Sudanese groups form military alliance to topple al-Bashir's regime [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male # 1
The Sudanese government has accused South Sudan's government of providing support to a military alliance aimed at toppling the regime of President al-Bashir. It is worth mentioning that an alliance called the Sudan Revolutionary Front was formed and includes the People's Liberation Movement-North, the Justice and Equality Movement, and the Sudan Liberation Movement. The latter two are active in the region of Darfur. According to a released statement, their aim is to topple the ruling regime in Sudan.

Reporter, Male # 2
Scenes of war and violence have made a comeback and are once again familiar in Sudan after five years of relative calm. A war is raging along the border between the two parts of Sudan, from its most eastern part to its most western. And so the struggle takes a new facet as the People's Liberation Movement-North, Khartoum's former ally, signed an agreement with Darfur's armed groups to establish a military alliance to topple the government of Bashir. The crisis first began in the South Kordofan State in June, just a few weeks before the state of South Sudan was declared. And what seems to observers at the time as a limited military conflict quickly spilled over to the border Blue Nile State, where the People's Movement won the local elections. At the time, Bashir decided to dismiss the elected governor of the state and form a military council to run the state. These events cast a heavy shadow on the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan. The official Sudanese position turned antagonistic after taking control of the city of al-Kurmuk at the beginning of the month. Al-Bashir accused the South of deceit and betrayal in his first speech in the city of al-Kurmuk; a statement rejected by South Sudan. The tension is not limited to military fronts in Sudan as the political opposition in the north is demanding the formation of a national government and a committee to revise the constitution following the south's secession. This comes amid frequent popular protests in many Sudanese cities, to which the Sudanese government has still not responded. The issue causing concern for many in Sudan is represented by the deteriorating economic situation following the secession of the south and the loss of oil revenue. All these developments are causing many to fear that Sudan is slipping into a widespread armed movement that reproduces the crisis that previously led to the separation of the state. Adel Mahjoub, BBC.

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Morocco's Islamists parties divided over election boycott [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
In Morocco, Al Adl wal Ihssane Movement and two political parties, Al-Badil al-Hadari and Umma, decided to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections, demanding radical reforms dedicated to the people's sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Justice and Development Party and the Party of Renaissance and Virtue announced to run in the elections.

Reporter, Male #1
The Islamic parties are divided over whether or not to participate in the elections. The Justice and Development Party, which has been running in parliamentary elections since 1997, has managed in the past ten years to become the second largest political party in the country. Despite the campaign launched against the party due to its position on electoral laws and its demand to implement certain articles of the constitution, the party is running in the parliamentary elections and insisting it will grapple with corruption and despotism.

Guest, Male #3 (Jami'a al-Muatassim, Member of General Authority for Justice and Development Party)
Our battle aims to confront these corrupt powers in the country. Unfortunately, there are indeed influential parties controlling and sometimes even dominating the political scene.

Reporter, Male #2
The Party of Renaissance and Virtue, established in 2005, is betting on winning these elections to conduct political and social reforms. The party proposed a program based on Islamic principles, respecting human rights, and battling corruption.

Guest, Male #4 (Harith Abdul Ali, General Authority Member for Party of Renaissance and Virtue)
The party relies on Islamic laws. Second, it suggests alternatives to the traditional banks by replacing them with Islamic banks. Third, it demands linking responsibility with accountability and combating corruption and the corrupt.

Reporter, Male #2
Contrary to the Justice and Development Party and the Party of Renaissance, the two banned parties, al-Badil al-Hadari and Umma, believe that running in the elections will only contribute to the country's political absurdity, prolong the despotism, and suppress the movement for change.

Guest, Male #5 (Mohamed al-Marwani, Secretary-General of Umma Party)
The message of our election boycott is clear: we want to say nothing is going well in this country. We should reform, correct, and change the political and constitutional performance in order to build an era for a new Morocco, a democratic Morocco, and a Morocco for organizations.

Reporter, Male #2
The Al Adl wal Ihssane Movement says these elections are the same as before and will not change the political system. According to the Movement, change will not happen through elections with participation from political parties that are known for being loyal to the state, but only through radical reform that makes the people the master of authority. Nouri ad-Din Oujar, Alalam, Rabat.

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Jordan's king urges Assad to step down, as Syria's deadly crackdown continues [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
The Jordanian monarch, King Abdullah II, has urged Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Dawood Uglo said his country would take a firmer stance against Syria. The European Union reached a tentative agreement to expand sanctions on Syria. Russia opposed the suspension of Syria's membership at the Arab League. And China urged Syria to comply with the Arab initiative to resolve the crisis.

Guest, Male #2 (Jordanian King Abdullah Abdullah II)
I believe, if I were in his shoes, I would step down, for the sake of my country. I would step down and make sure whoever comes behind me has the ability to change the status quo that we're seeing.

Presenter, Female #1
On the ground, the death toll caused by the gunfire of Assad's brigades has risen to 16. However, the security crackdown failed to prevent the Syrian opposition from taking to the streets in massive demonstrations under the slogan, "Syrian prisoner day, dawn of freedom rising." Meanwhile, the Baba Amro neighborhood witnessed heavy shelling by Assad's army.

