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Mosaic | Sep 15
Syrian activists form an opposition council in Istanbul, Israel to uproot thousands of Bedouins from the West Bank to expand its settlements, fresh...
Syrian demonstrators urge country's tribes to support their uprising
Al Jazeera, Qatar
Presenter, Male #1
News agencies quoted eyewitnesses saying that Syrian forces killed two civilians and injured eight others today when they opened fire on protestors in the Busra al-Harir village in Horan Plains in southern Syria. A number of Syrian cities and towns witnessed demonstrations calling for freedom and the downfall of the regime on this Friday, named the "Friday of Tribes."
Reporter, Male #1
This is another Friday in Syria. The opposition chose to name it "Friday of Tribes."
The popular movement spread and its locations expanded, and protestors marched with greater resolve, insisting on their main demand. Residents of Latakia came out to hold a symbolic funeral for the regime to show that a large amount of Syrians no longer accept it. The same slogans were raised in more than one Syrian city and town. The outskirts of the capital Damascus also witnessed a popular movement. Protests and demonstrations were held in the center of the city and its suburbs. The numbers of participants in these protests varied, but they were united under the same demands and slogans. In Daraa, the tension on the streets is high amid the tireless voices calling for freedom and the response by Syrian security forces with bullets. The scene is the same in al-Qamishli. Eyewitnesses say that at least 3,000 people carried slogans condemning the military operations launched by the Syrian army in Jisr Shughour. In Aleppo, dozens marched to Da'iriya Street and rallied under the watch of security forces. Tension is also running high in the Homs region. Eyewitnesses said that the city is living a real war.
Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, President of the International Red Cross Jacob Kellenberger called on the Syrian authorities to allow his organization to immediately enter the regions witnessing acts of violence. He expressed that he was personally ready to go to Syria to meet with government representatives. The president of the International Red Cross reiterated his request to meet with all detainees in order to evaluate the conditions of their detention and the treatment that they have received in Syria. In Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the Syrian regime of committing what he referred to as "atrocities" and of behaving inhumanely towards protestors. Erdogan said in an interview with a Turkish TV channel that if these practices continue, his country will find it difficult to defend Damascus in the international forums.
Guest, Male #1 (Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister)
In fact, we cannot close our doors to the survivors who fled Syria, but I don't know how long this situation will last. I talked to Bashar al-Assad and explained to him all these matters in all honesty. But despite all this, it seems that they underestimate the situation and told us that things are completely different from what we see. Bashar al-Assad's brother Maher is not behaving humanely and atrocities are being committed in Syria right now. They take horrific pictures of women whom they kill. Such pictures and scenes cannot be accepted or overlooked in any way. And such scenes will certainly be a subject for discussion at the UN Security Council. Now, we cannot defend Syria at the Security Council because of these matters.
Presenter, Male #1
In this context, Turkish security forces prevented pro-Syrian regime protestors from attacking opposition protestors rallying in front of the Syrian embassy in Ankara. A number of supporters of the Syrian president coming from outside Turkey attempted to attack dozens of Syrian protestors residing in Turkey and their Turkish supporters. The security forces prevented the attack and separated the two protests. The two protests continue in a tense atmosphere in front of the Syrian embassy, which has adopted heightened security measures. The opposition protestors chanted slogans demanding the toppling of the Syrian regime and to stop what they referred to as massacres committed against the Syrian civilians. Pro-regime protestors chanted slogans supporting President Assad and condemned what they called "a conspiracy" targeting the stability of their country.
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Yeminis stage rival rallies
BBC Arabic, UK
Presenter, Female #1
Pro- and anti-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh protests continued today in Sanaa and in a number of cities. This comes one week after Saleh was wounded in an attack on a mosque adjacent to the presidential building in which he was a target. While supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh confirmed he would soon return to the country, opposition protestors demanded the formation of a transitional council as a temporary alternative to Saleh's regime. This comes amid tension and confrontations between the Yemeni army and Islamic extremists who seized the provincial capital on May 29. Joining us over the phone from Sanaa is Tariq Shami, head of the media department of the ruling General People's Congress party. Welcome, Mr. Tariq.
Presenter, Female #1
A number of sources confirmed that the number of supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh who came out today was very small in comparison to the marches we were accustomed to seeing when the president was in the country.
Guest, Male #1 (Tariq Shami, General People's Congress)
On the contrary, we were surprised by the large number of people, which exceeded the highest number of the last three weeks. There was a massive amount of people. And I hope you follow the broadcast coverage on the Yemeni media networks, such as Yemen Television. In fact, there was a large number of people; we were surprised by the huge enthusiasm of the people who flocked to Sabeen Square, the provinces of Ibb, and across all provinces. In turn, the real picture is of the people's rejection of this incident.
Until now, this incident remains a shock for, us, all the Yemeni people. I don't believe that anyone who loves their country would back such an aggression against the president of the country and the heads of the constitutional and legislative institutions.
