UN views situation in Syria as civil war
Future TV, Lebanon

Presenter, Female # 1
In Syria, shelling by al-Assad brigades continues to target the residents of Homs, Hama, and Idlib, leading to the deaths of 21 people. Reports indicate regime forces and the shabeha stormed the town of Tremseh in the countryside of Hama as the opposition held a strike in a number of cities. The UN Human Rights Council announced that the death toll in Syria has exceeded 4,000 people since the eruption of the revolution, describing the situation as civil war.

Reporter, Male # 1
The majority of Syrian cities and towns turned into ghost towns. Stores were closed and the streets semi-deserted. This comes in response to the opposition's call to hold a general strike to mourn the dead, who have been perishing daily since mid-March by the bullets of al-Assad's brigades. Wide-participation in the strike was reported in all of Hama's markets and streets in support of the city's countryside that is being subjected to a bloody military operation. But despite the general strike, anti-regime protests were held on streets crowded with demonstrators demanding the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad and his regime. The Syrian Revolution's General Commission reported confrontations between Syrian security and students in the city of Darayya in the countryside of Damascus. Security forces were attempting to prevent them from holding an anti-regime march in the city. So the students challenged the presence of armed security across Darayya's streets amid reports that al-Assad's brigades attacked those participating in another student protest. Syrian security forces fired tear gas at the students, causing some to suffer from nausea and unconsciousness. Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said the death toll in Syria since the protest movement started has reached at least 4,000. She characterized the current situation in Syria as civil war. Amid these conditions, the leadership of the Syrian National Council confirmed the Free Syrian Army will soon start its armed operations against military, security, and political Ba'ath Party leadership sites in the heart of Damascus. The SNC said this comes in response to the massacres committed by the regime and the wide-scale security operations carried out in Syrian cities and towns. These on-the-ground developments did not constitute an obstacle to the opposition's ongoing eight-month-old revolution. For this reason, the opposition continues to mobilize its supporters, asking them to participate in mass protests on what it called the Friday of "we demand a buffer zone." The opposition's supporters held massive night marches in line with the mobilization taken on the Tuesday of "a united Syria is our homeland." Opposition websites said the bullets of al-Assad's forces resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people in Homs, Idlib, Hama and the countryside of Damascus. On the other hand, Syria announced it will suspend its membership in the Union for the Mediterranean, which was established in July 2008 under France's initiative. The official Syrian news agency SANA reported the freeze comes in response to the unjustified European measures taken against the Syrian people. It viewed the European Union's series of measures as a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and a clear interference in Syria's internal affairs that lacks any sort of objectivity.

Turkish citizens denounce the Turkish sanctions on Syria
Syria TV, Syria

Presenter, Female #1
It has been confirmed that the Turkish public condemns the Ardogan government's escalated moves against Syria and its people. Turks asserted that these decisions will have negative impacts on the Turkish people.

Reporter, Male #1
The Turks, including intellectuals and ordinary citizens, were not able to understand the hostility behind the Turkish government's position on the Syrian crisis. Most recently, the Turkish government cut off its relationship with its southern neighbor by suspending trade cooperation and halting sponsorship for projects in Syria, while claiming that these decisions will not affect the Syrian people.

Guest, Male #2
A Muslim should hold hands with his Muslim brother. But unfortunately, we are not doing that. We are harming our Syrian brothers for our own benefit.

Reporter, Male #1
Some political observers were surprised by the policy change of the Justice and Development Party in this past phase, from wanting to resolve the issue politically to using strong words such as "attack," "arming," "no-fly zone," and "isolated region."

Guest, Male #3 (Asmet Ozjinik, Editor-in-Chief, Aydin Nilin Newspaper)
Turkey's latest decisions are extremely wrong. Until today, we had not seen such policies in Turkey. Suddenly, this change struck. We are witnessing Turkish diplomacy within the framework of American programs. Basically, the US supported the Justice and Development Party in 2002 for this sole purpose.

Reporter, Male #1
Meanwhile, other analysts linked the policy to the Turkish-US agreement made at the expense of the Syrian people, which entails opening Turkey's door to Western forces to implement their projects. In exchange, the Turkish government was granted the freedom to act at will on the Kurdish issue in Turkish territories or in northern Iraq without being questioned about human rights.

Guest, Male #4 (Samih Khreis, Vice Chairman, Turkish Workers' Party)
All plans of military intervention in Syria have failed so far. Syria has a rare characteristic: the nationalism of most of its people, even among the country's opposition. Therefore, it is difficult to break the backbone of this people.

Reporter, Male #1
The Turkish street condemned the Turkish government's interference in Syria's internal affairs and called on the government to first resolve its issues with the Kurds and meet their demands of freedom and democracy before putting its nose in other countries' affairs. In between the attacking statements and escalating decisions, there remains an obvious question brought forth by the Turkish citizens: what caused a brother and friend to turn into an enemy overnight? The answer can be found behind the closed doors of the Turkish-US meetings. Omar Ahmed, Syrian TV, Ankara.

