Libyan rebels fight pockets of resistance as NATO bombs Sirte [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The forces of the Libyan Transitional National Council, TNC, continue to send reinforcements in anticipation of the push toward the city of Sirte, the birthplace of Libyan Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi. Tanks, rockets and missiles were sent to the town of Bin Jawad, which will be the starting point of the attack on Sirte. It is expected for the attack to be launched within the next two days. In Tripoli, violent fighting continues between the TNC forces and Gaddafi's forces inside and around the capital's airport. Meanwhile, the central parts of the city are now calm. Our BBC correspondent reported that TNC forces took control of most of Tripoli's neighborhoods and that traffic is back to normal. These snapshots are of an area very close to downtown Tripoli, where cautious calm dominates. NATO forces shelled some vital sites in eastern Libya's city of Sirte. This comes as units of TNC forces advanced toward the city in anticipation of clashes with pro-Gaddafi forces. On the other hand, cautious calm dominated Tripoli after the city witnessed fierce clashes yesterday.

Reporter, Male #2
Intensive shelling is launched on the final strongholds of Gaddafi, the most important of which is Sirte. Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace, is his most fortified stronghold. NATO began the attack with seemingly more organized air strikes and a more effective plan. The shelling targeted an underground hideout, one of Gaddafi's major headquarters in the city. NATO warplanes also targeted 29 trucks carrying weapons near the city, situated at around 250 kilometers east of Tripoli. There is no doubt that these strikes will facilitate the mission of these revolutionaries, as they are called in Libya.

Guest, Male #3 (Liam Fox, British Defense Minister)
There are considerable pockets of resistance from Gaddafi's supporters and their military capabilities have not been destroyed yet. Therefore the UK will continue along with NATO to remove the regime's command and control systems.

Reporter, Male #2
The eastern parts of Tripoli seem to be calm despite the apparent impact of yesterday's battle. Anti-Gaddafi fighters feel euphoric following their victory in the capital, though pockets of Gaddafi's supporters remain, indicating that the battle has not yet ended. Mustafa al-Mishawi, BBC.

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Palestinians mark international Jerusalem Day [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
In occupied Palestine, Israeli occupation authorities imposed a tight curfew on the holy city of Jerusalem. They also set up checkpoints and closed the streets leading to the holy al-Aqsa Mosque in order to prevent Palestinians from entering the mosque to perform the last Friday prayer of Ramadan.

Reporter, Male #2
The international al-Quds or Jerusalem Day in support of Jerusalem and its liberation from the Israeli occupation comes this year as the Islamic awakening continues to gain momentum in the fight against oppression, weakness, and tyranny. The occupation's authorities imposed strict measures in the holy city to prevent worshippers from entering the Aqsa Mosque to perform the last Friday prayer of Ramadan and mark the international al-Quds Day.

Guest, Male #3
There were too many checkpoints in the West Bank. They only allowed entry to people of specific ages and this caused problems. Checkpoints were packed with people waiting to enter. Unfortunately, the ban is affecting many people.

Guest, Female #1
Yes, there were checkpoints and a ban in effect. We crossed five checkpoints on the way here. All young residents were denied entry. It wasn't easy.

Reporter, Male #2
The Palestinian residents, who were able to enter the holy city, whether from the West Bank or inside Palestine, stressed the importance of marking the international Quds Day. They called on the Arab and Muslim nations to withstand all hardship and head to the holy city and its sacred mosque.

Guest, Female #2
They prevented many people from entering. They are being very strict. They are giving the Muslims a hard time. All streets were cordoned off. They also closed the border crossing.

Guest, Male #5
Wake up Arabs! Wake up! Wake up! Stop being passive! Wake up!

Reporter, Male #2
On this last Friday of the holy month, the holy city is calling for help, hoping someone will finally respond and free it from the occupation, which has been disrupting its sacred mosque for decades, which is known to Muslims as their first Qibla. Despite the Israeli occupation's strict measures, which include imposing curfew and banning thousands of Palestinian from entering the city of Jerusalem, thousands of others entered the city to perform the last Friday prayer of Ramadan and mark the international Quds Day. Khadr Shahin, al-Alam, occupied Jerusalem.

Presenter, Male #1
The Palestinians in the Gaza Strip marked international Quds Day by staging mass rallies on city streets. Participants called on the Arabs and Muslims to bear their responsibility by countering the Israeli occupation and its campaign to Judaize the holy city. They also called on the international community to refrain from supporting the Israeli entity at the expense of Palestinian rights.

