Egypt's Morsi speaks out against Assad as violence continues in Syria [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
In Syria, 25 people were killed and dozens were injured after a booby-trapped car exploded in the city of Jaramana, in the countryside of Damascus. The bombing occurred during a funeral procession for two regime loyalists who were killed yesterday when an explosive device was detonated.

Presenter, Male #1
Activists said that four soldiers were killed in clashes between the regime's army and the Free Army in the neighborhood of Jobar in the countryside of Damascus. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 13 people were killed by the regime's shelling of the town of Kafr Nabl in Idlib, and that seven others were killed in Hama.

Presenter, Male #1
As for Aleppo, clashes occurred between the regime's army and the Free Syrian Army in the neighborhood of Salaheddine, as the army escalated its shelling of the neighborhood of al-Sukari in the south and Hanano in the north, leading to the death of a number of civilians. Syrian opposition activists said that regime forces also shelled the city of al-Bukamal in eastern Syria with warplanes.

Presenter, Male #1
They uploaded pictures online showing bombs dropping on one of the city's neighborhoods. In Damascus, gunmen from the Free Army attacked what they said is a Syrian army checkpoint amid a heavy exchange of gunfire. This comes as opposition sources noted that a number of people were wounded in the area of Subayneh in Damascus due to the artillery shelling. And in Aleppo in the north, clashes were renewed between the Free Syrian Army and fighters of the Syrian army. According to the Syrian Revolution's General Commission, the neighborhood of al-Kalasa and the neighborhoods of Aleppo's Old City witnessed mass displacement after being shelled by warplanes.

Presenter, Male #1
The president of the opposition Syrian National Council, Abdel Baset Sayda, said that it is too early to talk about a provisional government, but he added that the Syrian opposition is exerting serious efforts, and is continuing its consultations to form a transitional government. Sayda added the announcement will not come soon, criticizing American officials who described the Syrian opposition as divided.

Reporter, Male #2
According to opposition activists, the government is continuing its military campaign in different parts of the country with an increasing use of warplanes. These videos were uploaded online, but could not be verified in light of the restrictions imposed on independent media outlets in Syria. Opposition members say they show Russian-made MiG and Sukhoi aircraft hovering over the outskirts of Damascus. Reports coming out of the capital indicate dozens were killed in an air raid on the suburbs of Saqba and Zamalka Monday night.

Reporter, Male #2
Other videos show a military helicopter falling on the neighborhood of al-Qaboun in Damascus, as admitted by the government that did not provide additional details. And while the acts of violence and clashes were witnessed in different parts of the country, from Daraa in the south to Deir az-Zour, Homs, and Idlib in the north, all eyes are on Aleppo, the country's second largest city. Official media said government forces were able to cleanse some neighborhoods in the city from those who it described as terrorists, as opposition members said the fighting is ongoing in its neighborhoods.

Reporter, Male #2
Pictures broadcast by Reuters Agency show the Syrian opposition in the countryside of Aleppo receiving food, military equipment, and ammunition, excluding heavy weapons, especially anti-aircraft missiles. Fighters depend on their local experience to repair their loot from the Syrian army.

Guest, Male #3
We fix it and we use it in raids. We used this yesterday to raid an artillery battalion in al-Zahra.

Reporter, Male #2
And as the opposition is enduring difficulties on the ground, some foreign political stances were expressed in support of the opposition.

Guest, Male #4 (Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian President)
They Syrian people clearly said to the entire world that this regime must leave. So as countries that support the Syrian people's movement, their revolution, and their right to freedom, stability, and an end to the bloodshed, when we discuss these issues, we have no room to talk about the two parties, or a dialogue between the two parties, or of reform. We discuss supporting the Syrian people's will, and the importance of change.

Reporter, Male #2
As for the French president, who confirmed that Paris is working with its partners to establish buffer zones, he called on the opposition to form a government in exile.

Guest, Male #5 (Francois Hollande, French President)
France is asking the Syrian opposition to form a unified provisional government that could be the legitimate representative of a new Syria.

Reporter, Male #2
The level of violence in Syria may have exceeded many limits, but does not call for foreign military intervention right now. And as some opposition members believe that foreign and Arab countries have abandoned them, a political solution remains on the table, pending an agreement between the influential powers in the Syrian crisis. In the meantime, Syrians alone are paying the heavy price. Wael al-Hajjar, BBC.

