Somalis fasting for Ramadan have no access to Iftar meals [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
UN Humanitarian Aid Chief Valerie Amos said that the famine in the Horn of Africa may spread to six more regions in Somalia.

Presenter, Male #1
As many Somalis have welcomed the holy month of Ramadan, the world is still trying to deal with the food crisis that has been rocking several areas of the African Horn due to harsh waves of drought. World organizations have described the humanitarian suffering in Somalia as "a new chapter of a series of tragedies" and as an "exceptional case" facing Somalia over the past two decades.

Presenter, Female #1
The displaced Somalis who fled the famine are bracing for difficult days during Ramadan due to food shortages.

Presenter, Male #1
Our correspondent in Mogadishu sheds light on part of the refugees' suffering, as the month of Ramadan begins.

Reporter, Male #2
While hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world have welcomed the holy month of Ramadan amid a joyous and festive atmosphere, Somalis at the refugee camps are enduing hardship as many are unable to secure a decent life. With the arrival of the holy month, many are living under harsh conditions due to homelessness and displacement. Searching for food has brought these new refugees together at this camp. Here, they share their painful stories with visitors. Many were not able to secure Sihur or Iftar meals for their families.

Guest, Male #3
Ramadan has begun. We couldn't find anything to eat at Sihur or Iftar. If there were an actual scale to measure the magnitude of a crisis facing Muslims, this is it. We urge anyone who can help to act quickly and to give now.

Reporter, Male #2
Bushara Hussein is a refugee who started the month of Ramadan while living at this camp. She is complaining about negligence and lack of aid. She said that she couldn't find anything to offer her children so she asked for their patience. Despite her tragic ordeal, she is fasting. She hopes that the next few days will bring relief.

Guest, Female #2
We are in the month of Ramadan. However, we don't have food for Sihur or Iftar. We break our fast by drinking water. Ramadan is a duty of every Muslim. We hope to receive emergency food aid and plastic covers for our cottage soon.

Reporter, Male #2
Malyoun is not in a better situation than Bushara. Her children are hungry, with no wood fire being lit at their cottage on this first day of Ramadan. She sometime thinks about giving up hope, as her living conditions continue to deteriorate. Her ordeal is similar to many famine refugees in Somalia.

Guest, Female #3
No wood fire is being lit in our cottage even though we are in Ramadan. We don't have food or drinking water. The children need food and milk. They gave us these useless food stamps.

Reporter, Male #2
The stories told by the drought victims are similar, as the number of displaced refugee continues to rise, especially amid the limited aid which is disproportionate to the magnitude of the crisis. With a life overshadowed by misery and deprivation, the famine refugees of Somalia began the holy month of Ramadan, hoping to make their voices heard to charity organizations and kind-hearted people in a bid to save them from the nightmare of famine. Omar Mahmud, al-Jazeera, Mogadishu.

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Saif al-Islam vows to fight until Libya is liberated as rebels push toward Zlitan [Press TV, Iran]

At least seven Libyan revolutionaries have lost their lives in a fresh round of fighting with troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. Hospital sources say scores have also been wounded in the western town of Zlitan. This after anti-Gaddafi fighters captured the town from the regime forces. Attacks by pro-Gaddafi troops have intensified as opposition fighters are pushing their way towards the capital Tripoli where the long-time ruler is holed-up. Taking over control of Zlitan is viewed as a big gain for the revolutionaries as it is the first of three major towns that stand between Tripoli and Misurata which is held by the revolutionaries.

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Yemeni protestors renew calls for downfall of Saleh's regime [Press TV, Iran]

Yemeni anti-regime protestors have once again rallies in the flashpoint city of Taiz. They want the downfall of Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime and the trial of its officials. The protests come a day after regime forces killed two opposition tribesmen and injured several more in Taiz. Meanwhile, powerful leaders have formed an alliance to protect anti-regime protestors against what they call bloody actions.

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World powers rule out military intervention in Syria [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Syrian security forces continued to carry out military operations last night. Rights organizations said that yesterday's death toll reached 24. Witnesses in Damascus reported that Syrian security forces killed at least six protestors after midnight in an attack on Arbeen, an eastern suburb of Damascus. Syrian official sources said that seven bodies were found in Kazu, a suburb of Hama.

Reporter, Male #2
The chaos in Syria has been ongoing for nearly five months and still continues. The Syrian army's military operation is currently focused in the city of Hama. Hama residents escaped to neighboring villages as the army's tanks advanced towards the center of the city as part of a military operation aimed at repressing protests. Activists say that the army's nighttime attacks targeted residential neighborhoods and a hospital, killing an uncertain number of people.

