Iran vows not to retreat 'one iota' from the nation's path [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Iran described the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency as politically motivated and unprofessional. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad said the IAEA report was filled with nothing more than allegations that will do nothing but harm the IAEA's prestige and international status. He added his country does not need to possess a nuclear bomb. For his part, member of the National Security Committee in parliament, Parviz Sorouri, said the doors to hell will be opened to Israel if Iran's nuclear plants are subject to any military strike. Our correspondent Abdul Qadir Faiz reports from the Iranian capital.

Reporter, Male #1
Iranians say the International Atomic Energy Agency's report is nothing new and repeats old claims that a small part of the Iranian nuclear program is posing a military threat. Tehran responded to the report by saying it was based on Western intelligence calculations instead of the international inspectors' views. Tehran says the images in the report were taken by spy satellites instead of IAEA cameras, and the report is politically motivated. The Iranians raised their tone towards the IAEA.

Guest, Male #3 (Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Iranian President)
They accuse Iran of supporting terrorism and building a nuclear bomb. We have no need for any bomb to face the 20,000 bombs that the West has. Why all these allegations, and what is the benefit of harming the prestige of the IAEA and its international agencies? Let everyone know that Iran will never retreat one iota from its positions.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite its denial, Iran is aware that the latest report will affect the upcoming phase of its nuclear program. It also realizes that it cannot merely deny the allegations, but must quickly take high-level political and diplomatic action.

Guest, Male #4 (Fouad Ayzadi, Professor of International Relations at Tehran University)
Perhaps the relationship between Iran and the IAEA has become more difficult. I believe that Iran should review its relations with several Western countries and strengthen its ties with Russia and China. It is true that Tehran has multiple and broad options to militarily respond to a strike; and it is true that the world economy cannot handle the implications of such a strike. However, it must take this threat very seriously.

Reporter, Male #2
The threat was correlated with Report No. 35 against Iran's nuclear rights. Tehran says the significance of the report lies in the implications of its political motivation, not its technical information. It is also said this report is the IAEA's longest and most serious report since 2009. Anyone who reads it knows that it was carefully drafted for the next phase; a phase Iran said it is ready for by every standard. The Revolutionary Guard candidly said that its equation is clear: striking the Iranian nuclear sites means removing Israel from the regional map. The remark is brutal, but there is no room for politeness here. Politically, Tehran says it is very patient and very pragmatic. Militarily, it openly showcases its strength without any shyness. Abdul Qadir Faiz, al-Jazeera, Tehran.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, the international community responded to the the IAEA's new report on Iran's nuclear program. The European Union announced that the report aggravates international fears about the essence of this program. For his part, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe stated that such circumstances require a discussion at the UN Security Council. He added that the international community needs to impose what he referred to as strict and unprecedented sanctions on Tehran in order to prevent it from obtaining materials that will allow it to continue its activities that violate all international laws.

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IAEA report on Iran backs Israel's longtime claims [IBA, Israel]

Israel is keeping mum today following the release of the UN's report on Iran's nuclear ambitions. But the details of the document have indicated Israel's longtime position on the issue. The prime minister's office said Israel is studying the International Atomic Energy Agency report on the Islamic republic's nuclear activities and will issue a response at a later date. But it is clear today that what Israel has been screaming about for years is true, which this document, being called the most damning report ever published by the IAEA, makes clear. Iran has been working toward building a nuclear weapon for years while lying about it and concealing its activities.

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Israel plans to build 60,000 new units by 2030 [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
The Israeli entity's sources unveiled a government plan to build more than 60,000 settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank over the next 20 years. The Palestinians said the move aims to continue the settlement pattern as well as alter the region's demographic makeup.

Reporter, Male #1
According to a plan approved by the Israeli occupation's government, 60,000 settlement units will be constructed in Jerusalem and the West Bank over the next 20 years. The plan is considered one of the largest projects launched in what the occupation's government refers to as "main settlements," which include Ma'ale Adumim, Mizgat Za'ive, Ariel, and others. Some of these settlements have become even larger than major West Bank cities.