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Russia to maintain military presence in Syria despite unrest [Press TV, Iran]

Russia has no plans to end its military presence in Syria despite the unrest there. The head of Russia's army rejects media reports that Moscow has decided to wind down its military presence in Syria and is in the process of evacuating its naval base in the Syrian city of Tartus, which it has leased since Soviet times.

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Turkey temporarily closes borders to Syrian refugees [Press TV, Iran]

The swelling number of Syrian refugees in Turkey is putting Ankara under huge pressure. Turkey has temporarily closed its borders to thousands of displaced Syrians who are waiting to be allowed entry. Ankara says that the camps already set up are inadequate to accommodate new refugees. Some 10 thousand Syrians are waiting across the border for the camps to be set up. The UNHCR expects up to 200 thousand refugees to flee to Turkey.

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Somali parliament elects new speaker [Press TV, Iran]

In Africa, the Somali parliament has voted Mohamed Osman Jawari as the legislative body's new speaker. Jawari was chosen from among four candidates and was elected by members of parliament who were sworn in last week.

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Israeli pre-dawn raid on Gaza Strip injures three Palestinians [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
The Israeli occupation's warplanes carried out pre-dawn raids in the Gaza Strip, injuring three Palestinians. Palestinian security sources said occupation forces fired five missiles targeting the headquarters of the former intelligence services in northern Gaza, slightly injuring one resident and inflicting massive property damage.

Presenter, Male #1
The sources added that a second raid targeted a training base for al-Qassam Brigades in southern Gaza. For its part, Hamas said the shelling, which targeted two Gaza compounds, was carried out by military planes and Israeli naval ships.

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Israel's Rachel Corrie verdict exposes military's culture of impunity [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
An Israeli court has cleared the occupation's army of any wrongdoing in the murder of US activist Rachel Corrie. Corrie was killed in 2003 by an army bulldozer during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in the Gaza Strip. The court also ruled that the occupation entity is not responsible for paying any compensation. Corrie's family filed a lawsuit accusing the army of unlawfully killing their then 23-year-old daughter.

Reporter, Male #1
The family of US activist Rachel Corrie expressed disappointment over the failure to bring justice for their murdered daughter, who was a victim of Israeli aggression. What did they expect to come out of a court where the executioner serves as a judge?

Reporter, Male #1
The parents of activist Rachel Corrie filed a lawsuit accusing the Israeli entity of unlawfully murdering her 10 years ago. They also accused the occupation authorities of negligence, and of distorting the facts.

Reporter, Male #1
A military investigation had previously cleared the Israeli entity's army of any wrongdoing. However, footage released by news agencies and eyewitness accounts show the brutality of the occupation forces in dealing with the Palestinians and their foreign sympathizers and solidarity activists, including US citizens.

Reporter, Male #1
Corrie was an activist and a member of the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement. By exonerating itself, the Israeli occupation seems to be justifying its unlawful killing.

Reporter, Male #1
Arrogantly and intentionally, the occupation's bulldozer killed the rights activist in cold blood. The activist, whose American citizenship failed to spare her life, was protesting the occupation entity's unlawful demolition of Palestinian homes in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Reporter, Male #1
The young woman, who paid the price of the Israeli aggression with her life, remains a symbol of the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising. The court ruling itself is a condemnation of the Israeli occupation and the West, which claims to defend human rights, except when the case involves Israel, an entity that was established by Zionist terrorist gangs.

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Israeli High Court judges expected to rule on Migron outpost hearing [IBA, Israel]

The Israeli High Court hearing on the Migron settlement outpost ended without a ruling. The judges, led by High Court President Asher Grunis, requested time to look over the material presented to them, including a petition by Migron residents, and they are expected to rule on the matter within a few days. One group of 17 Migron families is requesting to stay on their land, which they claim was purchased legally, a request that was rejected by the government. The second group consists of 30 families who have signed an agreement to voluntarily evacuate their homes in exchange for alternative housing, and are asking for an extension until the site of their new homes nearby is ready.

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Israeli MKs slam Peres for commuting life sentences of prisoners who killed IDF soldiers [IBA, Israel]

Several members of the Knesset severely criticized President Shimon Peres for commuting the life sentences of high-security prisoners who killed IDF soldiers in the 1980s. Kadima MK Otniel Schneller proposed that a new law be passed that would limit the president's ability to commute sentences.