Presenter, Female #1
Excuse me, Mr. Tariq al-Shami but President Ali Abdullah Saleh no longer represents a popular consensus. For four months, Yemenis have been taking to the streets en masse to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The matter escalated into the incident that occurred, the attack that took place in the presidential palace's mosque. So is President Ali Abdullah Saleh the only one capable of leading Yemen? Why isn't a compromise reached that would satisfy all parties? At the end of the day, we're talking about Yemen: a country, and not a person.
Guest, Male #1 (Tariq Shami, General People's Congress)
Yes. But I would like to clarify the situation in that the incident that occurred turned the tables on all those planning and conspiring against the regime. Right now, there is a popular rejection of such demands. What happened overrides everything that was previously proposed. Choosing killing to attain power is unacceptable. As for an agreement, I would like to say Yemen has a democratic constitution and this democratic constitution is the one that dictates how one reaches power and the peaceful transfer of power. So any attempt to overthrow the constitution and any attempt to reach power undemocratically will lead Yemen to ruin and instability.
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Jordanian protestors call on government to resign
Press TV, Iran
Jordanians have once again taken to the streets after Friday Prayers in several cities to demand the resignation of the government and an end to ties with Israel. Protestors in the capital Amman accused Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government of failing to fight corruption. They also voiced their anger at the government for its lack of motivation to implement reforms and called for the dissolution of the lower house of parliament. In Amman, protestors gathered in front of the state security court building after Friday Prayers. They called for the closure of the military tribunal, claiming it restricts peoples freedom.
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Gates says war in Libya exposes critical NATO shortcomings
Press TV, Iran
The outgoing US Defense Secretary said the war in Libya has exposed critical shortcomings in NATO's capabilities. Speaking out at the security and defense agenda think tank in Brussels, Robert Gates also said many members are running out of munitions only 11 weeks into the war in Libya. Gates criticized European governments for shrinking their country's defense budgets and threatened the alliance with reductions of US contributions.
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Senegal's president urges Gaddafi to step down
Al-Alam, Iran
Presenter, Male # 1
Libyan state-run TV said NATO warplanes raided military and civilian sites in the town of Zwara, west of the capital Tripoli. Media sources indicated hearing explosions in Tripoli last night. Politically, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade met with the leaders of the Libyan opposition in the city of Benghazi. The two sides looked into a number of proposals that included discussing and activating mechanisms for Libya to rely on after Muammar al-Gaddafi's departure.
Reporter, Male # 2
NATO air raids on the capital Tripoli have become a familiar scene since direct military intervention began in Libya. Media sources confirmed that loud explosions were heard in Tripoli after NATO shelled a number of sites in the city at night. In addition to Tripoli, Libyan television said NATO warplanes raided military and civilian sites in the town of Zwara, west of the capital. For their part, Gaddafi's forces shelled a number of cities where the opposition is entrenched. According to opposition sources, the area of al-Jabal al-Gharbi and the city of Zintan were targeted by Grad missiles. These sources said the towns of Yafran and Nalut were also subjected to heavy shelling by Gaddafi's forces, which are massed near the Tunisian border in an attempt to retake control of the Wazen crossing. Alongside the military campaign, swift political action is being taken to find a solution to the situation in Libya. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade met with leaders of the Libyan opposition in the city of Benghazi, the opposition's stronghold. It is the first time a foreign head of state has visited Benghazi since the beginning of the revolution against the regime of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi in February. The Senegalese president went to Benghazi on a private visit in order to offer a number of proposals on the political situation in the country.
Guest, Male # 3 (Mustafa Abdul Jalil, Head of the Libyan Transitional National Council)
These proposals are represented by holding a conference in Dakar, or in any other African sate, to propose, discuss, and activate the mechanism that Libya will rely on after the departure of Muammar al-Gaddafi.
Reporter, Male # 2
It seems as though talks about a post-Gaddafi Libya are included in one of the Senegalese president's proposals, in line with other international calls to find a solution to end the crisis in the country.
Guest, Male # 4 (Abdoulaye Wade, Senegalese President)
I look at you in the eyes and call on you to declare a ceasefire and relinquish power. It is in your own interest and the interest of all the Libyan people that you leave power in Libya and never dream of coming back to power.
Reporter, Male # 2
Wade's visit comes at the same time as the Libya Contact Group's third meeting, held in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, it was agreed to provide the opposition financial aid in the sum of 1.1 billion dollars. The meeting concluded that quick military solution had failed in Libya.
Presenter, Male # 1
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates criticized the performance of NATO in Libya and accused some NATO countries of being unprepared militarily. During NATO's Security and Defense Agenda assembly in Brussels, Gates said some NATO countries want to enjoy the benefits of NATO membership without seriously participating in the military effort. He added that NATO'S weaknesses could lead to the failure of military operations in Libya. Gates indicated that NATO is facing financial and political shortcomings, and considered these factors as the reason for the continued war on Libya.
