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Saleh's security forces kill 10 Yemenis demanding the president's ouster, general strike continues in Dara'a as Syrian regime is accused of using hospitals for torture, meet Tunisia's victorious Ennahda party, and more.
Mosaic | Mar 30
Palestinians confront Israeli occupation on Land Day, Pakistani lawmakers debate reopening NATO supply route, Egypt's Ganzouri government to face v...
Saleh's security forces kill ten Yemenis demanding the president's ouster [Al Jazeera, Qatar]
Presenter, Male # 1
Our al-Jazeera correspondent in Yemen reported that at least 10 people were killed today and dozens of others were injured by the gunfire of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's forces. In Taiz, seven people were killed in the shelling that targeted Freedom Square and nearby residential areas. In addition, at least three protestors were killed in Sanaa. The Yemen News Agency reported that the president's forces and pro-revolution forces have agreed on an immediate ceasefire. On the political front, the Yemeni opposition rejected any revisions to the Gulf initiative one day after President Saleh welcomed the UN Security Council's resolution, which called on him to sign the deal.
Reporter, Male # 2
This person is either injured or killed, targeted by those described as "thugs" on al-Qa'a Road in Sanaa. They aim to kidnap him, right in front of the pro-Saleh central security forces. This is what the camera managed to capture but peaceful demonstrators facing bullets, tear gas, and other oppressive tools, provided eyewitness accounts. They say dozens of injured protestors have been kidnapped.
Guest, Male # 3
The new plan he brought with him from Saudi Arabia is these bombs, and stabbings. As soon as we entered the street, five people above us started to shoot at us. They started firing at us. This is a bullet they fired at us; it fell right next to us.
Guest, Male # 3
I swear we are peaceful. Why? By God they are killing us.
Reporter, Male # 2
This protestor returning from what is being described as al-Qa'a massacre is screaming "enough peacefulness." But he is unable to express his thoughts due to the severe beating he received.
Guest, Male # 5 (Abdel-Rahman, HOOD Human Rights Organization)
I am with this peaceful revolution but they are now discussing offering a large number of victims, martyrs, and injured without specifying it as a goal of the revolution. Everyone is ready for a sacrifice, for martyrdom but within the framework of the larger goal, which is the downfall of the remnants of the regime.
Reporter, Male # 2
These are the traces of beatings with sticks, in addition to traces of the snipers' bullets and the use of acid. Elderly protestors, children, and women were also subjected to live bullets, beatings, and tear gas.
Guest, Female # 1
Why don't you fear God Ali Abdullah Saleh? You are challenging your God, what are you going to say to my brother, father, mother? Don't believe your son; don't believe your group of thugs. Your people have been patient with you for 33 years and this is your response? Ali Saleh, fear God! Fear God!
Reporter, Male # 2
The demonstrators' anger of continuing peaceful protests was met with more violence by the Yemeni regime and a crackdown on marches despite Security Council's adoption of resolution 2014, which condemned the suppression of peaceful protestors. Yemeni demonstrators say Saleh and his forces have mastered killing and injuring and protestors can no longer bear much more. But the majority is still discussing maintaining the peaceful option as their permanent choice. Ahmad al-Shalafi, al-Jazeera, from inside the field hospital in Sanaa.
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General strike continues in Dara'a as Syrian regime is accused of using hospitals for torture [BBC Arabic, UK]
Presenter, Male # 1
In Syria, the general strike in Dara'a continues for the seventh consecutive day in most of the province's cities and villages. Local Coordination Committees and the Syrian National Council called for a nationwide general strike on Wednesday on the eve of the Arab League delegation's visit to Damascus. This comes as Amnesty International issued a report warning that Syrian authorities have turned hospitals into instruments of repression.
Reporter, Male # 2
For the seventh consecutive day, the general strike prevails in the province of Dara'a.