Reporter, Male #3
The popular uprising in Syria is increasingly gaining momentum despite the regime's security crackdown on protestors. The opposition took to the streets in a show of defiance against the regime's killing machine, which has been unleashed on Syrian civilians demanding freedom and the departure of President Bashar al-Assad. In response to a call by the Syrian opposition, massive demonstrations were staged today under the theme, "Syrian prisoner day, dawn of freedom rising," amid notable student participation. The protestors demanded the downfall of the regime. Protests also erupted across various cities, as thousands of Syrians took to the streets to welcome the Arab League's resolution. In response, Assad's brigades opened fire on the protestors. This news comes two days before the Arab League will officially suspend Syria's membership at the council. In Hama, massive rallies were held despite the heavy deployment of Assad's brigades in an attempt to prevent protestors from staging sit-ins demanding the downfall of the regime. In Homs, Assad's brigades randomly shelled Muslim and Christian residential neighborhoods. In response, a massive demonstration was launched from the city's church, demanding the downfall of the regime. Also in Homs, thousands of mourners held a funeral procession for the fallen victims killed by the gunfire of Assad's brigades. While the regime was expressing its commitment to solving the crisis, its brigades heavily shelled the Baba Amro neighborhood in Homs. Assad's gangs also stormed the town of Khirbat Ghazala in Daraa in an attempt to prevent the residents from taking part in the general strike. The residents defied the security escalation and continued to stage acts of civil disobedience, marching for the second consecutive day. The strike shut down all schools, government offices, businesses, as well as both public and private transportation systems. In compliance with the Arab League resolution, the Free Syrian Army announced the defections of two military officers at the ranks of colonel and lieutenant colonel. The officers revealed that hundreds of shabeha have been deployed from the area of Girdaha to attack diplomatic missions in Latakia.

Guest, Male #4
I hereby announce my defection from the Syrian Arab Army, which has become a gang run by the regime.

Reporter, Male #3
Commander of the Free Syrian Army, Riyadh al-Asa'ad, expressed regret over the presence of regime's loyalists in Lebanon. During the Syrian regime's occupation of Lebanon, many Lebanese sects, parties, villages, and cities, have suffered from its crimes and oppression. Al-Asa'ad added that the abduction of opponents and Syrian activists on Lebanese soil is being carried out in coordination with certain Lebanese groups who have sold their conscience. By the same token, al-Asa'ad expressed gratitude to the Lebanese movement for hosting the Syrians who fled the brutality of the Syrian regime's killing machine. He added that the Lebanese provided displaced Syrians with aid and protection from the axes of betrayal, most notably Hezbollah. In another related development, al-Asa'ad said that several busses were seen entering Syria from the Lebanese territory, with members of Hezbollah and other factions onboard. This news coincided with massive demonstrations that were staged to welcome the Arab League's resolution on Syria. The opposition said that most of Hama's victims were killed in a demonstration, which Assad's brigades forced the residents to hold in support of Assad, and which quickly turned into an anti-regime protest, with the participants chanting slogans demanding the downfall of the regime and its president.

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UN special envoy to Yemen visits Taiz to inspect human rights violations [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
The UN envoy to Yemen, Jamal Bin Omar, said he is preparing to visit Taiz Province to inspect what is described by the opposition as human rights violations and crimes against protestors.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, the Yemeni opposition Joint Meeting Parties apprised Jamal Bin Omar that the president should sign the Gulf initiative before he starts discussing its implementation mechanisms.

Reporter, Male #2
The Yemeni scene seems to be repetitive. Millions in the streets demand the president and his family relinquish power. The security forces' behavior is similar to what is happening in Syria: there are snipers, and protestors and hospitals are being targeted with heavy weaponry. The Yemeni political opposition gave UN envoy Jamal Bin Omar a new task: to submit a report on what the opposition described as human rights violations against civilians in Taiz and other Yemeni provinces.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohamd al-Qahtani, Yemen JMP Executive Board)
He informed us and promised that he would visit various squares and hospitals in Taiz. He said he will definitely follow through with the implementation of the UN resolution.

Reporter, Male #2
The Yemeni opposition does not want to give the president any chance to use implementation mechanisms of the Gulf initiative as a new topic of negotiations to prolong his stay in power.

Guest, Male #4 (Jamal Bin Omar, UN Envoy to Yemen)
Unfortunately, the Yemeni people are paying the price for this crisis. Prices are raised, the electricity is cut off, and roads are blocked.

Reporter, Male #2
Even if the president signs the Gulf initiative, many still have doubts. He may once again evade his obligations, perhaps because Ali Abdullah Saleh understands that as of now, him stepping down is not an imminent request by the West or the regional powers.

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Tribal tensions run high in Libya [Press TV, Iran]

In Libya, NTC forces have arrived in the capital Tripoli to restore order as fighting has raged between rival tribes in the western part of the city. This is the village of al-Maya west of Tripoli. For four days, fighters from the rival Zawiya and Warshefana tribes have been contesting a strategic military position, Base 27, on the main highway to Tunisia. Over a dozen fighters are believed to have been killed so far in the struggle for Base 27. Each tribe blames the other for the clashes. Now, NTC's forces have arrived in the capital to impose order on the situation.

