Mass killing in Syrian town of Tremseh shocks international community [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
A Syrian military source confirmed that the armed forces carried out an operation targeting members of armed terrorist groups that led to the killing of a large number of them, and did not lead to the death of any civilians.

Reporter, Female #2
As the Security Council is making preparations for a session on the crisis in Syria, a new massacre occurred in the town of al-Tremseh in Hama, in which over 150 people were killed. The regime and the opposition traded accusations, while the opposition asked the UN Security Council to issue an urgent and firm resolution on the regime in Damascus, as an official Syrian military source announced that armed military forces killed a large number of terrorists in al-Tremseh on Thursday. The source said an operation was executed and did not lead to the killing of civilians, but large quantities of weapons were confiscated, and documents retrieved, including the IDs of non-Syrians; one of them was Turkish. The military source confirmed that the Syrian forces searched hideouts, finding the bodies of a number of civilians who were previously kidnapped by the armed terrorist groups, then killed.

Reporter, Female #2
On the other hand, a Syrian media source said the bloody media channels carried out the Tremseh massacre in coordination with terrorist groups in an attempt to alter public opinion against Syria, and push for foreign intervention on the eve of the Security Council's session. As for the international envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, he condemned the massacre, saying the observers' delegation is ready to verify the facts. He demanded freedom of movement for the delegation, saying the use of heavy weapons is a violation of the Syrian government's vows. The White House said the horrendous acts committed by al-Assad's forces must stop, and require a coordinated international response at the United Nations. For its part, Russia condemned the massacre, and called for an investigation into it. It said the massacre serves the interests of parties that wish to instigate a religious and sectarian struggle in Syria.

Reporter, Female #2
In a separate development, the head of the Syrian National Council, Abdel Baset Sayda, asked the Security Council to hold an urgent session dedicated to protecting the people from the killing they are subjected to, and for an urgent meeting of Arab foreign ministers. He also asked for an international investigation into the massacres by the Human Rights Council and international organizations. Sayda confirmed that the only solution is the removal of the killing elite, and that no dialogue can be held with the killers.

Guest Male #1 (Abdel Baset Sayda, Head of Syrian National Council)
In case this cannot be achieved because of an expected and undesired Russian veto, we must take action with the "Friends of Syria" group, and this grouping is large and consists of over 100 countries and holds international legitimacy. It must take action, and take practical steps, practical steps. The condemnations and the statements are no longer meaningful.

Reporter, Female #2
On the ground, al-Ra'es Street in al-Mazzeh neighborhood in the center of the Syrian capital was shaken by a car explosion that resulted in material losses. The official SANA news agency said armed terrorist groups detonated an explosive device attached to the car.

Reporter, Female #2
In another development, the head of the UN observers' team to Syria, General Robert Mood, said during a press conference that the delegation has suspended its work due to the unacceptable level of violence, clarifying that the delegation's mission is to observe the ceasefire, but that the rise of violence has obstructed the monitors' ability to fulfill the mission.

Reporter, Female #2
The Syrian minister of national reconciliation affairs, Ali Haidar, confirmed that his doors are open to everyone wishing to communicate, and that he has started indirect contacts. He sent a message that those who refuse to go to Damascus under the pretext that they fear arrest, by saying "If you don't accept our guarantees, then I will be personally responsible for protecting you," and pointed to his willingness to meet in Beirut. He said that anyone can go to Lebanon, and that everyone would guarantee the person's safety in Lebanon. He concluded by saying, "Let's talk here, and decide what we will do." Meanwhile, protests were held on Friday in different parts of Syria under the banner of "Toppling Annan, al-Assad, and Iran's servant."

--

Sudanese opposition accuses al-Bashir's regime of torturing detained protestors [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Amid the protests on the Sudanese street, the opposition accused the ruling party of torturing detained demonstrators. The opposition said that security forces have arrested political opponents and demonstrators, describing their conduct as "bad." For its part, the ruling party justified the arrests, which it says come within the context of enforcing the law and maintaining security. Sami al-Shinawi reports from al-Khartoum.

Reporter, Male #2
As soon as protests erupted on the Sudanese street, an arrest campaign was initiated by the ruling party, according to the opposition. Opposition politicians and activists were rounded up and detained in conditions that are described by the regime's opponents as "bad."

Guest, Female #1 (Mariam al-Sadeq al-Mahdi, Assistant to the Secretary-General of the Umma Party)
They are provoking and beating them in an unprecedented way. You know about the female student, Halima, whose eye was gouged out.

Reporter, Male #2
The justification usually comes under the pretext of maintaining law and order, which security forces are using to restrain anyone who attempts to defy the regime's plans. This has prompted many Sudanese families to start searching for their detained children.

