Egypt's military continues crackdown on protestors, blames them for violence [Al-Alam, Iran]

Reporter, Female #1
Dozens of Egyptians have been injured during early morning hours when army and police forces stormed Tahrir Square in central Cairo. An Egyptian military source announced the arrest of 164 people. Al-Alam obtained footage showing a number of protestors have been injured during last night's confrontations.

Reporter, Male #1
The quiet dawn here at Cairo's Tahrir Square was interrupted by heavy gunfire, as military forces stormed the square, following nighttime bloody clashes. The strikers said that the army advanced on the square from three directions and surrounded it, with the participation of forces advancing from the forth direction. The army ordered the strikers to disperse then arrested some of them. In addition, they removed some of the sit-in tents and burnt others. They also vandalized cars on the streets leading to the square. Several troops and police officers stood guard at security checkpoints near the square, amid seesaw battles with protestors, who hurled stones at police. The activists, who were unable to counter the large number of military forces, which were armed by batons and guns, were forced to flee the square to nearby streets. Evidence of the confrontation was visible at the square, with blood staining both sides of the street leading to al-Qasr al-Aeni Street, which is home to the prime minister's office where the sit-in started. This is a bloody image of an Egyptian protestor. Al-Alam obtained images of victims who sustained gunfire wounds.

Guest, Male #2
The military council and its field marshal must leave. Hosni Mubarak shouldn't rule, because as of now he is still ruling. Hosni Mubarak is currently running the country. The field marshal and the military council must leave and stand trial.

Reporter, Male #1
The strikers began their protests at Tahrir Square against the military rule on November 18. This came after the former government, which was backed by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces proposed new amendments to be entered to a constitutional document granting protection to the army from civil monitoring.

Presenter, Female #1
Deputy Egyptian Defense Minister Major General Adel Emara launched an attack on the demonstrators, justifying the army's action as self defense and defense of public property.

Guest, Male #3 (Major General Adel Emara, Deputy Egyptian Defense Minister)
How could we claim that the demonstrations are peaceful? They prevented the prime minister from entering the building. The incident started when demonstrators attacked an officer while on his way to work. An altercation ensued between the soldiers and the demonstrators who were holding the officer. No one can withstand what these soldiers have endured of systematic insults since the cabinet sit-in began.

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Syria signs Arab League protocol allowing observers into the country [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
In Cairo, Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Maqdad signed the revised protocol allowing Arab observers into Syria. The signing was attended by Arab League Secretary-General Dr. Nabil al-Arabi. After the signing, an announcement was made that the Arab League foreign ministers' meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, will be postponed until further notice. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem announced that Damascus signed the protocol allowing Arab observers to enter Syria in accordance with the Arab initiative. Al-Moallem said in a press conference that Damascus took this step after the amendments it demanded were made to the protocol. He added that the observers' work will be fully coordinated with the Syrian authorities.

Presenter, Male #1
In his reaction to the signing of the observers' protocol, Chairman of the Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun said the Syrian regime's move was a mere a political maneuver. At a press conference concluding the Syrian National Council's meeting in Tunisia, Ghalioun expressed surprise that the Arab League granted Damascus additional time, adding that the Syrian regime is accustomed to lying. In relation to the developments on the ground, the Syrian Revolution's General Commission said the death toll resulting from the gunfire of government forces rose today to 23 in Deir az-Zour, Daraa, Homs, Idlib and Damascus. The Commission added that a number of victims were in al-Quriya city near Deir az-Zour in the eastern part of the country after heavy artillery shelling. The shelling of the town of al-Qasir near Homs is ongoing for a fourth consecutive day.

Reporter, Male #2
The competition between the Syrian opposition and the Damascus regime continued in the capital. The opposition gathered masses of its supporters to express their determination to continue their protests demanding freedom, justice, democracy, and the downfall of the regime. Meanwhile, the regime's loyalists staged demonstrations supporting and celebrating what Damascus says is the Arab League's acceptance of Syria's amendments to the protocol. Tens of thousands of regime supporters gathered in Damascus to endorse what they referred to as the "reform program." The supporters raised giant flags of the countries of Syria, Russia, China and Iran, in addition to flags of Brazil and South Africa. The yellow flag of Hezbollah, which Damascus and Tehran support, was also raised. At the same time, not far from Saba Bahrat Square where regime loyalists are rallying, a funeral held in al-Maydan neighborhood of Damascus turned into a protest in which tens of thousands participated. Security forces and armed loyalists were forced to disperse the protest by gunfire, killing at least four people, wounding dozens and arresting scores, according to the Syrian Revolution's General Commission. In addition, at least three people were killed in Deir az-Zour, four in Daraa and others in Homs, Hama and Idlib. A number of regions in Syria witnessed protests demanding the downfall of the regime. The military forces continued to storm towns, arbitrarily arresting people and shelling houses. These operations were carried out in al-Qasir of Homs, al-Quriya in Deir az-Zour, al-Harak in Daraa where one person was killed and dozens were wounded, and in al-Tsil in Horan and Jabal al-Zawiya in Idlib. Activists said the army stormed and indiscriminately shelled Blil village in Idlib Province, completely destroying a number of houses. The army also inflicted major damage to the village's mosque and pharmacy and arrested over 100 young men, ignoring the wounded especially women in the destroyed houses. According to activists, the army also stormed Jisr al-Shughour. They were astonished by the regime's signing of the Arab League's protocol while simultaneously continuing its repressive operations.