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Russia says no evidence in IAEA report [Press TV, Iran]

The Russian foreign minister has criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency for its latest report on Iran's nuclear energy program. Sergey Lavrov says the report contains nothing new and provides no evidence that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons. The UN nuclear watchdog last week accused Tehran of conducting nuclear weapons research. Lavrov said the report was apparently aimed at paving the way for further unilateral sanctions against Iran.

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Quartet attempts to jumpstart Middle East peace talks [IBA, Israel]

In an effort to jumpstart the Middle East peace process, representatives of the international Quartet are in Ramallah and Jerusalem today holding separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Israeli officials said there are no expectations for a breakthrough at this time because the Palestinians continue to insist they will no return to negotiations without an end to Jewish settlement building. Israel rejects that demand.

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Was Israel's Mossad behind Iran blast? [IBA, Israel]

Time Magazine reports that the Israeli spy agency Mossad was behind Saturday's explosion at an Iranian missile base near Tehran. Time quotes a Western intelligence source telling the magazine that the Iranian claim that the explosion resulted from an accident should not be believed. The source also claimed that more sabotage is being planned to impede Iran's ability to develop and deliver a nuclear weapon. Seventeen Iranians were killed in Saturday's blast including Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, who was a key figure in the Iranian nuclear program, an architect of Iran's missile defense.

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The EU censors its own film on Afghan women prisoners [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The European Union decided not to broadcast a film on Afghan women who are behind bars on moral-related charges. The EU made the decision out of concern for the safety of the women prisoners portrayed in the film.

Reporter, Male #1
This is a quick look inside the secret world of the special women's prisons in the Afghan capital Kabul. Half of the women prisoners in Afghanistan are accused of what is called "moral crimes," such as escaping forced marriages or domestic violence from their husbands. This woman was raped, and when she reported her case to the police, she was accused of committing adultery.

Guest, Female #1 (Gulnaz, Prisoner)
I submitted an appeal when I received a two-year prison term and it was enforced. Then my appeal was rejected and the sentence was extended to 12 years. I didn't do anything, why am I being punished with this harsh sentence?

Reporter, Male #2
In the documentary film, Gulnaz gave an account of what she endured, but the EU did not allow the broadcast of this film in fear of her life. On the other hand, human rights workers are urging the release of these reports from Afghanistan.

Guest, Female #2 (Heather Barr, Human Rights Watch)
It's very important that people understand that there are these horrific stories that are happening now, ten years after the fall of the Taliban government, ten years after what was supposed to be a new dawn for Afghan women.

Reporter, Male #2
So ten years have passed, yet the so-called new dawn for Afghan women has still not come. There are many women like Gulnaz, who have been robbed of their lives and voices.

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Lebanese activists demand family violence bill to protect women [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Not only does domestic violence show no mercy toward women in Lebanon but the country's laws do them no justice either. And the issue remains extremely private. My colleague Afif al- Jardali reports.

Reporter, Male # 1
The spring of Arab women is manifested by Lebanese women breaking the wall of silence. They cried out: "No to violence against us." The stories of many battered women are revealed day-by-day to confirm the need to enact a new law that protects women and takes into consideration Lebanese social standards. Thirty-year-old Samah recounted her story and the experiences she had with her husband. She endured marital rape, continuous violence, and threats of depriving her of her four daughters.

Guest, Female # 2
I would take the kids to the bedroom; he would say "Take them away; I don't want any kids here." I would put them to sleep and when they would fall asleep he would be watching TV; he would be watching pornographic films. I would be sleeping when he would be done watching these films but he would come harass me. I would ask him to leave me alone but he wouldn't accept. He would say that this is his right and I will give him that right whether or I like it or not. There was no one to protect me. When I called the relevant parties, they said "handle it yourself." I demand all the ministries to stand by us and help us. The same way they have children and seek to protect them; the same way they protect their female relatives they fear for and want to keep safe, they should protect us as well.

Reporter, Male # 1
After central Beirut witnessed a protest two weeks ago that came in response to a call by a Facebook page titled, "No to violence against women," the issue became public given the page has over 13,000 participants.

Guest, Male # 2 (Tarek Abou Zeinab, 'No to Violence Against Women' Page Creator)
We created the page in March 2010 to honor Lebanese women on Mothers' Day and the International Day of Women. There are violations of human and women's rights in Lebanon. The second issue, which is both funny and sad, is that some ministries are looking to find new holidays, including the day of the alphabet and I don't know what else. Instead of parliament looking for holidays to acknowledge, they should look for laws that protect Lebanese women and protect Lebanese children.

Reporter, Male # 1
In light of the ongoing debate over a law that would protect women from domestic violence, the plan continues to be held hostage to the legal opinion that views the law as fragmenting the essence of family. At the same time, implementing the law is hindered by the fear of religious men and devotion to the power of men. Afif al- Jardali, New TV.