Palestinians launch 'Spring of Negev' protests against Israeli plan to uproot Bedouins [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Today, Israeli occupation forces imposed additional restrictions on Jerusalem worshippers and West Bank residents in a bid to prevent them from reaching and praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. The ban excludes men over the age of 45 who carry Israeli residency cards. The Israeli police deployed additional troops and set up checkpoints in East Jerusalem and at the entrances of West Bank cities. The occupation authority completely sealed off the West Bank, effective Thursday night until Saturday evening, in observance of the Day of Atonement, the holiest Jewish holiday. In the area of Negev in the southern 1948 occupied territories, a general strike took place to protest a government plan to seize 800,000 acres of land and displace 30,000 Bedouins from their villages, which are not recognized by Israel. In addition, thousands of protestors converged on the city of Beersheva, demanding recognition of their villages in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the Judaization campaign that targeted the areas of Muthalath and Galilee in the northern occupied territories. Sheruk Asa'ad reports from Beersheva in the Negev Desert.

Reporter, Female #1
This Palestinian Bedouin village in the Negev Desert in the northern region of Palestine is one of 14 villages which Israel has wiped off the map and refuses to recognize. In conjunction, Israel is planning to execute the so called the "Praver" project aimed at seizing 800,000 acres of Arab land in the Negev and displacing 30,000 Palestinians in order to build ten Israeli settlements. In what was described as the largest rally in years, thousands of people gathered in the city of Beersheva to demand recognition of Bedouin villages.

Guest, Male #2 (Taleb al-Sani, Arab Israeli Member of Knesset)
They want to displace 30,000 people from 14 villages. The worst part is turning this plan into a law. In the name of law, they can practice racism and fascism. No more Nakbas or catastrophes.

Guest, Male #3 (Majal Zahaliqa, Arab Israeli Member of Knesset)
They are pushing us toward a confrontation. The declaration of "Land Day" was triggered by land seizure. We are on the verge of declaring a new "Land Day."

Guest, Female #2 (Amal al-Sani, High Steering Committee of the Arabs of the Negev)
What do they expect? The Negev is 12 million acres. We are demanding our rights of ownership over 680,000 acres. Do they expect us to give up what little is left for us? This is all we have.

Reporter, Female #1
In 1980, Israel forcefully expelled 90 percent of the Negev population. Only 10,000 out of a total of 100,000 Palestinians are currently living in the southern territories of Palestine. Israel is refusing to recognize the Arab villages in a bid to confine the remaining residents to smaller communities similar to reservations. Israel is launching a new Judaization campaign, similar to the one implemented in the areas of Muthalath and Galilee.

Guest, Male #4 (Mohamed Baraka, Arab Israeli Member of Knesset)
The Negev is home to the largest area owned by the Arabs. They have confiscated everything we won in Muthalath and Galilee. Now it's the Negev's plan.

Reporter, Female #1
Israel hasn't had enough, and seems to be thirsty to cause even more tragedy. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the Negev had their say today as some described the scene as "The Negev Spring." Sheruk Asa'd, Dubai TV, Beersheva.

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Yemenis mark "Friday of allegiance to late president" Ibrahim Hamdi [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Tens of thousands of Yemenis staged sit-ins and protests in change squares across 17 provinces on a Friday dubbed "Loyalty to late Yemeni President Ibrahim al-Hamdi." The protestors denounced the shelling of Yemeni cities by forces loyal to President Saleh, and vowed to defend them at any cost.

Reporter, Male #2
The revolutionaries in Yemen said all of their days have turned into Fridays, and if you don't believe them, go to the squares. Seventeen squares in 17 different Yemeni provinces have been united by the revolutionaries. The squares are overwhelmed by the spirit of the revolution, day and night, as months pass by at the speed of clouds. The latest from the square is news of the "Friday of loyalty to President Ibrahaim al-Hamdi," who served as Yemen's president in 1974. Al-Hamdi is still an inspiring icon for the youth of the revolution even though more than three decades have passed since his assassination. Al-Hamdi wanted a civil state mandated by law and run by institutions, and this is exactly what the revolutionaries want. Saleh's supporters said it's their Friday as well, as they rally and mobilize their masses for an hour in front of Yemeni television cameras. And while they claim thousands participated in the rally, they never stay in the square for more than an hour. After Friday prayers, they disperse from the square with Saleh's words echoing in the background. Saleh has recently returned to Yemen. While the number of the revolutionaries is significantly larger than the number of regime supporters, both sides seem to present their cases and rebuttals. Meanwhile, more Yemenis are being killed by Saleh's loyalists on a daily basis. The number of dead and injured increased on the days preceding and following Saleh's return. The revolutionaries denounced the new initiative as "a formula that has proved to be invalid," whether it is prescribed by Saleh or other presidents. The people will ultimately prevail, as witnessed by history. This Friday, the revolutionaries gained new international momentum that has lifted their spirit. The Noble Peace Prize, which has never been given to an average Arab citizen, was awarded today to Yemeni revolutionary icon, Tawakkul Karman.

