Syrian protestors slam Arab League's inaction [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
On the eve of the Doha meeting for the Arab committee on Syria, demonstrations erupted across most Syrian cities, as called for by the opposition on a Friday dubbed "the Arab League is killing us." What was notable about today's events is the participation of hundreds of thousands of residents from the besieged city of Homs. In response, al-Assad's brigades killed nine civilians, injured dozens of others, and sent reinforcements to the city amid fears that a massacre may take place there.

Presenter, Female #1
As opposition blocs continue to mobilize, the Syrian National Council, the SNC, will begin a three-day meeting tonight in Tunisia to discuss the political documents and the general direction of the council. SNC Chairman Burhan Ghalioun said the council is a national-political movement aimed at defending the revolution and the people's rights and interests.

Presenter, Male #1
Internationally, Russia was due to submit a draft resolution on Syria to the UN Security Council. While some described the resolution as "unbalanced," the French ministry described it as "a positive step."

Reporter, Male #2
Under the slogan, "Friday of the Arab League is killing us," anti-regime demonstrations broke out in most Syrian cities and towns after the Friday prayer.

Guest, Male #3
This is for the Qatari minister, Nabil al-Arabi, and every Arab president to hear: You will be judged on the Day of Judgment for each drop of martyrs' blood that is spilled.

Reporter, Male #2
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that over 200,000 people demonstrated on the streets of Homs in central Syria, demanding the downfall of al-Assad's regime. The Observatory said in a statement that thousands of residents took to the streets in a massive demonstration in al-Khalidiyah neighborhood, demanding the president's execution. In addition, a massive demonstration was held in Dier Baalba neighborhood, claiming the life of a resident who died of gunshot wounds fired by security forces. The Observatory added that the Jurat al-Shayah neighborhood witnessed one of its largest demonstrations since the spark of the Syrian revolution, with more than 10,000 protestors marching from various mosques. In addition, the Insha'at neighborhood and the Baba Amro neighborhood, which is surrounded by a large number of pro-regime shabeha, have witnessed massive demonstrations. The Observatory said that two armored vehicles stormed the Ghuta neighborhood in an attempt to disperse a demonstration. In the Sibaa neighborhood, security forces attacked demonstrators, inflicting causalities among them. The situation in the Hamra neighborhood was not much different. Several youths were arrested during a massive demonstration before the Friday prayer. The Observatory further said that massive protests broke out in Farq al-Aswa, Talkalakh, Talibisa, Qaryatien, and Hula, amid direct shelling that inflicted a large number of causalities. In Qamishli, particularly in the Qadour Bak neighborhood near Salman Farsi's Mosque, al-Assad's brigades opened fire at the demonstrators. Several demonstrators were savagely beaten by security officers on residential streets. A loud explosion was heard in Duma, amid heavy gunfire aimed at the demonstrators. The situation was not much diffident in Hama, which witnessed a massive demonstration in the Kazu neighborhood after the Friday prayer at Martyrs' Mosque in Sabouniyah. Syrian security forces surrounded Ihsan Mosque in al-Bayad neighborhood and prevented worshippers from leaving the mosque.

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Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis reject amnesty for Saleh [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female # 1
Tens of thousands of Yemenis protested at al-Seteen Square in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on a day they called the 'Friday of the prosecution is our demand.' They demanded the downfall of the regime and the prosecution of its figureheads. The participants renewed their rejection of the Riyadh agreement and the decision to grant President Ali Abdullah Saleh amnesty.

Reporter, Male # 1
The masses only want the prosecution of Saleh and his regime's figureheads. This time, they called their Friday "prosecution is our demand."

Guest, Male # 2
The foundation of justice is trying all those who committed crimes against the revolutionaries inside the squares. Is it possible for the Yemeni people and the youth of the revolution to leave the squares without the prosecution of any corrupt person and the prosecution of any killers? Impossible!

Reporter, Male # 1
All political and revolutionary forces were at the different Yemeni squares on the 44th Friday of Yemen's revolution. They say no amnesty or guarantees should be granted to all those involved in crimes against the Yemeni people and those responsible for killing protestors and civilians. They accuse figures in the new government and the military committee of turning a blind eye to these crimes.

Guest, Male # 3 (Mohammad Assal, a leader of the Yemeni revolution)
We were very upset when we saw the opposition ministers honoring the ruling party's ministers and those responsible for the bloodshed. We submitted a complaint and they said these are the regular protocols and that it doesn't mean they don't want their prosecution.

Reporter, Male # 1
The revolutionaries' anger seemed clear after some ministers in the Basindwa government who represent the opposition paid tribute to ministers from Saleh's regime. The same ministers that the youth of the revolution accuse of killing demonstrators and inciting violence against them. This Friday's slogan is probably connected to this resentment, especially if it is not linked to the Yemeni parliament's upcoming session that will recognize the provisions of the immunity agreement for Saleh and his aides, according to the power-transfer deal.

Guest, Male # 4
The parliament granting Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity does not concern us. As for the "prosecution is our demand," we consider it to be loyalty to the families of the martyrs and the injured. We promise them we will achieve this demand, and vow in front of God and testify in front of them that we will not deviate from this path.