Amnesty International accuses Saudi Arabia of 'wave of repression'
BBC Arabic, UK

Presenter, Male #1
Amnesty International accused Saudi Arabia of launching a new wave of internal repressive operations to clamp down on protests linked to what is known as the 'Arab Spring.' The organization said in a report that thousands were arrested and that prominent activists were given long prison terms without fair trials. The report focused on a draft-law regarding terrorist acts, saying the law's ambiguous provisions lead to human rights violations.

Reporter, Female #1
A repression campaign is being conducted in the name of safety and security. This is the summary of Amnesty International's report on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's practices against its people. Saudi authorities prepared a new draft-law which they say aims to grapple with crimes of terrorism. However, Amnesty International is concerned that the law's provisions exonerate these repressive practices. For instance, the draft-law considers undermining the country's reputation a terrorist crime. It also restricts freedom of speech, as the law considers any criticism directed at the Saudi king or any calls for reform acts of terrorism. The report criticized the repression of Shiite protestors in Qatif who demand equality. It also noted that a number of them were arrested for performing group prayers or celebrating certain Shiite religious occasions, and were detained without trial. Arrests were also carried out against those believed to be affiliated with al-Qaeda and those who criticized the kingdom, such as Khaled al-Juhani. Khaled spoke in front of the BBC's camera, which caught the kingdom's attention. Khaled was arrested after the interview. It is believed that he was detained for three months in solitary confinement and was accused of supporting the demonstration and contacting foreign media networks. In addition, Amnesty International criticized the torture of detainees, the death penalty, the deprivation of women's and immigrants' rights, the abusive treatment of foreign workers, as well as the killing of armed Houthi groups in Saada in northern Yemen.

Yemeni forces continue to shell Taiz
Al Jazeera, Qatar

Presenter, Male #1
Medical sources from the field hospital at Freedom Square in the city of Taiz said seven people were killed, including a child and a woman, and approximately 40 were wounded in last night's shelling of residential neighborhoods by forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Presenter, Female #1
On the political front, the Yemeni Defense Ministry's website said the General People's Congress Party received two lists of ministerial candidates from the revolution's National Council based on which the unity government will be formed.

Reporter, Female #2
The Yemeni city of Taiz and its residents cannot have one peaceful night. Nights in Taiz are tumultuous and filled with sounds of shelling and echoes of bombs. According to medical sources in Taiz, several residents were killed and dozens of others were wounded in shelling by President Ali Abdullah Saleh's forces that are targeting residential neighborhoods. The heavy shelling of a number of neighborhoods lasted until dawn and increased the death toll. Eyewitnesses said fighting broke out while Saleh's soldiers attempted to storm the city center, which has been bombed almost every day. Also in Taiz, the security director of the province was wounded in an exchange of gunfire between his companions and hospital guards. The security official survived the incident, but other soldiers were killed. These security developments coincide with continued efforts by Yemeni interim Prime Minister Mohamed Salem Basindwah to form a unity government. An opposition leader revealed he submitted to Yemeni Vice President Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi, who is running the country during the transitional phase the list of opposition representatives that could form the military council. According to the Gulf initiative, the committee will be tasked with withdrawing the army from the streets and end the current division until a unity government is formed. He indicated the lists includes seven candidates, including the former defense minister, the former interior minister, and five high-ranking military officers who pledged allegiance to the popular revolution demanding the downfall of President Saleh.

Bahrainis stage fresh protests against al-Khalifa regime, Saudi occupation
Al-Alam, Iran

Presenter, Female #1
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said that countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council will not withdraw the Peninsula Shield Force deployed in Bahrain unless requested by Manama. Meanwhile, demonstrations were held across various regions in Bahrain demanding the downfall of the regime, the withdrawal of the Saudi occupation, and the release of the detainees. The demonstrators stressed the importance of continuing their popular mobilization until their demands for reforms are achieved. Ibrahim Karimi was sentenced to one year in prison for setting up a tent at Manama's Pearl Roundabout last March. The Bahraini opposition abroad demanded the trial of regime's elements for the crimes committed against the protestors.

Reporter, Male #1
The demonstrations that Bahrain has been witnessing for the past nine months are spreading to various regions. Protestors are demanding the same rights enjoyed by people around the world, including their right to live under a democratic system. In their quest, they are being confronted by Saudi-backed security forces, which often fire live ammunition, shuzen bombs, as well as US-made poison tear gas. Under the slogan "victory of blood over the sword," demonstrators demanded the downfall of the regime and the withdrawal of occupied Saudi forces from their country. They insist on continuing their popular mobilization until their objectives are achieved. The policy of crackdowns and arbitrary terminations adopted by the al-Khalifa regime against thousands of employees, including medics, prompted this group of protestors to come to the Ministry of Labor in the hopes of finding someone willing to listen to their complaints.

Guest, Male #2
What's strange is that every ministry, institution, company, or agency is being affected by these arbitrary terminations. This includes one or more employees from a single company.

