Syrian forces kill 16 civilians as ambush claims the lives of five security personnel [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
The civilian death toll in Syria rises as five security force members are killed in an armed ambush while the army continues its security operations in a number of areas.

Reporter, Female # 1
The death toll in Syria rises every morning with the sun. According to the Syrian Revolution General Commission, at least 16 people were killed in the past 24 hours, most of them in Homs, as the arrest and raid campaign continues. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the arrest of lawyer Imad Droubi at the Palace of Justice in Homs. In addition, news of the arrest of television writer, Syrian-Kurdish artist Mohammad Omar Oso and his cousin was circulated on Facebook. They were arrested in the capital's Rukn al-Din neighborhood. As activists renewed the call to protest tomorrow under the slogan "Friday for the opposition's unity," the Local Coordination Committees condemned the army's surrounding of Bab Amro in Homs, confirming that an atmosphere of terror dominates the neighborhood as the search and arrest campaign continues. On the other side, Syrian TV reported the death of five security force members and the injury of 18 others in an armed ambush set up by an armed terrorist group. They targeted a military bus on al-Tibah al-Jeeza highway in Daraa province. Syrian TV announced that security agencies caught a terrorist group in the neighborhood of al-Sit in Daraa and seized their explosive devices. Daraa's specialized units managed to dismantle a home made explosive device weighing about four kilograms. It was found in the garden of a house. As the US has rejected granting the head of the Central Bank of Syria, Adib Mayaleh, a visa to participate in a meeting in Washington held by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, American ambassador to Damascus Robert Ford warned of sectarian strife if the regime continues to crack down on civilians. He stressed the Syrian army is still holding on despite the defections. In an analysis of the events, diplomats confirmed to Agence France-Presse that protests have lost momentum in Syria but that dissenters could resort to violence since their peaceful protests were not effective in confronting a harsh regime. According to the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, the decline in the size of protests is due to widespread arrests, especially among the organizers of the movement, and systematic encirclement of villages. As for the spokesman for the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, Omar Idilbi, he confirmed that protests have not decreased but were reduced during one day in the areas witnessing a violent crackdown while protests were moved to other areas. Expert on Syrian affairs, Thomas Pierret, said the Syrian opposition will not be able to bring about the end of the regime peacefully. He added that "we are now probably in a second phase, a war of attrition."

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Shelling, sniper fire kill 6 in Yemen's Change Square [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Our al-Jazeera correspondent in Yemen reported that consecutive explosions were heard in the capital Sanaa in heavy artillery shelling operations against supporters of Sheikh al-Ahmar carried out by Saleh's forces. He said six people were killed today and 14 others were wounded by snipers in Change Square.

Presenter, Male #1
Nine people were killed yesterday and dozens were injured by snipers' gunfire and artillery shells in clashes between pro- and anti-regime forces.

Presenter, Female #1
Our correspondent in Sanaa, Ahmed Shalafi, follows the latest developments in Yemen.

Reporter, Male #2
More killing is taking place amid a suffocating political deadlock. This is the situation in Yemen a day after Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdul Latif al-Zayani left Sanaa empty-handed. His efforts failed to bring President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime and the opposition to sign the Gulf initiative. The revolutionaries reject the initiative, claiming that it provides a legal cover for Saleh, his family members, and high government officials to escape prosecution on the crimes committed against the revolutionaries. Yemeni sources spoke of renewed clashes in Sanaa between the forces loyal to Saleh and the forces led by Major-General Ali Mohsein al-Ahamar. The sources also indicated that the revolutionaries in Change Square continue to be subject to the gunfire of snipers, and that more victims fell. Approximately 100 people have been killed in Sanaa since Saleh's forces began their attack on revolutionaries this past Sunday, while hundreds more have been wounded. The killing in Sanaa did not prevent the revolutionaries from continuing their protests demanding the downfall of Saleh which began in this past February. Saleh's loyalist forces blocked the roads that connect Sanaa with other provinces and banned any entry into the capital, allowing people only to exit. However, the revolutionaries say these measures did not reduce the momentum of the protestors in Sanaa or other regions. Here in the city of al-Mukalla, a massive demonstration occurred during which protestors chanted slogans vowing to continue the revolutionary escalation until realizing their dream of freedom and ridding the country of tyranny and corruption. This dream comes with the condemnation of certain Gulf countries that protestors believe are undermining their revolution's victory and attempting to provide an escape for the faltering regime. The city of Aden witnessed similar protests Wednesday afternoon. These protests reflect the pains of South Yemen and depict the Yemeni tragedy caused by decades of attrition and exacerbated by internal conflicts, wars, political turbulence, and poor economic conditions. As the Yemeni scene continues, the revolutionaries insist on bringing Saleh and his aids to justice, vowing to continue the revolution no matter how long it takes, especially considering that the bloodshed rules out any chance for initiatives or debates.

