Syrian demonstrators insist on the power of peaceful protests [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The preacher of al-Rifai Mosque in Damascus, Sheikh Osama al-Rifai, strongly criticized Syria's security forces for their crackdown on protests. The Friday sermon constituted an important push to continue demonstrations and to increase their size.

Reporter, Male #1
Protests continue in Syria but Fridays represent the heart of the movement. As soon as the week is over, people rise up to increase the ceiling of their demands, moving from reform to the downfall of the regime. People are taking to the street in the tens of thousands in eastern and western Syria, especially after Friday prayers. They are filled with a spirit eager for freedom and change. So Fridays are now seen as indicative of the most prominent features of the protests with various describers used on Fridays. Sermons have been introduced to further stir the unprecedented protest movement in Syria, with Fridays as the living testimony of this spirit. It is true that many of the mosques' preachers or muftis assigned by the state have remained quiet, or have at least attempted to, in order to discourage people from taking to the street. However, they haven't succeeded since an increasing number of people are starting to strongly criticize the security forces and calling on people to demand freedom. In addition, associations of Shariah scholars issued statements calling on the government to immediately reform, valuing the position of the people demonstrating against injustice. This was also expressed in the Syrian association of scholars' statement, which considered the Syrian people's protest against injustice to be a peaceful Jihad. The association viewed the peaceful protests as the most powerful weapon demonstrators hold. The preacher of al-Rifai Mosque in Damascus strongly criticized Syrian security forces for their crackdown on protests.

Guest, Male #2
Why don't the army and security forces withdraw from the streets and roads and let the people peacefully protest? We haven't seen a single protest in our country that is armed against the army or security. So why are they being so harshly treated?

Reporter, Male #1
The Syrian regime confirms that the events in the country are mostly caused by Salafist groups that are taking up arms and adding an extremist religious dimension. However, these claims have been rejected by political and religious figures in Syria and abroad.

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Clashes escalate in Sudan's South Kordofan [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
UN officials said that the international organization plans to deploy peacekeeping troops as a reinforcement force to South Kordofan. The area is witnessing fierce battles between the northern army and fighters loyal to the Sudan People's Liberation Army, the SPLA. The UN has estimated that nearly 60,000 people have fled their homes due to the violence raging in the territory. Seventy percent of them are from Kadugli. Former South African President Thabo Mbeki said that the rival forces agreed to stop hostility and resume negotiations. However, a Sudanese army spokesman said that the fighting will continue in order to end the revolt carried out by fighters loyal to the Sudan's People's Liberation Movement, SPLM.

Reporter, Male #1
The fighting will continue in the South Kordofan state in order to quell the revolt. This is the message being sent by the northern Sudanese army. The army announced they will continue the fighting by every means possible in the mountains close to Kadugli, the capital of the South Kordofan state near the border of South Sudan, which will be declared a sovereign nation on July 9. Fighting erupted on June 5 between the Sudanese army and armed fighters affiliated with what has become known as the Northern Branch of the SPLM, which rules the South. These fighters are from the north but they fought on the side of the SPLM against the Sudanese army for more than 20 years during the war that ended in 2005. Amid conflicting military reports, the African Union mediator and former South African President, Thabo Mbeki announced that the rival forces have agreed to end the fighting and resume negotiations. The UN and the US have called for an immediate end to the fighting in South Kordofan. Over 60,000 people have fled their homes due to the launch of airstrikes and artillery fire. The fighting in South Kordofan is adding another hotspot to Sudan's map, which is already riddled with blood. Abyei is yet another region witnessing fierce fighting between the north and the south. The victims in each case have been Sudanese.

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Iraq's political division translated onto the street [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
Though they appear to be modest, the Iraqi popular protests reflect the state of the political impasse being witnessed in the country. The possibility that the winds of political change may pick up speed has caused concern among members of the Iraqiya Bloc led by Iyyad Allawi. The Iraqiya Bloc is demanding a greater political role, especially in the decision making process, from the Maliki-led government. In response, the State of Law Coalition accused the Iarqiya Bloc of seeking to disrupt the political process. Our correspondent, Shafiq Abdul Jabar reports from Baghdad.

Reporter, Male #1
The scene of division is moving from the political spectrum to the popular Tahrir Square.
On this side of the square, a protest was held to support Maliki and his polices, especially his latest ruling on the death penalty. On the other side, a rival protest was held against Maliki, under different slogans. However, every one in the square is calling for political, economic, and social reforms.

Guest, Male #2, unidentified
Iraq is floating on a lake of oil, yet its people are dying of hunger. Unemployment is plaguing the entire Iraqi public. The political scene is heading toward dictatorship, not democracy.

