Syria's mosques play a pivotal role in the anti-regime mobilization [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female # 1
Syria's anti-regime mobilization has been associated with many mosques that have become a destination for protestors and a starting point for their demonstrations, and not just on Fridays. Historically, the mosque's role has not been limited to religious services. The following report looks into the relationship between mosques and demonstrations in Syria.

Reporter, Male # 1
No, this is not a site for prayers and pleas only. Contrary to some people's beliefs, the mosque's mission exceeds rituals and acts of worship. So what happens if some worshippers in Syria call for the downfall of the regime? Here, at the Omari Mosque in Daraa, which has become an icon for protestors, the injured are treated and the bodies of the killed are covered. And until recently, the mosque was transformed into a military base by the security forces, depriving it from holding prayer services. The security agencies said it confiscated weapons and equipment from the mosque and arrested extremist fighters. At for al-Umawi Mosque in Damascus, some protestors are using it to react to the mobilization in the country. These are its courtyard and its historical corridors. And despite the opposition of its imams, the mosque hosts the demonstrators crying for freedom and the downfall of the regime. And not far from the old city, the neighborhood of al-Midan hosts the Hassan Mosque, where worshippers commit to performing the two Raka'a every Friday that are followed by protests across the neighborhood and its alleys. They march until the security forces and those described as the shabeha interrupt them and as soon as protestors launch their demonstration from the mosque, others return. However, this time, they are carried on someone else's shoulders. The scene here, in Khalid bin Walid Mosque in Homs, is the same as other mosques in Syria: mourners protest after the funerals of their Midan comrades. Every once in a while, the Saifullah al-Maslul Mosque is encircled by tanks and heavily armed soldiers; the same tactic is used to deal with other mosques in Homs and elsewhere. On the Syrian coast and its jewel Latakia, houses of worship are also where protestors mobilize for their uninterrupted demonstrations since March 15. Most notably from the mosques of al-Rahman, Soufan, Khalid ibn al-Walid, al-Mansouri but also many others. And as long as mosques bring people together at times of joy and sorrow, they will remain the initiators of change and the inspiration for education, knowledge, and social development. In Syria, that compass has not been lost. Angry demonstrators are now waiting for Ramadan when its taraweeh prayers and night prayers will offer nightly Fridays, which could eliminate the regime's tormenting of the people.

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Mystery surrounds the killing of Libyan rebel commander [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The assassination of the Libyan opposition forces' chief of staff evoked doubts on who the beneficiaries of Major-General Abdel Fattah Younis' death are. While fingers are being pointed at Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's security institutions for being involved in the operation, it is not being ruled out that Younis' elimination was a result of internal disputes in the Libyan opposition. Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a relative of Abdel Fattah Younis saying that they received his burned body with bullet holes on it. He said they held a funeral for him and carried his body around the main square in Benghazi.

Reporter, Male #1
Muammar al-Gaddafi and Abdel Fattah Younis were the two founders of the Fateh Revolution in Libya. Until not long ago, the latter had been the interior minister for the Jamahiriya. Younis defected from the Libyan regime to join those who defected before him, and together they formed the Transitional Council. Since then, the major-general had been a leader in the opposition's armed forces. The man was killed when he was returning from the frontlines to Benghazi to appear before a special investigation committee for military affairs.

Guest, Male #1 (Mustafa Abdul Jalil, Head of the Libyan Transitional Council)
Reports today confirmed that Major-General Abdel Fattah Younis and two of his companions were shot by gunmen after the major-general was recalled from the frontlines to appear before the judicial committee investigating cases regarding military affairs. The National Council announces the following: first, a three-day mourning period for the martyrs; second, intensifying all revolutionary efforts to find the criminals and the martyrs' bodies.

Reporter, Male #1
Younis' defection from the Libyan regime to join the revolutionaries brought them much hope. The opposition says his military experience and knowledge of the plans of Gaddafi's loyalist battalions proved to be effective more than once. But his killing and the ambiguous conditions in which he fell have caused much doubt on who the primary beneficiary of his death may be. Accusations against Younis for holding secret talks with the Libyan regime have not ceased, nor has what is described by the opposition as Gaddafi's bitterness for being abandoned by one of his closest companions.

