Syrian refugees fear for their country as revolt turns into proxy war [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
As Syrian refugees continue to flow to the Turkish borders, the authorities in Turkey heightened the security measures at the Bab al-Salam border crossing. As for the Syrian refugees, they expressed fear over a prolonged crisis amid competing international positions.

Reporter, Female #1
Eid al-Fitr came to an end in Syria, but the familiar holiday scenes were absent this year. Instead of streaming into parks in search of festivities, Syrians flowed to the border in search of safety during Eid.

Reporter, Female #1
From here, the Bab al-Salam border crossing, Syrians are fleeing to the Turkish province of Kilis, that holds one of the most important refugee camps, which hosts 15,000 Syrians.

Reporter, Female #1
And even though life in Kilis is particularly dull, it is safer, which is why many Syrian families are heading there. Among them is Mohammad al-Sakran's family, who summarizes the status of his country in just a few words.

Guest, Male #2
Where are we going? Our country was destroyed, we were displaced, our homes were destroyed, we have nothing left.

Reporter, Female #1
The Syrians who lost their homes and left their land sent a message to those they consider one to be partly responsible for the state Syria is in.

Guest, Male #2
When it comes to the Russian Foreign Ministry, it wants to screw the Syrian people as much as possible, because the Syrian people are sick of it, and sick of the arrogant regime. Iran, Russia, and Israel are conspiring to exterminate the Syrian people.

Reporter, Female #1
Syrians outside the country say they fear their cause will be lost amid the conflicting international positions, especially since those Syrians have accused the regime of President Bashar al-Assad of attempting to conceal the truth by killing journalists.

Guest, Male #2
They don't want a free press that reports on the events as they are on the ground, and this is why a sniper killed the Japanese journalist. This is a despicable regime.

Reporter, Female #1
So the voice of the Syrian refugees is full of sadness and anger, as they wait for any strong voice that could end the gunfire and return the homeless to their houses.

Presenter, Male #1
In Syria, opposition activists said that security and military forces killed over 150 people today in a number of areas; most of them died in Damascus and Daraa. Also according to opposition activists, the city of Homs witnessed heavy shelling today, as a convoy of tanks stormed the capital Damascus in the early hours of the morning. The area of Dariya in the countryside of Damascus was also subjected to artillery shelling that led to the killing and injury of a number of people.

Reporter, Female #2
The violence in Syria is not even sparing houses of worship and trees. It is gradually being exacerbated, leaving dozens, or even hundreds, dead and injured. In addition, hundreds of thousands have been displaced. The refugees are fleeing to Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Reporter, Female #2
Most of today's victims of the violence were hit in Damascus and Daraa, according to opposition activists. The scene repeated itself today, as many cities were subjected to heavy shelling since the morning, with Homs and the area of Dariya in the countryside of Damascus being the worst hit. The capital Damascus was stormed by a convoy of regime forces' tanks.

Reporter, Female #2
From their station in Jabal Qasioun, the forces also shelled the neighborhood of Kfar Susa and the region near Aisha River in an attack that aimed to eliminate rebels there. The rebels, for their part, have been using these areas to attack the Mazzah military airport for days. This, according to reports by opposition activists, but the authenticity of which cannot be confirmed.

Reporter, Female #2
In Aleppo, the battle has still not been settled, as the city of Azaz and Tal Rifaat in its countryside witnessed heavy shelling by the Syrian army's warplanes, according to eyewitnesses. The official Syrian side condemned what it called an exaggeration of the events on the ground, and attributed the claim to false media reports.

Guest, Male #3
It is known that some battles took place in Qudsaya, Dumar, and near Asali. And such incidents have taken place occasionally in al-Qadam, and also in some other areas. Yes, operations could be taking place in some of the specific area the media is reporting on, but not on the scale that some in the media are portraying without any objectivity.

Reporter, Female #2
Despite the daily loses they endure, the opposition's activists insist on continuing the fight, and on not surrendering until they are victorious, as they say.

