Egyptians extend their protest despite the military's warning [Press TV, Iran]

More than five months since they toppled Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians are back in the iconic Liberation Square. What has gone wrong with the Egyptian revolution? Tensions are running high in Egypt, months after the January revolution put an end to the decades-long rule of former President Hosni Mubarak. The same protestors who brought down Mubarak say he and his henchmen must not be allowed to escape justice. The protestors also demand that the interior ministry has yet to be purged of who backed police tactics against people during the January uprising. Under pressure to speed up reforms, the ruling military council it will not give up its role in running the nation's affairs.

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Germany under increasing pressure over Saudi arms deal [Press TV, Iran]

In Germany, the government of Angela Merkel has come under increasing pressure to call off selling hundreds of tanks to Saudi Arabia. Over the past week, Germany's politics have been rocked by reports of Berlin's approval of selling 200 Leopard 2 tanks to Saudi Arabia. Pressure is mounting on the government to cancel the secret deal, which was approved by Germany's Security Council. Reports say the government had obtained banking from Washington and Tel Aviv before finalizing the deal. The opposition Social Democrats Party has criticized the deal as both politically and morally indefensible given Saudi Arabia's dire human rights record.

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Syria slams Washington's 'provocative' comments [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female # 1
The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments on President al-Assad. The ministry stated that Clinton's remarks are provocative and constitute an interference in Syrian affairs. Clinton said al-Assad lost his legitimacy after a group of pro-Assad loyalists attacked the American and French embassies in Damascus.

Reporter, Female # 2
For the first time since the outbreak of protests in Syria four months ago, the diplomatic tone between Damascus and Washington is noticeably tense. Also for the first time, Washington directly said that President al-Assad has lost his legitimacy and that those who believe him to be indispensible are wrong. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments came following the attack on the American and French embassies in Damascus. The Syrian response was swift and described Clinton's remarks as a provocative action that prolongs "internal aggravation." The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that the legitimacy of the country's political leadership is not based on the US or others but is derived from the will of the Syrian people. The statement added that relations between countries are based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. Damascus demanded that Washington and its envoys abide by that principle and refrain from any acts that could provoke the Syrian people's emotions. This is not the first instance in which Damascus uses "provocation" as a descriptor for American action. On Friday, the American ambassador to Syria visited the city of Hama as massive protests against the dialogue were taking place. In response, Syrian authorities said that Ford met with a number of saboteurs and his actions further destabilized the country. The scene is further complicated as Paris escalated its reaction to the events in Syria with attempts to take action against al-Assad's regime following its failure to protect diplomatic facilities on its territory.

Guest, Male # 2
We need international authorization to interfere but the necessary conditions are not available for the UN Security Council to take a stand on the Syrian crisis. We are working for that aim at the Security Council. We are trying in particular to convince the Russians that it's not acceptable for the Security Council to let what's happening in Syria take place without reacting.

Presenter, Female # 1
These protestors across Syrian cities wait to see if these efforts will actually result in a UN resolution condemning acts described by activists as grave human rights violations. Sali Nabil, BBC.

Presenter, Female # 1
In Damascus, the consultative meeting that included a number of political and academic figures concluded. Its final statement indicated that dialogue is the only way to end the crisis rocking the country. The meeting recommended the establishment of a committee to look into redrafting the constitution and demanded the release of political detainees who have not committed any crimes. The statement also called for the establishment of a state of right, law, citizenship, pluralism and democracy. These recommendations will be discussed at the national dialogue conference. The Syrian opposition refused to participate in the meeting.

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Israel passes 'boycott bill' criminalizing opposition to the occupation [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed a law that imposes penalties on any Israeli company, individual, or group that announces to boycott products from the settlements in the occupied West Bank or boycotts any cultural or educational organization there.

Presenter, Male #1
The law was passed by a majority of 47 members with objection from 38 opponents. While the right-wing Israelis welcomed the law, its criticizers described it as undemocratic, saying that it is a mark of shame on the Knesset.

