Syrian army defectors attack military base as Assad faces growing isolation [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
The deadline given to the Syrian regime expires today and the country's membership in the Arab League is effectively frozen in accordance with the decision taken by the League on Saturday. This comes after a meeting of Arab foreign ministers was held. It started this evening in Rabat on the sidelines of the Turkish-Arab cooperation forum.

Presenter, Female # 1
The Arab ministers who were snubbed by the Syrian foreign minister will discuss a memorandum of understanding based on a report that will be presented by the League's secretary-general, Nabil al-Arabi. It will include a presentation on measures to protect the Syrian people. In addition, he will present the outcome of his meetings with different Syrian opposition groups.

Presenter, Male # 1
Arab League sources said the League is ready to immediately send 500 media representatives, and civilian and military observes if the Syrian regime guarantees their safety, and freedom of movement and residence. The sources added that if the regime agrees to the memorandum of understanding the Arab initiative would have paved the road to the solution. If the regime does not agree, it would have prevented it once again.

Presenter, Female, 1
On the ground, 20 citizens were killed by the gunfire of al-Assad's brigades in Idlib and Homs as army defectors attacked the headquarters of an air force intelligence base in the city of Harasta in the countryside of Damascus. And while opposition activists burned Hezbollah flags, supporters of the Syrian president attacked the embassies of Qatar, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates in the capital Damascus.

Reporter, Female # 2
The Wednesday of national fraternity is yet another day in Syria during which the peaceful popular resistance continues alongside the consistent violence and killing carried out by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's brigades. Here, the victim is Faisal Mahmoud Lefloh, only 17 years old. He was hit by different weapons and subsequently perished. And here, another victim, on whose body martial arts were practiced also leading to his death. The number of killed, injured and arrested is increasing as popular demonstrations also increase. In Homs, Hama, Damascus, and its neighborhoods, Daraa, and other Syrian cities, massive protests were held to demand the downfall of the Syrian regime amid heavy gunfire by al-Assad's brigades and the shabeha. This comes as a number of cities went on a general strike, notably the cities of Hama and Daraa. The shabeha carried out arrest campaigns and attacks in Syrian cities and universities, especially in the University of Qalamoon. Al-Assad's brigades and supporters were not satisfied with killing innocent people so they threw stones at the embassies of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Morocco. They also wrote slogans on the embassies' walls hours after the Arab League decided to freeze Syria's membership. Two individuals residing near the UEA embassy building in the upscale neighborhood of Abu Rummaneh, located by al-Assad's home and office, said some slogans accuse the embassy of working for Israel. Amid these attacks, the demonstrators expressed a notable position by chanting a song that speaks about the difficulty of their situation. However, they did so in their own way. On the other hand, Syrian activists said al-Assad's brigades killed a number of Syrians in an ambush in the city of Hama after activists indicated that army defectors attacked an intelligence base near the capital Damascus.

Guest, Male #2
There is no god but God the unique. He fulfilled his promise and made victorious his worshipper and made mighty his soldiers and defeated the confederates.

Reporter, Female #2
This is the first attack that targets a main security institution since the protest movement against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad was ignited eight months ago. Meanwhile, the regime's supports held demonstrations in Latakia and Damascus. It is worth mentioning many Hezbollah flags were raised. Anti-regime protestors held night marches that swept the streets of Syrian cities and villages while some burned the flag of Hezbollah and condemned Iranian interference in their country.

--

Yemenis urge Arab League to suspend their country's membership [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Hundreds of thousands protested against the Yemeni regime in the capital Sanaa and a number of cities, demanding a freeze of Yemen's membership to the Arab Leauge due to what they referred to as "the regime's continued killing of civilians and protestors." Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh met with the UN secretary-general's envoy to Yemen, Jamal Bin Omar, to discuss the developments of the situation, efforts to contain its ramifications, and the implementation of the Gulf initiative and UN Resolution 2014. Anti-Saleh protests continued and protestors repeated their demands to arrest and try Saleh.

Reporter, Male #2
At last, the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is meeting with the UN envoy to his country, Jamal Bin Omar. This is the first meeting between the two men, and comes after Bin Omar's six trips between New York and Sanaa to meet with all parties in the Yemeni crisis. The Yemeni state agency SABA said that during the meeting, Saleh reaffirmed his party's readiness to sit down with the opposition parties to complete the dialogue on the Gulf initiative's implementation mechanism as soon as possible. Once the mechanism is agreed upon, the final signing of the initiative will take place, along with implementing its articles about a peaceful power transfer, and conducting early presidential elections on a schedule agreed upon by all parties. However, the opposition parties preceded Saleh's statement and reiterated through the chairman of Yemen's National Council of Revolutionary Forces, Mohamed Salem Basendwah, that the Yemeni president should sign the Gulf initiative before talking about what Saleh describes as a timetable. In addition, Basendwah stressed in media statements that there can be no transition to any mechanism if Saleh does not first sign the initiative. So, the Yemeni crisis still oscillates between initiatives and regional and international mediations, and the popular uprising that rejects any dialogue or settlement with Saleh's regime. But the political opposition believes that a political solution will save the uprising and achieve its demands.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohammed Qahtan, JMP Spokesman)
We can only speak alongside the goals that they're calling for. With our political work, we can provide a better atmosphere for the success of their revolution and for them to achieve their aspired goals.