Guest, Male #2 (Khalil al-Tufkaji, Head of Cartographic Institution at Jerusalem's Orient House)
The project, which was announced today, is not new. It has many objectives. It is part of a greater project dubbed Great Jerusalem 2020, which is now being extended to 2030. This project, which was prepared in 1994 under the reign of then Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert who later became Israel's prime minister, calls for the construction of 58,000 settlement units through the expansion of established settlements or building new ones.

Reporter, Male #1
The Palestinian Authority, which is facing US pressure and a financial siege, sees the measures taken by the Israeli occupation's government as a "fatal blow to what is left of the peace process." The occupation is using the peace process to dictate the agendas of its extremist right wing at the expense of Palestinian unequivocal rights and their holy sites. This raises the question about where are we headed after these long years of negotiations?

Guest, Male #3 (Khalil Shahin, Palestinian Political Analyst)
The Zionist project is very clear. It aims to dictate the Zionist's position on any final solution by maintaining settlement outposts in the West Bank, over an area not exceeding 40 to 45 percent of the West Bank's total area. With this, they are trying to alter the geographic and demographic makeup of Jerusalem. According to the Great Jerusalem's project, the Palestinian population will account for only 12 percent of the city's total population by 2030.

Reporter, Male #1
In the past several months, the occupation's government has approved several projects, which include the construction of hundreds of settlement units in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The occupied Palestinian territories are witnessing an unprecedented campaign of settlement activities, as the government is bringing large "herds" of settlers to occupy these new outposts. As the world remains preoccupied with its internal problems, particularly the changes witnessed in the Arab region, the Israeli occupation's government has seized the opportunity to continue the construction of hundreds of thousands of settlement units in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Khadr Shahin, al-Alam, occupied Jerusalem.

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Palestinian property vandalized by Israeli settlers in ongoing 'Price Tag' campaign [Press TV, Iran]

Palestinian vehicles have been torched by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. In the latest incident, three Palestinian cars were set ablaze in the village of Beit Omar near the city of al-Khalil, also known as Hebron. Police and witnesses say the words "price tag" and "greetings from Bat Ayin" were sprayed on the walls of a house. Bat Ayin is the name of a nearby Israeli settlement. Israeli settlers have adopted what they call a "price tag" policy, under which they attack Palestinians and their property.

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Liberia's incumbent takes lead in boycotted vote [Press TV, Iran]

Votes are being counted in Liberia's presidential runoff. Incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is poised for a second term after the opposition boycotted the elections. The initial results are due on Thursday but opposition challenger Winston Tubman has already made it clear that he will not recognize them. He alleges that the first round held in October was riddled with irregularities. The turnout was low during Tuesday's voting due to the opposition boycott and pre-election violence.

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Muslims mark end of Hajj [Press TV, Iran]

Million s of Muslims from across the world have ended the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Saudi city of Mecca. More than 2.5 million pilgrims are preparing to fly back home. In the last five-day rituals the pilgrims gathered in Mina Valley for three consecutive days to stone pillars representing the satan in a symbolic rejection of temptation. The Hajj is considered the largest pilgrimage in the world. It is a demonstration of Muslims' unity and their submission to Allah. Every Muslim is obliged to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.

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Saudi Hajj pilgrims urge Peninsula Shield Force to leave Bahrain [Press TV, Iran]

In Saudi Arabia, Hajj pilgrims from the city of Qatif want forces of Persian Gulf Arab countries to leave Bahrain. The Saudi protestors called on their governments and other Arab countries to leave the Bahraini people with their revolution. Similar protests were held on Tuesday by Bahraini Hajj pilgrims in Mecca. Saudi Arabia and some members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council have deployed security forces to Bahrain. The Peninsula Shield forces were deployed in response to Manama's call for military help to quell anti-government protests.