Reporter, Male # 1
The persistence of these masses to achieve the goals of their revolution confirms that revolutionary legitimacy remains powerful enough to impose its decisions and demands on all sides. It indicates that it is capable of igniting a thousand revolutions. Discussing Saleh's prosecution is seen by the Basindwa government and the military commission as necessary, especially since the demands of the youth of the revolution are more essential than the issue of militants. Ali al-Zahab, al-Alam, from al-Seteen Street in Sanaa.

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'Buy Egyptian' campaign hopes to boost economy as clashes continue in Cairo [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
In Egypt, clashes erupted near the People's Assembly and cabinet between a number of protestors and military police forces. The Egyptian Ministry of Health said 99 people were wounded and indicated that a number of injured were transported to military hospitals for treatment. Meanwhile, back-and-forth clashes continue to escalate near the People's Assembly and cabinet on Kasr el-Aini Street in Cairo. The clashes prompted two members of the Advisory Council Ahmed Khairi and Moataz Billah Abdel Fattah to submit their resignations in protest of what they referred to as the violent dispersal of the sit-in. The Advisory Council is convening an emergency meeting to discuss these developments.

Reporter, Male #2
Clashes broke out between the army and protestors on the street where the Egyptian cabinet is located. Egyptians spent their day anxiously watching smoke rising from a room in a building near the People's Assembly due to clashes that began at dawn.

Guest, Male #3
Last night, two people were playing soccer. One is named Aboud and he was with another person. They were playing soccer and the ball went inside the People's Assembly. They asked the solider if they should come in to get the ball or if he would retrieve it for them. The soldier told him to come in to get it. When he did, they attacked him with sticks. They severely beat his face and eyes.

Reporter, Male #2
Army forces managed to control the street where the People's Assembly is located. But that did not end the seesaw battles between the two sides that were throwing rocks at each other. Some individuals, accused by the protestors of being army members, were seen climbing on the rooftops of neighboring buildings and throwing rocks at protestors, wounding several.

Guest, Female #1
Some people's skulls were fractured and others were wide-open. Glass was penetrating their eyes and injuring their faces. Most of the injuries were to people's faces and heads. In one case, a granite tile landed on a person's head and he died right away.

Reporter, Male #2
These scenes completely negate the atmosphere of a campaign called for by journalist Amr Adeeb under the slogan "Buy Egyptian." Numerous parties joined in the campaign in an attempt to gradually exit the revolutionary scene manifested in street protests, and take a different form that helps, even if modestly, correct the country's economic path. Egypt's economy has been largely affected by the ongoing unstable political situation since the revolution began. The campaign encourages citizens to buy Egyptian products at reduced prices after everyone was affected by the severe economic situation. Many people, therefore, perhaps wish for the campaign's success. The "Buy Egyptian" campaign is a step forward on the right path. However, reforming the Egyptian economy requires more than this campaign. Its first step is the restoration of political stability in the country, which appears to be elusive at the moment.

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Human rights activist is arrested, beaten by Bahraini police [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, Saudi-backed forces have attacked anti-regime protestors, injuring dozens of them. The protestors have taken to the streets calling for the downfall of the al-Khalifa regime. The protests come one day after another demonstrator was killed during an anti-regime rally. Dozens have been killed in the Saudi-backed crackdown since the rallies began in February. Hundreds more have been arrested. On Thursday, police arrested human rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja near the capital Manama. She had participated in a sit-in with several other women when police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse them. She had participated in that move with another female protestor who was also arrested. Zainab's relatives say she had been handcuffed, dragged, and beaten by the police. She is now in police custody, pending further investigation.

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Saudi protests intensify after police kill several demonstrators [Press TV, Iran]

In eastern Saudi Arabia, people have taken to the streets in Qatif in the city's Eastern Province. They are calling for freedom and the release of all political prisoners. The protest comes after a similar rally in Awamiyah, another city in the Eastern Province. The cities in the province have been the scene of anti-regime rallies over the past months. The rallies have intensified since the killing of several demonstrators by regime forces last month, yet the protests continue despite a law that bans all public gatherings. The protestors have also denounced their country's participation in the crackdown on protestors in neighboring Bahrain.

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A look back at the Arab revolutions of 2011 [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
This coming Saturday marks the first anniversary of Tunisian youth Mohamed al-Bouazizi's self-immolation in protest of harsh living conditions. The incident sparked a revolution in Tunisia within days. Soon thereafter, a wave of anger spread across a number of nations, from Egypt and Libya, to Bahrain and Yemen, to Syria and other countries.