Reporter, Male #6
Marking international Quds Day, and with the participation of all national and Islamic factions, the Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza in mass rallies. They chanted slogans denouncing all forms of Israeli aggression and reaffirmed their rights in Palestine, most notably in Jerusalem. The Hamas Movement called on the Arab and Muslim worlds to bear their responsibility toward the holy city, which is facing grave danger.

Guest, Male #7 (Dr. Ismail Radwan, Hamas leader)
We say to our Arab and Muslim worlds: Jerusalem is in danger. You must bear your responsibility toward Jerusalem and Palestine, which is the fundamental issue for the Arab and Muslim worlds. In the name of the resistance factions and in the name of the Palestinian people, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to our national principles, most notably Jerusalem.

Reporter, Male #6
For its part, Islamic Jihad called on the Arabs and Muslims to mobilize and unify their efforts in order to defeat the Israeli occupation and expel it from Palestinian land.

Guest, Male #8 (Khadr Habib, Islamic Jihad leader)
The Arab and Muslim nations must mobilize their forces and unify their efforts in order to achieve their goals and uproot this foreign seed planted amidst them. The presence of this entity here is illegitimate, and will remain as such until it's uprooted, God wiling.

Reporter, Male #6
The Democratic Front said international Quds Day has become an occasion to renew all forms of struggle against the Israeli entity. They also called on the international community to bear its responsibility toward the Palestinians and urged it not to take the side of the Israeli occupation.

Reporter, Male #6
International Quds Day will continue to sound the alarm bell, warning all Muslims of the Israeli threats facing the city of Jerusalem and its holy shrines. It's a day to call on them to unite and assume their responsibility toward Jerusalem by liberating it from the oppression and the Israeli occupation's fist. Mustafa Abed-Hadi, Alalam, Gaza, Palestine.

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Iranians show support for Palestinians in Jerusalem Day rallies [Press TV, Iran]

Our top story for this hour, designated by the founder of the Islamic Revolution back in 1979, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan marks the international al-Quds Day to honor the day millions of Iranians who have taken to the streets nation-wide to support the Palestinian cause. Millions of Iranians across the country took part in rallies marking the international Quds day. Chanting the slogans such as "Down with Israel," "Down with the US," people from different walks of life once again got together to voice support for Palestinians and voice their hatred toward the expansionist policies of Israel.

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Rocket fire continues from Gaza despite ceasefire [IBA, Israel]

We open with the firing of a Grad rocket from Gaza at an open area south of Ashkelon this afternoon. Air raid sirens were sounded ahead of the explosion and there have been no reports of injuries or damage. The attack follows the early morning announcement from the Islamic Jihad terror organization of a new ceasefire agreement between Gaza and Israel believed to have been brokered by Egypt and the United Nations despite having said less than 24 hours ago that he group now possesses the military capability to extend their depth of their missile range into Israeli territory.

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Yemenis hold rival demonstrations [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Large Yemeni crowds rallied in the squares for change across Yemeni provinces to renew their demand for President Ali Abdullah Saleh's resignation. They chose "Omens of Victory Friday" as the title of their rally. After Friday prayers, supporters of the Yemeni president took to the street under the slogan "Friday of the Martyr" to honor those killed in the assassination attempt on President Saleh over two months ago.

Reporter, Male #2
For the protestors in Sanaa's Sitin Square, the victory over President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime is very close. On that basis, they named their rally "Omens of Victory Friday." The same slogan was raised in the various provinces celebrating the Libyan revolution's achievements not too long ago. They are aspiring that the Libyan revolution will be a catalyst for the Yemeni youth to mobilize and attain what was recently named in Yemen "revolutionary resolve."

Guest, Male #3
Mobilize for the resolve! Mobilize for the Yemeni revolution's day of celebration! Do not wait long! These masses will be marching in front of you, not behind you.

Reporter, Male #2
Across Yemen's squares of change, no slogan rises above the one demanding the downfall of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. On that basis, the National Council for Revolution Forces was recently formed. The council not only stresses the necessity for Saleh to step down but also rejects his return to the country. As protests in Sana'a and security confrontations in some provinces such as Taiz continue, many in Yemen and abroad predict the country will witness difficult days if diplomatic solutions are not activated and President Saleh's return to Yemen is viewed as vengeful. In the other camp, a demonstration called "Friday of the Martyr" was organized by President Saleh's proponents who chanted slogans supporting him and affirming their loyalty to those killed in the assassination attempt. This has become a regular scene in the squares: pictures of President Saleh and the Saudi king carried side-by-side. The king has been hosting the president for over two months. As of this moment, the pro-Saleh camp has been waiting for his return to Sanaa, which so far seems to be fraught with dangers due to the fragile security situation in the country. In this context, his opponents are apprehensive that his anticipated return could create a security nightmare or turn the ongoing military confrontations into a civil war that many have long been warning of.