Guest, Male #3 (Omar al-Hibal, eyewitness in Hama)
We saw 33 shells in six minutes. At the same time, there was heavy machinegun fire.

Reporter, Male #2
Syrian state TV aired what it said to be images of protests in Hama this past Sunday, showing whom it referred to as "armed infiltrators" among protestors carrying rifles, sticks, and knives. Night protests prevailed in a number of Syrian cities after Taraweeh prayers in the first days of Ramadan. Our BBC correspondent in Damascus says that protests continue in the capital and various parts of the country demanding an end to the military attacks on Hama. Diplomatically, Italy recalled its ambassador from Damascus and suggested the rest of the EU countries follow its example. For his part, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen excluded the possibility of any direct military intervention to put a quick end to the violence in Syria.

Guest, Male #4 (Mike Mullen, US Chief of Staff)
There is no indication whatsoever that the Americans, that we would get involved directly with respect to this. We are trying to exert more pressure politically and diplomatically to bring about the change that many countries are seeking.

Reporter, Male #2
The UN Security Council is continuing its meeting today to discuss a draft resolution to condemn the military attacks that the Syrian regime is launching on protestors. The Council convened a closed-door session yesterday without reaching a decision.

Presenter, Male #1
The UN Security Council is continuing its meeting today to discuss the proposed draft resolution condemning the Syrian military operations aimed at repressing the anti-government protests. The council convened a closed-door session yesterday amid reports on Russia's obvious change of position. Diplomats were quoted saying that European countries, including the UK, prepared a draft resolution to submit to the UN Security Council denouncing the Syrian authorities for resorting to the use of force against the protestors. US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice described the events in Syria as disturbing. As for other international positions, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman indicated that there is regional interference affecting the tension in Syria.

Guest, Male #5 (Ramin Mehmanparast, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
If the Syrian people have legitimate demands that they express in peaceful ways, then we are against the use of violence against their protests. However, there is clear evidence in Syria that there is regional interference in what is happening.

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Bahrain's February 14th coalition calls for escalating protest movement [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female # 1
Bahrain's February 14th Revolution Coalition issued a statement on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. The coalition called on Bahrainis to escalate their mobilization and protest across the country, confirming it maintains its demand for self-determination since it's a UN-mandated right. The coalition stressed the importance of national unity among the Bahraini people while it condemned the abductions, torture, arrests of women, and the crimes of the Saudi occupation forces. This comes as al-Wefaq Society condemned the arbitrary dismissal of employees, describing it as collective punishment. In addition, it warned against the excessive use of violence against demonstrators. In another development, crowds held a funeral for martyr Issa el-Taweel, who was a resident of Sitra Island and died after inhaling poison gas dispersed by security forces in residential areas.

Reporter, Male # 1
After the failure of the dialogue and the Bahraini regime's continued use of the security option to repress the people's demands, revolutionary escalation and increasing the protest action is now the alternative weapon in the hands of the Bahraini people in order to attain their rights. As demonstrations continue in a number of towns and villages, the Bahraini regime's forces do not hesitate to use poison gas, stun grenades and live bullets to scare the citizens. The villages of Azari, Nuwaidrat, al-Eker, al- Ma'ali, Mahza and Wadiyan witnessed excessive use of force to disperse demonstrators as Bahrainis held a funeral for an additional martyr. The man from the area of Sitra died after inhaling poison gas. In the town of Tubli, demonstrators chanted against the presence of the Saudi occupation forces, confirming their commitment to the popular demands, rejecting any attempt by the regime to force a compromise. And not only did the authorities use excessive violence to suppress the protests, but they went after demonstrators at their workplaces and are attempting to starve their families through the continued termination of thousands of workers and employees. The Wefaq National Islamic Society condemned the dismissals, considering them to be a violation of the basic rights of citizens and human rights, which will lead to a humanitarian disaster.

Guest, Male # 2 (Khalil al-Marzouq, al-Wefaq leader)
We expected the cabinet to look into the decisions of the delegations and the blatant sectarian discrimination, the deprivation and the killing of the dreams of the young men and women of this country. We expected the cabinet to say that this is unjust. It should review the delegation's policies, not adopt them. It is as if there is an official policy to discriminate.

