Demonstrators flock to Yemen's Change Squares for a 'peaceful revolutionary escalation' [Al Jazeera, Qatar]
Presenter, Female #1
In response to a call by the youth of the revolution, protestors took to the streets in several Yemeni cities to continue exerting pressure on Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime. Public squares in a number of cities witnessed demonstrations under the framework of what is known as "the Peaceful Revolutionary Escalation" against the ruling regime.

Reporter, Male #1
Large crowds inundated the public squares of Yemeni cites to continue their protests against the ruling regime in Yemen. These rallies come in the framework of what the opposition has called "the Movement of Peaceful Revolutionary Escalation" against the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The opposition hopes the movement will break the political deadlock in Yemen caused by the absence of the Yemeni president, who is receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital after an assassination attempt in June.

Guest, Female #2
We came out for women who were humiliated during this regime's reign, who had to struggle just to receive 2000 a month, which isn't even enough to buy ten kilos of sugar. We came out for the children who are being killed; we came out for our rights. We came out for education, we came out for health care, and we came out for the oppressed.

Reporter, Male #1
The Yemeni regime has been firm on its position throughout the past several months, calling on the political parties for dialogue and power-sharing, or conducting early elections. The opposition and the youth of the revolution reject this proposition and demand the downfall of the regime and the trials of its symbols. The youth of the revolution say they hope to achieve their goal and accelerate the revolutionary process in the next phase with rallies and lectures. President Ali Abdullah Saleh has deterred the previous plan that calls on him to relinquish power. The last plan that his party approved entails transferring power to his deputy while he remains in power for three months before finally stepping down.

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Egyptian activists seek to 'Correct the Path' [Press TV, Iran]

Egyptians have once again taken to Cairo's iconic Liberation Square, to push for demands unmet since the February Revolution. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the square after Friday prayers to join the protest dubbed "Correcting the Path." The protestors are furious over the slow pace of reform by the ruling military council that took over power after President Hosni Mubarak was toppled. Protestors are demanding a civilian government and an end to military trials for civilians. They also want a clear road map and a comprehensive timetable for transition.

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Anti-regime Bahrainis take to the streets to denounce continued repression [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, tens of thousands of anti-regime protestors have once again taken to the streets calling for the downfall of the regime. The demonstration was sponsored called for by the main opposition group al-Wefaq. The group wants parliament dissolved. It has called for all Bahraini citizens to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. The protestors came from all over the Persian Gulf sheikhdom to an area near the capital Manama. They have demanded an end to the regime's brutal crackdown on civil protests.

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Jordanian protestors in Amman demand constitutional reforms [Press TV, Iran]

In Jordan, demonstrators have staged protests in several cities to reject the proposed constitutional changes and widespread government corruption. The protetors say the changes are not enough as the amendments fall short of the public right to elect a prime minister. Protestors say they want the country's premier chosen from parties via a parliamentary majority. They also want members of Jordan's Upper House of Parliament to be elected by popular vote. The protests come as parliamentarians debate constitutional amendments proposed by a committee appointed by King Abdullah.

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Demonstrators demand an end to corruption in Baghdad's Tahrir Square [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
The Iraqi capital Baghdad and a number of provinces witnessed peaceful demonstrations demanding to fight corruption in government institutions, cancel the quota system, enforce unimplemented verdicts, and that security ministers be assigned. The most prominent platform for the protests was Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, which witnessed an intensive deployment of security forces in order to respond to any violations or breaches by the protestors. Ayat Fadil has the details.

Reporter, Male #2
Improving services, providing security, tackling unemployment, and raising the standard of living for the citizens: all these were slogans chanted by protestors on Friday in Tahrir Square. Masses gathered to demand reforms and the eradication of corruption. They wanted to send the government a message that its citizens' interests must rise above all political disputes and rivalries.

Guest, Male #3
The people need services, the first of which is to end unemployment. And increase salaries; the prices of goods and salaries must be compatible. Also, laborers must work; companies and factories must be opened; the country's economy must be revived; the production and agriculture sectors must be revived; we need services and the most important one is electricity.

Guest, Male #4
Our protest is not a violation of the law, nor does it challenge the authorities, and it does not threaten the state's status but it is a right guaranteed by the constitution. All high-ranking officials must listen to the protestors.

Reporter, Male #2
The demonstrators are surprised by the government's procrastination in responding to their legitimate demands. Meanwhile, others threatened to change the pace of protests and begin an open-ended sit-in if the government does not deliver on its promises.

Guest, Female #1
We will continue to protest until they meet our demands.