Guest, Male #2 (Voice of Omar al-Tubi, Foreign Relations Advisor in the Libyan Transitional Council)
I have to admit that this is a blow to the Council and the revolutionaries. But it will not deter them; instead, it will make the Libyans and revolutionaries much more determined to get rid of Gaddafi.

Reporter, Male #1
Observers of Libyan affairs say that this is an open war. But the stalemate at the battle frontlines and the assassination of a top leader in the Transitional Council now require the council to prove its capability to manage the country at a time when more governments are recognizing it as the only representative for the Libyan people.

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Bahrain dialogue fails to appease protestors [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
According to our al-Alam correspondent in Bahrain, fierce confrontations have erupted between young protestors and Bahraini security forces backed by mercenaries in the towns of Zanj and al-Bilad Qadeem. This news comes after a protest rally was held across the street from the US embassy in Manama. Our correspondent said that security forces deployed around the embassy were put on high alert. In addition, all roads were closed in an attempt to prevent people from gathering in front of the embassy. The protest was called for by the February 14 Coalition. Meanwhile, several demonstrations and protest rallies were held across Bahrain in response to a call by the Wefaq Society and the February 14 Coalition. The Bahraini opposition has rejected the outcome of the national dialogue announced by the king yesterday. The Wefaq Society warned the regime against imposing the outcome as a proposed solution to the political crisis in the country. Human Rights Watch, HRW, has condemned the arbitrary and massive dismissal of workers, and urged Bahrain to reinstate and compensate them.

Reporter, Male #1
As was expected, the Bahraini opposition has rejected the outcome of the national dialogue called for by the authorities. The Wefaq National Islamic Society in Bahrain has connected the dots in the case of the national dialogue. It warned the regime against imposing the outcome as a proposed solution to the political crisis in the country. Al-Wefaq's senior leader and head of its delegation to the national dialogue, Khalil al-Marzooq, who withdrew from the talks, said that that dialogue failed to bring about actual reforms as demanded by the thousands of people protesting for their rights.

Guest, Male #2 (Khalil al-Marzooq, leader in Wefaq National Islamic Society )
What we have expected all along happened. These are merely formal and simple amendments. We reject such formal and superficial amendments as a solution to the political status quo in Bahrain.

Reporter, Male #1
During a press conference, al-Marzooq said that the Wefaq Society has nothing to do with the outcome of the national dialogue. He added that the dialogue failed to meet the aspirations of the Bahraini people, who have been calling for an elected government and parliament with full privileges and security, as well and independent judiciary. Al-Marzook further said that ending the dialogue in such an abrupt manner by ignoring the voices of the Bahraini people is a crime against our nation. He also called on the international community to investigate the outcome of the dialogue. He accused the regime of attempting to marginalize the role of the international delegations, which have called for an actual dialogue and serious reforms. Despite the absence of the Wefaq and most opposition societies and movements, Bahraini King Hamad Bin Issa Bin al-Khalifa said that the final report on the dialogue reflects Bahrain's determination to rise above the latest incidents. The outcome of the dialogue has failed to extinguish the flames of protests in Bahrain. Al-Wefaq Society has called for staging protests on Friday, starting from the area of Sar and ending at the town of Diraz, under the slogan: "The people are the source of power." In addition, the February 14 Coalition called for a sit-in rally in front of the US embassy in Manama to condemn US collaboration in the campaign of occupation and crackdown facing the Bahraini people. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch called on the Bahraini government to investigate the arbitrary dismissal of employees who took part in the popular protests. Since last March, more than 2,000 Bahrainis have been dismissed from their jobs in the various ministries, associations, schools, and hospitals. Human Rights Watch said in a statement that the terminations were meant as a punishment to the people who took part in the protests raging in the country. The organization said that the dismissal violates Bahraini labor laws and international standards, especially the laws banning discrimination based on political affiliations. It also called on the Bahraini government to repeal such arbitrary measures and compensate those affected by them. Furthermore, it criticized the collective dismissal of 41 labor union leaders and several members of the federation board.