Reporter, Male # 1
Al-Wefaq also expressed its solidarity with the families that gathered at the Ministry of Labor on Monday, describing the government's decisions to fire thousands of employees and workers as collective punishment, represented by starving the people and cutting off their livelihood. It stressed on the necessity to immediately reinstate all those fired, offer compensation for their losses, and restitution.

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Israeli activists present Netanyahu with list of demands [IBA, Israel]

In our top story today, organizers of the nationwide social uprising are formulating their demands in the areas of housing, education, welfare, health, and economic policy. They have written a draft document in consultation with economic advisors that reportedly includes the estimated cost to the state budget. It also claims that once implemented, the income generated by their measures would exceed their costs. Activists aimed to present the completed proposal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the coming days. Toping the wish list, of course, are housing concerns.

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Twelve right-wing settlers banned from West Bank [IBA, Israel]

The army has issued restraining orders against twelve settlers from the West Bank. The residents of Yitzhar and other Jewish settlements will be banned from part or all of the West Bank for up to one year. Police arrested the men on suspicion that they planned and orchestrated widespread covert violence against Palestinians. Those detained are charged with vandalizing a number of mosques, cars, and buildings owned by Palestinians in what the settlers called "price tag operations."

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Mosul residents complain of price hike during Ramadan [Al-Iraqiya, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
With the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Iraqi families are preparing to shop for the necessary foods at the market.

Presenter, Male #1
Citizens in Mosul province are complaining about the price hike of certain food products that are considered the most basic foods for Ramadan. They called on relevant officials to monitor the sellers and stop them from raising their prices.

Reporter, Male #2
As the holy month of Ramadan began, Mosul's markets witnessed unusual shopping activity with a large number of customers. They go to stores and meat markets to buy foods to put on their table for Iftar, or fast-breaking. Traditionally, Iraqis serve a variety of famous local dishes. As usual, the price of meat rose to levels that may be too high for many families with limited incomes.

Guest, Male #3
I ask the government to monitor the sellers. They create the basic problem. The sellers completely control the market. The goods they import are expired and over-priced. Local Iraqi meats are very expensive because the price of feed has risen. Farmers and cow breeders buy local feed at high prices: 13,000 or 14,000 dinars per kilo. The imported feed only cost 7,000 or 8,000 per kilo, but its very poor quality.

Guest, Male #4
We ask the sellers to have sympathy. This is the month for compassion and mercy. They should treat the poor with appropriate prices. People need to eat, people need to live. Most of the people are unemployed and have nothing to do, and they have very low incomes. As a retiree, my salary lasts me only 10 days.

Reporter, Male #2
For their part, the city's security institutions affirmed their commitment to the security plan during the holy month. They are deployed to guarantee safety for the citizens while the security situation is improving noticeably.

Guest, Male #5 (Colonel Abdu Hamid Muhasan, commander of 7th regiment)
In fact, the instructions and plans from the command center and the director-general of the Ninawa Police affirm that this month, for the holy month of Ramadan, we will closely monitor the security situation in the city to protect the citizens. When they shop, visit relatives, or go to hospitals, we must protect their safety. As you see, it's pretty hard to walk in streets this crowded.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the high prices, citizens cannot give up what their hearts desire during the month of fasting. On the other hand, their lack of trust for imported frozen meats forces them to buy fresh Iraqi meats to serve on their dining tables during the blessed month. From Mosul city, Khaled Jaghuri, al-Iraqiya.

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Mubarak to be relocated for trial in Cairo [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
After a long wait and much anticipation, the former president of the largest Arab country, Hosni Mubarak, will be prosecuted in the court in Cairo on charges that may lead to the death penalty, as exceptionally tightened security measures were put in place in the city.

Reporter, Male #1
The trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, his two sons, and a number of his associates is expected to start on Wednesday in Cairo. It is a case that will echo across the Arab world. Official sources confirmed that 83-year-old Mubarak, who is detained in a hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh, will be tried in a criminal court in Cairo despite his health condition. Over 8,000 policemen and soldiers will be deployed to protect the defendants and secure their arrival to the courthouse. It is likely that a large number of victims' families will be attending the trial.

Guest, Male #2
We are trying not only a former president but the president of the largest country in the region. This is the first time in the Arab world that a head of state will be in the defendant's dock.

Guest, Male #3
Mohammad Hosni Mubarak! The criminal and his gang must be put on a public trial to get what he deserves.

Reporter, Male #2
Mubarak could face the death penalty if convicted of the charges against him. The charges include conspiring with his former Interior Minister Habib El-Adly and several aides to kill protestors.