Guest, Female #2
What response? What reply? They make citizens feel like their country's fate is unknown. We don't where we're heading; we don't know where to go. There are no services and no one is even mentioning or commenting on the situation. They are too busy fighting over political posts and accusing each other of corruption.

Reporter, Male #2
It is worth mentioning that protests in Baghdad did not witness any disturbances. Instead, there was noticeable cooperation and harmony between the protestors and the security members. These protestors say they will return every Friday until all their demands are met. With that, they place the burden on the government to prove the truthfulness of its slogans that drew these people to the ballot boxes. Ayat Fadil, Al-Forat, from Tahrir Square in Baghdad.

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World powers react to Syria's 'International Protection Friday' [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female # 1
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country is ready to host a meeting of Islamic nations capable of helping Syria solve its problems. His statement came as demonstrations were held in a number of Syrian cities today in what activists called the "Friday of International Protection." Videos posted online by activists showed protests in the neighborhood of al-Maydan in the center of the capital Damascus and across the countryside of Damascus, Homs, Dara'a, Deir az-Zour, Hama, and al- Qamishli. Demonstrators demanded the downfall of the regime and the prosecution of its figureheads. They held banners demanding international protection from what they referred to as the regime's brutal crackdown on protests. The head of the Russian Federation Council's International Affairs Committee Mikhail Margelov said his country's position on the situation in Syria will not change. He expressed Moscow's opposition to any foreign interference meant to find a solution to the Syrian crisis. This came following his meeting with Syrian opposition representatives invited to Moscow by Russian organizations.

Reporter, Male # 1
The slogan of "International Protection" Friday, chosen by Syrian activists for their protest, fell on deaf ears in Moscow. In a meeting with a Syrian opposition delegation, the head of the Russian Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, Mikhail Margelov, reiterated his country's rejection of any foreign interference in Syria. Margelov indicated the Russian stance is based on the need for a political settlement to solve the crisis and expressed his conviction that Syrians are capable of exiting this impasse on their own.

Guest, Male # 2 (Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council's International Affairs Committee)
We firmly believe that repeating the Libya scenario in Syria is completely unacceptable.

Reporter, Male # 1
However, that position did not prevent Margelov from offering to help both sides of the crisis in order to move forward the political process in Syria. The offer was welcomed by a Syrian opposition delegation that suggested sending Russian observers to monitor the events in Syria. The delegation also tried to convey a different image to the Kremlin by indicating that trust between the opposition and Syrian authorities is non-existent seeing that the former calls for reform while the latter responds with violence.

Reporter, Male # 1
If we were to examine the gains and losses of these events, Russia would be the most negatively affected by the wave of dramatic changes shaking the Middle East. Moscow seemed surprised by the cold of the Arab Spring, which explains its volatile positions. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had previously warned President al-Assad of preparing for "a sad fate" if he fails to immediacy enact reforms. Then, during a press conference, he stated his opposition to any decision that condemns only the Syrian authorities. He also accused Syrian opposition members of not being true supporters of democracy and that some of them are extremists and terrorists. In contrast to the official Russian position that views the situation in Syria as a struggle between the legitimate authorities that are open to change and an extremist opposition, the West clearly sides with the latter seeing that few alternatives exist. Washington had considered President Bashar al-Assad's regime as having lost its legitimacy and called on him to resign. Today, it is betting on gradually tightening the sanctions on Damascus while coordinating with the opposition. The American strategy is based on the fact that the Syrian situation is extremely complicated and differs from the other Arab revolutions. It also views the situation in Syria as likely a prolonged crisis. As for the European Union, it is working on imposing a seventh round of sanctions on the Syrian regime, days after imposing an embargo on Syrian oil companies and sanctioning additional regime figures. The European position seems mostly harmonious even if the harshest statements were issued by French and British diplomats, who strongly condemned the use of violence against civilians and threatened additional responses if the crackdown continues. However, in any case, Western positions have not reached the level of threatening military action along the path of the Libyan model?.so far, at least. Sadiq Abu al-Hassan, BBC.

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Fierce clashes erupt in Libya's Bani Walid as Interpol issues red notice for Gaddafi [Oman TV, Oman]

Heavy fighting erupted outside the two main bastions of Muammar Gaddafi's supporters left in Libya today as fighters loyal to the fugitive leader unleashed barrages of rockets on provisional government forces closing in on the towns. Regular volleys of Grad rockets were fired on National Transitional Council positions north of Bani Walid and east of Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte today. Ambulances streamed back and forth from the frontline of Bani Walid, carrying the injured. NTC officials at a checkpoint 30 kilometers outside the desert town said they had captured Gaddafi fighters on the front and reporters said they saw several men with their hands tied behind their backs being driven away.