Dissenters confirm all stores, with the exception of some restaurants and pharmacies, have shut down and parents in some areas are refraining from sending their children to school. In addition, roads have been blocked off with stones as shown here in the town of al-Salamein. And just as Dara'a sparked the intifada, or uprising, in Syria nearly seven months ago, the strike was seized upon by the Syrian Local Coordination Committees and the National Council, which was formed by the opposition. They called for a general strike on Wednesday to coincide with the visit of the Arab League's delegation to Damascus. Opposition members confirm the importance of resorting to a strike, believing civil disobedience could lead the protest movement in the country to a different phase. These developments come as protests continue in Syria with school students taking to the street to express their support for the opposition's mobilization, as shown here in the town of al-Quriya in Deir az-Zour province. The rapidly escalating events in Syria, the daily killings and the death of additional protestors by the gunfire of security forces pushed rights groups to sound the alarm. Amnesty International said the Syrian regime has turned hospitals into tools of repression, used to identify the injured. Amnesty researcher Cilina Nasser called a doctor who fled Syria.
Guest, Female # 1 (Cilina Nasser, Amnesty International)
What are the difficulties facing doctors treating the injured?
Guest, Male # 3
There are too many injured people. If an injured person comes and identifies themselves then they are known to the authorities.
Guest, Female # 1 (Cilina Nasser, Amnesty International)
Why can't the injured go to government-run hospitals? Why?
Guest, Male # 3
By merely entering the hospital they will get arrested. Government-run hospitals are very tense. Doctors feel restricted and under surveillance. They can't even talk to the patients.
Reporter, Male # 2
These images broadcast on the private pro-regime al-Dunya channel show what Amnesty International says is the beating of an injured person by a worker at the hospital. Many injured individuals in Syria are now avoiding going to government hospitals; instead, they are using the instructions of doctors abroad to treat themselves.
Guest, Male # 4
If there's blood, if blood is spurting, use your finger to place pressure on it.
Reporter, Male # 2
As for some private clinics receiving the injured, they are also prone to security persecution and the arrest of their staff. The Syrian government denies allegations of systematic torture in Syria while its media organizations are accusing armed terrorist gangs of carrying out additional attacks and killings of Syrian soldiers and civilians. Wael el-Hajjar, BBC.
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Profile: Tunisia's victorious Ennahda party [Al-Alam, Iran]
Presenter, Male #1
The Constitutional Council's independent electoral committee will hold a press conference to announce initial election results, with the final count to be announced tomorrow. Sami Bin Salam, a member of the independent electoral committee, told al-Alam that the vote counting has been completed in three out of the 27 electoral districts.
Initial results indicate that the Islamic Ennahda Movement is in the lead. The movement said they have won more than 30 percent of the votes that have been counted so far. The Congress for the Republic Party finished in second, with competition soaring for third place between the Forum for Labor and People's Petition for Freedom. The political scene in Tunisia before the revolution witnessed no presence of Islamic movements, most notably the Ennahda party which faced a repressive campaign that lasted until the downfall of deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime. With the downfall of the regime, Rashed al-Ghannouchi, the head of the Ennahda Movement, returned to the country and resumed his political activities.
Reporter, Female #1
The popular Tunisian revolution closed a chapter filled with years of political repression. For more than five decades, the political spectrum was nothing more than a political stage dominated by the Constitutional Democratic Rally led by the late Tunisian President al-Habib Bourguiba, then by ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The two leaders, along with their followers, managed to lead a single-party rule and maintained control over the country's affairs and the affairs of its people. Under their reign, political parties and coalitions were banned for taking part in the political process. Their role was merely symbolic. The Ennahda Movement, formerly known as the Islamic Tendency Movement, was among the most repressed and banned parties in the country. Many of its leaders were also oppressed and imprisoned. The Islamic Tendency Movement was founded in 1969. Among its most notable leaders is Dr. Rashed al-Ghannouchi. Ennahda is the most prominent Islamic movement in the country. It was founded on the principles of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement in Egypt and the Arab world. It was formed as a popular action front to counter secular extremism. In its early stages, the movement engaged in secret ideological activity that was confined to mosques. Then the movement requested a permit to operate as a political party but never received a response from the authorities, who later issued an order to disband the movement and arrest its leaders. The movement changed its name to Ennahda in March of 1989. Its members faced an elaborate campaign of quelling and torture. The movement's leader, Rashed al-Ghannouchi, was arrested several times in the late 1970s. In 1981, he was sentenced to ten years in prison but was released in 1984. Three years after his release, al-Ghannouchi was once again arrested. After his release, he fled the country. Currently, the movement is experiencing an unprecedented historic moment. Following the downfall of Ben Ali, the movement's leaders were able to return to the country and reactivate their movement's role in the political process.
Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said that the success of the Islamic Ennahda party in the Tunisian elections vindicated the Islamic nature of the revolutions witnessed in some of the region's countries. Larijani added that the heavy turnout of voters in the Constitutional Council's elections clearly shows the popularity of the revolution. With regards to Libya, Larijani expressed hope that the Libyans will be able to form a democratic Islamic system in the coming period. He reiterated his support for both the Libyan and Tunisian people, until they achieve their revolutions' objectives without any Western intervention.
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Egypt, Israel agree to swap prisoners [Nile TV, Egypt]
Presenter, Male #1
The Israeli security cabinet unanimously approved a deal to swap prisoners with Egypt.
This news comes after Cairo reached a final agreement with Washington and Tel Aviv to exchange Israeli spy Ilan Grapel for 25 Egyptian prisoners held by Tel Aviv, including three children. Israeli sources said the deal will be completed next Thursday. Grapel was accused of conducting intelligence surveillance for a foreign state as well as inciting protestors to vandalize public property and government institutions. Meanwhile, the Egyptian public welcomed the deal and expressed joy while also urging caution in dealing with the Israeli side.
Reporter, Male #2
For the second time in less than ten days, the Egyptian negotiator was able to complete a prisoner swap deal with the Israelis. Egypt agreed to swap 25 Egyptian prisoners, including three children, for Israeli spy Ilan Grapel, who was arrested by security agencies during the January 25 incidents.
Guest, Male #4
The deal is a victory for the Egyptians. People had expressed doubt about this deal, saying that Egypt's position was weak. However, this deal shows that we still have the leadership.
Guest, Male #5
We don't care about this Israeli spy. What is important is freeing the Egyptian prisoners held by Israel.
Reporter, Male #2
The Egyptian spy, who carried out surveillance on behalf of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, traveled to several areas in Egypt to stir internal strife and conflict among the Egyptian people.
Guest, Male #6
He might have gathered some intelligence information on us. We need to exercise caution in dealing with this issue.
Guest, Male #7
We demand the release of all Egyptian prisoners held in Israel in exchange for this Israeli prisoner held by us.
Reporter, Male #2
The Israeli prime minister's office issued a statement announcing that the Israeli government approved the prisoner swap deal. The office added that the government's advisor will arrive today in Cairo to finalize the deal with Egyptian authorities.
Guest, Male #8
It's a successful deal. From a national and a humanitarian perspective, Egyptian prisoners shouldn't be left behind bars especially if they are held in Israeli jails.
Reporter, Male #2
This is how Egypt is looking out for its citizens' interests inside and outside the country. With this, Egyptian citizens will feel they are now being treated differently compared to before.
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Israel, Palestine exchange blame for obstructing peace as UN debates statehood bid [IBA, Israel]
The finger-pointing at the United Nations continued as the Israeli and Palestinian delegations took turns blasting one another for obstructing the peace process. This, as the Security Council deliberated last night on the issue of Palestinian statehood. Despite the agenda entitled, "The situation in the Middle East" the 15-member body focused the bulk of their meeting on the Palestinian aspirations. It is still unclear if the Palestinians can manage to get the nine out of the 15 votes necessary for approval of full UN membership. Regardless, the US has repeatedly threatened to veto the motion if needed.
