Deadly slew of attacks against police sparks new wave of controversy in Iraq [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Our al-Jazeera correspondent in Iraq said at least 20 people were killed and more than 80 were wounded in five bomb attacks in Baghdad. Four of the bombings were carried out with booby-trapped vehicles.

Presenter, Female #1
The blasts took place at the entrance of the Interior Ministry, in the Karradah neighborhood, in al-I'ilam neighborhood, and at the police station in the Hurriyah neighborhood.

Reporter, Male #2
Baghdad is witnessing another bloody Wednesday but this time it targeted security institutions. The new bombers attacked police stations and the security forces' headquarters in the capital. This evoked a new wave of controversy on whether the country's security can prove its ability to provide safety after the US troops withdraw from Iraq at the end of the year. At the same time, debates are ongoing about whether or not US trainers should stay in Iraq to help with security.

Guest, Male #3
At eight o'clock this morning, the Olwiya Police Station was bombed and people were killed. What can we do? What can we say?

Reporter, Male #2
The targets of the attacks were the police stations in Baghdad, which are entrusted to protect the citizens' safety. But they were not even able to protect themselves. These blasts are causing a new wave of criticism of these forces. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi held the security forces responsible for what he referred to as the "dangerous security breach," and called for opening an urgent investigation. Dozens of Iraqis were killed and wounded in these five bloody attacks. The bombings were carried out separately either with booby-trapped vehicles or explosives, but observers easily concluded that it was an organized operation with similar bombing methods and targets.

Guest, Male #4
We were heading to work when we heard an explosion. What was the explosion? It was a bomb-laden car driven by a suicide bomber. It entered the police station's gate, and several police officers were standing close by. It entered the station and crashed into the sidewalk. The minute he crashed into the sidewalk, he blew himself up inside the car, and then the car's gas tank exploded.

Reporter, Male #2
There is no doubt that these attacks will send a political and security message to the Green Zone, where the government and parliament are located, that things are not going as they had hoped in terms of security.

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US links Iran with plot to kill Saudi envoy in Washington [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Iranian authorities summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, whose country represents US interests in Iran, to contest the US allegations that Iran is involved in an assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador in Washington. Meanwhile, former director-general of the Saudi intelligence agency and former Saudi ambassador in Washington, Prince Turki al-Faisal, said Iran's involvement in the attempt to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington is unacceptable and that someone in Iran will pay the price. The European Union warned Iran of very serious consequences if the allegations are proven true.

Reporter, Male #2
The alleged assassination plot targeted the Saudi ambassador to Washington, Adel Al-Jubeir, who is one of the most influential members of the Saudi royal family. Even though this plot sounds like its part of a novel or Hollywood movie, US authorities assert that it is real and would have killed dozens of people had it succeeded. The White House did not hesitate in directing blame at Iran.

Guest, Male #3 (Eric Holder, US Attorney General)
The complaint alleges that this conspiracy was conceived, was sponsored, and was directed from Iran, and constitutes a flagrant violation of US and international law, including a convention that explicitly protects diplomats from being harmed.

Reporter, Male #2
This is the Saudi embassy building in Washington, which was the target of the plan. According to the charges against the Iranian-American, he hired a Mexican drug cartel to carry out the operation, which turned out to be working with a US intelligence agent. One of the two accused Iranian citizens, Gholam Shakuri, is a member of the Revolutionary Guard and is currently in Iran, according to Iranian authorities. The other is Mansour Arbasiar, who is in his fifties. He was brought to a court in Manhattan, New York and is facing charges of conspiring to assassinate a foreign official using highly destructive weapons, and of committing acts of terrorism. Washington is accusing the Iranian Revolutionary Guards of being behind the conspiracy. In addition, Washington says the Revolutionary Guards are behind the attacks on US forces in Iraq and is sponsoring Taliban in Afghanistan. In their preliminary response, Iranian authorities described the plot as a fabricated scenario aimed at diverting the public's attention from the US's internal problems that President Barack Obama's administration is suffering from. The popular uprisings that swept across the Arab world, especially in Bahrain, exacerbated tensions between Riyadh and Iran. However, if there was a real conspiracy, why would Iran resort to killing a Saudi diplomat in the US? The most pressing question is: how would Iran benefit from such an action?

Guest, Male #4 (Ali al-Funah, American Enterprise Institute)
Iran and Saudi Arabia are in a continuous cold war to gain more influence in the Middle East, because they are the two largest political powers in the region. Saudi diplomats are ideal targets for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Reporter, Male #2
The relationship between Tehran and Washington has been tense since the Iranian revolution. The tensions have escalated due to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. These new allegations raise questions about the next step the US will take to contain Ahmedinejad's regime and to further isolate the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Guest, Female #1 (Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State)
We will be consulting with our friends and partners around the world about how we can send a very strong message that this kind of action, which violates international norms, must be ended.

Reporter, Male #2
More details of the alleged assassination plot will be revealed in the coming days. It is certain that if the allegations prove true, tensions will increase in the already unstable political situation in the Middle East. Abdul Qadir Balhaaj, BBC.