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Anger erupts at Syria's divided opposition in Cairo [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
The Arab League held a meeting in Cairo with the Syrian opposition as dissenters inside Syria are being subjected to foreign pressure. My colleague Mona Ashmawi reports.

Reporter, Female # 1
This was the scene outside the headquarters of the Arab League today before Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi's meeting with a Syrian opposition delegation. The delegation included members of the Syrian National Coordination Committee, the party to build the Syrian state and other opposition figures. Strong and direct action was taken by youth protestors in the face of an opposition they believe does not represent them, especially after some opposition figures ruled out freezing Syria's membership at the Arab League. Their response was to pelt the opposition with eggs; an opposition composed of members that do not agree on most issues. This led some members of the opposition's delegation to cancel their meetings with the Arab League's secretary general, seeing that their suits were covered with eggs.

Guest, Male # 2
It's a tragedy, a great tragedy. We feel the Arab League is involved in the conspiracy against Syria. There must be an Arab position. Arabs must take stronger action.

Reporter, Female # 1
The Syrian opposition's delegation asked the Arab League to exert additional pressure on Syrian authorities until the Arab initiative's measures are implemented and its terms are committed to. And until Arab and international media and observers are allowed entry into the country to report on the demonstrations and protests, and the situation in all Syrian provinces. They also requested a permanent Arab League office in Damascus to be in direct contact with relevant parties during the crisis. Despite the fact that the Arab League secretary general had already met with representatives of the Syrian opposition, observers view today's meeting as possibly clarifying many issues ahead of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers next week. Mona Ashmawi, New TV, from inside the Arab League, Cairo.

Presenter, Male # 1
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death of 12 civilians as Syrian TV broadcast the funeral of seven soldiers and images revealing the protestors' use of weapons.

Reporter, Female # 2
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced the death of 12 civilians by the gunfire of security forces and the killing of at least seven soldiers in clashes with gunmen. The Observatory also reported that the Bab Amr neighborhood of Homs is still surrounded by over 50 tanks as forces stormed the neighborhoods of al-Khalidiya and Shammas and are now surrounding them. A wide-ranging search and arrest campaign is underway in the two neighborhoods amid heavy gunfire. The Observatory indicated some were injured in different parts of the country. Opposition websites posted images of anti-regime protests in different neighborhoods and videos it said show security forces firing at demonstrators. A video posted on an opposition website showing protestors getting fired at revealed gunmen in the demonstration. For its part, official Syrian TV broadcast funeral processions of seven martyred soldiers and police officers who were targeted by the armed groups. They were escorted from the Tishreen and Homs military hospitals. The Syrian interior minister renewed his call on deceptive parties, who have not committed any killings, to take advantage of the deadline set by the Interior Ministry to surrender and hand over their weapons before the state's deadline expires on Saturday. In another development, the head of the Syrian National Council, Burhan Ghalioun, sent a letter to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. In it, he expressed his grave concern over reports confirming the kidnappings of Syrian citizens, either residing or visiting Lebanon, from the Lebanese territory.

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UN renews warning of deteriorating situation in Yemen [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Various UN organizations and the Yemeni caretaker government warned of the severity of the humanitarian and health situation in Yemen. These organizations pointed to the low rate of vaccination for children, the lack of food safety, poverty, drought, the collapse of public services, and the displacement of over half a million people from regions of armed conflicts. Politically, media reports indicated that Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and a high-level opposition delegation will head to the Saudi capital Riyadh. This comes amid expectations that the Gulf initiative on Yemen will be signed tomorrow, Thursday, with broad Arab and international attendance.

Reporter, Male #1
Many in Yemen and the surrounding region are turning their attention to the Saudi capital Riyadh in anticipation of the achievement of something that many consider a political miracle: the signing of the Gulf initiative on the situation in Yemen. Reports emerging from the Yemeni capital point to the opposition's upcoming visit to Riyadh at the conclusion of its tour, which began in the Russian capital Moscow and included Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Other reports indicate the possibility that Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi will head to the Saudi capital soon. In addition, UN envoy to Yemen, Jamal Ben Omar, is also on his way to Sanaa and perhaps to Riyadh. All these appear to be indicators that all parties in the conflict are moving to sign the Gulf initiative and agree on its implementation.