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Non-Aligned Movement calls for reforming Security Council [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
In Tehran, the foreign ministers of the nations of the Non-Aligned Movement discussed the draft closing document before presenting it to the summit's leadership meeting on Thursday.

Presenter, Female #1
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, said the draft document includes demands stressing the importance of enabling drastic changes to the United Nations, and reconsidering the structure of the Security Council.

Presenter, Male #1
He added that the Syrian crisis was discussed during the ministerial consultations, and that the final document will include a section specifically tackling this crisis.

Reporter, Male #2
This verse of the Iranian national anthem states that independence and freedom will inevitably be attained. This is exactly what Tehran is promoting as its hosts the meetings of the Non-Aligned Movement nations.

Reporter, Male #2
Tehran took over the leadership of the movement from Egypt, and is calling for a final statement adopting drastic changes to the world organization, and a review of the structure of the UN Security Council. None of the members have voiced opposition; Egypt even has the same demand.

Guest, Male #3 (Ramzi Izz Iddin, Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister)
Reforming the Security Council and its mechanisms is needed to guarantee a more just representation, and a more efficient council that can fulfill global agreement that is needed to accomplish permanent peace.

Reporter, Male #2
Most world issues were grouped in the closing draft document that exceeded 150 pages. Iran is saying that the foreign ministers discussed the Syrian crisis, and that the final document will include a clear section on the issue.

Guest, Male #4 (Ramin Mehmanparast, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
We believe in creating the right circumstances to move toward real changes in the world organization. The closing draft document tackled all crises, including the Syrian one. We are trying with influential member states to peacefully solve the crisis and to prevent the expansion of the cycle of violence.

Reporter, Male #2
With the exception of the Syrian crisis, the problems and issues of the Arab Spring nations were timidly discussed. For this reason, it was said that non-alignment is suffering from a political ailment embodied in the need for complete agreement to implement the movement's decisions.

Guest, Male #5 (Ibrahim al-Dabashi, Libyan Deputy Ambassador to the UN)
Unfortunately, the Non-Alignment Movement works through consensus, and this consensus sometimes is becomes akin to a veto by every member of the movement. This is why the movement fails in many instances to take clear stances on certain sensitive issues.

Reporter, Male #2
The day ended with a closed session for ministers away from the media. Disagreements between some members probably need political mediators that can narrow the differences in their points of view.

Reporter, Male #2
No one doubts the ability of the Non-Aligned Movement to bring about tangible global change. But challenges remain in the permanent struggle between the common interests of the movement and the priorities of each member state. In short, what appears to be needed is serious political will so that the final declaration doesn't remain mere ink on paper. Abdel Kader Fayez, Al Jazeera, Tehran.

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Egyptian president appoints four aides, 17 advisers including Christians, women [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
Under the banner of the inclusion of all elements of Egyptian society in governance, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi appointed four personal assistants, including a Coptic intellectual, a woman college professor, and a Salafi leader, but did not specify their duties. Morsi also chose 17 individuals, including two women, to be part of the presidential advisory team. The appointments seemed as if an attempt to silence his opponents' accusations of seeking to take control of the country. However, the Egyptian society had mixed reactions to these appointments, alternating between support and opposition. Our correspondent Tawfiq Ahmad reports from Cairo.

Reporter, Male #1
Official and public reactions to the new formation of the presidential cabinet varied between support, rejection, and criticism. The presidential team consists of four assistants and 17 advisors, including two Copts and three women, in addition to a varied representation of the different political factions.

Guest, Male #2
It's something new for us in our society, to have something like this happen, and to have people be informed about it. They are releasing their resumes, so people know well who is running the country.

Guest, Male #3
It is a game. These are mere appearances.

Reporter, Male #1
The political arena is witnessing conflicting views. On one hand, the opposition believes the presidential team, the formation of which was postponed more that once, is an institution with no mandate, and whose powers have yet to be defined.