Presenter, Female #1
Our correspondent, Ilyas Karam reports on the details of the new Israeli law.

Reporter, Male #1
A new law has just been added to Israel's law record. Many say that this law belongs with a series of racist laws that discriminate against Arabs and undermines the basis of democracy. The law, which criminalizes boycotting, is the brainchild of the Israeli right-wing, supported by Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The law stipulates to punish any Israeli company, group, or individual that calls for and works to boycott products manufactured in settlements in the occupied West Bank, or to boycott educational and cultural organizations there.

Guest, Male #1 (Alex Miller, Yisrael Beiteinu Party)
The law defends the democracy that should not be turned into a weapon of prejudiced by some, the right-wing or left-wing. The law was in place to end the campaign of boycotts that caused major damages to residents in Judea and Samaria.

Reporter, Male #1
The law was passed despite the position of the Knesset's legal counsel, who said that the law has a constitutional defect. He said the law silences people and deprives them of their rights to protest and express opinions; especially the voices of peace groups, who see strengthening the economy in settlements as solidification for the occupation.

Guest, Female #1 (Einat Wilf, Knesset member from the Labor Party)
The law may infringe on the right to protest and express opinions against the inappropriate settlement.

Guest, Male #2 (Afou Agbaria, Knesset member from Democratic Front for Peace and Equality)
This move is to glorify the status quo on Palestinian land. It is a blow to all Arab and international efforts for Israel to make progress with the peace process.

Reporter, Male #1
Penalties to be imposed on the boycotters include deprivation of government tax cuts and aid, a ban on competing in biddings, in addition to lawsuits against individuals. The law came as anti-occupation groups called for boycotting products from the settlements, and progressive Israeli actors and artists refused to perform there. In addition, the Palestinian Authority stipulated in its contracts with Israeli companies not to be linked with the settlements. The first action of protest against the passing of the law was initiated by the Israeli Peace Now Movement, which built a page on Facebook encouraging boycotts. While one opinion says that the law fortifies Israeli democracy in face of Israel's enemies, another opinion says that it is a mark of shame on democracy. In between the two opinions, the certain fact is that Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is using the relative majority in the Knesset to pass laws that glorify the occupation and fight peace groups calling for the end of it. Ilyas Karam, al-Jazeera, West Jerusalem.

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France continues Libyan military campaign as it seeks political solution [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Ten Libyan revolutionaries were killed and over 20 others were wounded in a bombing by Gaddafi's battalions west of Misurata city. Revolutionaries said that Gaddafi's loyalist forces used Grad Rockets to shell their strongholds west of Misurata, about 200 kilometers east of the capital Tripoli. France said that the Western coalition asked the opposition and the Libyan regime to resort to the negotiation table to stop the military operations. Paris denied that it is conducting any direct negotiations with Tripoli, but said it has sent letters to Gaddafi in order to reach a solution to the Libyan crisis.

Reporter, Female #1
As the war in Libya is prolonged, NATO member countries seem to be seeking an exit after their patience has run out and their forces are exhausted by a war that has already cost billions of dollars. After three months of military operations, France said the international coalition will stop the bombing as soon as the conflicting sides in Libya start their dialogue. The UN special envoy to Libya expressed the same position and called on Gaddafi's regime and the Transitional Council to resort to a political solution and begin direct negotiations to settle the situation.

Guest, Male #1 (Abdul Elah Al-Khatib, UN special envoy to Libya)
I'm urging the parties to increase their focus on working towards a political solution. We would like to see indirect negotiations evolve into direct ones. Enough Libyans have lost their lives, and it should be clear that any lasting end to the conflict will require a political solution.

Reporter, Female #1
The efforts to exit from the entrenched war in Libya led by NATO countries continue. There are talks about indirect negotiations between Tripoli and France, which have been denied by the latter. At the same time, France said it has sent letters to the Libyan regime calling on it to conduct direct talks with the opposition. The Libyan Transitional Council welcomed this move, considering it a positive step towards a solution.

