Gaddafi's disappearance fuels renewed speculation about his whereabouts [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Reuters quoted a coordinator of the operations unit to find Gaddafi saying there is information indicating that Muammar al-Gaddafi was in the city of Bani Walid and left. He said it is likely that Gaddafi headed to Libya's southern borders with Niger and Chad.

Presenter, Female #1
On the other hand, the US State Department said there is no evidence that Gaddafi or his family members have crossed the border into Niger. A State Department spokesperson said that authorities in Niger informed the US ambassador that those who crossed the border into Niger were high-ranking officials in Gaddafi's regime.

Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, the world is holding its breath in anticipation of news that pinpoints the location of fugitive Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi, who could still be hiding in Libya.

Presenter, Female #1
Burkina Faso and Niger's denial of Gaddafi's presence in their territories increased the complication of the situation in Libya, especially as the entry into the cities of Sirte and Bani Walid is being delayed, which some believe has given Gaddafi and his children more time to arrange their escape. Gaddafi's disappearance has evoked fear that there is a domestic and international collusion to smuggle him and his children out of the country.

Reporter, Male #2
Gaddafi has escaped and disappeared in the vast deserts of Libya. Yesterday's media reports claiming he fled to Burkina Faso via Niger were denied by both Niger and Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso openly stated that it has no knowledge of Gaddafi's presence in its territory.

Guest, Male #3 (Alain Edouard Traore, Burkina Faso Communications Minister)
We have no knowledge of his presence in Burkina Faso. As for the claim that he may have headed to Niger or other countries, we do not have any information and we do not feel that we're obligated to know. We will reveal what we know on the subject when he arrives at our border.

Reporter, Male #2
So the only confirmed news is that Gaddafi has disappeared from the public, but no one knows his location. Even the United States, with all its advanced tracking technologies, said that his hiding place has not yet been determined. In addition, French and Nigerien military sources said that Gaddafi and his children were not in the convoy of armored trucks and military vehicles that entered Niger Monday night. Gaddafi will have to appear someday, either killed or captured by the revolutionaries, or as a refugee in an African or non-African country. None of this is important at the moment. What worries the revolutionaries and the National Transitional Council is that his disappearance may be the result of the failure to completely cleanse Libya of his influence. Some believe that the delayed entry into the two cities of Sirte and Bani Walid without any fighting may have facilitated Gaddafi and his children's escape by giving them more time. Speculation began circulating about a domestic and foreign conspiracy to hide him and provide him with a safe haven. In this context, some of his loyalists and associates were captured by revolutionaries, such as former Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim, who was found hiding in his relatives' home. Revolutionaries are searching for the battalions' weaponry in every house. They collect weapons in order to ensure that they won't be used against Libya, or so they say. This is of course a difficult task. The revolutionaries are holding their breath, trying to manage the security situation. Meanwhile, the whole world is also holding its breath as Libya's stability depends on locating Gaddafi and his children. Some reports say Gaddafi has smuggled gold and billions of dollars, which he would not hesitate to use to destabilize Libya and its coastal areas. Gaddafi was a problem when he was leading Libya, and has become an even bigger problem now that he has disappeared from Libya. The man has a long tradition of fueling chaos. His disappearance may give him a chance to once again create chaos, either inside Libya or in its neighboring regions.

--

Syria snubs the head of the Arab League while security forces launch fresh assault on Homs [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female # 1
Seven people were killed and several others injured in Syria during a military operation in the city of Homs. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said soldiers and security forces used heavy machine guns near the Khaled ibn al-Walid Mosque in the neighborhood of al-Khalidiya, adding that parts of the city resembled a battlefield. A video posted online showed Syrian soldiers firing at an individual bleeding on the ground as gunfire is heard in the background. The location where the video was filmed was not specified.