Guest, Male #4 (Isam Shiha, Wafd Party High Council Member)
It seems the majority are from the Islamist political movement. Unfortunately, all Egyptian laws, including the consecutive constitutional amendments, lacked specialization, both when it comes to ministers and assistants, or advisers. The truth of the matter is that President Morsi has a large group of advisers from the Muslim Brotherhood, and he has the backing of the Freedom and Justice party. So I think this diversity is meant to appease the political parties. Its goal is not noble. It is not meant to assist the president in decision-making, particularly since they all play an advisory role.

Reporter, Male #1
On the other hand, the supporters of this institution believes its formation is balanced, and expresses a new policy in post-revolution Egypt that reinforces the rule of a group of people, not an individual, as agreed to by some observers here.

Guest, Male #5 (Usama al-Dalili, News Correspondent)
When we look at the assistants and we see that they include a Christian and a woman advisor to the president of Egypt, it is a source of pride for all Egyptians, especially Egyptian women. So let us be hopeful in this new reality, despite the great challenges facing the presidential institution right now.

Reporter, Male #1
The presidential team that will be joined by other members had previously included field marshal Hussein Tantawi and lieutenant general Sami Anan who served as presidential advisors for military affairs. Dr. Kamal al-Ganzouri served as the economic advisor, in addition to Morsi's vice president, advisor Mahmoud Mekki.

Reporter, Male #1
By forming the presidential institution, the Egyptian president fulfilled the promise to include all facets of the society in the rule of the country. But his opponents are still unsatisfied amid a lack of clarity of the members' responsibilities and the criteria for their selection.

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Israel resumes illegal oil exploration in Syria's Golan Heights [Syria TV, Syria]

Presenter, Male #1
In the midst of a distracted so-called Arab League, and as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Jerusalem Committee fail to meet their duties and responsibilities while getting dragged behind American-Israeli and Western policies, the United States continues to coordinate with Israel to assault Syria.

Presenter, Male #1
A few days ago, the Israeli occupation authorities decided to start stealing the natural resources and wealth of the occupied Golan Heights by permitting the resumption of oil exploration and drilling in the occupied territories.

Presenter, Male #1
Israel's attempts to take advantage of the ongoing events in Syria pushed the occupation authorities to swiftly issue and ratify this decision, which enables Western firms to begin exploration and to locate oil deposits. This would lay the ground for stealing the occupied Golan's natural resources and drilling for oil derivatives. The occupation authorities are taking advantage of the US' backing and the international community's silence, a biased community that is blind to Israel's racist and aggressive actions.

Presenter, Male #1
The Israeli occupation government also continued its expansion into Palestinian land and its Judaization of the territories, especially Jerusalem. The head of the occupation government, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, south of the West Bank, is part of a greater Jerusalem. This is another attempt to consolidate the Israeli occupation of the holy city and the remaining areas of the West Bank.

Presenter, Male #1
The French news agency reported Netanyahu saying, in the Israeli Efrat settlement in the West Bank, that Efrat and Gush Etzion are a fundamental and undisputable part of a greater Jerusalem, as they are the southern gates to Jerusalem, and will always be part of Israel.

Presenter, Male #1
The director of Mapping at the Department of the Arab Studies Society in occupied Jerusalem, Khalil Tafakji, warned that the greater Jerusalem Netanyahu is talking about constitutes 10 percent of the West Bank, as 14 Israeli settlements will be added to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc to create a greater Jerusalem. The Gush Etzion settlement bloc is located southwest of the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, and consists of 22 settlements with almost 70 thousand settlers.

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Tunisia: Islamist Ennahda government wants to 'cleanse media outlets' [Syria TV, Syria]

Presenter, Female #1
Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdul Salam, leader at the ruling Ennahda party, confirmed that the current government wants to cleanse the media outlets so they do not turn into platforms for the opposition. At a party meeting, Abdul Salam said the government is continuing to disqualify members of the former regime from political life and from political decision-making. Tunisian media outlets have lately reported several scandals, including the expulsion of a television station director and the appointment of nine new directors at public broadcasting agencies.

Presenter, Female #1
In addition, the Tunisian National Authority for the Reform of Media and Communication announced in early June that it ended its work because it was unable to complete its duties, accusing the government of cracking down on the media. Meanwhile, the debate between Tunisian President al-Moncef al-Marzouki and his opponents from Ennahda party continues after he accused the party of attempting to impose its Islamic ideology on the society. The party responded by saying his accusations are mere election propaganda aimed at tightening his own Congress for the Republic party's grip on power.