Guest, Male #2
We believe that this initiative and statement, if true, is a positive step. In our opinion, France is a friendly country to us, and we want a ceasefire but on the condition of the downfall of Gaddafi's regime and the end of Gaddafi's rule.

Reporter, Female #1
With repeated calls for resorting to dialogue instead of fighting, it seems obvious that the participating countries' capabilities are near exhaustion. Norway announced that it will recall its six F-16 fighter jets on August 1. Italy said that it will withdraw its carrier Garibaldi. All these signs prove that the war NATO has been directing in Libya for months is close to an utter failure. It failed to achieve either its announced goal of protecting civilians or its concealed goal of overthrowing Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime to facilitate its access to the enormous oil wealth under the ground of Libya.

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Afghan president's brother assassinated as France announces troops' withdrawal [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
The Taliban movement directed a painful blow to Afghan President Hamid Karzai by assassinating his younger brother in Kandahar. This comes as French President Nicolas Sarkozy is on a quick visit to Afghanistan, where he announced his country's readiness to withdraw a quarter of its troops from the country.

Reporter, Male # 1
An Afghan official spokesman announced the death of Ahmed Wali Karzai at his home in Kandahar. He is Afghan President Hamid Karzai's younger half-brother and was killed in an operation whose causes remain undetermined. The Taliban movement claimed responsibility for the assassination, praising as it as one its "biggest achievements" since it announced the resumption of attacks last spring. A spokesman for the Afghan president confirmed the killer to be Ahmad Sardar, a bodyguard, and described him as being close to Ahmed Wali. The Taliban said it assigned the man to commit the assassination. Ahmed Wali, who is seen as a controversial figure, was the head of the Kandahar provincial council. His opponents accuse him of being a warlord and of being involved in drug smuggling and corruption. In another development, French President Nicolas Sarkozy made his third visit to Afghanistan since his election. He confirmed in a joint press conference with his Afghan counterpart at the French military base in Tora near Kabul, that Paris will withdraw a quarter of its troops, nearly 1,000 troops, at the end of 2012. After offering his condolences to Karzai over his brother's assassination, Sarkozy said in front of a group of journalists that "there was never any discussion to continue to station troops in Afghanistan indefinitely, and we should know how to end this war."

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Sudan president promises freeer, more inclusive goverment [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir confirmed that South Sudan's secession from the North does not signify an end to ties. He indicated that unresolved issues with the South will continue to be discussed, especially in relation to South Kordofan. In a speech to parliament, al-Bashir announced a number of economic measures, including plans to launch a new currency, strengthen foreign partnerships, and implement development plans in Darfur.

Guest, Male # 2 (Northern Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir)
Our government is keen not to curb freedom of speech. No one from today will be arrested for expressing his political views, or dissenting against the government. To further express our sincere desire to initiate an atmosphere of free dialogue, I have asked for a review of the cases of those currently investigated. Those who have no association to terrorist groups or have not committed any violent acts will be released.

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Quartet meets again on Middle East peace with no results [IBA, Israel]

In our top story despite hours of talks, the Middle East Quartet failed to reach an agreement on how to restart the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process during their meeting last night in Washington. The Quartet could not even produce a unified statement on how to proceed. It is customary for the Quartet to release a joint statement following all meetings and the fact that none was issued after this one underscored the slim chances of the peace process getting back on track any time soon. The continued impasse deals a critical blow to diplomatic efforts to thwart Palestinian intentions to petition the UN for unilateral statehood in September.

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Egyptian pipeline hit by fourth explosive attack since January [IBA, Israel]

Israel's economic ties with Egypt are deteriorating. That is the warning from Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau today after the Egyptian pipeline that supplies natural gas to Israel and Jordan was sabotaged yet again overnight. At least four masked gunmen carried out the attack on the pipeline, which is located 50 kilometers from the Israeli border. The perpetrators ordered the guards on duty to leave the terminal and subsequently blew it up. This was the second explosion in two weeks and the fourth since President Hosni Mubarak was deposed back in February.

