Abbas admits 'difficult times' await Palestinians after the Palestinian Authority's statehood bid [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Israelis to recognize the state of Palestine and not waste the chance for peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

Presenter, Female #1
His statements came shortly before his arrival to New York this morning in an attempt to request full membership for the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.

Presenter, Male #1
On the eve of the Palestinian bid, donor nations to the Palestinian Authority concluded their meeting and called for resuming negotiations with the Israelis.

Reporter, Female #2
All eyes are focused on New York on the eve of the Palestinian statehood bid that has generated escalating controversy. President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in New York, calling on Israelis to recognize the state of Palestine at the United Nations and not to waste the chance for peace. However, he also expected the Palestinian people and leadership to encounter difficulties that may not only be political, but also economic. And that was the focus of the discussion during a meeting by donor nations to the Palestinian Authority at the United Nations. The long discussion that took place at the meeting was attended by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon. Following the meeting, the chair called for resuming negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis. He said the current deadlock in the peace process threatens the economy of the future Palestinian state.

Guest, Male #2 (Jonas Gahr Stoere, Norwegian Foreign Minister)
The final status issues are not being dealt with. The meeting's message is that it is imminently necessary, in our point of view as the donor nations, to resume the political negotiations so we can move towards the goal of having the two states of Israel and Palestine living side by side in the two-state solution.

Reporter, Female #2
The Israeli deputy foreign minister responded to these statements with more threats. He warned the Palestinians that pushing for their venture at the UN may close the door to any peace process.

Guest, Male #3 (Danny Ayalon, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister)
If the Palestinians do not step up and sit at the table to discuss all the issues in seriousness, in mutual respect, then we cannot, and we will not find a solution. Therefore, the Palestinians' heading to the UN is a renunciation of their responsibility, and I call on the Palestinian leadership not to let down its people.

Reporter, Female #2
The Israelis say that negotiations come first. The special envoy of the diplomatic Middle East Quartet, Tony Blair, tried to find another formula for the Israeli position.

Guest, Male #4 (Tony Blair, Middle East Quartet Envoy)
What we should aim for this week is to have a significant advancement of the Palestinian statehood and the negotiation restarted, because that then allows us to combine strong support from the international community for Palestinian statehood with a re-launched and revitalized new negotiation.

Reporter, Female #2
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also affirmed the international consensus on negotiations in her talks with EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton. The outcome of all these international positions and pressure will be evident after Abbas' anticipated speech at the Security Council, where the American veto will most likely be used. Heading to the UN General Assembly will be the next step, where Palestine may be given a non-member UN observer state status.

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Israeli ambassador:Palestinian statehood issue vastly exaggerated [IBA, Israel]

Back to the top story of the day, top story of the week for that matter, IBA's Eli Wohlgelernter spoke this morning with Ambassador Alan Baker, who had a different take on the Palestinian Authority's push for recognition at the UN. Baker: I think that the whole thing has been vastly exaggerated and pushed out of all proportion. I think so much so that Abu Mazen is ringing his hands in joy at the fact that Israeli ministers are calling this a political tsunami and the Israeli media is calling this a fateful week for the history of the area. I think this is all vastly exaggerated and whilst we can't ignore that there will be something happening at the UN we have made it into what it is because of our own excitement and fear that have no real reason.

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Killing of Syrian protestors continues as France slams UN silence [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Five people were killed in Homs today, including a female student and a child, raising the death toll to 16 individuals killed by security forces in the past few hours. This comes as the UN human rights office said that over 2,700 people have been killed. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe renewed his accusation that the Syrian regime is committing crimes against humanity.

Reporter, Male # 2
Day-after-day, additional information about the crimes committed by Syrian regime forces is revealed. The latest is a confession by a shabeha who was caught in Bab al-Sibaa in Homs. He said that, along with his colleagues, he kidnapped a group of girls, the sisters of dissenters, during a raid with the security forces. They were detained in the area of al-Mazraa in the city of Homs and some of them were raped then killed. This led supporters of the Syrian opposition to take to the streets of towns and cities under the slogan "Monday of anger for Zeinab al-Hosany," who was killed by the shabeha after being detained to bait her brother, human rights activist Mohammad al-Hosany. Meanwhile, funeral processions have been an integral part of the Syrian revolution since its start, as victims are dying on a daily basis across Syrian regions. In this context, tens of thousands of people held a funeral for Fadi Jumuaa in Saqaba, in the countryside of Damascus, amid chants for the downfall of al-Assad. Activists posted videos online of a massive demonstration in the Damascus neighborhood of al-Qaboun during the funeral of Syrian citizen Azham Abed, amid cries for freedom. Anti-Baath night protests swept Syrian towns and cities, notably in Homs in the center of the country where heavy gunfire reportedly targeted demonstrators. And as usual, protestors demanded the downfall of the regime and the execution of the president. In addition, they asked for international protection of civilians demanding freedom. As for international positions, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe's stance stood out. From New York, he accused the Syrian regime of committing crimes against humanity and criticized the Security Council for its inability to take a firm stance on the events in Syria.

