Syria's local committees warn against foreign intervention as the regime is accused of torture [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
Demonstrations and raids continue in Syria as Amnesty International releases a report on deaths caused by torture, the US State Department confirms that Damascus retains control over its chemical weapons, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy states that the Syrian president's actions are "irreparable."

Reporter, Female # 1
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 473 people were killed in Syria during the month of Ramadan, including 360 civilians and 113 soldiers and members of the Internal Security Forces. The Observatory indicated that 25 minors and 14 women are among the killed, adding that the death toll does not include victims killed during the military operations in the city of Hama due to the difficulty of documenting those cases. The operations were carried out from August 3 to August 10. Amnesty International confirmed that 88 Syrians, including ten children, died in detention centers and police stations between April and August, and indicated it has the details of those cases. The organization said at least 52 people seem to have been subjected to some form of torture, which probably contributed to their death. As for the Local Coordination Committees, they warned Syrians against resorting to carrying weapons and calling for foreign intervention in their anti-regime uprising. The committees stressed the need to maintain the ethical and peaceful nature of the revolution and urged Syrians not to get sucked into a playground in which the regime is clearly superior. In another development, lawyer and human rights activist Ibrahim Maliki said heavily armed security forces stormed the office of lawyer Mustafa Suleiman in Aleppo, and arrested him along with his wife. This comes as night demonstrations continued yesterday in a number of areas. Rights organizations confirmed that soldiers, reinforced by tanks, raided a number of houses in the neighborhoods of al-Qusur, al-Hamidiyah, and az-Zahiriyah in Hama, in their search for activists. In addition, they stormed the town of Houla in Homs. Videos posted on opposition websites showed heavy gunfire targeting demonstrators in the town of al-Harra in Daraa, where four people were killed, including a child. The Syrian Revolution Coordination Union confirmed that at least five protestors were injured by snipers in the cemetery of al-Qabun neighborhood in Damascus. Videos posted online by activists showed soldiers firing at demonstrators. On the political front, and after the US expanded its sanctions to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban, and Syria's ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdul Karim Ali, the US Department of State announced that the Syrian regime maintains control of its nuclear weapons. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, quote "We have long called on the Syrian government to give up its chemical weapons arsenal. That said, we do believe that Syria's chemical stockpile remains under government control." The spokeswoman added that Syria has a stockpile of nerve agent and some mustard gas, indicating that the US is working with like-minded countries to ensure there is no proliferation of that material.

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Fighting intensifies as Libyan rebels draw closer to Sirte [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
In Libya, clashes broke out between Gaddafi's battalions and National Transitional Council forces in the Um al-Qanadil region and its surrounding areas leading to Sirte. Chair of the National Council Mustafa Abdul Jalil gave Gaddafi's loyalists until this coming Saturday to surrender before the matter will be settled militarily.

Reporter, Male #1
The NTC fighters' movements on the ground indicate that Sirte may be the next battlefield to eliminate the remainder of Gaddafi's regime. NTC forces are approaching Sirte from the east and the west, but they are refraining from launching attacks, hoping the city will surrender through negotiations. Negotiations are still ongoing between the NTC and Sirte's tribes to enter the city without fighting. NTC fighters say that they are slowly advancing towards the city to give the negotiations a chance.

(Guest, Male #2, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, with English interpreter)

Reporter, Male#1
The Transitional Council wants to give the negotiations a chance because the battle for Sirte will most certainly be the most violent one. There are at least 50,000 loyalist Gaddafi fighters entrenched in the city with weapons and ammunition. The revolutionaries consider their entry into Sirte, the birthplace of Gaddafi, to be strategically and symbolically significant in their efforts to strengthen their control over all parts of Libya. Meanwhile, the search for the Libyan Colonel continues. The NTC said it has a good idea of Gaddafi's whereabouts.

Guest, Male #3 (Ali at-Tarhoni, NTC Minister of Oil)
Gaddafi is now trying to escape. By the way, we can tell you that we have a good idea of where he is.

Reporter, Male #1
Rumors are circulating that Gaddafi is still hiding in Tripoli; or perhaps has fled to Algeria; or arrived in Europe as a refugee. However, a spokesperson for the White House said earlier this week that there is no tangible proof that Gaddafi has left Libya. Yasir al-Bardisi, BBC.