Guest, Male #3, unidentified
The sectarian conflict is about to end, thank God. A political struggle has begun, which may help uncover the truth and provide better monitoring of the conduct of officials.

Reporter, Male #1
The public mobilization has stirred fear among the Iraqiya Bloc, which recently broke its silence with a warning that the popular protests could take a different route. The Iraqiya Bloc also called on the State of Law Coalition, led by Maliki, to implement the nine articles of the Irbil Agreement. This position was reiterated by the head of the Iraqiya Bloc, Iyyad Allawi.

Guest, Male #4 (Saleh al-Mutleq, Deputy Iraqi Prime Minister)
In order to uphold the political process and the stability of Iraq, the Iraqiya Bloc calls on the State of Law Coalition to respond and move quickly to implement the nine articles of the Irbil Agreement, most notably the articles of our national partnership.

Reporter, Male #1
These demands fell on a def ear, as the State of Law Coalition decided to strike back.

Guest, Male #5 (Adnan al-Saraj, Member of the State of Law Coalition)
The Iraqiya Bloc is making excuses in order to derail the political process. They need to stop issuing punitive statements and remarks that do nothing but remind us of the painful past.

Reporter, Male #1
The protests are continuing, and with them a raging political feud is ensuing between the Iraqi rivals; a feud that is subject to further strain in the coming days, especially as both sides are continuing to cling to their positions. From Baghdad, Shafiq Abdul Jabar, Dubai TV.

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Bahrainis hold mass protest in Sitra [Press TV, Iran]

Thousands of Bahraini anti-government protesters have poured into the streets of the island city of Sitra, following a call by the country's largest opposition group al-Wefaq. Al-Wefaq leader, Shaikh Ali Salman told the protestors that the opposition was not againt dialogue. He also said that meaningful dialogue required officials who actually believe in its process. Meanwhile, Bahrain's top cleric, Sheikh Qassim reiterated that the regime could not expect dialogue with the opposition while it continued its crackdown. He told worshippers that the authorities must free political detainees. His comments are the latest sign that opposition leader could ignore appeals by Bahrain leaders for talks month.

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Protests in Saada denounce US interference in Yemen [Press TV, Iran]

In Yemen, tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators have poured into the streets in the city of Saada to protest against US interference in their country. Anti-government protestors also took to the streets of other cities after Friday prayers, calling for the formation of an interim ruling council. They also demand quick trials for Saleh and his regime members on charges of killing hundreds of protestors. Acting president, Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi has so far refused to form a transitional council.

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Jordanians call for reform and resignation of cabinet [Press TV, Iran]

Jordanians have once again taken to the streets to protest against corruption and call for reforms. Rallies were held in several cities across the country. The protestors demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit's cabinet, accusing it of delaying the implementation of political and economic reforms. They also called for an end to Jordan's diplomatic ties with Israel. Jordan has been witnessing months of demonstrations inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

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12 killed as NATO air strike hits bus in Libya [Syria TV, Syria]

Presenter, Female # 1
In the latest developments in Libya, NATO continues to carry out raids in the capital Tripoli and its suburbs as multiple explosions were heard throughout different parts of the city. Libyan television quoted a Libyan military spokesman saying that for the fourth consecutive day, NATO airplanes bombed the area of Fornaj, an eastern suburb of Tripoli, at dawn. Multiple explosions were heard and columns of smoke were seen in the city. In a related development, the General People's Committee of Libya strongly condemned NATO's criminal operation that bombed a bus carrying civilian passengers who live close to the city of Kalka Najem. The bombing resulted in the killing of 12 people. The committee held French President Nicolas Sarkozy directly responsible for the campaign aimed at exterminating the Libyan people and for committing crimes against humanity.

Presenter, Male #1
The United States reported that the cost of military operations in Libya as of June 3 has exceeded 517 million dollars. This figure accounts for operations before June 3. The announcement came in a report submitted by the US administration to Congress in an attempt to convince members of Congress that Obama did not exceed his authority by waging military operations against Libya. The report expects the total cost of military operations to reach 1.1 billion dollars by the end of September. In another development, Varvara Paal, the spokeswoman for the Russian envoy to Libya Mikhail Margelov, announced that Margelov will visit the Libyan capital in order to meet with Libyan leaders and mediate a solution to the Libyan crisis.

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Saudi women drive wheels of change in the kingdom [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male # 1
In Saudi Arabia, a number of women challenged the authorities by driving cars in the capital Riyadh. This came in response to a nationwide call by Saudi women activists to drive. Amnesty International asked the kingdom's authorities to stop treating women as second-class citizens and called on Riyadh not to arrest them for driving.