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Yemen's revolutionary forces urge an end to the 'carnage of peaceful protestors' [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Security is deteriorating in Yemen, coinciding with the arrival of the United Nations special envoy to Sanaa, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council secretary-general. Abdel Rahman al-Shumari reports from Sanaa.

Reporter Male #2
Unprecedented security deterioration and tension are persisting over the Yemeni capital Sanaa and other cities, following what has become known as the "massacre of Hay al-Qa'a and Kentucky." Yemeni security forces and gunmen disguised as civilians have opened fire on a peaceful protest, killing or injuring hundreds of young protestors.

Guest, Male #3 (Tareq Neeman, Field hospital Surgeon, Change Square)
The regime fired live ammunition. They didn't use tear gas or batons. They fired heavy artillery and live ammunition.

Reporter, Male #2
While the ruling regime held the opposition responsible for the incidents, the National Council of the Popular Revolutionary Forces are demanding the international community take practical measures to help end what they referred to as "the regime's crimes." The military forces loyal to the youths' revolution have vowed to legally pursue and try what they referred to as "remnants of the Saleh's regime."

Guest, Male #4 (Jamal Jaberi, Yemeni Journalist and Writer)
The murder of peaceful protestors yesterday has killed the Gulf initiative. The silence of the international community is the price to be paid for the regime's cooperation in the so called "war on terror."

Reporter, Male #2
This bloody day comes days after the release of a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemning the Yemeni regime for ordering the killing of peaceful protestors. These recent developments seem to be dimming any opportunity for optimism raised by Washington, which said a political settlement may be reached within a week. Despite the rising number of dead and injured, the youths of change vow to push ahead with their revolutionary escalation until the downfall of the regime. All signs are warning that the coming days may witness further violence, especially as the military option takes precedence over a peaceful solution. Abdel Rahman al-Shumari, Dubai TV, Sanaa.

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Libya's opposition forces hit by fierce resistance in Bani Walid and Sirte [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Fierce battles are raging in the city of Bani Walid, south of the Libyan capital Tripoli, where a large number of revolutionaries were able to enter this morning. Meanwhile, chief revolutionary negotiator Abdullah Kenshil, said that the fighting is intense and the liberation of the city will be decided over the next two days. He added that talks with Gaddafi's battalions are underway in an attempt to evacuate additional families from the city, whose population is 50,000. The revolutionaries have retreated from the city of Sirte due to fierce resistance by Gaddafi supporters.

Reporter, Male #1
Fierce battles are raging south of the Libyan capital Tripoli, particularly in and around the city of Bani Walid, where a large number of revolutionaries were able to enter. The sounds of explosions and gunfire are echoing across Bani Walid due the intense fighting raging between the two sides in a bid to gain control of the city. Forces loyal to the National Transitional Council suffered from a lack of organization and failure to follow orders, which made them an easy target for Gaddafi's battalions and ultimately lead to their expulsion from the city. The revolutionaries were unable to conquer Sirte, the main stronghold of the former regime, due to intense resistance by Gaddafi's battalions. Dozens of NTC's fighters have been killed since the launch of the attack on Sirte last Thursday. The revolutionaries announced they have postponed an operation to storm the city to protect the lives of civilians, who continue to flee in large numbers.

Guest, Male #3
The situation in the city is very tragic. There's no electricity or fuel. The storages are empty of supplies.

Reporter, Male #1
At the heart of the Libyan south, the city of Sabha is still under the control of Gaddafi forces. Meanwhile, the revolutionaries are massing in nearby villages in preparation for the launch of an imminent attack, amid fear that the war may turn into a long term conflict.

Guest, Male #4
Today, the liberated cities have been secured, thank God. Some of the cities were peacefully liberated, such as this Qutba city.

Reporter, Male #1
Politically, NTC members have postponed the announcement of their transitional government after failing to agree on its makeup. In the capital Tripoli, far from the sounds of artillery and raging battles, celebrations are underway to welcome two fighter pilots who fled to Malta seven months ago after refusing to shell revolutionary positions. Dozens of residents greeted the two pilots at the Maqeta military airport in Tripoli.

Guest, Male #5 (NTC Spokesman)
We would like to express our gratitude to the Maltese government. As I said earlier, Libya will be like paradise. However, this paradise will be empty of people if we don't receive support. The Maltese helped us, and this is why I continue to thank them.

Reporter, Male #1
Until achieving military resolve, Libya and its people will continue to wait for the launch of a new chapter in their lives here at home and abroad.

