Saudi Arabia's crackdown on protests in Qatif leaves two dead [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Rights activists say that two Saudi Shiites were killed after police opened fire at them in Qatif, in the eastern province of the country that is inhabited by a Shiite majority. The clashes occurred after authorities arrested prominent Shiite religious scholar Nimr al-Nimr for inciting strife.

Reporter, Female #1
This is how nighttime demonstrations in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, in Qatif, started, with chants condemning the authority's practices. But it ended differently. Activists say that Saudi police opened fire at protestors and killed two of them and wounded others.

Guest Male #1 (Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr)
Injustice is hated.

Reporter, Female #2
Protests were sparked when this man was arrested: Shiite religious scholar Nimr al-Nimr, the Imam of al-Awamiyah Town in Qatif. He is accused by Saudi authorities of inciting protests, but his supporters say he is only calling for freedom and justice. Authorities arrested him on Saturday after he sustained a gunshot wound at the hand of security forces. Saudi Arabia says it opened fire after the imam and his companion resisted the security forces, and opened fire first. But a source close to al-Nimr said that authorities ambushed him.

Guest, Male #2 (Mohamed al-Nimr, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's Brother)
There was no resistance; first of all, the Sheikh was alone in his car, and there was no one with him for there to be resistance. Second of all, of course he did not have any weapons on him, and he didn't have anything that resembled a weapon. What happened was security forces stormed his car and opened fire in the air, and they claim that it was in the air, but when we went to the crime scene, we saw blood.

Reporter, Female #2
Shiites accuse the Saudi authorities of marginalizing them, and they have a difficult time getting government jobs. Their areas are neglected, and their houses of worship are frequently shut down. But Saudi Arabia denies their claims, and accuses them of implementing foreign agendas and vowing to renew terrorism in Qatif, while they insist they are merely demanding their legitimate rights. Ola Makky, BBC.

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South Sudan's first anniversary of independence marred by growing tension [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
South Sudan celebrates today its first anniversary of independence from Sudan. However, the celebrations were not complete in this newly-born country, amid its strained relationship with al-Khartoum due to border conflicts. In addition, South Sudan is continuing to suffer from an abrupt halt of its oil production, which accounts for nearly 98 percent of its revenue. South Sudan, one of the most impoverished countries in the world, continues to lack a basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and water distribution networks. Seventy-three percent of the adult population is illiterate.

Presenter, Male #1
The celebrations in the South are being overshadowed by the strained relationship with al-Khartoum, especially after talks hit a deadlock in Addis Ababa. Meanwhile, the head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, Thabo Mbeki, arrived in al-Khartoum and held talks with President al-Bashir in a bid to bridge the gap between Sudan and South Sudan. Our correspondent Sami al-Shinawi reports from al-Khartoum.

Reporter, Male #2
The new round of talks aimed at bridging the gap between al-Khartoum and Juba have failed so far have to resolve the stalled issues between the two sides. This prompted the head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, Thabo Mbeki, to visit al-Khartoum in a bid to launch a new round of talks. Al-Khartoum's delegation said the positive atmosphere that surrounded the talks is a clear indication of a possible breakthrough.

Guest, Male #3 (Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein, Sudanese Defense Minister)
We have agreed on the general principles. This will help us move forward on a strategic path to resolve our issues. We will hold another meeting on July 11, God willing.

Reporter, Male #2
Both sides continue to cling firmly to their positions. While Juba continues to demand the implementation of Mbeki's roadmap, al-Khartoum believes that such a plan further complicates the issues. Observers believe the case could be referred to international arbitration.

Guest, Male #4 (Buhram Abed al-Munaem, Journalist and Writer)
The previous rounds of talks didn't produce any results. The talks may head to international arbitration. The UN Security Council's deadline on August 2nd will expire as the two sides are still in disagreement.

Reporter, Male #2
The long-term negotiations between Juba and al-Khartoum have further fueled the economic crisis, especially amid austerity measures in the north. In addition, the UN has warned of a looming hunger crisis in South Sudan. The deteriorating situation comes amid the closure of oil pipelines between the two sides. The transfer of stalled issues between the two sides is a southern demand opposed by the north. However, this is not the first time that both sides appear before an international arbitration panel, and in both cases, judgment is still pending. Sami al-Shinawi, Dubai TV, al-Khartoum.