Reporter, Male # 2
As part of a campaign dubbed "It's my right to drive," Saudi activists called on women across the country to sit behind the wheel and drive. Saudi women have long aspired for this call in order to be released from the government's confinement of women that has been imposed since the kingdom's establishment. Saudi Arabia has restricted the freedom of women to utilize what has become a necessity in modern times. The women are backed by a large segment of men.

Guest, Male # 3
We should have courage at the highest levels in the government. The political leadership and intellectuals should fully resolve this issue so that women are not deprived of their natural rights. Women are part of this society; they form at least 50 percent of this community. Why deprive 50 percent of their rights?

Reporter, Male # 2
It is a class of women demanding the right to drive in order to save time when completing necessary tasks, especially when a relative is not available.

Guest, Female # 1
If I can drive a car by myself, I do not need a male relative to drive me. I can do my work and meet the needs of the household, such as driving my children to school and all the other things I do as part of daily life, without facing a possible problem with a taxi driver or from a foreign man.

Reporter, Male # 2
Talk on the hardships faced by Saudi women as a result of depriving them of the right to drive has begun. It includes talk on the harassment women endure when they are forced to hire drivers to get around.

Guest, Female # 2
It's good for women to drive because it will take us out of the hardships we're dealing with right now, problems with taxis and limousines, and conflicts with drivers. It's not only about the material aspect, it's also psychological.

Reporter, Male # 2
The legitimacy of Saudi women's demand to drive was endorsed by international human rights organizations, which have expressed sympathy and support for that right. Amnesty International asked Saudi authorities to stop treating women as second-class citizens and allow them to drive. The organization said women in Saudi Arabia face severe discrimination in both law and in practice. They are denied the right to vote, are unable to travel, work, or enroll in higher education. The rights organization confirmed that domestic violence against women is rife in the kingdom. In addition, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Philip Luther called on Riyadh not to arrest women driving and to grant them the same right to drive as men.

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Abbas warns Ashton of unilaterally declared Palestine [IBA, Israel]

We open with the arrival of European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton to the region as part of efforts to revive peace talks with Israel and the Palestinians. This morning Baroness Ashton held a breakfast meeting with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Jerusalem during which she offered to initiate a session of the Middle East Quartet to help re-launch negotiations. Lieberman bluntly informed the top European diplomat that he believes the chances for resuming talks is near zero at this point in light of recent views and actions by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whom Lieberman said is far more interested in conflict than agreement. The foreign minister added that United Nation's recognition of Palestinian statehood in September would render the Oslo peace accords null and void as Israel would view such a unilateral declaration as a violation of all previous agreements signed by the two parties over the past two years.

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Prince Moulay warns of situation in Morocco [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Moroccan Prince Moulay Hicham Bin Abdallah Alaoui called for bringing comprehensive democracy to Morocco as opposed to only implementing constitutional amendments. He warned the Moroccan regime against betting on the security approach. Prince Hicham Moulay is the cousin of the Moroccan King Mohamed VI. He was brought up by his uncle, late King Hassan II, after his father passed away when he was 19 years old. He then pledged allegiance to his cousin, King Mohamed VI, after his uncle passed away. He then left Morocco and settled in the United States due to disputes with his cousin, the king, over issues related to the way things were administered in the country. Prince Moulay's position comes as one of a series of reform positions he expressed in newspaper articles, the latest of which was published in the Liberacion newspaper. In the article, he called for democratizing the regime and stripping the king of holiness as opposed to only amending the constitution. Prince Moulay believes that Morocco is living in a peculiar political dynamic between two major powers. One of them is the February 20 Movement, which is benefiting from the general environment created by the Arab Spring and has proposed a package of political demands aimed at establishing democracy. The other power is the governing elite in Morocco, known as Makhzen, which is trying to attract the largest number of politicians and social activists possible around the issue of constitutional amendment. It is worth mentioning that Prince Moulay Hicham, the son of Princess Lamia as-Solh, is also the cousin and childhood friend of Saudi Prince Waleed bin Talal, as indicated by his personal website. He is also one of the people that US President Barack Obama consults when he addresses the Islamic World. Human Rights Watch demanded UAE judicial authorities to release five activists who were arrested under the allegations of insulting the president of the country, his vice president, and crown prince of Abu Dhabi, as well as inciting disrespect for the law. The five detainees were taken to the Federal Supreme Court in a closed-door session in Emirate Abu Dhabi. They insisted their innocence of the allegations. Eyewitnesses asserted that about 200 Emiratis protested outside the court condemning the five activists and affirming their support to the Emirates' leadership, knowing that among the detainees are a human rights activist and a professor of Sorbonne University's Emirates branch.