Reporter, Male # 1
With their childlike behavior, these soldiers, joking around while being filmed with cell phone cameras, seem as though they are on a boy scouts' trip. However, their state-sanctioned weapons and the tanks rolling behind them indicate otherwise. But they're acting as if they're not going to launch an operation. They are the protectors of the homeland, as the Baathists say. It is not clear how the Syrian regime will comment on these images. Here, soldiers are taking pride in the coldblooded killing of an injured person tossed on the ground. Observers say the regime is using its most loyal units in its attempt to strike at the mobilization demanding its downfall. However, this video is not wholly representative of the army. Activists continue to post images of officers and soldiers announcing their defections from the army, which are later denied by the regime's media outlets. This clip filmed in Rastan shows what could be the first time soldiers go out publicly. It is also not clear how the regime will respond to this development. A few weeks earlier, activists posted these images of a house in al-Rastan, saying that several of those who defected were taking refuge in it, when security and army forces attacked the house, killing everyone inside. These army units continue their patrols and finally reach the Syrian town of al-Nuqta. The residents of Homs woke up at dawn on Wednesday to find a large number of these forces in their city. There was heavy gunfire with the use of a wide-range of weapons. All communication was cut off. A few hours later, the Local Coordination Committees' websites began posting the names of those killed and injured. Their numbers were not definitive and the images could not be posted online. The center of the city, which has gained the title of "the capital of the Syrian revolution," seems deserted. This designation is because Homs was the first city that responded to Daraa's call to topple the regime. And since that day, Homs has been demonstrating despite the large number of killed, injured, and detained residents. The images from Homs and other Syrian cities confirm that the mobilization demanding the downfall of the regime continues to grow. Some believe this justifies Damascus' request to postpone the scheduled visit of Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi on Thursday. A later date will be specified for the meeting. The secretary-general was to propose an Arab initiative to Syrian officials to end the crisis that has lasted six months. It is not clear whether the visit will be held on Saturday as planned, but it is certain that Arab foreign ministers will meet again next week to review the Syrian case in light of the rapid developments. Firas Kilani, BBC.

--

Syrian opposition publishes guidebook for peaceful protestors [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
A Syrian revolutionary website published an online manual to help the peaceful protestors face the security campaigns against them during their demonstrations. More specifically, the guidebook gives lessons for non-violent protests. Omar Harguz reports.

Reporter, Male #2
"A Syrian Protestor's Guide for Effective and Successful Demonstrations: Dear Syrian protestor, do not let them win the peaceful battle over you, you are the perpetual winner of non-violence." This is a guidebook published online by the Ahrar Syria Association in cooperation with the Syrian website Mondas. It gives guidelines to protestors for the best ways to make masks that protect them from tear-gas. The guidebook advises protestors to maintain the peaceful nature of the revolution in all of their actions, especially in direct confrontations. In addition, it suggests that protestors wear thick clothing to ease the pain of beatings and running shoes so they can easily escape during clashes. The guidebook also requests that protestors not carry any notebooks or documents with information of their friends and acquaintances, especially those who participate in the movements, or passwords for their online accounts. The guidebook suggests a number of ways for the Syrian youth to gather and rally, as well as quick evacuation routes through side streets. The guidebook calls on protestors not to vandalize public property, and not to use or carry any form of weapon in order to preserve the peacefulness of the revolution. However, while the guidebook contains numerous suggestions for how protestors can defend themselves if they are subject to assaults from the shabeha, it does not provide any advice for what to do when they are subject to gunfire, rocket-propelled grenades, or nail bombs, which is happening right now in several Syrian cities.

--

Ten killed in deadly explosion outside New Delhi high court [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Ten people were killed and dozens wounded in a bombing that targeted the high court building in downtown New Delhi, the Indian capital. Government officials believe that the bombing was aimed at destabilizing the country.

Reporter, Male #1
India was attacked for a second time in less than two months. This time, the bombing targeted the high court in central New Delhi. The bomb was placed in a bag left in the reception hall, while approximately 100 people were waiting in line at the court's main entrance to receive entry permits. Dozens were killed and injured. The police cordoned off the surrounding areas and evacuated the site. Ambulances transported the wounded to a hospital in the capital. For its part, the government condemned the attack, believing it was aimed at causing panic and undermining the country's stability.

Guest, Male #2 (P. Chidambaram, Indian Interior Minister)
We should never be frightened by terrorist groups. We are determined to capture the perpetrators of this horrific crime and bring them to justice.

Reporter, Male #1
The bombing that targeted New Delhi was a reminder of the Mumbai bombings this past July, which killed 26 people, and the 2008 bombings, which killed 166. The bombings sparked tension between India and Pakistan, as New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the groups that carried out the bombings.

Presenter, Female #1
Twenty-four people were killed in a double bombing carried out by two people with explosive devices. The bombing targeted a senior security official in Quetta city in southwestern Pakistan. One of the two bombers blew himself up in a booby-trapped vehicle near a car belonging to Farrukh Shehzad, deputy inspector-general of the Frontier Corps in Baluchistan. The other gunman broke into Shehzad's home and detonated his explosives, killing a number of Shehzad's guards. Security sources confirmed that Shehzad was not seriously wounded. Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed reasonability for the attack and said that it was a response to the Quetta authorities' arrest of a senior al-Qaeda leader.

--

Day four of Mubarak's trial held in Cairo amid tight security [Press TV, Iran]

The fourth trial session of Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak has been held in the capital Cairo amid tight security. The court convened to hear more testimonies. The police chief, Mohamed Abdel Hakim was charged with giving false testimony. He denied that he had any knowledge that police were armed or given orders to shoot protestors. Mubarak and his aids are charged with ordering the killing of more than 800 protestors during anti-regime rallies. The ousted president and his sons also face corruption charges. Previous trial sessions saw heavy scuffles between Mubarak's supporters and opponents.

