Yemeni protestors call for "Revolution until Victory" [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
In Yemen, massive crowds converged on "Freedom and Change" squares in various cities across the country, marking what they called the "Friday of revolution until victory." Protestors holding a sit-in called for what they referred to as "decisive revolutionaries" and for the formation of a transitional council to administer the country's affairs. On the other hand, supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh gathered in "Sabi'in Square" in the Yemeni capital, marking what they named "steadfast Friday." Meanwhile, mobilization efforts continue both nationally and internationally in a bid to restructure the country's internal front in the post-President Ali Abdullah Saleh era.

Reporter, Male #1
All Yemenis wait for Friday. It's the day when both the regime's supporters and opponents tend to flex their power, reflecting on the unfolding developments in the country. Protestors continue to pour into the "Freedom and Change" squares every Friday, under different revolutionary slogans, with "Revolution until victory" being their latest theme.

Reporter, Male #1
Despite the different slogans, the objective has been the same, which is the formation of a transitional council that constitutes an official declaration of the downfall of the regime. On the other side, supporters of the regime held a rally dubbed "steadfast Friday," despite their anguish over Saleh's absence. Amid the noise on both sides, a political game seems to be unfolding. With incoming reports confirming that Saleh's absence could last a very long time or even be permanent, the post-Saleh issue seems to be on the mind of some influential local and international powers. The regime's pillars, starting with the royal family and ending with the smallest beneficiaries of Saleh's rule, are fighting to protect their interests in the new Yemen or guarantee that they will not be legally pursued, to say the least. Neighboring Riyadh fears that the new Yemen may pose a security and economic challenge if chaos spreads across the country. That same concern is shared by the US, which continues to eye al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula. Regardless of the details of the political game, time is running out to save Yemen.

Presenter, Female #1
The Yemeni city of Dhamar witnessed protests demanding the ouster of the remaining figures of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime and the formation of a transitional council to administer the country's affairs.

Presenter, Female #1
Joining us from Sana'a is our correspondent, Ahmad al-Shalafi. Is the number of masses still huge in both squares?

Guest, Male #2 (Ahmad al-Shalafi, al-Jazeera correspondent in Sanaa)
Yes. First, the protests are being split among the squares across the 17 Yemeni provinces. Of course, the number of these masses is huge. Festivals, events, and night forums are being organized in the squares, especially in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The aim is to discuss the constitution and the transitional council. This is what is taking place in Sanaa and other squares. You talked about the massive rallies on Friday. It's true; millions of Yemenis have been coming out for days to demand the departure of President Ali Abduallh Saleh's relatives and the formation of a transitional council, marking the beginning of the post-Saleh rule. What's new about today's events is that Hassan Zaida, an opposition leader from the Haq Party announced a short while ago that the opposition will discuss tomorrow the idea of a transitional council, adding that the meeting will include the Houthis and the Southern Movement as well as other political blocs.

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Rival demonstrations mark Friday of departure and of national unity in Syria [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Pro- and anti-regime demonstrations were held in Syria today as United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirmed that time is starting to run out for President al-Assad.

Reporter, Female # 2
The internal Syrian scene today was of pro- and anti-government demonstrations on a Friday dissenters have referred to online as the "Friday of Departure." Their sites indicate that protests had begun in a number of Syrian cities, including Deir el-Zour, al-Hasaka, Idlib, Aleppo, and Latakia. As for pro-regime demonstrations, they chanted in favor of President al-Assad, confirming their support of his comprehensive reform plan. Meanwhile, the Syrian army continues its military operations. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that tanks and troop carriers left the village of al-Bara, heading toward the villages of Kfar Nabl and Kansafra in the countryside of Idlib. The organization said three people were killed after security forces fired at them in Jebel al-Zawiya. As for the American reaction, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said time is starting to run out for the Syrian regime and condemned the recent violence in Aleppo.

Guest, Female #3 (Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State)
I am disheartened by the recent reports of continued violence on the borders and in Aleppo, where demonstrators have been beaten, attacked with knives by government-organized groups and security forces. It's absolutely clear that the Syrian government is running out of time. It doesn't appear that there's a coherent policy coming from Damascus, which allowed the opposition to hold a meeting then proceeded to carry out more violent acts. We're looking for action not words, and we haven't seen enough of that. The regime can either engage in a productive dialogue or it's going to continue to see increasingly organized resistance.