Guest, Female #2 (Houriya Mash'hour, Yemeni National Council Spokesperson)
There is actual international pressure on Saleh; international and regional organizations are exerting pressure on Saleh. Therefore, he is forced to move forward in finding a political solution, as the country is seeing a major economic and security collapse and a collapse in every other aspect, in fact.

Reporter, Male #2
Perhaps one of the forms of pressure exerted on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to implement the Security Council's resolution and the Gulf initiative is reflected in the statements by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe. In his statement, Alain Juppe indicated that next Monday in Brussels, the EU countries may discuss the issue of freezing the assets of Saleh and his entourage, as well as referring the case of what is described as crimes committed against protestors to the International Criminal Court. This move prompted the Yemeni president's entourage to express their regret for these statements, believing they would not help resolve the crisis. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC.

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US troops continue to withdraw from Iraq to Kuwait [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
US military vehicles continue to head to Kuwait in preparation for the full withdrawal from Iraq by the end of this year.

Presenter, Male #1
US leaders pledged to comply with the security agreement by completing all work related to the withdrawal, and commended the Iraqi forces for maintaining security and stability.

Reporter, Male #2
The US military forces continued their gradual withdrawal from southern Iraq and other provinces via the main base at Basra airport. The base will be one of the most important and final bases to be handed over by the Americans after providing protection and logistical support to the forces withdrawing to Kuwait.

Guest, Male #3
We are complying with the security agreement, our work here has been completed and we're proceeding in accordance with the timetable of the scheduled withdrawal. The Iraqi forces are ready to take over the security task.

Guest, Male #4 (Colonel Jawad Kazim, Commander of Border Guards, Area 4)
The Iraqi Border Troops of Area 4 will take over Camp Minden from the US forces. This camp will be one of the training centers for the Border Troops of Area 4.

Reporter, Male #2
The appropriate authorities in the province indicated that the security institutions are ready to fully take over the security responsibility in cooperation with the intelligence agency to ensure that public order and stability are maintained in the province. In the upcoming phase, various government and civil organizations are expected to support the security institutions' effort to maintain their progress and achieve their desired goals. Mohamed Hassan, al-Iraqiya, Basra.

Presenter, Male #1
The road connecting Nasiriyah and Basra is also seeing military vehicles leave Iraq, as they head to Basra to begin their journey of withdrawal to neighboring Kuwait.

Presenter, Female #1
From Nasiriyah, al-Iraqiya's camera crew accompanied the progress of the withdrawal from the military bases in the province. The only remaining base in the province is Imam Ali Air Base, which will be handed over to the Iraqi forces by the end of the week.

Reporter, Male #2
Many people bet that the US forces would not pull out of the Iraqi territories. But if you are on the highway connecting the provinces to Dhi Qar and Basra, you will find US military convoys leaving Iraq in accordance with the security agreement between Iraq and the US. Four out of the five bases in Dhi Qar Province where US forces have been operating have been handed over to the Iraqi forces. They are as follows: Camp Ameriyah base in Orr was handed over in 2007; Matiqa base, handed over in 2007; Camp Adar base, handed over in 2009; Camp Cedar base, which was limited to logistical and preparatory work, handed over in 2010; the Provincial Reconstruction Team left in 2011; twenty percent of the Tulail base, also known as Imam Ali air base, has been handed over along with an airplane runway. The rest of the base will be handed over next month. Imam Ali will be the last base from which the American forces will withdraw. The head of the Security and Defense Council in parliament visited the 38th Brigade of the 10th Division in Nasiriyah and met with the officers there, affirming that the US withdrawal will take place on schedule.