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Obama's UN speech outrages Palestinians in Ramallah [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Hundreds of Palestinians staged a protest rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah, condemning US President Barack Obama's speech before the UN General Assembly on the recognition of the sate of Palestine. The Palestinians said that Obama has surpassed all US presidents in favoring the Israeli occupation entity.

Reporter, Male #1
The Palestinians tuned in to Obama's speech, knowing that he would break his promises. In Tel Aviv, the speech received a warm welcome. In his speech before the UN, Obama has reversed his slogans announced in Cairo upon ascending to power. He failed to mention the settlements or the Palestinian state borders. Instead, he portrayed Tel Aviv as a peaceful entity surrounded by enemies. According to some Palestinians, in his speech Obama surpassed all of his predecessors in favoring Tel Aviv.

Guest, Female #2 (Layla Ghanam, Governor of Ramallah and al-Beirah)
The true face of the US, its policy, and its presidents has always been known to us. So this speech was not a disappointment to the Palestinians.

Reporter, Male #1
Not far from the memorial of Yasser Arafat, hundreds of Palestinians staged an angry rally denouncing Obama's speech before the UN. After Obama's speech, anti-US sentiment grew in the Palestinian street, spreading from the majority of Palestinians to the entire population, including those who were quietly betting on a US role in the peace process.

Guest, Male #2
We as a teacher's union, along with other guilds, strongly reject Obama's speech. It was a bad speech for the Palestinians.

Reporter, Male #1
The Palestinians have sent a message to the Arab nations which reads: In light of the Islamic awakening, on Friday, Arab squares are to be turned into fronts against the US policy in the region.

Guest, Male #3
We plead to the Arab and Islamic public and the free world to say: No to US arrogance and double-standard policy, and no to Obama's political hypocrisy. God wiling, we will continue pushing ahead, along with our political leadership, until we achieve our dream of establishing our independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Reporter, Male #1
Anyone expecting honey from Obama has received poison instead. Obama pulled off the mask and exposed the "ugly" face of the US administration. He didn't equate the victim and the executor. Instead, he brought justice to the executor and heinously opened fire at the victim. This is the "change" that Obama talked about in Cairo upon ascending to power. Faris Sarafandi, Alalam, occupied Ramallah.

Presenter, Female #1
The Hamas movement said that US President Barack Obama's speech before the UN reflects Washington's complete bias toward the Israeli occupation entity. Hamas's spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called for the adoption of a national Palestinian strategy based on self reliance and on Arab and Muslim roots. Abu Zuhri also called on the Arab and Islamic people to mount pressure on their rulers to reduce the US role in the region due to their hostile policy against the Palestinian and Arab interests and due to their absolute support of the Israeli occupation. Dozens of pro-Palestinian political activists held a protest rally in front of the British government headquarters in the capital London. The protestors expressed support for UN recognition of the state of Palestine. In a message submitted to British Prime Minister David Cameron, activists called on the British government to vote in favor of recognizing the Palestinian state, and described London's position as "confusing." In addition, activists said that the time has come for the Palestinians to launch their bid, following 20 years of Israeli procrastination and unproductive talks. On the other side of the street, several supporters of the Israeli entity demonstrated against the bid.

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Former Israeli ambassador weighs in on Obama's speech to the UN [IBA, Israel]

Returning now to the events unfolding at the United Nations. I'm joined in the studio now by Ambassador Yoram Ettinger. Much of President Obama's speech last night dealt with the Israeli-Palestinian stalled peace process. A lot of people say this was a very pro-Israel speech given by a very good friend of Israel. Is that a fair assessment? Ettinger: I suggest noting the colloquialism of the lesson that leopards never change their spots. They do, however, change tactics. In my assessment, President Obama's speech at the UN reaffirmed his worldview on global affairs in general, the Palestinian issue in particular, which was the focus of the speech. He reiterated his assessment that events in Egypt, and Iraq, and Syria, and Yemen, etc. are marks of democracy and transitions to democracy.

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Gaddafi stronghold Sabha falls to revolutionary forces [Oman TV, Oman]

Libya's interim rulers said today that they have further consolidated their control of a Sahara desert town that has been among Muammar Gaddafi's last strongholds and said Gaddafi himself is running out of places to hide. But a spokesman for the fugitive Libyan leader says forces with the new government have killed over 100 people while trying to capture Sirte, though there was no independent confirmation of this. Libya's National Transitional council, the country's de-facto government after Gaddafi was swept from the capital last month is anxious that is establishing military control of the country and can govern Libya effectively.