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Syrians rally on the Friday of Patience and Steadfastness [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Anti-regime protests were held in Syria on the "Friday of Patience and Steadfastness," while the Security Council failed to impose new sanctions on Syria after Russia and China boycotted the session.

Reporter, Male # 1
It is the last Friday of the month of Ramadan. However, dissidents chose to entitle their rally the "Friday of Patience and Steadfastness," an indication that their anti-regime mobilization will continue. Demonstrations swept the streets of many Syrian cities, extending from the south to the north, starting from Daraa, passing through the countryside of Damascus, and central Homs, Hama and Aleppo in the north, and reaching al-Qamishli and Abu Kamal in the east. Dissidents say the number of protestors is insignificant at this point in light of the arrests and pressure they are facing. What matters, they say, is steadfastness and perseverance. Those dissents say Syrian security forces opened fire at protestors who took to the street after Friday prayers to demand the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad in the suburb of Douma near Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least three demonstrators were killed in Daraa and Deir az-Zour. Abdel Karim Rihawi, the head of the Syrian Human Rights League, said two people were killed in the Deir az-Zour demonstrations. Meanwhile, official sources said gunmen opened fire at a security checkpoint in the city, which lead to the injury of a number of security forces and the killing of two gunmen. In Homs, demonstrations were held after Friday prayers, sweeping the streets of the city. The same scene was repeated in Abu Kamal, al-Mayadin, and the countryside of Daraa. Opposition sources reported gunfire was heard during the protests in Hama. In another development, the official news agency SANA said security forces are tracking down those who assaulted Syrian cartoonist Ali Ferzat, who is part of the opposition, saying the Ministry of Interior is investigating the assault and looking for the culprits in order to try them in court. Ferzat, who was the publisher of al-Doumari newspaper, said four people kidnapped him and assaulted him as he was on his way home. They broke two of his left hand's fingers and his right arm. They also hit him on his right eye. Internationally, the Security Council failed to impose additional sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad and a number of his close circle after Russia and China boycotted the session. Agence France-Presse quoted a diplomat saying the Russian and Chinese seats were empty, an indication of the difficulty of holding talks aimed at reaching a unified resolution on the situation in Syria. The Russian and Chinese position was shared by Brazil, India, and South Africa. Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure on Damascus increased, starting from Ankara and reaching Washington. In a television interview, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country will side with the Syrian citizens if it had to choose between the people and the Syrian government.

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Profile: Syrian cartoonist Ali Ferzat [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
Syrian cartoonist Ali Ferzat was kidnapped, assaulted and beaten in Damascus, leading to his hospitalization. Omar Harqous reports.

Guest, Male #2 (Ali Ferzat, Syrian cartoonist)
For instance, one of the heads of a security institution summoned me -- and of course, the way they talk is a little different. He asked me "how can you air our dirty laundry in front of the people and the foreigners?" So I told him in my own way of course... I told him: "You're asking me why I'm airing your dirty laundry, but you haven't asked yourself why there's dirt on you to begin with."

Reporter, Male #3
A month ago, Syrian cartoonist Ali Ferzat was asked to say something to President Bashar al-Assad. He asked the following: "You said I stabbed you in the back. I own nothing but this pen while you own armies and all these weapons. So who is stabbing whom?" Yesterday, Ali Ferzat's question was answered on his body: he was kidnapped, brutally tortured, and thrown on the street in critical condition. Ferzat, who published "al-Doumari" years ago, a satirical weekly, would not appease the authorities but maintained his stance against all oppressive regimes in the Arab world, especially Syria's regime. Assad shut down al-Doumari two years later despite the fact that he had promised Ferzat not to ban the paper. Ferzat's kidnapping took place at the first rays of dawn. Security members attacked him in his car as he was passing through Umawiyeen Square in Damascus; he was heading home from his office. He was badly beaten and had bruises all over his body, especially his face and hands, to prevent him from drawing again. Syrian activists said security members carried out the kidnapping the way an organized criminal gang would. They stole the content of his briefcase including his papers and drawings, and after beating him they threw him by the airport road. A passer-by found him and took him to the hospital. Activists indicated that a security patrol said it watched the armed gang assaulting Ferzat but did not manage to arrest its members. A number of Ali's fellow Syrian cartoonists saluted him in their drawings, published in solidarity against the repression. Ferzat announced his stance against that repression in the past several months through his drawings and articles on his website, which was also shut down hours after he was assaulted.