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Gaddafi son Saif al-Islam fleeing to Niger with help of Tuareg rebels [Press TV, Iran]
The son of Libya's former dictator is said to be heading toward Niger. Officials say ethnic Tuaregs that supported Muammar Gaddafi are guiding Saif al-Islam into Algeria and toward Niger. It is unclear if Saif al-Islam will go to Niger or stay on the run. In Niger, he risks being arrested as the government there has said it will hand over Gaddafi regime member who are wanted by the International Criminal Court. Several figures of the Gaddafi regime including his son al-Saadi are under house arrest in Niger's capital. Meanwhile, the body of Muammar Gaddafi was secretly buried in the desert at dawn.
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OWS protestors prepare for long, cold New York winter [Press TV, Iran]
The anti-capitalist campaign continues across the US as many protestors in New York City remain encamped demanding an end to corporate rule. It's getting colder everyday in NYC but these people don't seem to mind. They are the Occupy Wall Street protestors camped out at the city's Zuccotti Park and they're making long term plans. The protestors have pitched their tents despite a ban by local authorities. They believe public support for the Occupy Wall Street campaign may be the reason why police have not used force to bring down their tents.
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The end of tyrants: Gaddafi and Saddam share the same fate [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]
Presenter, Male #1
They agree on the language of killing and on isolating their people culturally, economically, even politically. Dictators have many similarities; the patterns of their rules do not differ much.
Presenter, Female #1
Saddam Hussein and Muammar al-Gaddafi shared many traits such as their controversial speeches, and they both experienced the same final fate. However, the peculiar thing is that the Arab people and rulers did not express the same joy with their Iraqi brothers when Saddam died as they are today with their Libyan brothers.
Guest, Male #2 (Muammar al-Gaddafi, Former Libyan Leader)
Even you, the friends of America; no, I will say we, we the friends of America. Your turn is coming! All of you.
Reporter, Male #2
He predicted his own death, and his time finally came. His words became a reality. Now, Libya is without Gaddafi after he was killed in Sirte by the gunfire of Libyan revolutionaries. The day reminded us of when the statue fell in central Baghdad in Iraq. It gave Arab nations a morale boost in order to break the symbols that ruled them for decades. The slain dictator and the hanged tyrant had many similarities. They both built palaces and dug tunnels underneath, until the day came when these places no longer served them other than to hide them from the anger of their rebelling people. However, what distinguishes Iraq's dictator Saddam is that Iraqis countered his bad deeds with good ones. They even offered him a fair trial with dozens of defense lawyers to represent him.
As for the madman of Tripoli, Libyans only gave him a few minutes before killing him. There are other differences between the two criminal leaders: various Arab governments and social organizations condemned Saddam's death sentence. Leaders of the brotherly and friendly Arab countries organized a media campaign against it, while they knew perfectly well that the tyrant had killed, displaced, arrested, banished, and expelled millions of Iraqis. Yet they congratulated the killing of Colonel Gaddafi the day he died. Perhaps due to special interests, they are worried about the future of Iraq and its young democracy. Another shared characteristic of both tyrants, Gaddafi and Saddam, was their controversial speeches. Their statements turned their military defeats into victories, their political shortcomings into miracles from which they harvested many gains.
Guest, Male #3 (Saddam Hussein, Former Iraqi Leader)
Who came up with this idea will burn in hell.
Guest, Male #4 (Court Judge)
Which idea?
Guest, Male #3
The idea of this display.
Guest, Male #5, Gaddafi
No turning back! March forward! Forward! Forward! Revolution! Revolution!
Reporter, Male #2
It is certain that people who heard these speeches didn't understand anything, not even a word or two. Now that they are dead, no one will be able to solve their puzzles, as the clues were buried along with them. They died after receiving a fair judgment by their people who rebelled and rose up in the face of tyrants. Haidar Shakur, al-Iraqiya, Baghdad.