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Eight Syrians killed on 'Friday of National Council' [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Reports from Syria indicate that at least eight people were killed by the gunfire of Syrian security forces during demonstrations in Syrian villages and towns today under the slogan "Friday of the National Council." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that at least 12 people were killed in clashes between the Syrian army and gunmen believed to be army defectors in northern Syria.

Reporter, Male #2
"Friday of the National Council" is the name of today's Friday protests in support of the formation of a political framework, which was recently announced by Syrian opposition parties. Syrian state media was quick to report the number of people participating in these protests by merely saying that a limited number of gatherings took place and were quickly dispersed. The state media held the "inciting satellite networks" responsible for exaggerating the situation.

Guest, Male #3, (Syrian TV Anchor)
...fabricated news on inciting satellite networks which play a role...

Reporter, Male #2
However, videos like this uploaded by dissidents online reflect the other side of the scene. People gathered here in Jernaz of Idlib Province. And this is in Kafroun of Idlib Province as well. These images are taken in Busra al-Harir near Daraa. And this is in Amuda of al-Hasakah Province. Another protest in Mourik of Hama Province. In Halfaya, protestors burned the Russian flag. The slogans in the Hajar al-Aswad of Rif Dimashq were no different from other regions. In Zabadani, a funeral was held for a person whom dissidents say was killed by Syrian security forces. In the surrounding areas of al-Maraija Mosque in Homs, heavy gunfire was heard. The reports emerging from Syria indicated there were fatalities among protestors. The Syrian government said soldiers and officials were assaulted by gunmen. The Syrian deputy foreign minister said his country will submit a list of 1,100 people killed by terrorists to the United Nations. In turn, the UN announced the deaths of over 2,900 people in what UN officials described as the campaign of bloody crackdowns since protests began in Syria. But the Syrian government asserts that its army is waging a battle against armed groups, launching military campaigns, and facing only limited defections.

Guest, Male #4
I announce my defection to join the Free Syrian Army.

Reporter, Male #2
The army clashed with defectors in the region of Jabal al-Zawiya near the border with Turkey, leading to fatalities on both sides. Near the border with Lebanon, activists said Syrian forces crossed the border to assassinate a Syrian citizen in al-Biqa' region of Lebanon. Wael al-Hajjar, BBC.

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Syrian expert says Assad is 'running out of time' [IBA, Israel]

The fate of the Syrian people is clearly in their own hands now as the United Nations failed to pass a resolution condemning Syria for its violent crackdown on protestors. That is the view of Professor Eyal Zisser Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Tel Aviv University. There is a change in the reaction of the international community. Let me remind you that at first Hilary Clinton suggested that Bashar is actually a great reformer. And then we saw a shift in the American position. We also saw a shift in the European position. We now see signs for change in the Iranian position, in the Russian position, so I guess it's a matter of time. Right now the Syrians cannot expect anything from the international community but as far as Bashar is concerned, his time is running out and time is not on his side.

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Bahraini police show no mercy to protestors mourning boy's death [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Tens of thousands of Bahrainis held a funeral for a young martyr, 16-year-old Ahmed Jabir al-Qattan, who was martyred by the gunfire of the regime's security forces. Political leaders, activists, and religious scholars participated in the funeral's ceremony which turned into an angry protest condemning the regime's repressive measures as military helicopters hovered over the city.

