Syrian rebels detonate bomb near UN site [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Clashes between members of the Free Syrian Army and government forces took place near the prime minister's office in Damascus today, hours after an explosion rocked the center of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Activists said clashes between the regime's army and the Free Army erupted in Basateen Kfar Susa, near the prime minister's office and the Iranian embassy. Syria's official news outlet said the cause of the blast was an explosive canister placed underneath a petrol truck that was parked behind the hotel housing the UN observers. The Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for the operation.

Reporter, Female #2
This is the scene that Damascus awoke to today: a large explosion in the heart of the capital with all sides confirming its occurrence. But stories about its motive, scope, and the targeted location differed. Opposition activist sources confirmed from the beginning that the explosion targeted the building of the chief-of-staff and the area near the Air Force, close to Umayyad Square in the capital. The Free Army quickly adopted that version and claimed responsibility for the operation. The Free Army also clarified that an explosive device was detonated at the entrance of the building as a security meeting was taking place to coordinate the activities of the Air Force.

Reporter, Female #2
On the other hand, the story being told by the regime contains different details. Syria's Al Ikhbariya and the official Syrian news agency, SANA, reported that an explosive canister was placed by what it called armed terrorist groups on a fuel truck that was parked behind the Dama Rose hotel, where the international observers are staying. According to these outlets, the operation injured 3 people and caused minor property damage near the center of the blast. The deputy foreign minister went to the site of the explosion, confirming that all members of the observers' team are fine, and that Syria was unaffected by what he called a criminal act.

Guest, Male #1 (Faisal Makdad, Deputy Foreign Minister)
From the start, our essential goal was to guarantee the safety of the UN observer mission, and we thank God that this delegation was not hit; not one member has been hurt during the entire time they have been present on the Syrian territories. But this is yet another criminal act that reveals the aggression that Syria in being subjected to.

Reporter, Female #2
Despite the multiple versions of the story of the events in Damascus today, it is now confirmed that the capital is not immune from the events that are taking place in the other parts of Syria. And not only because of this explosion, or other recent ones, but since the shelling, clashes, raids, and arrests continue to take place in a number of Damascene neighborhoods every day.

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Russia warns West against 'sabotaging' accord [Press TV, Iran]

Russia is warning the West against sabotaging affairs and to bring an end to the unrest in Syria. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that Moscow expects a formal answer from Western countries within a matter of days on whether they back the Geneva Accord or not. The Geneva meeting in late June agreed on a plan for political transition in Syria. The plan did not call on President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Despite that, the United States and its allies have been supporting regime change. Lavrov accuses Western powers of fomenting violence the country by openly supporting armed groups fighting to overthrow President Assad.

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Turkey deploys new air defense systems near Syrian border [Press TV, Iran]

Turkey deploys new air defense systems near the border with Syria; Ankara has set up a military security base at Sazgin Airport, which is in Qazi Antep Province. The base is 180 kilometers north of Syria's flashpoint city of Aleppo. Military transportation planes have also been deployed to the base.

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Lebanese family retaliates after abductions by Free Syrian Army [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
In response to the kidnapping of Lebanese citizen Hassan al-Miqdad in Syria, the military wing of the al-Miqdad clan kidnapped a number of Syrians in Lebanon, saying they are members of the Free Syrian Army. It confirmed that kidnappings will be ongoing until their son is released. Al-Miqdad's military wing also warned the Free Syrian Army of surprises in the next few hours if kidnapped Hassan al-Miqdad is not freed.

Guest, Male #1 (Spokesman for al-Miqdad's Military Wing)
Hassan is a man known to the entire world. He is a peaceful man, and like his family said, he doesn't know how to use a hunting rifle. We have documents showing that he is in Syria. The reason behind his visit to Syria is financial and judicial, but this is irrelevant.

Guest, Male #1
It's true that we are the military wing, but this is not all of us. We came here today to send a message. We are not threatening anyone. You, the Free Army, are holding one of our people. You need to fight the regime with dignity. You have no business with us, and we have no business with you. This has to do with Hassan Salim al-Miqdad.

Reporter, Male #2
The Miqdad family laid down its conditions, and as soon as the 24-hour deadline expired, what was called the military wing of the Lebanese clan went to the media. And in the same fashion as the Free Syrian Army, it released a video showing the clan's flag, with gunmen questioning kidnapped members of the Free Army.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohammad, Free Syrian Army Captain)
My name is Mohammad Mousa Issa. I'm from Daraa. I'm from the Karak area. I work for the Free Syrian Army. I am a captain. I mainly provide the Free Syrian Army members and weapons.

Reporter, Male #2
Every Syrian in Lebanon is assumed innocent by the al-Miqdad family, but it plans to escalate its actions, threatening that the kidnappings will continue until Hassan al-Miqdad is released. And so far, they have continued, and the clan is now being supported by the Zeaiter, Jaafar, and Shams clans, and other Beqaa Valley clans.