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EU to lift Libya oil, port sanctions as early as Friday [Oman TV, Oman]

European Union diplomats in Europe Union sanctions against six Libyan ports for oil companies and more than a dozen other entities could be lifted as soon as Friday. Yesterday, the United Nations' special envoy on post-conflict planning for Libya said Libya's interim leadership has rejected the idea of deploying any kind of international military force or observers. Envoy Ian Martin told reporters they don't now expect military observers to be requested by the Libya interim leadership. Earlier yesterday, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council, NTC, said that Libya did not need outside help to maintain security.

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Car bomb kills 10 in Pakistan [Oman TV, Oman]

A suicide car bomber attacked worshipers in southwestern Pakistan today as they were heading home after morning prayers. Officials said the blast killed ten people. The attack was in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. The group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing but Balochistan is believed to be home to many Taliban militants who have targeted worshippers in the past. Quetta's police chief said the bomber was apparently targeting a mosque but couldn't get close enough because the road was blocked. The police chief said that instead he detonated his explosives in a car parked nearby. The blast wounded at least 17 people.

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Israeli settlers training attack dogs ahead of Palestinian UN bid [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
A Jewish settler group began training dogs to guard settlements in the West Bank to counter any possible backlash as Palestinians plan to head to the UN in September to declare a state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Presenter, Female #1
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper revealed that the Israeli army is conducting training sessions for settlers, in which they will be able to open fire at any anticipated Palestinian protest.

Reporter, Male #2
They are members of so-called "the Civilian Canine Battalion" for dog training in the West Bank, or Judea and Samaria as known to Israelis. This demonstration is showing the dogs in training how to guard and protect Jewish settlers as well as counter any possible security unrest in the West Bank, as Palestinians seek recognition of statehood at the UN.

Guest, Male #3 (Mike Gusovsky, Jewish settler and dog trainer)
People have become more aware of the threats facing them in their homes across Israel and the West Bank. The events in September are making more people worried about their security.

Reporter, Male #2
Gusovsky is an Israeli-American activist who is well-known among members of the extremist nationalist right group. He was a follower of Meir Kahane, the founder of the racist anti-Arab Kach Movement. After Kahane was killed by an Egyptian in New York City nearly 20 years ago, Gusovsky launched the "Kahane Movement Alive." Today, he is following in the footsteps of his predecessor in defending settlers in the West Bank, by training and supplying guard dogs for free.

Guest, Male #3 (Mike Gusovsky, Jewish settler and dog trainer)
These dogs are trained to attack on command and to counter any threat. If anyone carrying a knife, a hand grenade, or a pistol tries to infiltrate any Jewish town, these dogs are able to pursue and prevent them.

Reporter, Male #2
Now that the settlers have an army of dogs, will this be enough? Haaretz newspaper uncovered that the occupation's army is conducting training sessions for settlers, in which they will be able to open fire at any possible Palestinian protests against the settlements. Is this enough? The past six decades show that bullets have failed to kill the Palestinian dream and now, dogs will not shatter that dream.

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IDF readying settlers ahead of Palestinian statehood bid [IBA, Israel]

A senior US lawmaker has introduced legislation calling for US funds to be cut off for any UN organization that supports giving the Palestinian Authority an upgraded status at the world body. Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida said the bill would also hold a portion of dues if the UN does not change its funding system. The US State Department criticized the legislation saying it would do more harm than good. The security establishment has begun to instruct the Jewish population of Judea and Sumaria on how to react to possible terror attacks as it makes preparations for mass Palestinian disturbances that may emerge following consideration of Palestinian statehood next month.

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Bahraini teenager killed in anti-regime protest [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, regime forces have killed a teenager during anti-government protests in the southern city of Sitra. Fourteen-year-old Ali Jawad was shot dead after Bahraini forces attacked protestors following Eid ul-Fitr prayers. He was shot directly into the face by a tear gas canister. His death has sparked angry protests in the northern village of Dair. Reports say regime forces stormed the village and were trying to run over the youth. Human rights activists have repeatedly warned over the increase in the number of deaths due to excessive use of force by Saudi-backed forces to crush the uprising.

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Taliban attack Bagram base near Kabul [Press TV, Iran]

The Taliban have attacked the largest American military base in Afghanistan. A NATO statement says a missile hit the Bagram Airbase north of the capital Kabul early on Wednesday. There are conflicting reports about the casualties. Most of the US led airstrikes and other military-led operations are being operated and coordinated from the same base. The rockets have been fired by Taliban militants and the Taliban has issued a statement claiming responsibility for these rocket attacks. They said they killed over 20 American soldiers. It's not something new as this airbase has been attacked many times by militants.

