Tunisian revolution bears its first fruit with historic election [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female # 1
In Tunisia, the vote-counting process for the Constituent Assembly is ongoing.

Presenter, Male # 1
Sources told al-Jazeera that according to preliminary indications, Ennahda received nearly 35 percent of the votes, followed by the Congress Party for the Republic with nearly 15 percent, and the Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties with 12 percent.

Presenter, Female # 1
The independent list al-Aridha al-Chaabia received nearly ten percent and the result is considered the first surprise in the Tunisian elections.

Reporter, Male # 2
Here, Tunisians laid out their vision for the future with the army vowing to protect it as they wait for the results once the ballots are sorted and counted. In the meantime, it seems that Tunisia's revolution has started to bear its first fruit.

Guest, Male # 3 (Mohamed Fadhel Mahfoudh, Member of Independent High Authority for the Elections)
I think most indicators point to at least a relative success of the electoral process in terms of organization, sorting the ballots, and the election; also in terms of receiving the voters and the discipline of the voters.

Reporter, Male # 2
The final results have not yet been announced but the initial outcome is as predicted. Here, one party is being granted a major victory by preliminary results, with a significant advance over the other parties. It is Ennahda. Its leadership does not seem surprised by the large share of votes it received, but it is keeping its previously-made promise that "the country cannot be ruled by one party alone or a single movement." The question of alliances has started to sharply arise even before the final results are announced. Everyone here is looking forward to the post-election phase, especially parties hoping the ballot box will be benefit them.

Guest, Male # 4 (Abdul-Raouf Ayadi, Congress for Democracy)
A national dialogue must be held between all groups to look into ways to ensure stability in Tunisia and to build a democratic system to secure a genuine transition.

Reporter, Male # 2
On the Tunisian street, people are still feeling great joy over their historic accomplishment while optimistically focusing on the future.

Guest, Male # 4
Thank God, we passed the most difficult phase, which was the elections. This constitutes the foundation and we are very hopeful.

Guest, Female # 2
Tunisia has men, may God protect them and protect the youth. May we see a bright Tunisia and a bright future.

Reporter, Male # 2
The final results have still not been announced and it is unknown who won and who failed but it is certain that Tunisia has already won. It offered a different model and showed that democratic elections are possible in the Arab world; all they need is the downfall of tyranny. Mahmood al-Bakali, al-Jazeera, Tunis.

--

Activists in Morocco call for boycott of parliamentary polls [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Moroccan security forces dispersed a massive rally demanding a boycott of the parliamentary elections, injuring several protestors. Similar protests took place in several cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, and Tangier, in response to a call by the February 20 Movement, which vowed to continue their mobilization until their demands for change are achieved.

Reporter, Male #2
The growing number of participants in the February 20 Movement, as reflected by the massive protests staged by tens of thousands of people, indicates the movement's success of reaching out to various groups, most notably workers, students, and the unemployed with college degrees. During the Rabat rally, the movement, which changed its strategy to strengthen its position, reiterated that those who were betting on its failure have lost the bet, confirming they have returned stronger and more committed to their demands, which include building a democratic state as well as restoring dignity and social justice to the country.

Guest, Male #3
The movement is still committed to achieving its demands, represented by forming a democratic constitution that will help guarantee a parliamentary monarchy, in which the king serves as head of state but doesn't rule.

Reporter, Male #2
The protestors described how the state is dealing with the movement's demands as "opportunistic and misleading." In addition, the February 20 Movement described the elections and the political mobilization associated with them as a "flagrant attempt to corner the movement's demands." The movement added that the elections are nothing more than a political game played by parties loyal to the state.

Guest, Male #4 (Abed al-Samad Abbas, February 20 Media Committee Coordinator)
We condemn these types of political games, especially the elections which aim to undermine the movement's demands for democracy and social justice in Morocco.

Reporter, Male #2
The Rabat demonstration, which started in a neighborhood and marched through city streets, would have ended peacefully if it weren't for security forces that intervened to disperse the protestors as they arrived at the parliament headquarters. Three protestors were injured and transported to the city's hospital.

Guest, Male #5
We at the February 20 Movement condemn the brutal intervention and quelling of the protestors. This action was not justified. The February 20 Movement is peaceful and will remain as such until we achieve freedom and the movement's demands.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the security intervention, the demonstration continued amid chants of slogans demanding change, freedom, dignity, and social justice.