Guest, Male #3 (Fatah al-Rahman al-Jaeli, Ruling Party Leader)
The National Congress doesn't oppose the right to freedom of expression. If this was the case, it would have shut down the news channels and newspapers, as well as prevented all forms of freedom of expression. Sudan is currently witnessing major changes in regard to freedoms, including the right to freedom of expression that comes under the framework of accepting others.

Reporter, Male #2
The detention of several prominent political activists will likely spark a new crisis between the government and the opposition. This comes as the ruling party is coping with a series of crises. Meanwhile, the demonstrations and protests are continuing in Sudan despite the security campaigns and crackdown. This comes as the Sudanese street is gearing for a massive Friday demonstration.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the ruling party's claim that the arrest campaign is aimed at ending acts of chaos and fighting terrorists, legal experts believe detentions must comply with the prisoners' rights, as stipulated by local and international laws. Sami al-Shinawi, Dubai TV, al-Khartoum.

--

Jordanian demonstrators call for constitutional reforms ahead of elections [Press TV, Iran]

Around 1,000 anti-government protestors have taken to the streets of the Jordanian capital Amman to call for constitutional reforms ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The country's powerful Muslim Brotherhood has said it will boycott the vote to protest recent changes in the election legislation, saying the changes fall short of the opposition's demands.

--

Protests in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to demand release of Shia cleric [Press TV, Iran]

Protestors in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, notably the city of Qatif, have hit the streets again, calling for the release of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr from prison after he was arrested in a raid in which he was wounded. Demonstrators in Bahrain have also voiced their concern about the detained cleric; in the village of Daih, protestors took to the streets after Friday prayers.

--

Israeli forces kill two civilians near border with Egypt and Gaza Strip [Press TV, Iran]

Israeli troops have killed two civilians and wounded another in separate incidents. One Palestinian was killed when Israeli forces opened fire at him near the border of the northern Gaza Strip. Tel Aviv claims the victim was armed and opened fire first. In another incident in the south, Israeli troops shot dead one civilian and wounded another. Tel Aviv said that the two unarmed men were trying to cross the border from Egypt.

--

Egyptians stage million-man march to back Morsi's decree [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Thousands of Egyptians are gathering in central Cairo's Tahrir Square to participate in a million-man march that was called for by political forces and coalitions in rejection to the politicization of the judiciary. Protesters erected a number of tents in the square in preparation for an open sit-in that will be held until their demands are met.

Reporter, Male #2
The scene in Tahrir Square indicates that life goes on; cars are going through the heart of the square, unhampered by the protesters' sit-in for the second consecutive day. The protesters' preparations are growing as time goes by ahead of the latest million-man march to endorse President Mohamed Morsi's decision to resume the work of the People's Assembly 60 days after drafting a new constitution for the country. The demonstrators also object to the Supreme Constitutional Court's ruling to annul the president-elect's decision.

Guest Male #3
We are supporting the president's decisions; it is his right that no one can take away from him, so he can fulfill what he promised us.

Guest, Male #4
Not only do we support his decision to reinstate parliament, and his presidential decrees, but we will hold a sit-in until all of the revolution's demands are fulfilled.

Guest, Male #5
We reject the constitutional court's decision and its disrespect for the law. This was not within its jurisdiction.

Reporter, Male #2
This Friday's million-man march was called for by the Muslim Brotherhood, a number of revolutionary forces, and Hazem Abu Ismail's supporters, who rushed to set up one of the first stages in the square, near Mohamed Mahmoud Street, amid escalations that were called for by the movement to topple the constitutional declaration.

Guest, Male #6
This sit-in is a continuation of the sit-in that was suspended because we still have demands. The first is to cancel this constitutional declaration that aims to strip the president of the republic, Dr. Mohamed Morsi, of his powers.

Guest, Male #7
The sit-in is continuing until the downfall of the constitutional declaration, and until the president has all his authorities, so we can hold him accountable.

Reporter, Male #2
The case of Egyptian prisoners in Saudi jails was not absent from the minds of the protesters here, in Tahrir, who called on the Egyptian president to prioritize this case during his talks with the Saudi king.

Guest, Male #8
God willing, I am certain that Dr. Mohamed's priority will be the case of all the prisoners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. God willing, they will return to their country and back to their mother's arms.

Reporter, Male #2
Tahrir Square was and will continue to be the womb of the Egyptian revolution. And as the revolutionaries were able to topple Mubarak and his regime, today they came to endorse Morsi and his decision to reinstate parliament and reject the constitutional declaration. These demands will be reiterated in subsequent million-man marches, until they are fulfilled. From the center of Tahrir Square, Mohamed Amin, Al-Alam.