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Libya's former transitional council chief leads early election results [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
In Libya, the vote count for the General National Congress elections is underway. According to exit results, the National Forces Alliance, headed by Mahmoud Jibril, is in the lead. Meanwhile, the High Elections Commission said voter turnout exceeded 60 percent. The head of the Commission, Nuri al-Abbar, said the preliminary results will be announced today.

Reporter, Male #2
Debates are dominating Libyan circles, following the major lead of the National Forces Alliance, headed by Mahmoud Jibril, as confirmed by the exit results, prompting some to fear that a single-party rule may dominate the democratic process.

Guest, Male #3 (Rashid Mayhub, High Elections Commission Member)
There's no way that a single party will win an absolute majority. Why? The General National Congress consists of 200 members, including 120 independents and 80 representatives of the various political parties. No single party can win more than 80 seats reserved for the political parties. There are still 120 seats to be filled.

Reporter, Male #2
Knowledgeable sources on political conflicts believe the makeup of the next government hinges on the formation of coalitions, notably the coalition between Jibril and the conservative Islamic forces.

Guest, Male #4 (Hussam al-Abdullah, February 17 Movement Coordinator)
The parties will have no choice but to form coalitions. Why? The parties will look for stronger platforms in order to seek larger representation. So a group of parties may form a coalition in order to strengthen their position.

Reporter, Male #2
These scenarios may not have taken into account the heavy weight of the independent candidates, who account for 120 seats at the General National Congress, making them an influential factor on the political front.

Guest, Male #5 (Reda Haylul, Editor-in-Chief, Tripoli Post)
The independents control 120 seats, which is much more than the seats reserved for the parties. So their political weight is huge. If these independents decide to join a certain party, then their influence will be even greater.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the raging conflict among the parties and the negative effects on the political future of the country, Libyans are demanding an end to division as means to preserve the principles of national unity. The rituals of the democratic wedding have come to an end in Libya, marking the beginning of a new dawn, amid concern over the political future of the country and the makeup of the next government, which hinges on the formation of coalitions among the political rivals. Wajdi Bin Masud, Al-Alam, Tripoli.

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Thirty-seven dead in Syria as Russian president calls for peaceful solution [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
On the political front, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a peaceful political solution in Syria. In a statement aired on Russian TV, he said the situation in Syria requires dialogue between the regime and the opposition, in order to guarantee a lasting peace, instead of foreign intervention.

Guest Male #2 (Vladimir Putin, Russian President)
I am fully convinced that we must do all we can to force the disputed parties to find a peaceful political solution to settle all disputes. This may lead to a long-term settlement and a stable development.

Presenter, Male #1
On the ground, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 37 people were killed today by the gunfire of the regime's army. Most of them died in Idlib, Hama, and the countryside of Damascus. On the other hand, the Revolution's General Commission reported that the towns of Qatana and Deir al-Asafeer in the countryside of Damascus were subjected to shelling by the regime's army. Syrian activists reported that violent clashes occurred between the regime's army and the Free Army on the southern circinate road in Damascus.

Reporter, Female #1
The target was bombed as identified. And the target here is civilian homes in the towns of Sahl al-Ghab in Syria. As for the weapons, they belong to the regime's army, according to activists who obtained the leaked video, but do not know the exact date of the bombing.

Reporter, Female #1
Another leaked video shows the Syrian forces raiding homes. And a third shows the destruction and looting as it appears here in a conversation between soldiers in the city of Tadmur in Homs Province.

Reporter, Female #1
The activists captured on film other operations by the regime's army against revolting cities, and the shelling of several neighborhoods in Deir az-Zour and the neighborhoods of al-Khalidiya, al-Sultaniya, al-Basateen, and Jobar in Homs, and the city of Izaz in the countryside of Aleppo and Khirbet Ghazala and Daraa al-Balad in Daraa.

Reporter, Female #1
And the result: deaths and injuries, the most notable pictures coming from the city of Ariha in Idlib, where events were described as a massacre, but whose images can't be entirely broadcast due to their graphic content. This comes as the destruction of buildings and properties continues across bombarded areas. The Syrian army's heavy mobilization against those revolting against the regime, since protests erupted 16 months ago, shifted the path of the revolution from peaceful protests to a military confrontation led by the Free Syrian Army, which has been recently gaining momentum on the ground.