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Dozens killed, injured in Sudan's South Kordofan clashes
Dubai TV, UAE
Presenter, Male #1
On the first Friday following the 100 days set by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to implement reforms, hundreds of Iraqis held protest rallies in Baghdad and other southern cities demanding better services. Despite the strict security measures enforced by the government of Baghdad, hundreds of protestors gathered in Tahrir Square in the center of the Iraqi capital. Clashes erupted between the protestors on one side and tribesmen loyal to the government on the other. Meanwhile, Leon Panetta, a leading US candidate for secretary of defense, said that Iraq will likely ask the US to keep some of its troops in the country. Panetta said that the request would be "forthcoming at some point and that the US should agree once the request is made." The outgoing CIA chief told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the situation remains "fragile," which requires them to take measures to ensure that the gains they have made in Iraq are sustained. First Abyei and now Kordofan. Kordofan is yet another hub for growing tension between Sudan's north and south. Despite the diplomatic efforts aimed at quelling the raging war between the two sides, renewed clashes erupted in the city of Kadugli, the capital of the southern Kordofan state, as well as other areas. Fierce confrontations ensued between government-backed forces and members of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said that the situation is under the control of the Sudanese army, which is now clearing the state from what he referred to as "remnants of the rebels." Sami al-Shinawi reports from Khartoum.
Reporter, Male #2
Tension is running high in the state of southern Kordofan, following the clashes that erupted between the Sudanese army and the Popular Army loyal to the government of Southern Sudan. Military sources said that a large number of people have been killed or injured. The new conflict came at a time when the ruling National Congress Party was meeting with the SPLM in a bid to diffuse tension. As soon as the meeting ended, gunfire erupted targeting the governor's headquarters.
Guest, Male #3 (Maki Ali Bilal, Head of the Development and Justice Party)
We call on SPLM leaders to take a clear position on this issue. If it was an isolated incident instigated by the local leadership in the state, the supreme leadership of the SPLM needs to adopt a clear position on this issue.
Reporter, Male #2
The armed conflict of southern Kordofan has caused fear among residents, forcing many of them to flee the war-torn region. The UN announced that it has not received authorization from the government of Khartoum allowing the deployment of its forces in the region.
Guest, Male #4 (Qweider Ziruk, UN Spokesman)
The UN forces don't have any authorization. Therefore, they can't enforce a ceasefire. The UN will continue its mediation efforts between the two sides in a bid to broker an immediate ceasefire.
Reporter, Male #2
The southern Kordofan region was listed as a special status territory, as cited by the Nifasha agreement. However, the volatile situation there seems to be drawing the region closer to the brink of a full-fledged war. Meanwhile, the ruling National Congress Party called on the SPLM to disengage from the Southern Kordofan forces. After the breaking of war on the borders between the north and the south, the Sudanese governing partners are set to meet again in a bid to diffuse the crisis. However, disagreements seem to be the dominant factor of every meeting they hold. And in the absence of a solution, they will likely adjourn the next meeting at the sounds of gunfire.
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IAEA refers Syria to UN Security Council
IBA, Israel
Syria is now under fire for its failure to allow UN inspectors to investigate its alleged nuclear weapons program. Now the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog has decided to refer Syria to the UN Security Council. The trump card is Russia, which is threatening to veto any resolution. The UN nuclear watchdog voted yesterday to report Syria to the UN Security Council, over allegations that built an undeclared nuclear reactor.
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Saudi activists gear up for Women2Drive campaign
New TV, Lebanon
Presenter, Male #1
Saudi women are forbidden to drive cars in the kingdom. But Captain Hanadi Hindi is a Saudi woman who drives an airplane for Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Bin Abdul Azizi's company.
Reporter, Female #1
This is an engine that has been turned on during the Arab Spring to defy the regime's rule of forbidding Saudi women to drive. We don't know what tradition, religion, or law this rule was based on. In Saudi Arabia, Saudi women are preparing for this coming June 17, when a massive number of Saudi women will be driving their cars in the streets of the kingdom to support Manal Sharif. A video of Manal driving her car was uploaded to YouTube, after which she was detained under allegations of violating Saudi law, standing against the kingdom's regime, and inciting public opinion. Because Manal Sharif is not the only one who rejects this law, a call was sent out to organize a national protest on June 17. It may be an appropriate time for Saudi women to engage in this battle. They will not demand to topple the regime but to break the chains imposed on them. The regime built the largest women's university in the world and prevented any mixing of genders within it. Princess Adila, the daughter of the Saudi King Abdullah, has previously expressed her wish that women be permitted to drive. She said, "I wish we would overcome the issue of banning Saudi women from driving cars, but the matter is not in my hands." It is not known yet whether Princess Adila will take part in the June 17 campaign or not. Saudi women are forbidden to drive cars, but what about this woman who flies airplanes? At 25 years old, Captain Hanadi Hindi is a woman who has gained the trust of a Saudi millionaire, Prince Waleed bin Talal. He designated her to be the pilot of his private jet, which was unprecedented in Saudi Arabia. Prince Waleed bin Talal heads the Kingdom Holding Company's board of directors. The company has signed a contract with Hindi, the first Saudi woman to obtain a pilot's license.