--

Israel: Likud and Kadima still in deadlock as Tal Law expiration date looms [IBA, Israel]

In the midst of the ongoing efforts of the Likud and Kadima factions to draft a new bill on universal military and national service, it seems increasingly clear that no arrangements have been made to have a new draft law ready for approval before Sunday's cabinet meeting. Benjamin Netanyahu and Shaul Mofaz held a meeting after the failure of talks between Moshe Ya'alon and Yohanan Plessner, agreeing not to give up on the talks.

The main issue on which Likud and Kadima disagree is the maximum age for the exemption from military service; Kadima wants to set it at age 23, but the Likud is in favor of pushing the age to 26. They also disagree on punishments for draft evaders. August 1 is the date on which the current Tal Law expires, making all ultra-Orthodox young men immediately eligible for the draft.

--

Somalia constitution hits stalemate; transitional government to expire in 40 days [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
The founding committee meeting in Somalia was postponed for the second time due to disputes between tribal elders and the Somali government, only 40 days before the term of the transitional government in Somalia expires.

Presenter, Female #1
Tribal elders who met in Mogadishu were supposed to nominate individuals for founding committee membership. However, the elders refrained from presenting their nominations until some constitutional articles are amended.

Reporter, Male #2
It is the second time that the founding committee meeting is postponed because of disputes over several articles of the draft constitution. This further complicates the process of choosing the members. Somali tribal elders who were assigned to form this committee called for amending some articles which they said are controversial and contradict Islamic law.

Reporter, Male #2
The Somali government insists that the committee that drafts the constitution should remain independent, and called on the tribal elders to choose the members of this committee that will become the only party authorized to ratify the new constitution. At the same time, it admitted the meeting was postponed for a short time because of technical difficulties.

Guest, Male #3 (Abdel Rahman Hosh, Chief of the Constitution and Reconciliation)
Yes, the meeting was postponed but not for a long time. The site of the meeting is ready, but the problem is that tribal elders have not chosen all the members of the founding committee. There is an independent committee whose responsibility is to collect the names of the committee from the elders, and it said it needs more time.

Reporter, Male #2
The postponing of the meeting of the founding committee for the second time has raised fears on the Somali street. The people's opinions have varied between those who confirm the importance of overcoming differences and abiding by the schedule to end the transitional period, and those who do not like the way in which the political process is being managed, which they view as being in the interest of a certain political class.

Guest, Male #4
We hope that officials overcome these differences and prioritize public interest over everything else, so they reach an understanding that would enable them to end the transitional period.

Guest, Male #5
It would be better if it was postponed, because the constitution they want to pass is not in Somalia's interest; it is only in the interest of a certain political group.

Reporter, Male #2
Postponing the founding committee's meeting raised a number of questions on the future of the political process in Somalia, leaving the Somali Street eager to know what the coming days will bring. Omar Mahmoud, Al Jazeera, Mogadishu.

--

Somali runners dream big ahead of Olympics [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Women participating in the Olympic Games, and specifically the female athletes from Somalia, are undergoing intensive preparations ahead of the Olympics. Somali female runners Amal and Zamzam are undergoing strenuous training to achieve their dreams despite living in a destroyed country. More details in this report by our BBC correspondent in Mogadishu, Ali Halani.

Reporter, Male #1
Amal and Zamzam are two Somali runners who dream of attaining high rankings in the London Olympic Games in July. They train in this destroyed field in the eastern part of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, with their coach, Ahmed Ali Abikara, almost six hours a day.

Guest, Female #2 (Amal Mohamed, Somali Runner)
My colleague Zamzam and I have been training for many months to get ready for the London Olympics. The closer the date gets, the more enthusiastic I am to raise my country's flag in the Olympics.

Reporter, Male #1
The two girls live in this school, away from their families, to devote themselves to training for the London Olympics and face their competitors, who are fully sponsored by their countries. The two women have ranked first place in local competitions in the 200- and 400-meter races, but this is their first time participating in the Olympics.

Guest, Female #3
My role model for the London Olympics is Somali runner Abdi Bile Abed, who won the gold medal before I was born. It is true that we will be competing against world-renowned runners, but we are persistent in achieving this dream.

Reporter, Male #1
A number of amateur athletes, and others preparing for regional competitions, train in this field. The two women's coach says he is optimistic that Amal and Zamzam will attain a good ranking in the London Olympics, despite fierce competition.

Guest, Male #2
The women, Amal and Zamzam, have been undergoing intensive training for the last four months for about six hours a day. They will continue doing so until they go to London.

Reporter, Male #1
And while we were on the field, this child named Najma drew my attention. She comes here to train every day; her father was an athlete, and she loves to run despite being so young. The coach remarked that she may be a great runner in the future.

Reporter, Male #1
These Somali female athletes are training under difficult circumstances, but their focus is on the London Olympics, a major event that will bring together thousands of athletes from all over the world, who come with the aspiration of achieving athletic glory, in an opportunity that is provided only once every four years. Ali Halani, BBC, Mogadishu.