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Palestinian euphoria mixes with Israeli anxiety over Shalit prisoner swap deal [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
During a press conference in the Egyptian capital, Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi welcomed the news of the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners from the Israeli occupation's jails. He added that a meeting will be held tomorrow to finalize the prisoner swap deal, citing that more than 6,000 prisoners are being held in the occupation's jails.

Guest, Male #2, (Nabil al-Arabi, Arab League Secretary General)
A meeting is scheduled tomorrow to deal with prisoner issue. There are more than 6,000 prisoners. While the release of 1,000 prisoners is great news and the Arab League welcomes it, we hope to release all Palestinian prisoners.

Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, the head of the Palestinian government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyah, called on Palestinians to seize the opportunity to strengthen their national unity. Haniyah's statement came during a massive celebration held by thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to express joy over the prisoner swap deal.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmed Yaseen, Late Hamas Founder)
We want our children to come home.

Reporter, Male #4
These words remained in the memories of Palestinians for many years, and today, thousands of Palestinians celebrated turning them into reality. This news comes after a prisoner swap deal was announced, in which more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the release of captured Israeli solider Gilad Shalit. The deal was delayed for many years due to the occupation's elusive and rigid position. The Palestinian resistance insisted on achieving its demands and refused to offer concessions.

Guest, Male #5 (Ismail Haniyah, Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza)
It's a joyous day celebrated by all Palestinian people and factions, by the public and officials. We must seize on this moment to strengthen our unity.

Reporter, Male #4
The prisoners in the occupation's jails also expressed joy. The deal includes the release of all Palestinian female prisoners as well as hundreds of prisoners who are serving life sentences. This will open the door for the resistance to capture additional soldiers in order to free the remaining prisoners.

Guest, Male #5 (Abu Mjahed, Salah al-Din Brigades' Spokesman)
Shalit will not be the last soldier to be captured. The Palestinian resistance will continue to capture soldiers. We will continue this strategy until we set all prisoners free. We will help free all of them, God willing.

Reporter, Male #4
The joy expressed by the residents of the Gaza Strip over the prisoner swap deal had a special flavor, especially considering the high price they paid when Shalit was in captivity.

Guest, Female #1
Today is a day to celebrate. However, our joy will not be complete until the release of all prisoners, God willing. May God free them all.

Guest, Male #6
Today is an overwhelmingly happy day for all Palestinian people, especially considering that leaders of the resistance will be released from Israeli jails, God wiling. Over the years, Israel said these prisoners would never see the light of day.

Reporter, Male #4
The Palestinians preferred to spend the night on the street to celebrate their victory over the occupation. Gazans have turned the city's nighttime into a massive celebration marking the completion of the prisoner swap deal, which they consider a step toward freeing all Palestinian prisoners. Mohamed Rafiq, Alalam, Gaza, Palestine.

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Gilad Shalit released after five years in captivity [IBA, Israel]

Gilad Shalit is coming home. The entire nation waited anxiously last night after news of a possible prisoner exchange deal began to spread. A short time later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially announced that an agreement had been reached. Later in the evening, the Cabinet approved the deal and the countdown to the return of the kidnapped soldier was set in motion after over five years in Hamas captivity.

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Million-man march in Damascus supports Assad's regime [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Squares in Damascus' were inundated with massive demonstrations supporting Assad and his regime and thanking Russia and China. The Qatari Emir called on the Syrian government and the opposition's transitional council to work together towards understanding the new constitution.

Reporter, Female #2
A million-man demonstration brings the dawn of a renewed popular Syrian political scene supporting President Bashar al-Assad after various Syrian regions witnessed seven months of protests calling for the downfall of the regime and the resignation of the Syrian president. Syrians flocked to Sabah Baharat Square in the center of the Syrian capital to take part in a march named "Syria my Country" to support the comprehensive reform programs. The programs come in response to a call sent by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists on Syrian newspaper al-Watan's page on Facebook. Participants raised banners that read, "The people and army are with you, leader of the country" and "Syria is our country, Assad is our leader." They also raised Russian and Chinese flags next to the Syrian flag, pictures of President Assad, and slogans honoring the army's wounded members and martyrs. The organizers announced on their website that the march aims to support national unity in solidarity with the martyrs' families, to stand up to the conspiracy against Syria, and to condemn the so-called transitional council in Istanbul and its agents. In addition, the organizers said the protest aims at sending a message from the Syrian youth to the foreign countries that they want reform under the leadership of Assad. Another message is sent to what the organizers call "leaders of the conspiracy" in both English and Arabic, confirming that the Palestinian issue will remain a priority.

Guest, Male #1
We are united, rallying around our people, leadership, and homeland. We confirm to the entire world that Syria is a line that can't be crossed. We will not let anyone harm Syria or its leadership.