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Plight of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons ignored by Lebanon [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons are forgotten by the state, which has dealt with them, and continues to deal with them on the basis of "God forgives what has past." My colleague Firas Hatoum reports.

Reporter, Male #1
This report was supposed to be broadcast before Eid ul-Fitr but we chose to wait until receiving a complete response from official and relevant institutions. However, after these institutions delayed in providing a response, probably because they are in the dark or maybe because they're not, we decided to show it anyway. We note that their right to respond and clarify is ensured at all times. While some are still hopeful, others are disappointed. At a crucial moment six years ago when the Syrian army withdrew from Lebanon, the families of detainees held in the prisons of the brotherly nation thought the prison doors would open for those who had been locked behind them for decades. However, Damascus disappointed the mothers and fathers, the daughters and the sons. In its relations with Lebanon, Damascus ignored the detainees' files, considering that the time had passed and a new era had begun and "God forgives what has past". That's fine, but what about the detainees of the new era? What about the Lebanese who were locked behind Syrian prison doors after 2005, and who are still behind bars today. From the dark room of cell number 202, Ahmed al-Abdullah made his own ink and wrote to his wife, who passed away while he was detained. He said, "To the one whose existence made me love life and whose absence shattered my world, the one whose fate changed but remains immortal in my heart even if my blood dries." The mother left her children with no hope of return, leaving them to wage their struggle on their own: the struggle of waiting.

Guest, Male #2
I ask the world, one of the Lebanese rulers to help me. I would like to tell my dad that I miss him and I would have liked to spend the Eid with you.

Reporter, Male # 1
The state insists the Lebanese detainees do no exist but they do indeed exist and the proof lies in their names, photos, and fingerprints. And these visit permits and letters from Damascus central prison are the mere tip of an iceberg of evidence presented exclusively by New TV. Many letters were sent by prisoners to the ambassador but none have received a response. However, the prison's administration warned its Lebanese detainees not to repeat the same demands.

Guest, Female # 2
Syrians told us that the Lebanese state is not even asking for them. The day before yesterday, the Syrian attorney-general visited them in prison and told them their own state is supposed to ask for them. The minister of justice should make a request but there hasn't been a single demand.

Reporter, Male # 2
According to the list written by prisoners, the number of political detainees is at least 12.

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Palestinian Authority to push ahead with statehood bid despite US-Israeli threats [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
Palestinians are determined to apply for Palestinian statehood at the United Nations even if the US uses its veto. The Palestinian president's official spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, affirmed this after the US administration announced that it will use its veto against the Palestinians' attempt to obtain UN recognition of their state. US State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said that the attempt to establish the Palestinian state can only be successful through negotiations. She said if the Security Council is to vote on the issue, her country will veto it. Nuland indicated that the Obama administration has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the Palestinian pursuit. While Palestinians are rallying in a national campaign to support the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN, Israel is preparing to confront this movement by giving settlers more jurisdictions, including the right to open fire on any Palestinian who approaches their settlements. Mohamed Said reports from Ramallah.

Reporter, Male #1
Merely days before the scheduled date to apply for a full membership of a Palestinian state at the UN, the Palestinian Authority is facing warnings from the US and threats from Israel. The PA's meeting concluded with a consensus to reject these threats and move ahead with applying to the international organization. The Palestinians' persistence to have their state recognized is gaining increasing Arab and international endorsement. Parallel to the political movement, a popular movement is ongoing on the ground. A national campaign was launched to support the Palestinian leadership in its pursuit to gain Palestinian membership at the UN General Assembly. Demonstrators in Ramallah marched toward the UN headquarters in the city, marking the beginning of an official national campaign to gather support for the statehood bid. Organizers of the movement chose this woman to deliver their message to the UN officials in Palestine. She is a mother who has broken the record for the number children she has who have been martyred or are in prison for life.

Guest, Female #2 (Um Nasir, Mother of Prisoner Nasir Abu Hamid)
For thirty years, I have been visiting my children in prison. In these thirty years, the security forces forbade me to visit them for five years, then for another four years? and I haven't been able to visit them for the past two years. I have seven family members who are imprisoned by the occupation, including four sentenced to life in prison.

Reporter, Male #1
The political and popular movement will continue and will reach its peak when the discussion about Palestinian statehood recognition begins at the UN General Assembly. Mohamed Said, Dubai TV, Ramallah.