Guest, Male #4 (Brother of Hassan al-Miqdad)
We started by giving them 24 hours. We started our work, and we will continue whether it's one day, one week, or one month, and whether we keep one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, or ten thousand detainees. We have no problem. We're focusing on Hassan now, but we might have a different goal later.

Reporter, Male #2
Development and Liberation bloc Member of Parliament Ghazi Zeaiter visited the Miqdad association, saying he came to stand in solidarity with his cousins, viewing the incident as a reaction to the events in Syria, and the kidnappings by those he described as the sabotaging criminal army, the Free Syrian Army.

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Bomb explosion leaves 18 dead in Afghanistan [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
An attack struck the southern Afghan city of Herat, killing 18 people. The city's police chief said a motorcycle bomb was remotely detonated in a local market. Meanwhile, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that he and his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, have agreed to send a joint military team to investigate the cross-border shelling. The cross-border shelling and the incursion of militias have always been a source of tension between the two countries, with both sides accusing each other of failing to contain the violence.

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Yemeni security situation deteriorates as fractured army clashes [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
In a statement issued to the BBC, the spokesman for the Yemeni military affairs committee, General Ali Said Obeid, said that the suspects accused of attempting to storm the Defense Ministry are soldiers from the Republican Guard's Second Mountain Infantry Brigade, and that they will stand a military trial. Obeid further said that the forces in charge of protecting the Defense Ministry have arrested 62 soldiers, describing them as "mutineers" who were protesting the Yemeni president's decision to incorporate the 2nd brigade into the southern military command.

Reporter, Male #2
It was a mutiny on all levels. This is how the spokesman for the Yemeni military affairs committee, General Ali Said Obeid, described the security developments in Sanaa. Hundreds of soldiers loyal to the Republican Guard force attacked the headquarters of the Defense Ministry and clashed with its security guards.

Reporter, Male #2
This attack comes after President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi issued an order to incorporate seven Republican Guard's brigades, led by the former President's son Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, into a "presidential protection" force. On the other hand, a Republican Guard spokesman denied any connection to the operation, and accused what he described as "elements outside the military institution" of carrying out a plot to ignite strife between the armed forces and distort the image of the Republican Guard.

Reporter, Male #2
Opponents of the former Yemeni president said the incident marks the beginning of a military coup d'etat led by Saleh's relatives and supporters against President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, especially considering that it took place while the president was abroad. Sources close to the presidential office said that President Hadi has cut short his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and returned to Yemen to deal with the issue.

Reporter, Male #2
In light of the unfolding events, forces loyal to the popular uprising and supporters of tribal leader Sadeq al-Ahmar were placed on alert and deployed north of the Yemeni capital in anticipation of any military developments. Meanwhile, a heavy military presence was seen around the Defense Ministry, President Hadi's home, and the Yemeni Central Bank, amid a tense atmosphere and fears of dragging the country into civil war.

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Bahraini police attack anti-regime protestors in Sitra [Press TV, Iran]

Anti-government protestors in Bahrain come under a fresh attack as they stage another rally in Sitra organized by Amal Islamic Action Society. Demonstrators held pictures of Amal's leaders and chanted slogans against the regime. Saudi-backed forces used tear gas to disperse them.

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US systematically demonizing Muslims at home and abroad [Press TV, Iran]

Since Washington declared its so-called "War on Terror" after the 2001 attack on the Twin Towers, there have been numerous cases of misconduct by US authorities undermining laws set forth by the American Constitution. The Muslim community in the US has been specifically targeted and discriminated against; American Muslims have been subjected to Islamophobia, illegal surveillance, and eavesdropping. There have been a number of lawsuits against the government over the ill treatment of Muslims in the US. Press TV takes a look at some of the lawsuits American Muslims have brought against the government that have been thrown out in court due to the "state secrets" privilege.

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Islamic states set to suspend Syria at Mecca summit [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
The summit of the Islamic Cooperation Council concludes today in the holy city of Mecca. During the opening session, Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz called for the establishment of a center for dialogue between different Muslim doctrines in Riyadh. Meanwhile, delegates at the summit discussed issues impacting the Muslim world, with the Syrian crisis at the forefront.

Reporter, Male #2
Here, at the Sakab Palace, in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, leaders from around the Islamic world are meeting in the birthplace of the divine message that unites all Muslims. Before the start of the opening session of the emergency summit that came under the banner of Islamic unity, presidents, kings, and emirs convened at the site of the meeting. Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz welcomed them side-by-side with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As for the summit, it comes during a critical time for the Islamic nation, and it aims to set aside the disagreements that have recently found fertile grounds in the region.