Reporter, Female # 2
In contrast to Clinton's position, American Congressman Dennis Kucinich announced in a statement released following his visit to Syria that President Assad promised him to withdraw security forces from cities demonstrating against the regime. He said: "Today, we learned that he started the process and is ready to withdraw his forces, not with the aim of remaining in power but to place Syria on the path toward progress and development." The American congressman said he met Syrians who believe that pushing Bashar al-Assad out of power without knowing who would replace him could render the situation more dangerous. He confirmed that those Syrians want the president to implement the reforms demanded by pro-democracy activists. In the same context, British newspaper the Guardian published an articled entitled, "US presses for opposition dialogue with Assad," as revealed by a roadmap for reforms. The article clarifies that Assad will be maintained in power for right now despite the opposition's demand for his overthrow. The newspaper's report confirms that US State Department officials have been discreetly encouraging discussion of the unpublished draft document, which is currently in circulation. The Guardian said the unprecedented opposition conference held in Damascus did not discuss the document. The roadmap indicates that Assad would oversee "a secure and peaceful transition to civil democracy" and calls for a number of reforms, including tighter control over the security forces, the disbanding of the "shabiha" accused of violations, the legal right to peaceful demonstrations, extensive media freedoms, and the appointment of a transitional assembly. The document demands a "clear and frank apology" and compensation for the families of victims.

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Russia, China boycott UN council talks on Syria crackdown [IBA, Israel]

Clinton's harsh criticism of Damascus came as US and European representatives at the United Nations Security Council failed to convince Russia to issue an official condemnation of the Assad regime for its crackdown on anti-government protestors. The disagreement came amid meetings to renew the mandate of the United Nations observer force in the Golan Heights, which was unanimously extended by the 15 member states, as expected, for another six months. While the extension is generally a routine matter, controversy arose this year when the European Union supported the inclusion of a condemnation of alleged Syrian abuse of human rights in the initial US drafted text. Russia and China both threatened to veto the mandate renewal if such language was included. The final agreement was reached with no mention of the ongoing crackdown in Syria.

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Hezbollah members indicted for Hariri assassination [IBA, Israel]

Turning to Lebanon, where news of the indictment of former members of the Hezbollah terror organization with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri topped headlines of today's papers. The state prosecutor today confirmed he has received the indictments and arrest warrants from the UN-backed special tribunal for Lebanon. He declined to name the four Hezbollah agents charge with orchestrating a massive bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others in 2005. There is currently no deadline set for the start of the trial but the warrants include an order for the prompt transfer of the accused to the tribunal upon their arrest.

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Moroccans vote on king's new constitution [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male # 1
In Morocco, ballots boxes were opened today for the nearly 13 million registered voters. They are to vote on a referendum on a new constitution for the country. Moroccan authorities, official media organizations, the most prominent political parties, and major unions called for voting "yes" on the referendum. On the other hand, the February 20 Movement, that rejects the constitutional amendments, called on its supporters to boycott the referendum.

Reporter, Female # 1
Over 13 million Moroccans were invited to participate in a referendum on constitutional reforms proposed by Morocco's monarch, King Mohammed VI, who vowed to implement additional democratic principles. As polling stations opened, dozens of people voted in a school in Sala, near Rabat. Nearly 40,000 polling stations were readied across the country and 520 stations in embassies and consulates around the world to allow Moroccans to participate in the referendum. Experts on domestic issues believe that the king, who has been ruling the country since 1999, is confident of the implementation of the amendments he proposed, despite the opposition and the calls to boycott the referendum. The king stated in a speech to the nation on June 27 that the plan to review the Moroccan constitution strengthens the foundations of a democratic constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The new constitution grants the government executive powers. However, the king would remain as the army's chief and maintain his religious and judicial powers. The king would also still be able to dissolve parliament, but he would no longer be able to do so single-handedly. The 47-year-old king has attained some success in reforming Morocco in terms of human rights violations, illiteracy, and poverty after his father's 38-year rule came to an end. However, his popularity seems to be oscillating between supporters and opposition members. Some view the divide as that of rich versus the poor and blame the political elite's monopoly on the political arena. The opposition says the amendments proposed by the king are insufficient and that its timing does not allow Moroccans to review the proposal. They confirm their battle will continue until a parliamentary monarchy is established and the king's powers are further reduced. They say he is still holding on to the reigns of power. Yolla Zahr el-Dine, BBC.

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Egyptians in Tahrir Square demand retribution for January 25 martyrs [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Female #1
Egyptian protestors returned today to Tahrir, or Liberation Square to mark what they referred to as the "Friday of Retribution, and Loyalty to the Revolution's Martyrs." They called for expediting the trials of some of the former regime's figureheads and those accused of murdering protestors during the revolution. The demonstrators stressed the importance of compensating and caring for the martyrs' families. They also called for cleansing the police force from the elements that are working against the nation's interests following the revolution.

Reporter, Female #2
The revolutionaries have once again converged on Tahrir Square; they represent a number of different sects and backgrounds. They are gathering once again under different slogans and different demands. Last Tuesday's events played an integral part in today's development. The protestors' main demand is for retribution and the speedy prosecution of those accused of murdering protestors.

Guest, Female #3
We demand their punishment. Since the early days of the revolution, they have been talking about seeking justice for the martyrs and the injured. Money is not a solution.
Money will not compensate them for their injuries or bring back their martyred fathers or mothers.

Guest, Male #1
We want to see them tried. We have not seen justice. Mubarak's sons have not been put on trial.

Guest, Male #2
There's has been no news about Habib al-Adeli. They keep postponing his trial. In the latest news by al-Akhbar newspaper, Habib al-Adeli said he wants a judicial trial as opposed to a people's trial.