Guest, Male #4
We will be victorious, God willing. Bashar, we are going to cut off your ears, God willing.

Reporter, Female #1
So, the cycle of violence continues in Syria, as the struggle that started as an uprising over 17 months ago turns into a civil war, according to experts, and as the Syrian street is set to lose the most from this escalation, while the international community fails to put an end to the conflict. Samar Hamdan, BBC.

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Tentative ceasefire in north Lebanon city as death toll rises to 10 [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
In northern Lebanon's city of Tripoli, armed groups in Bab al-Tabbaneh agreed to abide by the ceasefire starting at five pm today local time, in accordance with decisions made by the political parties in the city. This comes as the death toll rose to 10 following clashes in Tripoli. The speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, accused some parties of seeking to push Lebanon into the Syrian conflict.

Reporter, Male #1
The plans being drawn for Lebanon, starting from its north, are clearly displayed through the sound of machine gunfire. This state of affairs has now become recurrent amid the region's moving crises and heated positions. Political sources confirm to those concerned with the issue that Tripoli has been greatly impacted by the sectarian dialogue that has left the city with military maneuvers but no means to prevent illegal actions, or the territorial expansion of such clashes. Events witnessed in the north over the past months, including the roaming tension, have become a reality today, as advanced weapons are being sent to the different parties there. This tension hinges on the developments in neighboring Syria.

Reporter, Male #1
This is the scene at night in the capital of the north, after a period of nervous calm that fighters used to move their front lines ahead of a more violent round of clashes at night. Dozens were killed and injured, as the army is now a target following systematic incitement and suspicion over its presence there. The army has sustained a number of injuries, and according to observers of Lebanese affairs, the goal is to eliminate the army and the gunmen who are loyal to Syria from Tripoli. They say this comes ahead of plans drawn on a future map that serves the interests of foreign agendas.

Reporter, Male #1
Even the political parties that endorse these groups remain idly watching the incidents. As for the observers, they say the funding and arming of these groups is occurring through the media outlets of these parties, which have started talking about sectarian military councils.

Reporter, Male #1
Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, described the events in Tripoli as part of the repercussions of the Syrian crisis, noting that some are seeking to use Lebanon as a base or passage into the raging struggle in Syria. As for the head of the Lebanese government, Najib Mikati, he expressed extreme discontent with the chaos that Lebanon is witnessing and particularly his city, especially since his political opponents are offering generous support to the armed groups there. And whatever is said, northern Lebanon may be an indicator that the country is entering a turbulent security phase that will have certain consequences on a number of Lebanese neighborhoods in light of Lebanon's complex sectarian and regional features.

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France gives non-lethal military aid to Syrian opposition [Press TV, Iran]

France is providing more support to the Syrian opposition in their fight against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault says France is giving the opposition what he has called "non-lethal" military aid, including communications equipment, in response to a request for help from the rebels.

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Egypt asks IMF for USD 4.8 billion loan to revive ailing economy [Press TV, Iran]

Egypt has asked for a massive loan from the International Monetary Fund to boost the country's ailing economy. President Mohamed Morsi requested nearly five billion dollars in aid during a visit by IMF chief Christine Lagarde. Cairo says it needs the funds to improve growth, boost investor confidence, and help the economy recover.

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Palestinian journalists arrested in West Bank protest crackdown by Israeli forces [Press TV, Iran]

During a weekly protest in the West Bank village of Kufr Qaddoum, in which residents, activists, and human rights groups protested against the enclosure of the village, Israeli forces shot tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested six journalists. There has been a surge of attacks against Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces, with an increase in attacks by about 30 percent since last year.

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Israel's foreign minister urges ouster of Palestinian leader Abbas [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Today, the Rafah border crossing was partially reopened following several days of closure in observance of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The Rafah crossing usually witnesses a high turnout of Palestinian travelers due to the frequent closures. The crossing was also closed early in the month following the recent attack on an Egyptian military post in Sinai.