--

Thousands rally in Yemen's Taiz demanding freedom, fall of regime [Press TV, Iran]

Yemen has witnessed yet another day of anti-regime demonstrations. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the city of Taiz. Protestors chanted slogans in support of the revolution, shouting ?freedom,? and ?God is great.? They also denounced the bombing of Yemeni towns by forces loyal to embattled ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh. At several points during the peaceful demonstrations, government troops opened fired on protestors. Protests in Yemen have intensified since early June.

--

Bahraini activists on hunger strike in seventh month of revolution [Press TV, Iran]

Since protests broke out in February in Bahrain, many people including women and children have been killed, injured, imprisoned, tortured, with the help of Saudi and UAE troops. But six months on, the will of Bahrainis remains intact, calling for the ouster of the al-Khalifa regime. With hundreds of protestors going on a hunger strike, including famous doctors and human rights activists, will Bahrainis succeed in completing their revolution? It has been almost seven months since the ruling al-Khalifa regime began its crackdown on anti-government protests, with the help of neighboring Saudi Arabia. Dozens of Bahrainis, including children, have been killed by the al-Khalifa forces and their Saudi backers. Thousands of people, including medics, rights activists, senior clerics, and former lawmakers have been jailed.

--

The US appeals to the Palestinian Authority to abandon its UN statehood bid [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
A new international diplomatic mobilization was launched between occupied Jerusalem and Ramallah, to bring the Palestinians back to the bargaining table ahead of their UN bid for statehood recognition this month. A US delegation met with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. The delegation also met with Israeli officials yesterday to coordinate their positions regarding the Palestinian statehood move. Meanwhile, Palestinian mobilization efforts are being launched at the internal level to rally support for the declaration of a Palestinian state at the UN. Also, a media campaign was launched in several languages explaining the Palestinian position, in addition to other symbolic campaigns. Sheruk Asa'ad reports from occupied Jerusalem.

Reporter, Female #1
After failing to prevent the Palestinians from pursuing their statehood bid at the UN, Israel and the US began shifting their focus to the day following the vote. A US delegation led by the US president's special advisor, Dennis Ross, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East David Hale, held talks behind closed doors with Israeli officials. The two sides discussed ways to help avoid acts that would further deteriorate the situation on the ground as well as ways to convince the Palestinians to sign a statement to resume peace talks.

Guest, Male #2 (Ofir Gendelman, Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
The US delegation is looking for a formula and a mechanism to bring the Palestinian side back to the bargaining table. We hope this mission will succeed. We insist on holding direct talks, as it's the only way to help establish a viable Palestinian state.

Reporter, Female #1
This is exactly what David Hale and the Quartet's special envoy Tony Blair are trying to convey to the Palestinian president.

Guest, Male #3 (Sabri Saidam, Advisor to the Palestinian President)
The Palestinian leadership has made up its mind. We are at the bottom of the hour, and the political climate is heated. Israel will not yield to international pressure. It will neither stop the construction of settlements nor resume talks based on the June 4, 1967 borders. Israel is the one pulling the plug on the peace process. Therefore, no one should mount pressure on President Abu Mazen or on the Palestinian leadership, which has adopted a clear position to counter the Israeli decision.

Reporter, Female #1
Israel is hinting at launching a new escalation while continuing to turn a blind eye on the increasing acts of aggression committed by its settlers in the West Bank. Meanwhile, the Palestinians are focusing on one issue: the September 20 UN bid. They are launching media and diplomatic campaigns, which include broadcasting televised messages in six languages, including Hebrew and Russian, in an attempt to explain the Palestinian position and call for peace.

Guest, Female #2
The world's countries are invited to recognize Palestinian membership at the UN.

Reporter, Female #1
This chair, which was hand-made from Palestinian olive-wood, is set to tour the world under the theme: "Palestine deserves." Israel is continuing to monitor the situation with anger while seeking to commit the Palestinians to its conditions and keep them away from achieving international legitimacy. Sheruk Asa'ad, Dubai TV, occupied Jerusalem.

--

US hopes to repair Israel-Turkey ties [IBA, Israel]

In other diplomatic news, the United States is doing its best to halt the deterioration of relations between Israel and Turkey. That's the word from a State Department spokesperson who said that improved ties between Jerusalem and Ankara is in the best interest of both nations. This news, just released, the Shin Bet security service announced that two weeks ago in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem, a suicide bomber was caught in the act of attempting to detonate himself in that Jerusalem neighborhood. The suspect has also been identified with being involved in the March 23 bombing in Jerusalem at a bus station right in the center that was responsible for killing a British tourist.