Reporter, Male #2
The protests that are still flooding a number of cities in the country announced their refusal to give President Saleh any immunity from legal prosecution. The protestors renewed their demand to issue international arrest warrants for Saleh, his relatives and associates in the government, and hand them over to justice. However, legal experts believe that President Saleh will be able to avoid that from happening to some degree.

Guest, Male #4 (Mohammed Naji Alaw, Yemeni Legal and Rights Expert)
Even we will not close the door to hope regarding this issue. If President Saleh and those with him return to reason, then there is a possibility it can be solved. However, the original issue will remain, which is the bloodshed of the martyrs. They should be satisfied with the justice of the transition.

--

Thousands storm Kuwait's parliament, demanding the resignation of the PM [Press TV, Iran]

In Kuwait, thousands of people have stormed parliament after police and security forces beat up protestors outside the prime minister's home. An opposition lawmaker says protestors had staged a march outside Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad Al-Sabah' home, demanding his resignation. Police used batons to disperse the demonstrators. Witnesses say at least five people were injured. Protestors have called for the dissolution of parliament over alleged corruption.

--

Rights group calls on Bahrain to meet protestors' demands [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
The international group, Human Rights Without Frontiers, or HRWF, has demanded the European Union mount pressure on the Bahraini authorities to meet the protestors' objectives and to begin comprehensive reforms, which include building trust with the opposition and civil society to resume dialogue.

Reporter, Male #1
Following its first visit to Manama since the spark of popular protests in Bahrain, Human Rights Without Borders International prepared a detailed 40-page report in Brussels, titled "The future of Bahrain, where to?" The report comes as part of a comprehensive investigative study about the human rights violations and systematic quelling of popular protests by the Manama authorities. The international watchdog laid out several key demands, based on four days of meetings between its director and all Bahraini groups.

Guest, Male #2 (Willy Foutre, Human Rights Without Frontiers Director)
The Bahraini government should take swift measures and begin political, social, economic, and human rights reforms. In doing so, it will send a strong positive message to the Bahraini people.

Reporter, Male #1
The organization also demanded the Bahraini government take measures to build trust with the opposition and civil society blocs as well as protect the rights of activists during peaceful protests, arrests, detentions, and trials, in accordance with international human rights standards. The measures are part of a greater demand for the implementation of comprehensive reforms, which will help bridge the gap in Bahraini society. The organization also reached out to those it described as "peacemakers" among "the trusted" religious figures. The international watchdog submitted the report to the European Union due to the "EU's influence on Manama."

Guest, Male #2 (Willy Foutre, Human Rights Without Borders International Director, back on screen)
The EU must closely monitor the situation as well as follow up on the international investigative report to be issued next week.

Reporter, Male #2
The EU, which enjoys close relations with the Bahraini regime as confirmed by the report, said it will continue to exert parallel efforts to mount pressure on the Bahraini government.

Guest, Male #3 (Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg Foreign Minister)
In conjunction with this report, the EU will maintain contact with the Bahraini authorities as well as mount pressure on them to end human rights violations.

Reporter, Male #1
In order to meet human rights standards in Bahrain, the report recommended training what it referred to as "forces to uphold the law," in cooperation with the EU and the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The international watchdog called on Bahrain to implement national reconciliation measures and endorse a new social order, marking an end to regime's old practices, which according to the report have led to tragic internal division over the past years. The organization also called on the Bahraini regime, through the EU, to implement 18 urgent demands that can no longer be subject to delay or procrastination.

--

Karzai lays out conditions for US partnership [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Salvaging Afghanistan's national interests that are in danger of collapse was the focus of discussions at the Afghan assembly of elders, known as a Loya Jirga, which began today in the capital Kabul. President Hamid Karzai opened the assembly by reaffirming his country's desire for stability as soon as possible, despite his support for the US's installation of permanent military bases in Afghanistan.

Presenter, Male #1
Karzai set the conditions for building the bases, such as ending night raids by American troops, dismantling foreign institutions, and establishing parallel organizations in Afghanistan.

Presenter, Female #1
Our correspondent Samir Allawi attended the Loya Jirga assembly.

Reporter, Male #2
The Afghan government resorted to the assembly of elders, known in Afghanistan as Loya Jirga, to discuss the most crucial issue in the country today: the completion of its national sovereignty. However, President Hamid Karzai expressed his desire to reach a strategic agreement that outlines the future of Afghanistan's relationship with the United States after it withdraws its forces, including the installation of long-term American military bases in Afghanistan.