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Violence against Bahraini protestors rages on [Press TV, Iran]

And not to Bahrain, where Saudi-backed forces have charged thousands of protestors on the streets calling for the downfall of the regime. Government troops fired teargas to break up the protests. There are also reports that live rounds have been fired as well. The clashes happened in the eastern oil-rich region of Sitra. Protestors have been taking to the streets on a daily basis trying to bring down the ruling monarchy. The revolution in the Persian Gulf sheikhdom began in mid-February. Since then, dozens of protestors have been killed and hundreds more injured.

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Sudan and South Sudan sign border deal [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The two states of Sudan and South Sudan signed an agreement to set up ten border crossings to ease travel and trade between the two countries. These ten crossings will be located in a demilitarized zone that extends along the 2,000 kilometer border.

Reporter, Male #2
This is the first agreement on border security signed between Sudan and South Sudan since the South announced its independence from the north this past July. The two countries' defense ministers announced their respective governments' determination to set up ten border crossings in the demilitarized zone along the border. The border has been closed for several months due to the eruption of clashes in border provinces in northern Sudan. A conciliatory tone dominated the highest-level bilateral meeting in Khartoum since South Sudan's independence. The two governments affirmed through their defense ministers that the two countries have overcome their disputes.

Guest, Male #3
Sudan and South Sudan are two countries that have good relations and we strongly care about having good security at the border.

Reporter, Male #2
The two sides exchanged accusations about the clashes witnessed in the provinces of South Kordofan and the northern Blue Nile between the Sudanese army and members of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, the SPLM. Khartoum refuses to recognize the SPLM as a political party in the north, and shut down its bureaus and accused the government in the South of supporting it. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 ended the civil war that lasted decades and killed one million people. However, no agreements were reached on the disputed region of Abyei or on the issue of sharing oil revenue, which is considered the main source of income for both countries.

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The regional aspirations of the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
The Muslim Brotherhood is the fuel for the Arab uprisings. More about the brothers of the Brotherhood in Lebanon in the following report by my colleague Riyad Gilaisi.

Reporter, Male #1
The green flag has its reality. The descendants of Hassan al-Banna are resurfacing after decades of oppression, returning with the awakening of the Arab revolutions, bringing the spring of promises. For a long time, regimes used the Brotherhood and scare tactics to prolong their reigns. Now their time is up. The Brotherhood has a branch in Lebanon.
So where does the Lebanese group fit into the Brotherhood's aspirations? The Islamic Group is the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, established by Egyptian Hassan al-Banna. The Brotherhood in Lebanon began when Mohammad al-Daouk founded the Ibad Al Rahman Association in 1949. In 1962, Fathi Yakan called for its transformation into the Islamic Group because of the civil war's affects on the group and its contribution to the resistance against the Israeli occupation. With Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi as leader, the group overcame many hardships, from the Taif Agreement to the Lebanese crisis in the aftermath of Premier Hariri's assassination. The crisis affected the group, especially after Preacher Fathi Yakan left and established the Islamic Action Front under the pretext that the group is biased in a number of positions in favor of the March 14 Alliance. Today, after the demise of both Yakan and Mawlawi, the Lebanese Brotherhood is at a new crossroads in light of the recent actions taken by their brothers in the Arab world. While the Muslim Brotherhood is considered to be a fundamental part of the uprisings, the group was directly accused of conspiring with the US and the West during the counter-revolution.

Guest, Male #2 (Ibrahim al-Misri, Secretary-General of the Islamic Group)
For example, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is sometimes accused of having relations with the US. That is ridiculous. The Muslim Brotherhood announced that it rejects any dialogue, even for the sake of just holding a dialogue. In the past, there has been no dialogue between the Brotherhood and the US, either because the US does not want to open a dialogue with what it says to be fundamentalists; or because the Muslim Brotherhood doesn't wish to open a dialogue under the pretext that the US's presence in the region is hostile and in support of Israel, oppressing the Islamic movement everywhere.

Reporter, Male #1
Turkey, a country aspiring to regain the prestige of its Ottoman ancestors, represents one of the axes of power for the Brotherhood in this era, especially in light of the ruling Turkish Justice and Development Party, which has roots extending to the Brotherhood. However, the momentum gained by the Renaissance Party of Tunisia, Hamas in Palestine, and the Islamists in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon is setting the stage for accusing the Brotherhood of being dependent on the new Ottoman Sultan.

Guest, Male #4
It is a natural right for any country to act within its authority and strengthen its ideologies in the region. This is Turkey's right. The important thing is that this right is not practiced at the cost of the people in the region, their freedom, or their sovereignty. What I want to affirm is that there is no means of coordination between the Turkish government and the Muslim Brotherhood in any country. It is true that there may be consultation, like there is between many officials in other countries. But there is no coordination mechanism so that the Muslim Brotherhood can become a medium through which Turkey consolidates its ideology to expand its presence in the region.

Reporter, Male #2
The Lebanese group stresses its independence and the independence of its brothers.n Furthermore, it denies that there is any Gulf influence and complains of a lack of Gulf support.