Guest, Male #3 (Akmal al-Din Ihsan Aghlo)
A nation looks up to its leaders, who must rise to their historical responsibilities to overcome these hard times. It has become clear that the Islamic world cannot continue its current approach. It is essential for our Islamic world to be one of the pioneers of our era, especially since Muslims constitute a quarter of the world's population, and God granted them resources, abilities, and the potential.

Reporter, Male #2
In the face of the impeding dangers facing the Islamic nation, especially those coming from Muslims themselves and from within their political entities, the Saudi king presented a proposal to bring Muslim sects together. The step aims to promote dialogue between Muslims, instead of strife and feuds.

Guest, Male #4
From this basis, I propose establishing a center for dialogue between Islamic sects to reach a common point. The center is to be based in the city of Riyadh, and its members are to be assigned by the Islamic Cooperation Council summit.

Reporter, Male #2
As for the most important issues for the Muslim nations, they were represented by the crisis that is leading to a war on Syrians through foreign intervention, both secretly and publically. However, the step adopted by the Islamic Cooperation Council's emergency summit in Mecca was controversial. The summit decided to suspend Syria's membership at the council, a decision that was absolutely rejected by Iran because it views the move as an escalation of the situation in Syria. Iran confirmed its firm stance against the war declared on Syria. Algeria also objected to the decision; the country is still expressing firm reservations over any decision that includes political, economic or diplomatic sanctions on Syria.

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Panetta: US does not believe Israel has already decided on Iran attack [IBA, Israel]

According to US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, the United States does not believe that Israel has made a decision on whether to attack Iran over its nuclear program. He spoke at a press conference with the US Joint Chief of Staff General Martin Dempsey. Panetta reiterated Washington's view that military action should be a last resort, and stressed that there is still time for sanctions and diplomatic pressure to be effective. General Dempsey cautioned that an Israeli military strike would only serve to delay Iranian atomic development.

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Israelis stock up amid growing speculation of Iran strike [IBA, Israel]

Amid growing speculation over fallout from a potential strike against Iran, public concern over the availability of bomb shelters and gas masks is increasing in Israel. Tens of thousands of residents have arrived at their local distribution centers over the past two weeks to review the masks already in their possession, and contractors have been inundated with requests to build private bomb shelters. Authorities are warning that supplies are running short, and that there will only be enough gas masks for 60 percent of the population. One quarter of all Israelis are estimated to lack access to safety rooms, and just 30 percent of homes have reinforced shelters.

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Israel: Defense ministry decides five-year plan as treasury tries to balance budget [IBA, Israel]

The Israeli government is holding a marathon meeting to discuss its defense project over the next five years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that the government needs to address dramatic changes taking place in the region, but the defense ministry and the treasury are at odds, as the latter says that 12 billion shekels need to be cut to balance the national budget due to dropping state revenues.

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Egypt's Morsi awards sacked army chiefs [IBA, Israel]

In Cairo, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi demonstrated authority over the once-powerful military by awarding medals to two senior generals that he pushed into retirement. Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who headed the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces following the arrest of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, saluted Morsi and warmly thanked him for the honor. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood party was once discriminated against during the Mubarak regime.

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Israel boosts defense budget, assigns new home front minister [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Female #1
In Israel, the Netanyahu government is looking into the occupation army's request to increase the defense budget next year. Meanwhile, the Israeli Knesset will hold an exceptional session on Thursday during its summer recess to appoint Avi Dichter as home front defense minister after he resigned from the Knesset.

Reporter, Male #1
Israel and the Kadima party awoke to an arrangement made overnight. Avi Dichter, member of the Knesset and former chief of the Israeli intelligence, surprised his party by resigning from the Knesset. He is joining the Israeli government by becoming the home front defense minister. Dichter's move comes following a meeting with the head of the Israeli government, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his defense minister, Ehud Barak, late last night. Experts say that Dichter's decision to join the Netanyahu and Barak government is a new indicator that Israel is close to waging an attack on Iran as part of its attempt to foil the latter's nuclear program.

Reporter, Male #1
Netanyahu, Barak, and Dichter are a dangerous trio. The trust between them dates back to over 30 years, when the three served as part of the elite unit in the Israel army, Sayeret Matkal. This is probably what led military analysts and others to believe that Israel is about to wage a dangerous military operation they've described as "major."

Reporter, Male #1
An additional sign of the Israeli preparations to wage new wars is the Israeli government's scheduled session to discuss an increase of the occupation army's budget to 64 billion shekels.

Presenter, Female #1
Iran expressed confidence that Israel will not attack its nuclear facilities. A spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Tehran said that the country is not taking Israel's recent statements seriously. On the other hand, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that Tel Aviv's threats point to what he described as the weakness and stupidity of its leaders.