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Meet the children of the Libyan revolution [Press TV, Iran]

Our correspondent in Tripoli has been looking to see how young people have been helping the revolutionaries in their fight against Muammar Gaddafi. Meet Abdul Malik, one of Libya's child soldiers. He's 16 years old and says he's ready to fight and die for the revolution. Instead, however, he's stuck here, manning a checkpoint just outside Tripoli. Being too young, however, Ahmed, won't be allowed to join his brother and cousin at the frontline for years. His mother no doubt will be hoping the war is long finished by then. For those not so keen on playing soldiers, there are plenty of other ways to help out. All across Libya, groups of young people can be seen cleaning the streets. Gaddafi ruled Libya for 41 years. For young people, living under his dictatorship is all they've ever known. Graffiti is everywhere in Tripoli, mostly created by the young. There's a common theme. Most nights, Osama comes out to paint the town, red, black and green. He tells me that he feels like he's helping to support the revolutionaries the best way he can. Even the younger ones do their bit to help. At an event held to honor the families of martyrs, usually young men who have lost their lives on the front lines, the kids provide the entertainment. Many revolutionaries say that they are fighting for the future and fighting for the young. The kids however, are playing their part too.

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Iran's Ahmadinejad slams world powers at UN, triggers walk-out [Press TV, Iran]

Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has slammed world powers for infringing on the rights of other nations in his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York. Ahmadinejad also criticized the current structure of the United Nations. Ahmadinejad said human values, peace justice, and freedom cannot be achieved through military intervention. He also criticized the US for killing Osama bin Laden instead of trying to shed more light on the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington. Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadinejad said people around the world have now been awakened and no longer bow to oppression.

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French court fines two women defying the ban on the niqab [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The French judicial court issued a verdict to fine two women for wearing the niqab, enforcing the law that bans wearing the niqab in public, which was passed last April.

Reporter, Female #2
Ever since the French parliament passed the law that bans wearing the niqab in public, controversy arises every so often. While some see the law as supporting the country's secular principle, others believe it is a violation of personal freedom. Today, the French judiciary issued the first verdict to fine two women for violating the law. One of the two women, Hind Ahmas, did not show discontent with the verdict but instead considered it a sufficient cause to escalate the case.

Guest, Female #3 (Hind Ahmas, Woman fined for wearing niqab)
I am extremely satisfied because we will finally be able to take the necessary steps to refer the case to the European Court of Human Rights and obtain a verdict that invalidates this law.

Reporter, Female #2
Among the women who supported Hind was Kenza Drider, who began a presidential campaign for the 2012 election.

Guest, Female #4 (Kenza Drider, Presidential Candidate)
I decided to perform my duty and I hope all French women will support my candidacy for the presidential election, because I aspire to serve all women who are suffering from political, economic, or social discrimination.

Reporter, Female #2
The ban on niqabs only affects about 2,000 women in the country that houses the largest Muslim community in Europe, with a Muslim population of five million. French President Nicolas Sarkozy described the niqab as "a prison for women." Some human rights activists accused him of targeting one of the most fragile social components of France in order to gain support from the extreme right-wing that has a strong presence in the French political scene, in preparation for next year's electoral battle. Sali Nabil, BBC.

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Egypt holds first conference for religious dialogue [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Male #1
In order to promote the culture of dialogue and acceptance of different opinions, the first conference for religious dialogue and a modern civil society was opened with participation from intellectuals and religious scholars.

Reporter, Female #1
The spotlight is focused on common values, which unites all heavenly religions under its flag in order to bridge the differences and avoid division among the people of the same nation. This is the goal of the Council of Dialogue and International Relations' first conference organized by the evangelical church with participation from a group of Islamic and Christian religious scholars.

Guest, Male #2 (Dr. Akram Lamaee, Chair of the First Conference of Religious Dialogue)
Many hands behind the scene are trying to destroy the country's future. Therefore we believe it is necessary for everyone to stand side by side in unity to fend off any attempt to inflict damage, whether from inside or outside the country.

Guest, Male #3 (Dr. Mahmoud Azb, al-Azhar Conference Advisor)
This includes the exchange of ideas and opinions on shared principles among people of various cultures, religions, or sects. That is absolutely not a problem, because just like the Holy Quran says, we have the right to differ. Our Lord created a diverse world, and in order for all different people to coexist, dialogue is necessary.

Reporter, Female #1
Everyone agreed that dialogue, respect for human rights, and acceptance of others despite their differences are the main foundation for building a modern civil state.

Guest, Male #4 (Ahmed al-Sayed Turki, Imam of al-Nour Mosque)
It is very important during these turbulences and storms in Egypt that we focus on common grounds and hold dialogue over our disputes.

Guest, Male #5 (Pastor Saffut al-Bayad, Head of Evangelical Church)
We agreed on 99 percent of the points because whatever happens to me may happen to others. What everyone agrees on is that we all want our country to be better, and our economy to develop. We also want to put an end to the protests, fighting, sit-ins, and strikes, which are weakening the economy.

Reporter, Female #1
So, the love that Christianity calls for with its saying, "God is love," and the mercy that Islam calls for with God's sacred words, "We sent thee but as a mercy to the worlds" present a common ground for the beginning of a constructive dialogue to build a society in which we live and work towards Egypt's development and progress. Lamya'a Miwafi, Nile TV.