Reporter, Male #1
Violence still dominates the Bahraini scene. The use of violence initiated by Saudi-backed Bahraini security forces killed a new martyr, 16-year-old young man Ahmed Jabir al-Qattan. He passed away after being shot by fissile bullets, which are internationally banned, during a demonstration in the town of Shakura. The February 14 Coalition announced the postponement of the ninth "self-determination" protest scheduled to take place on Friday in the town of Nuwaidrat. The Coalition called on the revolutionary public to take part en masse in the funeral of the martyr Ahmed al-Qattan. Regions of Karzakan and al-Dair witnessed marches during which participants chanted slogans demanding an end to the repression and arbitrary rulings issued by the military court against protestors. Similar demonstrations also occurred in the Barbar and Safala regions on Sitra Island demanding an end to the crackdown, trials, and arbitrary rulings, and that Saudi occupation forces leave the country. Protestors also affirmed their insistence on continuing to protest until their legitimate demands are fully met, especially their demand for an elected government. Meanwhile, the regime's forces backed by Saudi Arabia quelled another rally in the Nabih Saleh region. The town of Ma'ameer also witnessed a women's march in solidarity with the prisoners and affirming to continue the protests. The Bahraini regime's security forces opened fire on women protesting in the Tubli region and used tear-gas against the protestors.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, a number of Bahraini cities and villages witnessed angry demonstrations after hearing the news of young Ahmed al-Qattan's martyrdom. In the Abu Saida region, residents took to the streets in a protest to challenge the regime's security forces that attempted in vain to disperse the protest by using tear-gas extensively. In addition, the regions of Shakura and al-Qadam witnessed similar protests during which protestors threw stones at the security forces, which responded with a barrage of tear-gas and live bullets.

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Thousands rally against government corruption in Jordan [Press TV, Iran]

In Jordan, anti-corruption protests are gaining momentum. The country's former Prime Minister Ahmed Obeidat joined the demonstrations on Friday. More than 3,000 people have taken to the streets in central Amman. The demonstrators called for political and economic reforms. Obeidat, currently head of the national reform front, joined the protestors to slam the corruption of the regime.

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Egyptians return to Tahrir Square to demand civilian rule [Press TV, Iran]

Egyptians have once again gathered at Cairo's Liberation Square to call for the formation of a civilian government. Protestors called on the Supreme Military Council to lift the emergency laws and to stop trying civilians in military courts. The military council has come under growing pressure to speed up political reforms. Meanwhile political parties have once again urged the ruling junta to prevent independent candidates from running in parliamentary elections slated for late November.

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Fighting continues for control of Sirte [Press TV, Iran]

In Libya, the battle for the town of Sirte, the hometown of fugitive former ruler Muammar Gaddafi continues as revolutionary commanders discuss a final push into the northern city. House-to-house fighting has been reported in the narrow streets of Sirte, marking a new phase in the three-week battle. Eyewitnesses say fighters loyal to the National Transitional Council have surrounded the city from both the east and the west and are preparing to close in on the center.

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Egypt celebrates anniversary of October 6 war [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Male #1
They were the most important, most dangerous, and most glorious 11 days in our history. The late leader Anwar Sadat described the epic October War as "a story of struggle and hardship; of the bitterness and pain of defeat, and the sweetness and hope of victory." Thirty-eight years later, commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi gave a speech to salute the armed forces of the October war and to honor the innocent martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country after al-Sadat made the decision to initiate change and go to war. And because this is the first anniversary of the October victory after the January Revolution, Marshal Tantawi confirmed that the youth of this country are the most fundamental pillar of the nation, today and in the future. He said our great people are capable of transitioning through this fragile and decisive phase in our national history. He warned that anyone who tries to undermine the security of the country will be confronted by the Egyptian people's anger.

Guest, Male #2
We should face these crises and dangers so that our path and national goals will not be hindered. Our national goal is to make Egypt a strong nation that is loyal to its people. A united and committed people under the national flag for the sake of the country's progress and prosperity.

Presenter, Male #1
Now we broadcast Marshal Tantawi's address to the nation marking the glorious October victory.

Guest, Male #2
From Cairo. My fellow citizens, Communique No. 7 which is issued by the General Command of the Armed Forces on October 6, 1973. In the name of God the most merciful and most compassionate. Our armed forces succeeded in crossing the Suez Canal along the confrontation line and occupied the eastern bank of the canal.
Our forces are currently successfully continuing their fight with the enemy. Our naval forces also carried out defensive operations alongside our ground forces near the Mediterranean coast. They struck the enemy's important targets on the northern coast of the Sinai and directly hit the targets. From Cairo.