Gaddafi urges resistance against the 'occupiers' as the 'Friends of Libya' map out the country's future [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Hours before the "Friends of Libya" International Conference began in Paris, Russia recognized the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) as the legitimate representative of the country's authority. Meanwhile, Muammar al-Gaddafi affirmed in a new audio speech aired on Syrian TV al-Rai that he will not turn himself in and will continue fighting. In this context, the Libyan Transitional Council has extended its deadline for the surrender of Sirte by one week. The previous deadline that NTC gave Sirte was this coming Saturday. The European Union announced the lifting of sanctions on six Libyan ports, and several oil companies, and banks. On the other hand, the Algerian foreign ministry said it is ready to recognize the NTC on the condition that it forms a government that represents all regions in Libya. Meanwhile, the first session of the international conference to rebuild Libya began in Paris with the participation of 60 countries, including countries that opposed NATO's campaign in Libya. South Africa announced that it will not attend the conference.

Reporter, Female #1
The battleground in Libya has temporarily calmed down, but the international movements are not slowing down. The West is accelerating its steps and racing ahead of Tripoli. Who will arrive in Libya first? France, which does not have the patience to sit and wait for a final military resolution for Sirte, is pushing forward with events in Europe. It is convening an international conference during which conventioneers will together reaffirm their friendship with the future Libya, according to Sarkozy's statement after the revolutionaries took control of the capital Tripoli. In Paris, some are shaping Libya's future and drawing a new political roadmap for Libya on which various countries' interests may overlap. The first step is to rebuild Libya's previously fragile infrastructure that was destroyed in the six months of fighting. As part of the West's gesture of its goodwill for Libya's future, Britain, France and the US released several billions of dollars of frozen Libyan assets through a UN decision. The move aimed at supporting the NTC during this sensitive political phase. The West has offered many Eid gifts to the Libyan people. Russia recognized the Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of Libya's authority. Russia lagged behind other Western powers in this regard, but the military outcome on the battleground imposed a political reality that could no longer be ignored. However, this recognition came with Russia's expectation of the NTC to comply with the contracts and agreements previously signed between Moscow and Gaddafi's Tripoli. Furthermore, Algeria, which is also taking part in the conference, expressed its readiness to recognize the Transitional Council on the condition that it forms a government that represents all regions in Libya. This statement may ease the political tension between the two neighboring countries, caused by Algeria's accommodation of Gaddafi's family members. While the deadline given to the Colonel's supporters in Sirte to surrender approaches, Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi insists that the battle is not yet resolved, and Sirte still hides many surprises.

Guest, Male #2 (Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi)
Sirte has more than 20,000 armed men. They have weapons, and they are ready and excited. I tell our men to strike back against the rats; we are entering the fight to achieve victories and to advance.

Reporter, Female #1
Revolutionaries believe that Saif al-Islam is trying to draw attention to Sirte to divert it from Bin Jawad in the center of the Libyan deserts.

Guest, Male #3 (Abdul Hakim Belhaj, Commander of the Military Council in Tripoli)
It is imperative that we do not neglect the places that the regime's symbols have escaped to. We will deal with all the areas that the symbols of the former regime are located, and the battle will be resolved militarily.

Reporter, Female #1
This supposition is reinforced by Saif al-Islam's failure to appear in person in downtown Tripoli as he did the night before the revolutionaries stormed Bab al-Aziziya. The Transitional Council considers his audio recording as merely a conflicted and misleading message that proves that the regime is sinking after the fall of Tripoli.

Presenter, Male #1
In an audio speech broadcast on al-Rai, Gaddafi urged the armed youth to continue fighting in Tripoli. He said he will not surrender. Gaddafi called for continuing to fight for what he referred to as "the liberation of Libya."

Guest, Male #4 (Muammar al-Gaddafi)
All that you have heard, do not believe it. Confront it with rifles, with bullets, let the bullets speak for the Libyan people. If they want a long battle, then let it be a long battle. We will fight on from place to place, from city to city, from valley to valley, from mountain to mountain? this will be a long battle until they realize that they cannot rule Libya without the Libyan people's approval. All tribes are armed and all the people are armed. Let it be a long battle until our victory over them. If they want it to be a long war, then let it be a long war.

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Syria's protestors demand the execution of the president [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
Anti-regime protests continued across various Syrian cities, amid the campaign of raids and arrests. On the eve of Friday, dubbed "Death Not Humiliation," the Syrian opposition has renewed their call for staging more protests after the Eid ul-Fitr holiday.

