Iraqis mark end of US military occupation [Al-Alam, Iran]

Reporter, Female #1
Iraqis celebrated bringing down the US occupation's flag and raising the Iraqi flag on the last American military base in Iraq, marking the end of the US's presence in the country. The Iraqi public welcomed the news with joyous celebrations across the Iraqi capital. The ceremony was attended by the US secretary of defense and senior Iraqi officers.

Reporter, Male #1
The Iraqi flag has replaced the US occupation's flag, raising Iraqi's hope for a better future; a future that does not have room for an occupation. In a ceremony attended by US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, the US handed Iraq's sovereignty over to its people.

Guest, Male #2
Raising the Iraqi flag and bringing down this damned Zionist-American flag is a victory for the Iraqi people and the Islamic nation. It's not only a victory for Iraqis but also a victory for the Islamic and Arab nations. They saw with their own eyes what the damned occupation has done to Iraq.

Guest, Male #3
God willing, raising the Iraqi flag indicates that our flag will continue to fly high against the corrupt Jews and anyone who hates Iraq. God willing, the Iraqi flag will continue to fly high as we achieve victory.

Guest, Male #4
We hope the Iraqi people will stand united under the banner "God is great." We also hope to defeat the US. This is the day that the Iraqi people have been waiting for.

Reporter, Male #1
The challenges will not end with the withdrawal of the occupation, as seen by some Iraqis. As Iraqis express joy over reclaiming their national sovereignty, achieving a national consensus remains a top priority in the next phase, as confirmed by the government. This news comes despite recent statements and accusations by certain parties trying to disrupt Baghdad's Spring.

Guest, Male #5
There have been statements issued by certain senior Iraqi officials against the national consensus. Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutliq described the Iraqi prime minister as a "dictator." The parliament's speaker called on the council of minister to convene in order to discuss the possibility of granting immunity to Americans. Vice President of the Republic Tarek al-Hashemi called on the southern provinces to declare their governorates as separate regions and counter what he referred to as "state terror." All these statements completely contradict the national consensus in Iraq and the ambitions of Iraqis.

Reporter, Male #1
The people wanted life, so fate responded. This is how the scene appeared on the Iraqi spectrum, which has been exhausted by the occupation's practices and deceptive projects under the pretext of promoting democracy, which many believe is part of the Zionist-American agendas. National consensus is a demand that must be achieved over the coming phase; a demand that may clash with certain internal agendas influenced by foreign interests. However, achieving a national consensus is a political and popular demand in order to prevent both internal and external crises.

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New blasts in Baghdad as US troops continue to withdraw [Al-Forat TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
New blasts shocked neighborhoods in Baghdad, martyring and wounding a number of people. This raised a number of questions about the security situation as the US troops continue to withdraw from Iraq. Meanwhile, members of parliament demanded that intelligence and security efforts be exerted to put an end to these attacks. Knowledgeable sources of Iraqi affairs called for the launch of new security efforts to coincide with the US troop withdrawal. Saleh al-Quraishi has the details.

Reporter, Male #1
This is the same scenario. Armed groups struck various parts of the country, martyring and wounding a number of people within two days. An explosion detonated by a booby-trapped vehicle targeted a patrol unit in the capital Baghdad. A number of security members were killed and wounded. In Diyala, Salah ad-Din and Anbar, the scene was not much different. These incidents prompted some members of parliament to demand that responsible institutions update their security plan to guarantee security during the celebratory period after the troop withdrawal.

Guest, Male #2 (Shawan Mohamed Tah, Member of Parliament)
The security situation in Iraq needs a change in strategy. His Excellency the Prime Minister, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, must bear this responsibility.

Reporter, Male #1
This escalation of violence coincided with the interior ministry's announcement of capturing the ruler of so called Tariqah al-Naqshabandi terrorist group. However, this kind of announcement is often offset by an increasing number of attempts from so-called sleeper cells to prove their presence. Based on this, security forces face a phase filled with danger after they fully take over the security mission. It will be a real test for the Iraqi forces' capability and readiness.

Guest, Male #3 (Halai Jalwa Mur'e, Iraqi Affairs Observer)
The violent operations, attacks, and assassinations are not only linked to the US troops' presence. When an individual or a group assassinates a judge, it has nothing to do with the US army. The reasons for the assassination were internal, not foreign. The internal reasons are linked to conflicts in the country among Iraqis.

Reporter, Male #1
As the last American soldiers leave Iraq, there will be no more excuses for certain groups to describe themselves as "resistance groups." Knowledgeable sources of Iraqi affairs assert that the next phase will also expose these groups' agendas in the new Iraq. But what are the most prominent factors fueling acts of terror in the next phase?