Presenter, Male #1
In a related development, Palestinian official Raed Fattouh, who coordinates the flow of goods into Gaza, said the Kerem Abu Salem commercial crossing was also partially reopened today to allow the entry of aid, cooking gas, and other goods used in the agriculture, trade, and transportation sectors.

Presenter, Male #1
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has escalated his war of words against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Lieberman sent a letter to his counterparts at the Mideast Quartet, urging them to remove Abbas, whom he described as an obstacle to the peace process. The letter, which was released by the Israeli Haaretz newspaper, is part of a relentless campaign launched last year by Lieberman against Abbas in a bid to delegitimize him. For its part, the Palestinian Authority downplayed the significance of this latest extremist Israeli position. Our correspondent Mohammed al-Sayyed reports from Ramallah.

Reporter, Male #2
It's a new escalation in the Israeli war of incitement against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman called on the Quartet to topple Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas through new elections in the Palestinian Authority.

Guest, Male #3 (Hani al-Masri, Writer and Political Analyst)
If the president doesn't respond, Israel is seriously considering his removal by replacing him with a loyal Palestinian leadership that's willing to meet Israeli demands and orders. However, this will be nearly impossible to achieve.

Reporter, Male #2
Lieberman's call, which reminds us of a similar position taken by former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon against the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, comes under the context of mounting Israeli pressures on the Palestinians in an attempt to sway them from heading to the UN to seek recognition of their state, especially since the policy adopted by Abbas has embarrassed Israel before the international community.

Guest, Male #4 (Dr. Wasel Abu Yousef, PLO Executive Committee Member)
They are trying to prevent the Palestinian leadership from heading to the UN, but they know that the Palestinian leadership has already made its decision to seek UN recognition of the State of Palestine. The PA wants to resume its efforts with the international community while holding this right-wing extremist government responsible for any political stalemate.

Reporter, Male #2
The unequivocal Palestinian position on the construction of settlements and the Judaization of Jerusalem has prompted the Israeli side to explore ways to get rid of President Abu Mazen. Israel has relentlessly sought to eliminate Palestinian leaderships through various means, and that includes the last move by Sharon to oust Yasser Arafat. And today, in an innovative way, Abu Mazen's turn has come, and is an attempt to drag the Palestinians into a new Israeli-engineered battle, which may further fuel their division.

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Egypt: Troop deployment in Sinai was coordinated with Israel, did not violate peace treaty [IBA, Israel]

Egypt insists that its recent deployment of troops in Sinai was fully coordinated with Israel and did not violate the peace treaty between the two countries. This is according to the al-Masry al-Youm newspaper, which quoted a member of Egypt's higher ruling military council as saying that Egyptian forces entered Sinai only following consultations with Israel, adding that Egypt is committed to the Camp David Accords. This came a day after Maariv reported that Israel sent a message to Egypt that it must remove its tanks from the Sinai because their presence violates the peace treaty.

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Staff at Tel Aviv hospital contract tuberculosis after treating African migrants [IBA, Israel]

A doctor and ten other medical staff who treated African migrants at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Medical Center have contracted tuberculosis. The hospital's statement said the infected employees are receiving preventive care to ensure that the disease does not develop further, noting that anyone who carries the virus but has not developed the disease is not infectious, and therefore has allowed infected personnel to continue working. The incident occurred a month after the hospital's director introduced a policy of restricting admissions of African migrants to prevent staff from contracting the disease, but was repealed after rights groups complained of discrimination.

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Tunisian journalists rally in support of freedom of the press [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
In Tunisia, the appointment of new individuals to head public media institutions has created controversy in the media and political fields, and especially between the government and the journalists' union.

Presenter, Male #1
The union announced its rejection of these appointments, and said they occurred without any consultations. On the other hand, the government said it is committed to appointing officials based on their competence.

Reporter, Male #2
Once again, the battle over the media in Tunisia is intensifying. The appointment of new individuals to head the public television station and an official newspaper has ignited a debate between the government and the journalists' union. The union called for assigning the power to appoint and fire employees to the independent media commission.