Reporter, Female #1
It seems the movement against Syrian President Bashar Aasad is gaining momentum. This prompted security forces and the shabeha to carry out random sweeps and raids, especially in the city of Hama. To the sound of opposition chants echoing from windows and rooftops, the army carried out random raids in the city. Previously, the army would serve arrest warrants upon entering the homes of wanted activists. Several residents of Hama said that security forces and armed groups loyal to the government conducted nighttime home raids in the areas of Sabouniyah and Marabet. Activists in the city of Durayksih in Bilad said that a six-year-old girl was killed and her mother was wounded when the shabeha opened fire at protests after the Isha'a prayer in al-Jura neighborhood. The situation was not much different in the city of Homs, where several residents were killed or injured in security raids. Gunfire was heard across the city, especially in the Bab Siba'a neighborhood and other areas. Activists confirmed that clashes erupted between troops defecting from the army and security forces in the city of Homs. The town of Rami in Jabal Zawiyah witnessed similar security sweeps, amid heavy gunfire targeting worshippers in a local mosque. Other Syrian cities also witnessed sweeps and arrest campaigns. Meanwhile, more troops announced their defection at the Tala'i base near Idlib, amid reports of heavy gunfire. One day before the Friday rally dubbed "Death Over Humiliation," the opposition renewed their call for staging more protests after the Eid ul-Fitr holiday. Activists released footage of protests in Basr al-Harir in Dara'a province, calling for the Syrian president's execution. Anti-regime protests were also held in the Maydan and Kadam neighborhoods, as well as in the Barza area in Damascus and its suburbs. Protests also broke out in Harasta, Sabqa, Hamouriya, Qaswa, and al-Damir, as well as in the cities of Zabadani and Qaboul. Despite the cutoff of communication in the city of Duma, massive protests were held in the city. The residents also held a funeral procession for a youth who was killed by security forces. In addition, a massive anti-regime protest was held in the Homs neighborhood of Khalidiyah, where the protestors formed human waves. Meanwhile, a group of Kurdish activists are planning on holding a conference next Saturday in Stockholm to empower the Kurdish role in the protest movement in Syria.

Presenter, Female #2
In a videotape released online, the Hama province attorney-general announced his resignation in protest of the crackdown on protestors demanding democracy. He also denied the authorities' claim that he was kidnapped by an armed group.

Guest, Male #2 (Adnan Bakkour, Hama Province Attorney-General)
What was reported by Syrian television that I was kidnapped by armed groups is not true. I am under the protection of the revolutionaries and the people, and I'm in good health as of today's date, Wednesday August 31. The shabeha tried to kidnap me from Hama's Hamadiyah neighborhood, but failed to do so.

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Yemeni General al-Ahmar warns Saleh of sharing Gaddafi's fate [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female # 1
Confrontations between pro- and anti-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh were renewed in the southern city of Taiz as hundreds of people demonstrated in the eastern city of al-Bayda. They called for massive protests on Friday under what they named "revolutionary resolve" against President Saleh's regime.

Reporter, Male # 2
These images of previous clashes in the Yemeni city of Taiz tell one story of the ongoing situation in the city that started with the first cries calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh's resignation and the toppling of his regime nearly seven months ago. The last few hours witnessed heavy gunfire and skirmishes that seemingly ended what was left of a fragile truce between pro-Saleh security forces and armed tribesmen who said they are protecting the peaceful demonstrators in Taiz.

Guest, Male # 2(Zakaria Kahani, journalist)
There was heavy gunfire yesterday in most areas, in Freedom Square and on Jamal St. in the center of the city. There were clashes with light and medium weapons in most areas. They started last night and lasted until this afternoon. Different parties are accused of being behind these clashes and some of them, mostly pro-regime parties, are heavily working on instilling violence and fighting in the city.

Reporter, Male # 2
As for these demonstrations in the province of al-Bayda, they seem to be held in anticipation of holding massive protests in many Yemeni cities after Friday prayers to demand what the protestors describe as "revolutionary resolve." The past two days witnessed a political and media debate between the Yemeni president and his opponents. Saleh, who appeared in good health and comfortably carrying out his activities from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, directed the most fierce criticism against his opponents. He accused them of "lies, corruption, hatred and envy."

Guest, Male # 3 (Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemeni president)
The internal events are the result of hatred, and envy, and chronic illness, and accumulations over a long-time from the past.

Reporter, Male # 2
Saleh's talk came in the wake of a speech by defected General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the commander of the first armored division. In it, he warned Saleh of sharing Libyan Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's fate.

Guest, Male # 4 (Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, Commander of defected First Armored Division)
I advise him not to follow the path of the devil who said "we will fight the people, from the desert to the desert, and from alley to alley, and from home to home" and here he is today looking for a hole to hide in.

Reporter, Male # 2
According to observers, such an exchange does not bode well for a new ending to the struggle. Rather, some say it points to serious incitement whose consequences Yemen's neighbors and friends should work on preventing to preserve not only Yemen's security but the entire region's safety. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC.

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Mass funeral held for teenager killed during Eid prayers [Press TV, Iran]

Moving on to Bahrain, where thousands have taken to the streets to attend funeral processions for the 14-year-old boy who was killed during Eid ul-Fitr prayers on Wednesday. Anit-regime protestors in towns and villages around the capital in Bahrain have come out to mourn Ali Jawad. Protestors shouted slogans against the ruling al-Khalifa regime, calling for his downfall. Tensions are high in the Persian Gulf sheikhdom after the killing of Jawad.