Guest, Male #4 (Dr. Ahmad al-Abyad, Writer and Journalist)
There is the fact, as we mentioned, that we are at a political crossroads amid ongoing political disputes. The second fact is that Iraq is still seen as a weak country that lacks strength and prestige, and that doesn't intimidate criminals, as a matter of fact. The third fact is that there are regional disputes that revitalize these groups in Iraq, which is a very important factor. The forth, which is also very important, is that our security operations' administration, if that is the correct name for it, is not at a level that relies on or is based on intelligence.

Reporter, Male #2
It is worth mentioning that the foreign troops are progressing towards the final withdrawal, scheduled for the end of this year. Less than 6,000 soldiers remain in Iraq, according to US confirmations. From Baghdad, Saleh al-Quraishi, al-Forat.

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Bahraini forces clash with protestors attempting to occupy major highway [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, Saudi-backed forces have attacked anti-regime protestors across the country. At least eight people have been arrested in towns and villages around the capital Manama. Clashes have also erupted between demonstrators and regime forces near Manama. Activists have blocked off several roads, including the country's main highway. Several opposition groups have called for protests and the blocking of main roads on Thursday. Bahrain has been in a revolution since mid-February and since then, dozens of people have been killed and hundreds more have been arrested.

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Yemeni security forces open fire on protestors in Taiz [Press TV, Iran]

On to Yemen now, forces loyal to embattled ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh have opened fire on anti-regime protestors in the southern city of Taiz. There have been reports of casualties. In other parts of the country too, tens of thousands of people took to the streets calling for Saleh's trial. They are protesting against the new coalition government between the revolutionaries and Saleh's regime. They are also angry at the sharing of power between loyalists. They hold them responsible for the ongoing crackdown on anti-regime protests. Yemenis have been taking to the streets since the beginning of this year.

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A look inside Syria's media war [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Information and counter-information warfare continue in Syria as Syrian dissents in Istanbul announce the formation of the National Alliance.

Guest, Female # 2
Syrian news sources revealed that the Future Movement bought the conscience of seven Iranians, Arabs of al-Ahwaz. They were brought to the city of Sidon for a training session. According to the same sources, the seven Iranians are currently in training and will be transferred to Syria. They will be arrested upon their entry, as part of a skit played by an armed group that calls itself the Free Syrian Army.

Reporter, Female # 3
The Syrian news channel revealed the details of a scandal, accusing the Future Movement of directly recruiting seven Iranians under the guise that they belong to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, to have them participate in the fighting against peaceful protestors alongside the Syrian Arab Army. According to sources at the Syrian news channel, the seven Iranians are lead by a person named Hajj Rida Mirzada, who will confess to being part of the armed group that calls itself the Free Army. He will also say he received large sums of money from the Revolutionary Guards to protect the Syrian regime. The Syrian news channel also reported on Syrian security agencies finding an abandoned home in the province of Hama. The two-story house is being used by an armed terrorist group in the neighborhood of al-Hamidiyah. Large quantities of electronic devices, automatic rifles, and Molotov cocktails were found inside the house. In addition, a body was retrieved from the house. The Syrian channel also broadcast confessions of someone it said raped girls at a farm in al-Qasir, then fired at them and buried their bodies.

Guest, Male # 1
I was waiting for a shared cab. Then, one showed up with four girls. We had two cars. We scared the driver away so he left his cab and ran away. Bader and Hamoud got in the car. I had the car and Olai had the pick-up truck. We went toward al-Qasir, where they have a farm. He rents the farm. We went to al-Qasir and after we got there, they started screaming so we hit them a little bit. We took them to the farm. We raped them, and after we were done with them, Bader said we're going to shoot them.

Reporter, Female # 3
From Istanbul, a group of Syrian dissidents announced the formation of what they called the National Alliance of revolutionary forces to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Guest, Male # 2 (Mohammad Bassam Imadi, Syria's Former Ambassador to Sweden and Head of National Alliance)
Now that the conditions have been met, it has become necessary to reveal our identities to the people and announce the National Alliance to the revolution's forces, coordinators, and committees. The National Alliance backs the Free Syrian Army that is made up of defected soldiers for protecting civilians and the peaceful revolution in Syria.

Reporter, Female # 3
The opposition's Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that defected Syrian soldiers killed 27 soldiers loyal to the regime and security forces in a series of attacks and confrontations in the southern province of Daraa.

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Time Magazine names 'the protestor' as person of the year [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
US Time Magazine chose "The Protestor" as 2011's person of the year. This came after an internal vote among the magazine's editors, in which "The Protestor" outperformed the political figure Erdogan and the football star Messi.

Reporter, Female #1
They broke the wall of silence that confined them for over 20 years. They raised their voices to change the course of history. They achieved their demands for more democracy and justice in many parts of the world.