Reporter, Female # 2
The Egyptian police and the citizens are the two sides of the political equation. Who is the oppressed and who is the oppressor?

Guest, Female #4
The police deserve respect and gratitude. Not all police officers are bad. We can't continue to live without security.

Guest, Female #5
My brother is a martyr. What did these three children do to deserve this? What are they guilty of? We want him to be prosecuted.

Guest, Male #3
I was injured during the "Friday of Rage" on January 28. I sustained gunfire injuries to my eye. I can no longer see with this eye.

Reporter, Female #2
In today's events, the protestors seem to disagree on everything, as scuffles and altercations broke out among them. As usual, the protestors voiced their rejection of Egyptian TV and accused it of portraying those in the square as "thugs." Tahrir Square is once again making headlines. Between the Friday of Retribution and the Friday of Martyr's Rights, many questions remain unanswered. Among them are "Who brought back the fire to Tahrir Square? And did the revolution stray away from its main objectives and who is benefiting from this latest Egyptian-Egyptian conflict? Hikmat Abed Hamid, Nile TV.

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NATO frustration grows despite rebel advance to within 80 km of Tripoli [Oman-E, Oman]

Libyan rebels, who had advanced within 80 kilometers of Muammar Gaddafi's stronghold in the capital, were forced to retreat today after coming under a barrage of Grad rocket fire from government forces. The rebels advance five days ago to the outskirts of a small town had raised the possibility of a breakthrough in a four-month-old conflict. The reverse underlines the resilience of Gaddafi's forces, who have withstood 15 weeks of bombardment by NATO missiles and warplanes and attempts by rebels on three fronts to break through their lines. Frustration of their slow progress is growing by the military alliance, with some members worried by the cost, civilian casualties, and the fact that the campaign has now been going on much longer than its backers anticipated.

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Top cleric rejects talks with Bahraini regime [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, top religious leaders reject any negotiations with the Saudi-backed regime amid an ongoing crackdown on protestors. Senior cleric, Sheikh Isa Qasem says the country's political parties should ask the people before holding any talks with the regime. Meanwhile, Bahrain's largest opposition group, al-Wefaq, has said it won't engage futile negotiations. The group organized a massive anti-regime rally in Diraz on Friday. Similar demonstrations have been held in several other cities. The footage shows that the regime forces have been deployed to crush the protests. The crackdown continues across the country, despite calls by Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa for dialogue with the opposition. He has also boasted his commitments to human rights.

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"Audacity of Hope" vessel leaves Greek port for Gaza [Press TV, Iran]

A boat carrying American peace activists set sail from a Greek port for the besieged Gaza Strip. The boat, called "The Audacity of Hope," has left Greece's port for international waters. It is part of an international flotilla of nine ships that are determined to deliver humanitarian aid to the people in the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza. Earlier the American activists gathered outside the US embassy in the Greek capital Athens to protest what they called Washington's efforts to hamper their trip to Gaza. Minor scuffles broke out between Greek police and American activists as they tried to stage a sit in.

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Four members of Mujahedin Khalq escape from Camp Ashraf [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female
Four members of the Mujahedin Khalq terrorist group have unveiled plots by the group to launch attacks in Iraq in a bid to disrupt security and stability there. Following their escape from the Ashraf Camp and surrender to the Iraqi authorities, the four men held a press conference at the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. The talked about their ordeal and false imprisonment at the hands of the group's leaders.

Reporter, Male #1
Four escapees from the Ashraf Camp organized a press conference at the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. They talked about the repression and false imprisonment they endured at the camp at the hands of the Mujahedin Khalq terrorist group. The four men surrendered to the Iraqi authorities after escaping from the camp.

Guest, Male #2
Many of the camp residents are trying hard to put an end to the chaotic practices facing members of the organization at the hands of its leaders.

Guest, Male #3
We were able to escape and surrender to Iraqi forces. We endured dark days inside the camp. People are being subjected to beatings and even death. This is why we escaped, thank God we are safe.

Reporter, Male #1
The residents are pleading for international and Iraqi help, urging the authorities to dismantle the dark walls and prisons of the camp. They are calling for the release of hundreds of prisoners and for the exposure of the plots that are being hatched by members of the Mujahedin Khalq group against the Iraqi people. This, according to some speakers at the press conference.

Guest, Male #4
I urge human rights and humanitarian organizations to intervene. I also urge the Iraqi government to open the walls of the camp in order to rescue the captives who are being held against their will. Khalq is still conspiring against Iraq, through dirty intelligence practices.

Reporter, Male #1
With these four escapees from the Ashraf Camp, the number of leaders who were able to escape from the terrorist Khalq group stands at 58. Meanwhile, many are still being held against their will inside Ashraf's walls and prisons. The Iraqi government is planning to expel this terrorist group from the country at the end of the year. The government is also planning to reclaim Ashraf Camp and return some of its land to the farmers and residents whose lands were seized by the group during Saddam's reign. Hayder Qassem, al-Alam, Baghdad.