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Iran sends humanitarian aid to Somalia for Eid ul-Fitr [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
During the joyous Eid ul-Fitr holiday, Somali refugees facing hunger and disease continue to suffer. For its part, the Iranian Red Crescent Society and other organizations provided medical aid and necessary supplies to the refugee camps in order to ease the suffering of the hundreds of families who hang their hopes on the aid.

Reporter, Male #1
Not many displaced children here in Mogadishu's refugee camps are smiling on the blessed holiday of Eid ul-Fitr. Indigent orphans in this tiny hut began their Eid holiday waiting for their poor mother who went door-to-door asking for a morsel of food to help their hunger; a hunger that doesn't know the meaning of the Eid. Despite the efforts of charity institutions to hold small celebrations for some of the orphans in the refugee camps and put a smile on their faces, the jubilance of Eid is absent from this camp, which is witnessing such cruel human suffering that nobody in the camp can even think about celebrating the Eid. Islamic organizations are trying to alleviate the sufferings of the destitute families and provide them with the necessary food supplies to survive this difficult time. The government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran donated large amounts of food through campaigns in solidarity with the Somali people. The supplies arrived at the international airport of the capital Mogadishu. A team from the Iranian Red Crescent Society undertook the mission of delivering the supplies to the disaster-stricken people in imminent need.

Guest, Male #2 (Mohamed Hosni, Coordinator for the Iranian Red Crescent in Somalia)
We have delivered the humanitarian aid to the Somali people that has been provided by the Iranian people, including food and medicine, and 200 tents to shelter the refugees.

Guest, Male #3 (Ali Ibrahim, Somali Refugee Camp Official)
The Iranian Red Crescent Society is expanding its work at the refugee camps in the capital. Thousands of families are relying on it in various parts of Mogadishu. The refugees will benefit from these nutritious food supplies.

Reporter, Male #1
Hundreds of impoverished families here in these refugee camps are hanging their hopes on Iranian aid, which has begun flowing into Somalia by air and sea to improve the conditions of the starving people in this refugee camp supervised by the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Hamad Silal, Alalam, Mogadishu.

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Iranian artists creates world's first woven silk Quran [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
Iranian artists are renowned for painting Quran verses on woven textiles. They managed to produce the world's first woven Quran, on which artist Youcef Madafi depicted the Quran's verses. Ahmed Ali has the details.

Reporter, Male #1
The charm of the holy book of Quran is not limited to its eloquence and articulation, or to its sentences and verses. Its charm is also reflected in the aesthetic value of its characters and words, which has drawn wide attention from artists of various schools and backgrounds. Weaving the verses of the Quran is an art that Muslim artists care a great deal for. They used their creativity to produce an edition of the Quran with one of the finest materials used to make thread: silk. Silk is characterized by its exquisite tissues, delicate texture, and beautiful appearance.

Guest, Male #2
The aesthetic value of the verses of the holy book of Quran motivated us to move forward in our artistic work and produce weaves of Quran verses. What we did was design the graphics and combine them, then used them to produce the textile. We managed to produce a large amount of these weaves in different sizes with various designs.

Reporter, Male #1
The Iranian artists continued to advance on their path of weaving the verses of the Quran until they succeeded this year in producing the world's first silk Quran. This woven silk Quran was created by Iranian artist Youcef Madadi, a native of Tabriz city in northwestern Iran.

Guest, Male #3
This edition of the holy book of Quran contains 130 pages and weighs 8.5 kilograms. It took about six months to weave five parts of this edition, and finishing all 30 parts of the Quran may take about two and a half years.

Reporter, Male #1
The calligraphy used in this edition of the Quran was inspired by the late Hajj Agha Nairizi and was woven in 30 different colors and various types of gilding. The size of the page is 50 by 70 centimeters.

Guest, Male #3
We tried to introduce this edition of the holy book of Quran to the world, and we received invitations to show it in a number of countries such as Qatar and Lebanon. As for the characteristics that distinguish this edition from other types of Quran, we can say for certain that the woven Quran will be more durable and less susceptible to damage.

Reporter, Male #1
It is worth noting that an important feature of this valuable work is that every five pages of an ordinary edition of the Quran are woven onto one page. In addition, each page is leather-rimmed, making it washable. The production of this unique edition of the woven Quran in Tehran coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, the month of the revelation of the Holy Quran. Ahmed Ali, al-Forat, Tehran.