have been mass resignations from al-Jazeera. The resigned employees gave up fame, money, and prestige for their personal convictions. They refused to be false witnesses to those who want to preach the period of media deception and falsification of facts. The mirage of slogans that dazzle the eyes and the catastrophic impact of the media were confirmed by journalist Ghassan Ben Jiddo. He said, "Media imposes the truth. It is a dangerous weapon that can do as it pleases, or it can be precise and broadcast reality as it is. If the media wants to, it can show the truth and if it wants to, it can falsify the truth and facts."

Presenter, Female #1
Following the statement she issued to Syrian TV over the phone, Syria's ambassador to France, Lamia Shakkour, issued a statement broadcast by BFM TV. She confirmed that France 24's report falls within the series of falsehoods the channel has recently resorted to in its attack on Syria.

Guest, Female #3 (Lamia Shakkour, Syrian ambassador to France)
It turns out that France 24, which I also accuse of impersonating the ambassador of Syria, sent messages on my behalf. So after this accusation, which is quite normal, I will file a complaint to condemn France 24's acts of disinformation that are, in any case, part of a campaign of falsification of information and misinformation that started in March 2011 against Syria.