Guest, Male #3 (Al-Munji Khadrawi, Tunisian Journalist)
This is not about certain individuals; this is a question of principle. We are demanding the government enforce Decree 116 that deals with audiovisual communications, and to issue an order allowing the independent media commission to assume power to make such appointments according to objective standards.

Reporter, Male #2
The government is denying the accusation that it is controlling the media, saying Tunisian media is enjoying complete freedom since the revolution. But at the same time, it is pushing the notion that these appointments fall within the duties of the head of the government.

Guest, Male #4 (Lotfi Zitoun, Political Advisor for the Presidency)
All journalists can testify that Tunisia is now blessed with freedom, and media outlets have been liberated, something we did not have in the past. These appointments are within the jurisdictions of the head of the government. He makes sure that those appointed do not have any known partisan links, or loyalties to the government or anyone else.

Reporter, Male #2
The new television manager removed herself from these political debates, and vowed to cut ties with the past. She also promised to transform the television station into a national institution that serves the people.

Guest, Female #2 (Eman Baharon, Head of Tunisian Television)
This institution must really become a public institution that works in the interests of the Tunisian people; it can't be with some parties or against others. It has to work for the public interest, and this is what I took vowed to do the day I assumed my position as head of this institution.

Reporter, Male #2
Abiding by this oath does not seem easy, since reforming the media remains one of the suspended demands of the revolution. For this reason, sources from the government vowed to publish a blacklist with the names of journalists who were responsible for the largest distortions of the truth to improve the image of the previous regime.

Reporter, Male #2
There is consensus that reforming and cleansing the media sector is highly important. But disputes over the path that this reform should take are fierce, especially after those who paid the price during the previous regime and those who received that payment started mingling. Mohamed al Bakali, Al Jazeera, Tunis.

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Algerian minister participates in 'Africa Rising' summit in Malabo [Algerie TV, Algeria]

Presenter, Male #1
The Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's representative at the ninth summit of the Leon Sullivan Foundation in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, the minister delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, confirmed that Africa provided the necessary conditions for growth and development. The remarks were made by the minister during a general discussion at the summit specifically tackling African issues. Nadia Sultani has the details.

Reporter, Female #1
The gains achieved by Africa in the recent years are the outcome of the African countries' efforts in the framework of the new partnership for Africa's development, or NEPAD, as confirmed by minister delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel. He is representing the president at the ninth summit for the Leon Sullivan Foundation that is held in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea.

Reporter, Female #1
Messahel said that Africa provided the necessary conditions for growth and development by being determined to meet the demands of peace, security, democracy, and implementing wise governance, in addition to pushing for equality between men and women.

Reporter, Female #1
In the past decade, the continent has witnessed significant growth at an annual rate estimated at five percent. As for the developments achieved in governance, they have allowed for progress in the continent's ability to manage its domestic resources.

Reporter, Female #1
On another issue, Messahel added that a significant rise in private, national, and international investment resulted in the real growth of a number of sectors in African countries. He considered the achieved progress a way to further appeal to investors.

Reporter, Female #1
As for the obstacles that prevent the evaluation of the continent's economic capabilities, Messahel mentioned three fields currently receiving great attention. First, we have transportation, energy irrigation, and media communications, since Africa adopted a program known as PIDA, projecting until 2040, with the aim of overcoming obstacles.

Reporter, Female #1
Second, improving the scientific capabilities and the technical skills, while focusing on adapting the configuration of systems with economic needs. As for the third field, it is related to food security that is increasingly discussed, since Africa is the continent that is most affected by climate change.

Reporter, Female #1
Through his participation in the ninth summit of the Leon Sullivan Foundation in Malabo, minister delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, confirmed that African countries are putting great efforts to constantly invest in the field of agriculture. As for the role of the African diaspora, Messahel said it is very important, and that the diaspora can invest more in Africa through different partnerships, including public and private partnerships.