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Indian forces kill three Pakistani troops in Kashmir [Press TV, Iran]

Pakistan's army says Indian forces have killed three of its soldiers in cross-border clashes. The incident took place at a border post in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. India says one of its soldiers was injured in the fighting. Both sides have accused each other of starting the hostilities and breaking the cease-fire. Cross-border skirmishes break out sporadically across the line of control which divides the Kashmir region between the two countries.

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Israel warns the Palestinians ahead of statehood bid [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Israeli army Chief of Staff General Benny Gantz warned the Hamas Movement and what he described as "terrorist organizations" of a painful blow if they dared attack Israelis. Gantz added that these organizations should not test Israel's might. He further said the ongoing Palestinian missile attacks launched from the Gaza Strip, the vehicular attack in Tel Aviv, and the attack on the southern border prove once again that Israel must not only focus on restoring calm but must also prepare to face any threat.

Presenter, Male #1
Israel also warned the Palestinian Authority, the PA, of the danger of heading to the United Nations. Meanwhile, the Israeli government began training settlers in the West Bank to counter what it considered "the fallout from the declaration of a Palestinian state."

Reporter, Female #2
As the date set by the PA to head to the UN to seek recognition of a Palestinian state with the June 4, 1967 borders approaches, and in light of the absence of any possibility of resuming peace talks, stalled for the past year, the warnings, especially from the Israelis, are escalating. Tel Aviv considered the Palestinian Authority's decision to head to the UN to be a strategic error and that will completely derail talks with Israel for many years to come. A political source at Netanyahu's office said Israel has not and will not take a position regarding the way it will respond to this mobilization. The source added that all scenarios have been carefully studied and that the Israeli response will be based on the developments on the ground the day after the Palestinian bid. That same source attempted to fish in troubled waters, seize on contradictions, and viewed the Palestinian side as unable to manage an independent state on the economic and security levels without Israel's aid. Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz considered the Palestinian request to join the United Nations in September to form an even more serious threat than that of the Hamas Movement, saying Israel will respond to the bid. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki confirmed that President Mahmud Abbas, Abu Mazen, will deliver a speech at the UN's General Assembly on September 23. Al-Maliki added that two more countries are needed for Palestine to receive two-thirds of the member states' votes at the General Assembly, which consists of 193 states. On the American side, State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that the US did not threaten to stop the financial aid offered to the Palestinian Authority if the latter decides to seek UN recognition of a Palestinian state next month. Amid these circumstances, the Israeli occupation army began an action plan to train the settlers on how to deal with the Palestinians in case a Palestinian state is announced in September. Haaretz newspaper revealed that occupation forces are training settlers to fire live bullets at Palestinians if they approach Israeli settlements.

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PM spokesman discusses Israeli-Egyptian treaty and Palestinian UN bid [IBA, Israel]

Presenter, Male #1
Joining me now in the studio is the prime minister's spokesman Mark Regev. Do we need to renegotiate the peace treaty with Egypt or can we just give them temporary approval to send in extra troops?

Guest, Male # 2 (Mark Regev)
The peace treaty has been a foundation for regional security of the security and peace in the Middle East for more than 30 years. I think it serves Israel, it serves the interests of Egypt and we want to keep that treaty strong. It is clear there is a new problem today of terrorism and we have to work effectively with the Egyptians in cooperation to make sure this terrorism is under control, that we deal with terrorist firmly and don't allow them to turn this border area into a zone of terrorism. Egypt and Israel have a common interest in succeeding in this effort.

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Child labor on the rise in Mauritania [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Child labor is considered one of the most disturbing social phenomena in Mauritania. It has been witnessing a major growth for years as the poverty level rises in Mauritanian society, despite the fact that this country was one of the first to sign the international documents that forbid child labor.

Reporter, Male #1
Abdullah is a 12-year-old Mauritanian child who has been working in auto mechanics for four years. He has gained fairly good experience in it, and makes a living for himself and his family.

Guest, Male #2
Everyday he tells me to collect scrap metals. I use the money to support my mother and father. They don't have anything.

Reporter, Male #1
This boy dropped out of school when he was young and entered the job market with his parents' blessing, or so it appears. Abdullah is only one of many underage children who entered the job market, voluntarily or unwillingly, under the pressures of poverty and ignorance. It is estimated that the rate of child labor in Mauritania is at least 13 percent. Most of these children work in steel factories, repair workshops, and as auto mechanics. Their reasons and motives vary, one being many families' receding economic situation and minimal incomes. These children work under the watchful eye of the authorities despite the fact that the law criminalizes child labor and Mauritania has signed the international agreements that prohibit it. Experts say that putting an end to child labor in Mauritania will not only require the enforcement of law. With the exacerbation of poverty, ignorance, and the high cost of living, hiring children to perform harsh jobs is an inevitable result. Mohamed Abdullah Mani, Alalam, Nouakchott.