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Pro-Palestinian activists clash with IDF in Hebron [IBA, Israel]

Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian and international activists today during a march through Hebron. Demonstrators from the Welcome to Palestine Movement paraded through the West Bank town waving flags and chanting slogans. The activists gathered at one of the entrances to the Old City, which has been closed by the army to protect the nearby Jewish settlement. One of the international protestors banged on the closed gate as the security forces threw stun grenades to disperse the crowds.

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IAEA, Iran agree to clarify misunderstandings [IBA, Israel]

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi today praised the latest round on nuclear talks with International Atomic Energy Agency Chief Yukiya Amano. Salehi said that the two sides have reached "very positive conclusions" and have agreed to continue working on their remaining differences. Amano has repeatedly encouraged Tehran to increase its cooperation with the IAEA to help allay western concerns about its nuclear program. But Iran's failure to comply with IAEA inspectors or to halt his uranium enrichment has led to four rounds of UN sanctions.

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Prime Minister Spokesman discusses Quartet meeting [IBA, Israel]

Presenter, Female # 1
Joining me now in the studio to discuss the Quartet meeting and other regional developments is spokesman for the Prime Minister, Mark Regev. We know that the Quartet didn't even manage to come up with a joint statement in the last few days regarding the conflict. What do you believe is the cause for the deadlock?

Guest, Male #1 (Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu)
The Quartet is meeting again today and I don't want to preempt anything that they might or might not do. What is clear is the Israeli position. We want to see the immediate resumption of direct talks with Palestinians. That is the only way to peace, the only way to reconciliation.

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US pushes Iraq for decision on extension of military presence [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
The US defense secretary expressed concern about Iran providing weapons to extremists in Iraq. He noted that the United States will act unilaterally to deal with threats from extremists if necessary. Panetta's statement came after his meeting with Iraqi officials in Baghdad and Erbil to discuss the issue of the US military presence after 2011. Hazim Mahmoud reports from Baghdad.

Reporter, Male #1
Political and security leaders from the US are flocking to Iraq. Newly-appointed US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was the most recent official seeking a response from Iraqi officials, most notably from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President of the Republic Jalal Talabani, and Kurdistan Regional President Masoud al-Barzani, to quench the US's thirst for its forces to stay in the Country of The Two Rivers after 2011. Political observers speak of a compromise that will keep US troops in the country and that does not embarrass the political groups that announced their rejection of the extension.

Guest, Male #1 (Mohamed al-Makili, Iraqi Institute for Strategic Studies)
I believe there will be a compromise to solve the issue. The agreement will expire or be cancelled at the end of this year, and the US will play a different role acceptable to all political blocs with an increased number of troops whose mission is to train the Iraqi military forces.

Reporter, Male #1
In light of the popular movement, some political blocs believe that the Iraqi public should have the first and final say on the issue of extending the presence of US forces, regardless of the positions of the government or political parties.

Guest, Male #2 (Abdu al-Sitar al-Jamili, Iraqiya Bloc)
The political blocs should listen to the opinion of the Iraqi street. If they don't listen to the public's opinion then I believe that the situation will take a different turn.

Reporter, Male #1
The bombing in the Green Zone by six rockets, which coincided with Panetta's visit to Baghdad, gave additional momentum to the US in its pursuit to extend its forces' stay based on the deteriorating security situation in Iraq. The US defense secretary asserted that his country will act alone, if necessary, against the extremists to whom Iran provides weapons, which led to the killing of a number of US soldiers in June. The submission of the prime minister's report to parliament regarding his decision about the US troops' stay will begin the process for all political blocs to determine their positions on the extension of these forces' presence in Iraq. Hazim Mahmoud, Baghdad, Future TV.