Reporter, Female #2
In turn, the Homs region witnessed a student protest in response to the pro-Assad demonstration. Other protests took place in Hama and Jarjinas of Idlib, as well as al-Qadam area of Damascus, calling for the downfall of the regime, supporting the transitional national council, and requesting international protection. Politically, the Emir of Qatar commented on the Syrian opposition's announcement to establish a transitional national council by saying it is a step in the interests of Syria.

Guest, Male #2 (Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Emir of Qatar)
I believe that the formation of this council is an important step in the interests of Syria. If the Syrian government can work with this council, which I believe is a legitimate representative of the protestors in Syria, to reach an understanding of the essence of the new constitution, then it can preserve Syria's balance of power in the region.

Reporter, Female #2
In a notable step, Syrian authorities released Syrian dissident Walid al-Bunni on a 32 dollar bail. He was arrested on August 6 on charges of inciting protests and sowing sectarian strife.

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Yemeni protestors call on UN to force Saleh's resignation [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
With no reports of confrontations, tens of thousands of Yemenis demonstrated in the capital Sanaa, urging the UN Security Council to help with their demand of bringing President Ali Abdullah Saleh to justice on what they referred to as "war crime charges." While the youths of change believe that "revolutionary resolve" is the only way to bring about a solution in Yemen, the fact that the Yemeni issue was brought to the UN Security Council for the first time in nine months is a positive sign that requires them to wait before weighing-in on the international position. Abed Rahman al-Shumari reports from Sanaa.

Reporter, Male #1
As the Yemeni file heads to the UN Security Council, the mass of protestors in Sanaa's Change Square staged sit-in rallies demanding the international community fulfill its obligation regarding what they referred to as "President Ali Abdullah Saleh's crimes." The protestors also marched across the capital urging the Security Council to prosecute the president and take swift action against his regime.

Guest, Male #2
We plead with our brothers and friends to take a firm position and not to turn a blind eye on the Yemeni people's suffering.

Guest, Female #2
The Security Council must help protect our human rights, and they must force Ali Saleh to step down.

Guest, Male #3
We will continue our peaceful revolution regardless of whether there is a resolution or not. Today, we are charting this revolution with our blood.

Reporter, Male #1
This escalating popular mobilization was not confined to the capital Sanaa, as several other Yemeni cities witnessed massive rallies as well in an attempt by the youths of change to exhaust the regime's options. Many of the youths have expressed doubt about the international community's "lenient and flexible" position toward the Yemeni President's regime, which continues to launch maneuvers to derail the Gulf initiative.

Guest, Male #4 (Abed Karim al-Shibani, Journalist and Writer)
I do not believe the UN Security Council will adopt a strong position against the Yemeni President and his regime. Instead, it will call on all Yemeni parties to resume dialogue and implement the Gulf initiative. Even if the UN adopts a draft resolution, Russia and China will oppose it, just like in the case with Syria.

Reporter, Male #1
The Yemeni public believes that discussing the Yemeni issue at the UN Security Council will likely take a long time, and this is not what the volatile nine-month situation in Yemen needs. The Yemeni political crisis is taking a new direction, with the youths of change hoping to achieve victory despite their firm belief that politics have so far failed to bring them justice, betting that "peaceful revolutionary resolve" will help them prevail over acts of oppression and tyranny. Abed Rahman al-Shumari, Dubai TV, Sanaa.

Presenter, Female #
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council will meet today to resume their deliberation on the situation in Yemen. Yesterday, the council listened to a report by the UN special envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, who said that the Yemeni crisis is taking a long time and that the security situation has "deteriorated very dramatically." However, Benomar said that both the government and the opposition are willing to cooperate and that any efforts to resolve the crisis must be led by Yemen.

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Bahraini opposition demands end to social discrimination, al-Khalifa rule [Press TV, Iran]

Opposition groups in Bahrain want an elected government; they regard this as the only solution to the current crisis in the Persian Gulf Sheikhdom. Five opposition groups, including the largest party al-Wefaq, demanded, in a declaration named the "Manama Paper," an end to all sectarian, tribal, and social discrimination. The call comes amid Manama on anti-regime protests. The protestors want and end to the long-time rule of the al-Khalifa family.

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Amnesty International urges Canada to arrest Bush for human rights violations [Press TV, Iran]

Amnesty International has called on Canada to arrest and prosecute former US President George W. Bush for authorizing torture. Bush is scheduled to attend an economic summit in Canada on October 20. Amnesty argues that the former president should be held accountable for his series of human rights violations in Guantanamo Bay as well as other US jails in Afghanistan and Iraq. The rights body also accuses bush of ordering cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatments and enforced disappearances.

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Iraq requests 5,000 US trainers stay in Iraq without immunity [Press TV, Iran]

Iraqi President Jalal Talibani has requested the remaining 5,000 US forces in Iraq to train the Iraqi security forces. The request has outraged many Iraqi politicians. According to a statement by the Iraqi president, the government has requested the US keep 5,000 military tanners inside Iraq after the December 31 withdrawal deadline. In the statement, Jalal Talibani insisted that the trainers would be allowed to stay in Iraq without any immunity. This comes as US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has announced that any deal in the regard requires blanket immunity for US forces.