Guest, Male #3 (Hamid Karzai, Afghan President)
We are here to sign this strategic agreement with America because it meets the interests of Afghanistan. We will provide all conditions for it, but on the basis of complete stability in Afghanistan and no interference in our internal affairs. We know how to run our internal matters and how to arrange our own home.

Reporter, Male #2
The Taliban, which rejected Loya Jirga, warned the participants of the assembly of the consequences of losing legitimacy after allowing the installation of permanent American military bases. The Taliban said that doing so will prolong the war in Afghanistan even after the foreign troops are forced to withdraw unconditionally.

Guest, Male #4, Douran Safi, Taliban Ground Commander)
We cannot describe this meeting as the national Loya Jirga; it is an American meeting. After the US failed, it resorted to its dirty dogs to sign an agreement with them and deny the blood that martyrs have shed throughout the ten years. Then the accomplices came to give it legitimacy for occupation.

Reporter, Male #2
Supporters of the long-term agreement with the United States justified their position by deterring neighboring countries from interfering in internal Afghan affairs. Meanwhile, the expanded security measures at the Loyal Jirga meeting was considered an indicator that stability in Afghanistan depends more on an agreement with neighboring countries than faraway powers. Loya Jirga is expected to bring together two contradictory matters: national interest and the installation of permanent American military bases in Afghanistan. More importantly, many believe that this time, the Loya Jirga assembly is illegitimate and overrides the principles of the Afghan constitution. Samir Allawi, al-Jazeera, Kabul.

--

Fatah and Hamas agree to hold elections next May [IBA, Israel]

Fatah and Hamas have reportedly agreed to hold elections next May in what would be a major steop toward ending their four year rift. In the interim, the two sides have agreed to form a caretaker government, one that will apparently not include Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. In the first sign of progress since the signing of a unity pact in May of this year, Fatah and Hamas have agreed to hold elections in May 2012. A temporary government comprised of non-political technocrats is expected to be named now to serve until a permanent slate is selected in the election. The key to the deal is the apparent willingness of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to step aside.

--

French envoy injured after IAF strike on Gaza [IBA, Israel]

The French Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the French envoy to the Gaza Strip was injured in Sunday's Israeli air force strike on a terror cell. The diplomat, his wife, and 13-year-old daughter were hit by shrapnel at their residence in Gaza, which is located some 200 meters from the site of the IAF attack. A spokesman for the French Ministry said that France deplores the outcome of this strike. He also said that while France is committed to Israel's security, it is necessary for all parties to avoid civilian harm.

--

African Union to send 1,700 troops to Somalia [Algérie TV, Algeria]

Presenter, Male #1
Defense ministers from a number of East African countries and the Horn of Africa region are expected to meet at the African Union headquarters to discuss ways to restore stability in Somalia and support the African Union peacekeeping troops. The following report by Sufyan Taisira is read by Fatima Zahra Bin Safi.

Reporter, Female #1
In the last few months, the Somali capital Mogadishu saw the withdrawal of al-Shabab movement, which is categorized as a terrorist group, from its suburbs. Stability has somewhat returned to a region that has been living its modern history in constant wars and crises. This stability would not have been achieved without help from over 9,000 African Union peacekeeping troops, which managed to support and protect the legitimate government of Somalia. The stability of Somalia is an issue that not only concerns the Horn of Africa, but is also the key focus of the African Union. Therefore, defense ministers from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti are meeting at the African Union headquarters to support the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, by sending 1,700 additional peacekeeping troops to the region. Four years have passed since the African Union peacekeeping troops' mission in Somalia began in 2007 amid a civil war that lasted for decades. The civil war even affected ship transport worldwide. Hundreds of ships and vessels were detained and confiscated, and their crew members either had to pay ransom or die. AMISOM's troop support will provide security to Somalia, which will consequently secure the Horn of Africa and the region west of the Indian Ocean.

Presenter, Male #1
In the Horn of Africa region, specifically Somalia, children are still suffering from famine despite the aid provided from a number of organizations around the world. Hadiya Sultan reports.

Reporter, Female #2
They escaped from the brutal famine and unstable situation in various regions of Somalia to these refugee camps in Mogadishu. For these children, deprivation and suffering are still the theme of their daily life, which is also filled with danger. The lack of health and social security is apparent in their conditions. Despite some humanitarian aid, these children still face tough challenges beyond imagination.

Guest, Male #2
Before we came here, things were extremely difficult. I suffered from al lot of problems.

Reporter, Female #2
UNICEF is trying to exert more efforts to provide a decent life for this group of people. It set up a number of special camps for children in order to provide space for playing games.

Guest, Male #3 (Barawin Kanitaghi, UNICEF Regional Advisor)
What we're doing here is providing a kind of social and psychological support for children in order to ease their pain.

Reporter, Female #2
As security is gradually restored to the region due to the efforts by the African Union peacekeeping troops, this innocent Somali girl looks forward to a bright tomorrow free of tragedy and war.