Reporter, Female #1
This was a year the Arab world has never witnessed before. Some regimes fell; others are still struggling to survive. This young Tunisian man was the one who ignited it all. Mohamed al-Bouazizi set himself on fire to protest his deteriorating financial situation. Only days later, Tunisians indignantly took to the streets against Ben Ali's regime, which they described as repressive. The regime that ruled Tunisia for over two decades did not resist long. Soon after, Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia. From Tunisia to Egypt, the same scenario repeated itself, but with a people who suffered even more from poverty. The regime in Egypt wasn't able to gain the street's trust after 30 years of rule. The country's authority was gripped in the hands of a group of men accused of reinforcing a police state and deepening the class divide. Mubarak succumbed to popular pressure and stepped down. He was then put on trial and became the first Arab president to sit in the defendant's dock at the request of his people. From eastern Libya, a revolution erupted against Gaddafi, who described the protestors as "rats." For months, the situation in Libya appeared to be unsolvable. However, with the intervention of NATO forces and the support from some Arab countries, Gaddafi's battalions were defeated. The demise of the Libyan leader was at the hands of his people after they found him inside this pipeline. In Yemen, tribal groups played a role in prolonging the protests against Ali Abdullah Saleh, who finally agreed to relinquish power after more than three decades of reign. In the Gulf region, Bahrain has been the most affected by the Arab revolutions. Thousands of the Shiite majority living in the country took to the streets demanding more political rights from the ruling Sunni minority. Over 40 people were killed in these protests. In Syria, the crisis was more complicated. According to UN reports, nearly 5,000 people were killed, while thousands of others were arrested and tortured.

Guest, Male #2 (Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President)
No government in the world kills its people, unless it's led by a crazy person.

Reporter, Female #1
It doesn't seem like what al-Bouazizi started will end anytime soon, as long as the people continue to march forward demanding their rights.

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US passes defense bill with Iran sanctions [IBA, Israel]

The US has passed a 662 billion dollar defense bill that includes a provision to increase pressure on Iran by imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic's Central Bank. According to State Department spokeswoman Victoria Newland, the idea is to convince Tehran to give up its drive to acquire nuclear weapons by forcing financial institutions to choose between doing business with Iran or doing business with the United States. US-led international pressure to increase sanctions against Iran yielded results in Asia today, as South Korea banned all new investment in Iran's oil and gas sectors while blacklisting additional firms and personnel.

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IDF arrests ten activists during clashes in West Bank village of Nabi Salih [IBA, Israel]

Clashes erupted between IDF forces and protestors in the West Bank village of Nabi Salih again today. Several protestors hurled stones at the troops, who responded with the firing of tear gas. Ten of the left-wing and Palestinian activists were arrested, including one that was charged with assaulting a soldier. Nabi Salih has been the site of weekly anti-security fence demonstrations in the area, where last week a Palestinian protestor died of injuries he sustained after reportedly being hit in the face with tear gas. The IDF is continuing to investigate that incident.

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Terror victims' organization challenges second phase of Shalit deal [IBA, Israel]

Representatives of the Almagor Terror Victims Association today submitted a request to the prime minister asking that the release of 550 Palestinian prisoners slated to take place this coming Sunday be delayed. The exchange comes as part of the second phase of the deal that secured the October release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit after more than five years of Hamas captivity. Almagor is calling on the government to reconsider the release of 212 of those 250 Palestinian prisoners and the government should conduct another administerial debate on the matter. According to the organization's representatives, if their requests are not responded to affirmatively, they intend to file a petition at the High Court of Justice on Sunday morning.

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Lebanese labor unions demand revision of wage increase [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Professors, teachers, and trade unionists responded to the General Labor Confederation Union's call to take to the street. Their speeches confirm that the protest at Riad al-Solh Square is the start of their mobilization, not its end.

Reporter, Male # 1
They gathered at the square that had become accustomed to being a square of division. Some said catastrophic social issues united them, while others murmured that the policy that divided them is the same one that united them in a fleeting moment when the interests of the different forces intersected. What matters is that professors and teachers took to the street in response to the Union Coordination Committee's call that refused, this time, to set the pace of its mobilization to that of the General Workers' Union.

Guest, Male # 2 (Hana Gharib, Chair of the High School Teachers Union)
The Union Coordination Committee holds strikes and protests in their defense. It holds on to its position to continue to mobilize if they do not respond to our demands. Our strike and our mobilization will continue, will escalate! We will strike, we will hold sit-ins, and protests until they reverse their position, until the decision is withdrawn and we find a solution that is suitable for everyone!

Reporter, Male # 1
Regardless of the real number of participants, with estimates varying between those who limited the number to 2,000 and those who raised it to nearly 5,000, the most notable feature was the participation of people from various regions. It is worth mentioning that the number of those affiliated to political parties, especially supporters of the government, was merely symbolic.

Guest, Male # 4
The new government came and we welcomed it as a new chance. You said you are a reform government. I would like to say to you: when you were in the opposition, you didn't know how to oppose and now that you're ruling, you don't know how to govern. Go away already!

Guest, Male # 5
When a worker is entitled to 100 percent, you don't give them 17 or 20 percent. This is not called a pay increase, this is a gratuity. We refuse to take a gratuity!

Reporter, Male # 2
Here, near the great presidential palace where the people's demands often fall on deaf ears, their voices seem to be louder this time around. Will the struggle to put enough food on the table unite what politics has divided? And will the people with different affiliations realize that their conditions will not change, no matter who resides at this great palace? From the scene of the demonstration at Riad al-Solh Square, Firas Hatum, New TV.