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Egypt's secular coalitions accuse the Islamists of hijacking the revolution's demands [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Male #1
A number of major squares in Egyptian provinces are witnessing massive demonstrations under the slogan, "Friday of Unity and the People's Will." Most political parties and movements are participating in the demonstrations after they reached a consensus in the last two days on putting aside individual demands and focusing on the revolution's goals. The revolution's most prominent demands include rejecting principles above the constitution; ending the military trials of civilians; accelerating the process to try symbols of the former regime and perpetrators who killed protestors. Even though the demonstration was well-organized and free of friction, some movements in Tahrir Square criticized the Islamic fronts for violating the agreement by using slogans with disputed contents. Political parties and groups decided not to continue taking part in the events of Friday's million-person demonstration named the "Friday of Unity." The reason for their withdrawal is that Islamic parties and movements raised religious slogans, which breaches a consensus reached by all civil political parties, revolutionary groups, and youth coalitions to unify the revolution's demands. At a press conference held at the Egyptian Democratic Party's headquarters, political parties criticized Islamic movements for violating the previous agreements.

Reporter, Male #2
Over 30 political parties and movements announced today that they are pulling out of the "Friday of Unity and People's Will" demonstrations. At a press conference at the Egyptian Democratic Party's headquarters, strong criticisms were directed at Islamic movements, especially the Salafis and the Muslim Brotherhood, for violating the previous agreement to neutralize the disputed issues and raise no religious slogans.

Guest, Female #1 (Dr. Sali Thomas, Member of Youth of Revolution Coalition Bureau)
What happened today is that they raised Islamic slogans. Every political slogan, regardless of what it was, was met with incessant Islamic slogans. It is obvious that they did not comply with our agreement. We are not against any movement, and we are not against anyone joining the protests in Tahrir Square as long as it is an Egyptian movement in favor of the Egyptian people.

Guest, Male #3 (Khaled Nabawi, artist)
I heard some people say: "With our soul, with our blood, we redeem you oh Islam." We were all raised to perform prayers five times a day, swear that we "bear witness, that there is no god but God and Mohamed is the messenger of God." Along with the Christians and the Jews, we all live together. So they want to "redeem Islam" from whom?

Reporter, Male #2
Before the press conference, revolutionarily youth coalitions and the members of the National Labor Union disagreed over who should be sitting behind the press conference's podium. They themselves had previously criticized Islamist movements over the very same issue, and prevented them from taking to the podium in Tahrir Square to present their revolutionary demands. Meanwhile, some liken what is happening in Tahrir today to a war, and that war is a trick.

Guest, Male #4 (Dr. Mamduh Hamza, political activist)
Well, I don't blame them; it's their right. The problem comes from the other side. They have lost their political maturity. I'm referring to the other parties and movements that do not represent Islam.

Guest, Male #5 (Khaled Yousuf, film director)
All the Islamic movements chanted slogans for their individual interests, instead of slogans that benefit all the Egyptian people, which are the demands of the revolution, in an attempt to display their power.

Reporter, Male #1
At the end of the press conference, the attendants asserted that there are parties benefiting from the disputes between the political and religious movements. They called on everyone to start a dialogue around the revolution's demands and overcome the disputes.

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Protestors slam US, Saudi interference in Yemeni affairs [Press TV, Iran]

In Yemen, anti-regime protestors in the cities of Taiz and Hodeidah have rallied against what they call the Saudi and US interference in their country's affairs. Protestors accuse the US and Saudi Arabia of making efforts to save Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime. Demonstrators in the capital Sanaa and several other cities have also rallied on the day they called "Friday of Patience." The protestors want the ouster of Saleh's regime and say they will remain steadfast until it happens. They also say they want the regime's officials to face justice. This, because of the killings of hundreds of people during anti-regime rallies that erupted in February.