Reporter, Male #1
The judiciary also played a role in the systematic practices against the detainees, as confirmed by rights and international organizations. In the latest incident, five members of the Bahrain Teacher's Association made their first appearance at the Lower Criminal Court. In conjunction, the Bahraini opposition abroad demanded that the regime's elements be held accountable and face international justice for the heinous crimes committed against the protestors demanding freedom and democracy. In a statement, the opposition described the remarks by the Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani that only five people were killed in the protests as "a shameful and blatant fabrication." The opposition referred al-Thani to the report issued by the fact-finding commission, which confirms that the number of martyrs killed by the regime has reached 35 during a two-month period.

Kuwait pardons detainees for storming parliament as new PM sworn in
Dubai TV, UAE

Presenter, Male #1
In Kuwait, the public prosecution released the detainees accused of storming the National Assembly, which then led to a crisis that forced the cabinet to resign. This comes a day after Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah appointed the defense minister of the ousted government, Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah, as the new prime minister succeeding Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed. Meanwhile, the parliament's fate is not yet clear. Many believe this move may help ease political tension. Ahmed La'anazi reports from Kuwait.

Reporter, Male #2
After Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Sabah's seventh government submitted its resignation two days ago, his deputy and defense minister, Sheikh Jaber al-Muabark, was appointed by a royal decree as the new prime minister. The new premier is to choose the members of his government in the next few days and have them approved by the emir of Kuwait.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohammed al-Dousari, Writer and Journalist)
There is no doubt that replacing the prime minister was one of the demands of the political and popular parties, whether it is Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak or someone else. But we should not forget other demands of the political and popular parties, which is the reason why a number of demonstrations broke out at Irada Square recently.

Reporter, Male #2
For its part, the opposition appeared to be relaxed and enjoying a delayed victory after one of its most important demands was met: the replacement of the prime minister. Meanwhile, the National Assembly's fate remains undecided as another royal decree is expected to end the long-term controversy.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohammed al-Dousari, Writer and Journalist)
I believe that part of the solution is to dissolve parliament. All signs indicate that it will be dissolved soon. I don't believe that maintaining the incumbent parliament will be a good thing for solving the problems; instead it will create more imbalances in Kuwait's political equation.

Reporter, Male #2
At the moment, Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak's appointment as head of the cabinet is gaining partial consensus on the street and in parliament because of his good relationship with a majority of political parties, which represent all social stratums in Kuwait. Kuwaitis have long awaited the emir's latest decision which was made in order to put an end to a difficult political phase. Many believe that the move will take Kuwait out of the crises that swept the country all at once, which exhausted the public and paralyzed many political issues. Ahmed La'anizi, Dubai TV, Kuwait.

US-led forces kill two Pakistani civilians in Afghanistan
Press TV, Iran

US-led NATO forces have killed two Pakistani men over the border in Afghanistan. The two men from a border on the Pakistani side were gathering wood inside Afghanistan. The killings come as relations between Islamabad and the US are already tense over the recent deadly air strikes by the military alliance in Pakistan. Islamabad has strongly condemned NATO over the attack that killed 24 Pak soldiers over the weekend. NATO says its helicopters and jet fighters launched the attacks after they mistook the soldiers manning Pakistani army posts with militants.

Afghans protest Kabul-Washington strategic pact
Press TV, Iran

Hundreds of Afghans have taken to the streets in the capital Kabul voicing their anger over a strategic pact between Kabul and Washington. They called for an immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from their country. They were also angry over the killings of civilians by US-led NATO forces. The protestors say the signing of the strategic agreement would put the lives of thousands of Afghans at risk and allow permanent basis for the US military. Afghan political figures have opposed signing the agreement with the US in recent weeks.

Mob causes disturbances for Iranian diplomats leaving UK
Press TV, Iran

A mob has gathered outside the Iranian embassy in the British capital London as diplomats are preparing to leave the country. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said they gathered outside the Iranian diplomatic residence in a coordinated move. He said the crowd has caused disturbances for the diplomatic staff preparing to leave Britain following the closure of the Iranian embassy. This is while the staffers have another day to leave British soil. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has called on Britain to protect the mission and to immediately stop the disturbances so the diplomats can leave British soil ahead of the 48-hour deadline.

Ehud Barak: Israel not seeking war with Iran, but may have no choice
IBA, Israel

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said today that an Israeli attack on Iran is not imminent but all options remain open to stop Tehran's bid to develop nuclear weapons. This as EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to exert further economic pressure on the hardline Islamic Republic. Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Israel has no desire to go to war with Iran over its nuclear program but warns that at some point there may be no other option. "We have no intention, at the moment, of taking action but the state of Israel is far from being paralyzed by fear," Barak told Israel radio. "I must act calmly and quietly. We don't need big wars." Barak says Israel will be very glad if sanctions and diplomacy would lead Iran to suspend its nuclear weapons program, but that he doesn't think that will happen.

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