--

New ruler announces the liberation of Libya from Gaddafi [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
During a massive popular ceremony in Benghazi's Tahrir or Liberation Square, the National Transitional Council, the NTC, officially announced the liberation of Libya, marking an end to the 42-year rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. NTC Chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil announced that Islamic Sharia law will be the main source of legislation. He added that tolerance and renouncing violence and hatred are important factors for the success of the revolution.

Reporter, Male #2
Here, nothing is more important than the voices of the people. This is Benghazi, the birthplace of the Libyan revolution against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Today, the new Libyan authorities announced the full liberation of the country from the 42-year rule of Gaddafi's regime, rendering it a mere nightmare from the past. This is what the proud and jubilant Libyans are saying:

Guest, Male #3 (Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, NTC Vice Chairman)
Lift your chin up high, as you are a free Libyan. Oh great Libyan people, with firm steps and God's trust, all praises to him, we are embarking on a new phase, a post-liberation phase.

Reporter, Male #2
For the first time in eight months, the sound of joy and national lyrics reverberated louder than the sound of gunfire, as smiles replaced the pain inflicted by the excessive violence of Gaddafi against the sons of Libya rising against him.

Guest, Male #4 (Mustafa Abdel Jalil, NTC Chief)
The struggle of the Libyan people against Muammar Gaddafi have existed since the coup. But the revolutions were quelled; they were crushed inside army bases, in sports halls, across public squares, inside prisons, as well as inside and outside Libya. Libyans did not spare any effort to rebel against Muammar Gaddafi and his regime but the opportunity didn't come until this year.

Reporter, Male #2
Along with Abed Jalil, NTC members and heads of local councils across Libyan cities and regions, as well as commanders of the national army units and revolutionary brigades, attended the ceremony. In addition, tens of thousands of Libyans converged to Freedom Square to recite the independence song, or the national anthem of free Libya.

Guest, Male #4 (Mustafa Abdel Jalil, NTC Chief)
This revolution began as a peaceful one to demand our minimum legitimate rights. But it was faced with violence, excessive violence. God, all praises to him, sent us support, starting with the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League, the Islamic Cooperation Congress, and ending with the EU and the UN.

Reporter, Male #2
The Libyan authorities called for tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation in order to ensure the success of the revolution and the success of the future Libya. With the announcement of the liberation, a new phase begins, which will not be any less difficult than the armed revolution. As Libyans mark an end of the "Green Book" era, their eyes are now focused on the new Libya, the Libya of law and order.

Presenter, Male #1
The Libyan war, which was announced to be over yesterday, revealed more secrets. In the city of Sirte, Human Rights Watch, HRW, uncovered 53 bodies believed to be Gaddafi supporters. HRW believes that the victims were executed without a trial in a hotel in the city. The rights group urged the NTC to launch an immediate and transparent investigation into what seems to be a mass execution, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. According to witnesses questioned by HRW, the area was under the control of anti-Gaddafi fighters from Misurata at the time of the incident.

--

US recalls ambassador from Syria as army launches fresh assault [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female # 1
The US State Department confirmed it has pulled its ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, due to new threats against his personal safety in Syria. State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said Ford's return depends on the security situation on the ground. Ford has numerously been attacked by Syrian regime loyalists while approaching protest sites or meeting with opposition members, which Damascus considers interference in its internal affairs.

Reporter, Male #1
The US State Department stated that "credible threats against his personal safety in Syria" was the reason for recalling its ambassador from Damascus. The US State Department spokesman did not specify a timeframe for the ambassador's return but confirmed it depends on the security situation in Syria. Ambassador Robert Ford presented his credentials to Damascus in January, 2011 after a five year absence of a US ambassador from Damascus. But he quickly angered the Syrian regime for publicly visiting Syrian cities swept by the protest movement and violence, and for meeting with demonstrators and opposition members. This led Damascus to accuse him of fueling violence in the country.

Guest, Male # 2
The British ambassador did not go, nor did the German, Austrian, Swiss ambassadors, nor any others. This is a special case related to the American policy towards us and especially this person's charisma because he began interfering and making all citizens feel like he was insulting the Syrian street.

Reporter, Male # 1
At the time, protestors loyal to the Syrian president attacked the American embassy and burned the American flag. On September 6, 2011, Ford strongly attacked the Syrian regime on Facebook, condemning the pretexts used by Syrian authorities to crack down on protestors. He seemed to be supporting the opposition and opposing the regime. At the end of September, President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists gathered in front of a Syrian opposition bureau in Damascus that Ford was visiting. They threw tomatoes and eggs at the US embassy car, leading Washington to accuse the regime in Damascus of incitement against Ambassador Ford. The ambassador also led a group of ambassadors to the mourning ceremony of Ghiath Matar in Daraya. Matar was an activist who was arrested and tortured to death after giving flowers to members of the Syrian army; it seems his actions provoked Damascus.