Guest, Male #2 (Jim Frederick, Time Magazine Editor)
And then suddenly, almost out of nowhere, the protests broke out in various parts of the world. Two regimes fell and other regimes are on their way, whether it's in Russia, or London, or Wall Street, or all across the Middle East. The protests have become one way for the people to take control.

Reporter, Female #1
The editors of Time Magazine chose "The Protestor" as 2011's person of the year due to the prominent role protestors played in the demonstrations that shook the Middle East, which started in Tunisia, then spread to many countries around the world, including India, Chile, China, Britain, Spain, and Israel. The magazine says the role of protestors, which includes amassing popular support on social networking websites for ways to better organize protests, helped the protestors be more effective in the political scene.

Guest, Male #2
I think the social media such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as the feeling of persecution for 40 years in various countries in the Middle East had an impact on bringing forth the people's power.

Reporter, Female #1
Time Magazine editor Jim Frederick believes that the protestors' fearlessness in the face of the dangers they endure on a daily basis prompted the editors to choose "The Protestor." Usually, the title is given to figures based on popularity. Time's editors have been choosing the person of the year since 1927 through an annual vote held on the magazine's website. This year, they chose an Arab protestor instead of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

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West Bank mosques torched, vandalized in 'price tag' attacks [IBA, Israel]

Here at home, amid a spike in so-called "price tag" operations by right-wing activists, the IDF razed two structures in the illegal West Bank outpost of Mitzpeh Yitzhar. Earlier, hooligans sprayed graffiti on a mosque in the West Bank and set the building on fire. Hundreds of security forces surrounded the West Bank outpost of Mitzpeh Yitzhar last night as army bulldozers leveled two illegal structures. According to settlers, stones, nails, and spikes were strewn across the road leading to the settlement in an attempt to prevent the troops from carrying out their orders. But those efforts failed and two buildings were razed without major incident. The move comes in the wake of several so-called "price tag" attacks by right-wing extremists. In the past 24 hours alone, two mosques have been torched and defaced with defamatory graffiti.

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Prisoner list posted for phase two of Shalit deal [IBA, Israel]

The Israel prison service has published a list of prisoners due to be released in the second stage of the Gilad Shalit deal. From the time of its posting, there are 48 hours in which petitions can be filed in the Supreme Court to object to the release. The list of names includes 550 Arabs, which are in addition to the 477 terrorist who were set free in the first stage of the deal, or the 1,026 that will be released in total. On Sunday, the prisoners are due to be freed at the Betunia Crossing in the West Bank and at one of the crossings into Gaza.

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Hamas celebrates 24th anniversary with Gaza rally [IBA, Israel]

Three mortar shells were fired by terrorists in the Gaza Strip. It landed in the Eshkol Regional Council this afternoon. There were no injuries, no damage caused. Staying in Gaza, where the Hamas terror organization celebrated its 24th anniversary. Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters gathered yesterday evening in the streets of Gaza City to show their support for the Islamic extremist group. The annual group included a stage built in the shape of a ship, meant to symbolize the Palestinians' journey to control all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea and eliminate Israel in the process.

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Islamabad denies holding talks with the Pakistani Taliban [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The Pakistani government denied holding talks with the Pakistani Taliban, a group allied with the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda. The leader of the group announced earlier that his organization is holding talks with Islamabad to diminish US influence in the region.

Reporter, Male #1
Deep into these remote and quiet mountains in the Waziristan region, recruited Pakistani Taliban fighters move across the rugged hills far from the public eye. They are training for suicide missions. Here, the commander of this unit is asking his cadets questions to lift their morale and increase their determination.

Guest, Male #2
Are you ready to sacrifice your lives for God? Are you ready to bleed and leap above the burning fire? Will you be the thorns on their paths to wound them?

Reporter, Male #1
The trainings vary but they all are geared towards personal confrontations with enemy soldiers. Here is a person acting the role of a Pakistani government soldier. Two Taliban members ambush him and strip him of his weapon. Here is another soldier camouflaged with plants to blend into the surrounding environment. The recruited members are learning about various kinds of sidearms for guerilla battle and individual combat. Here, they train for onslaughts, resistance to surrender, and counter-attacks. They develop combat skills in the mountains, including shooting, hunting, fist fighting, rocket-launching, using camouflage, and rigging ambushes. The Pakistani Taliban is allied to the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda. It announced it would work to depose the Islamabad government when it began its operations in 2007. Meanwhile, the faction's leader asserted last Saturday that his group and the Pakistani government began talks aimed at destabilizing the relations between the United States and Pakistan. However, Islamabad denies it will conduct any talks with this faction before it puts down its weapons. This comes after the Pakistani government admitted in September its intention to hold talks with those it referred to as "Pakistani militias." Hayyan Aqoub, BBC.