Reporter, Female #1
The clashes with the regime's army are becoming increasingly violent in the areas witnessing heavy artillery shelling, as seen here in Jouret al-Shayyah in Homs. Capturing areas is also increasing as it appears in Homs's Talbisa, where the Free Army is seen patrolling areas outside the control of the regime and is celebrating its seizure of heavy and light equipment.

Reporter, Female #1
Despite the expansion of military operations, the Syrian revolutionaries are continuing to hold peaceful protests demanding freedom, similar to those that sparked their revolution.

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Bahraini court orders Islamic Action Society to disband [Press TV, Iran]

A court in Bahrain has ordered the disbanding of a major Shia opposition party. Authorities say the Islamic Action Society is allegedly guilty of several violations, including what they termed as promoting violence and financial irregularities. Shia opposition parties, including al-Wefaq, have slammed the move. They say the decision is a violation of the constitution and law.

Meanwhile, Bahraini regime forces have detained prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab. He has been sentenced to three months in jail on charges linked to online tweets he posted against the regime.

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Egypt constitutional court revokes president's decree [Press TV, Iran]

Egypt's highest court has just rejected President Mohamed Morsi's call to reinstate the dissolved parliament. The military disbanded parliament last month based on a ruling by the Supreme Constitutional Court, but President Morsi on Sunday ordered the chamber to reconvene, saying that the legislature should function until a new election is held. Later, the speaker of the assembly invited lawmakers to meet on Tuesday, but the Supreme Constitutional Court says that all its rulings are final and binding, and cannot be appealed.

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Golan Heights residents fear Israeli attacks [Press TV, Iran]

People in Syria's Golan Heights fear an unexpected attack by Israel, believing that Tel Aviv will attack Syria after Western governments fail in their attempts to undermine the Syrian government and its sovereignty. The people of the Golan believe that Israel will not stop its expansion plans, even if it means opening the Golan front for a new war with Syria.

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Report claims Israeli settlements in West Bank do not violate international law [IBA, Israel]

A newly-released report by a committee headed by retired Justice Edmond Levy claims that the building of settlements in the West Bank is not in violation of international law. It adds that the only settlements that are illegal are those that are built on private Palestinian land. Several government ministers have called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act immediately and authorize all settlements in the West Bank.

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Susya revisited: Life after eviction [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Female #1
The citizens of Khirbet Susya, east of Yatta in southern Hebron, live in fear, especially at night as a result, of the provocations by the occupation's soldiers and settlers, who purposely intensify their attacks at night.

Reporter, Male #1
Here in Khirbet Susya, east of Yatta in southern Hebron, media outlets usually report on the suffering of the people in the morning, but this time we chose to convey the image at night, as the occupation settlers intensify their attacks during this time. Between the settlements and the Israeli camps, more than 350 residents live in tents that do not protect them from the hot summer or cold winter. But this is the least of their concerns amid the settler's attacks in the late hours of the night, when they enter the village like bats and wreak havoc in it.

Guest Male #2
The army's nighttime training operations are very disturbing; it is upsetting for the children and all the residents of the village. Around a year and a half ago, around 12 or 12:30 at night, they came and burned tents while people were sleeping inside of them.

Reporter, Male #1
Sara al-Nawagaa, a resident of the village and a recipient of one of the 58 orders that seek to demolish their tents and confiscate their land, manages her household in a primitive way, although she lives in the 21st century.

Guest, Female #2 (Sara al-Nawagaa)
We live here, where there is no access to roads. No roads and no cars. If someone gets sick, we transport them on a donkey to the doctor. A woman who is about to deliver a baby is put on a donkey or a tractor. They opened a road for the military base. They sometimes open it to us, and other times they close it.

Reporter, Male #1
Khirbet Susya lacks life's basic components, as the occupation prevents water and electricity from reaching it. The families of the village are forced to use rainwater and solar energy to be provided with small amounts of electricity. However, the occupation threatened this alternative energy with demolition.

Reporter, Male #1
Despite the residents' suffering and primitive way of life, and despite the attacks of the occupation and settlers, they vowed to stay in the lands of their fathers and grandfathers.

Guest, Male #3
All of this is an attempt to make us leave this land so that they can take it. But this is my father's land and my grandfather's land. They were here, and it is not easy for me to leave it; it is impossible for me to leave it. We will stay here until we die.

Reporter, Male #1
Susya is a marginalized area that requires more support and care and means to promote the residents' resistance, so their lands do not turn into an easy target for the expanding settlements. Sari al-Awaiwi, Palestine TV.