Guest, Male # 2
The American story is that the US is leading a very dangerous project, and according to well-known statements, they are done with Libya and now it is Syria's turn. This is very dangerous and for this reason, we can say that the Syrian reaction has been minimal.

Reporter, Male #1
The US and other Western countries have called on Assad to resign after loosing his "legitimacy as Syria's president." They tried to impose harsh sanctions on him at the Security Council but China and Russia's interference prevented them from doing so. Pulling the US ambassador from Damascus at this particular moment could mean other American measures are being planned against Bashar al-Assad's regime. Other ambassadors could also later be recalled under different pretexts. The situation in Syria presents the world with difficult challenges, between keeping quiet on the events in Syria or supporting the street demanding freedom, justice, and democracy. Hayan Yaaqoub, BBC.

Presenter, Female # 1
On the ground, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that five civilians were killed in Homs in the center of the country by the security forces' gunfire. The Observatory said dozens of armored vehicles headed to the Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs and fired heavily. Dissenters reported soldiers are encircling a southern town near Daraa, which has been witnessing a strike for days.

--

Afghans protest US military presence beyond 2014 [Press TV, Iran]

Hundreds of Afghans have taken to the streets in the capital Kabul to voice opposition to any presence of US-led troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014. The demonstrators opposed any agreement that would allow Washington to set up permanent military bases in their country. They threaten to rise in revolt if any such agreement is reached, saying that foreign forces will cause even more unrest. Washington has promised to withdraw all combat forces from Afghanistan in three years time.

--

Tens of thousands of Yemenis deplore US-Saudi counter-revolution [Press TV, Iran]

On to Yemen now, where tens of thousands of anti-regime protestors have taken to the streets across the country chanting slogans against the US and its allies. Most Yemenis blame the US and its allies, including Saudi Arabia, for trying to put an end to their popular revolution. Demonstrators from all walks of life in several cities have come out to call for an end to what they call massacre against them. Dozens of people have been killed in the past three days alone by forces loyal to embattled ruler Ali Abudllah Saleh.

--

Powerful earthquake rocks Turkey, hundreds feared dead [Press TV, Iran]

In Turkey, rescue workers are searching for survivors of a powerful quake that killed hundreds in the country's southeast. Now the 7.2 magnitude quake killed some 270 people and left over 1,000 other injured. The death toll is expected to rise as dozens remain trapped under hills of debris. Worse hit in Sunday's tremor is the city of Ercis, where about 80 multi-story buildings collapsed followed by the bustling city of Van. Over 1,000 rescue teams from 38 provinces have been dispatched to the region troops assisting search and rescue efforts.

--

Suspect in Saudi envoy murder plot pleads not guilty [Press TV, Iran]

An Iranian-American man accused of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the Washington is to appear before the New York federal court. Before we move on to this report, breaking news, we are hearing that the man at the center of the US anti-Iran allegation has pleaded not guilty in that court. Mansour Arbabsiar, naturalized American citizen who also holds an Iranian passport was arrested last month at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The 56-year-old used car dealer has been accused of attempting to get Mexican gangsters to kill Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Washington Adel al-Jubeir.

--

IDF recommends freeing Fatah detainees as goodwill gesture to Abbas [IBA, Israel]

The IDF is reportedly finalizing the list of goodwill gestures to the Palestinian Authority in an attempt to bolster the position of PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, following last week's prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. The list, which will be presented to the government next week, includes a reduction in IDF operations inside Palestinian cities and towns in the territory defined as Area A, which is under full Palestinian control. One of the IDF's proposals relates to the second phase of the Shalit deal, in which Israel is slated to release 550 additional prisoners of its own choosing.

--

Did the Israel-Hamas prisoner swap weaken Fatah? [IBA, Israel]

Joining me now in the studio to discuss recent developments within the Palestinian Authority is Arab affairs expert, Wadie Abunasser. What is the mood like, the atmosphere like in the West Bank following the Gilad Shalit deal? Abunasser: In the first days, it was a kind of happiness for the release of hundreds of prisoners. But now slowly slowly things are calming down and tension is back between Fatah and Hamas, especially due to mutual trade of accusation if the deal was ok or not. You know, people have different opinions on it.