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Jordan protestors call for reform and an end to corruption [Press TV, Iran]

In Jordan, pro-reform protestors have taken to the streets in the country's capital as well as its third largest city. The protestors came out to the streets after Friday prayers in Amman and the city of Irbid, chanting slogans against the government. They have been calling for an end to corruption and wider participation in governing Jordan. The demonstration is part of weekly anti-government rallies that have been taking place after Friday prayers for the past several months.

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Oman demonstrators demand political reform, trial of officials [Press TV, Iran]

In Oman, protestors have once again have taken to the streets calling for genuine reform. These pictures show a rally in the southern town of Salalah. The protestors are urging authorities to stamp out corruption in the country. Their demands include political reform and unbiased trials of corrupt officials. Anti-government protests in Oman began in January and were inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egyt.

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Massive Israeli housing protests slated for conclusion of Sabbath [IBA, Israel]

We open with continuing nationwide protests against the steep cost of housing. As thousands remain in ten cities across the country today, activists announced that at the conclusion of the Sabbath, the most massive demonstrations yet are slated to be held in the major cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer Sheva, Ashdod, and Nazareth. Meanwhile, expanding social unrest continues to gather momentum from virtually every segment of Israeli society.

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Is Lebanon restricting freedoms as Arabs gain theirs? [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
A sample of the force of weapons culture that Hezbollah is the return of the approach that creative security institutions use: the invitation for "a cup of coffee," an attempt to instill fear in people's hearts. Saadeddine Shatila and Zeid Hamdan are two young men who "drank coffee" under unusual circumstances at the security institutions in the last two days. Mohamed Barkat reports on the "coffee drinking" method that Hezbollah's government is bringing back to the daily life of the Lebanese.

Reporter, Male #2
Has coffee-drinking returned to the daily life of the Lebanese, but from a big cup this time? After young man Saadeddine Shatila was detained last Tuesday, he "drank a cup of coffee" for 15 hours at a well-known security institution. This young man named Zeid Hamdan was detained on Wednesday, and for eight hours he drank the "coffee" of the security investigation. The singer was questioned over a song released three years ago demanding General Michel Suleiman not enter the political arena and go home at the end of his military mandate.

Guest, Male #3 (Zeid Hamdan, singer detained over a song)
I explained to them why I made that point at the end of the song. I meant that his military work was good and that it united the country but I asked him to stay away from politics.

Reporter, Male #2
Why were you released?

Guest, Male #3
They let me go; I didn't know who was responsible or why. The judge said I am free to go but I didn't know how or why I was released.

Reporter, Male #1
Zeid does not know why he was detained, nor does he know why he was released. This is democracy at its peak. However, after three years, is there someone who fears that president's image will be damaged?

Guest, Male #3
If they detained me for this reason, then freedom in the country is at risk. The song doesn't even have a curse word, or anything. The song is an anthem for peace. This is why there was a lot of commotion and mobilization. People felt that if such a benign thing is forbidden, then what is permitted? They wondered where the country is headed.

Guest, Male #4 (Nizar Saghiya, lawyer and legal researcher)
When one is detained for such a silly reason, it is a message to everyone, telling them to avoid politics. This is a message to every artist discouraging them from discussing the issue, telling them to focus on social issues. If people think an eight-hour detention is not problematic, they are wrong. This causes fear in every artist, a warning that they will have the same fate.

Reporter, Male #2
Michel Hajj Georges is a human rights activist. He believes that what is happening is the installation of a new police state.

Guest, Male #5 (Michel Hajj Georges, Co-Founder of Media Against Violence)
This is what is called the Pinochet Syndrome; Pinochet being the Chilean dictator. The Pinochet Syndrome is the creation of a state of fear among the people and the enforcement of a red line so they won't dare speak freely.

Reporter, Male #2
The detainment of these two young men came weeks after the General Security decided to ban a number of films and after attacking the MTV crew twice, first in al-Dahiya and then in the town of Lassa.

Guest, Male #5
If we don't deal with the issue immediately in three or four months, we won't have any freedom and a new security mandate will be in place.

Guest, Male #4
Yesterday's events proved that Lebanon is outside the course of history.

Reporter, Male #2
At a time when Arabs are taking to the streets in search of freedom, Lebanon is returning to "coffee," the Arabs' coffee.