Guest, Male #3
The observers will go and see things for themselves: is the army still there? Are the shabeha still killing? Is the rape, murder, pillage, theft and artillery shelling ongoing on the streets? Just today, Jisr al-Shughour was targeted by artillery shelling. What are the good intentions that we're talking about?

Reporter, Male #2
Meanwhile, Damascus still says it is dealing with armed terrorist groups despite the United Nations Human Rights Commission's indication that over 5,000 civilians were killed due to the Assad forces' repression of peaceful protests. Hayyan Aqoub, BBC.

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A look at the ongoing peaceful Yemeni revolution [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The Yemeni capital Sana'a, Damt city in al-Dalea Province, and Hodeidah Province witnessed massive demonstrations demanding the prosecution of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the pillars of his regime for the crimes they committed against the Yemeni people. Yemen has seen a year full of events that have become known as the Yemeni revolution. The Yemeni youth launched a new kind of movement that Yemen's conventional political system was not accustomed to. Our correspondent Hamdi al-Bukari summarizes the events in Sana'a in the following report.

Reporter, Male #1
The masses in Yemen had never taken to the streets in this manner before. This took place in 2011. After the people of Tunisia and Egypt deposed their respective presidents, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak, Yemeni cities saw massive rallies expressing their jubilance. Soon, the rallies turned into continuous sit-ins demanding the overthrow of the regime. The sit-ins were then named "the people's revolution." The revolution gained its own ground and momentum and attracted people from various social groups in many provinces. The opposition parties had no objection to sharing the demands of the youth of the revolution and joined them. Here, Saleh's regime found itself facing a new type of popular mobilization that exceeded the limits of what is known as the Southern Movement. He found it difficult to accuse the revolutionaries of pursuing the secession of southern Yemen from the north.

Guest, Male #2 (Arif Naji, activist in the South Movement)
Our slogan used to be "achieve Yemeni unity," but unfortunately, after the 1990s, not all the provisions of the unity agreement were implemented. Instead, the military?s goals were achieved by the regime in a bid to abort the state of Southern Yemen.

Reporter, Male #1
Some witnesses here in Sanaa's Change Square reveal that the revolution was confronted by violence in an incident described as "the dignity massacre." The same scene occurred here in Taiz in what is named the "holocaust of Freedom Square." For that reason, the youth of the revolution turned into the group focused on creating the next political equation. Heated debates were held for a revolutionary resolution. The outcome of most of these debates took different shapes, and especially those held between the youth and the opposition. Some accuse the opposition parties of betraying the revolution.

Guest, Female #2 (Bashra al-Maqtari, activist in the Yemeni revolution)
The formation of a national coalition government is a real setback for the revolution. We believe it to be a real setback in the revolution, historically speaking, leading to a kind of violent reaction among the people, in addition to widening the rift between us.

Reporter, Male #1
Many believe the Southern Movement and the Houthis, as well as the revolutionaries in the squares are the rising powers but only if they manage to preserve the peacefulness of their work and revolution. However, some have reservations about the revolutionary forces as they are becoming more organizationally and ideologically fragmented. This has been a very difficult year for the Yemenis. But it was also a year during which the new generation, removed from traditional politics, was most expressive of its demands. All eyes remain fixated on the expected tense situation in the upcoming year. Hamdi al-Bukari, al-Jazeera, Taiz.

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Arrest warrant issued for Iraqi VP for involvement in terrorist attacks [Press TV, Iran]

The top story this hour: an arrest warrant has been issued for Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi for alleged involvement in terrorist attacks. The arrest warrant was issued after three of Hashemi's body guards admitted they were given orders to carry out terrorist attacks against Iraqi officials. They mentioned a car bomb attack against a health ministry official as one of their missions. Vice President Hashemi has been barred from travelling overseas. Several members of the Sunni Iraqiya bloc have been arrested on suspicion of orchestrating attacks against Iraqi officials. The bloc has suspended its participation in parliament.

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Kuwaiti police attack Bedouins demanding citizenship [Press TV, Iran]

In Kuwait, police have attacked stateless protestors in the city of Jahara, northwest of the capital Kuwait City. Several were arrested in the protest. That is the second in just four days. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protestors demanding citizenship and other basic rights. Some reports say police have also used rubber bullets to break up the protests. A number of activists have now joined the protests who joined the protests back in February. The fresh demonstrations come after Kuwaiti courts began the trial of around 50 stateless people known as Bedouins on charges or attending the rallies.

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Bahraini opposition calls for serious dialogue to end crisis [Press TV, Iran]

On to Bahrain now where opposition groups have called for serious dialogue with the regime to end the current political crisis. The groups, led by the main opposition party al-Wefaq, say the talks should be focused on implementing comprehensive political and constitutional reforms. The opposition has also condemned Manama's heavy-handed response to demonstrations. Bahraini forces backed by troops from Saudi Arabia have killed dozens of people and arrested thousands more since anti-regime demonstrations erupted earlier this year.

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Israel completes prisoner swap, frees 550 [Dubai TV, UAE]

Reporter, Male #1
The second phase of the Hamas' prisoner's swap deal with the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, was completed last night. Israel has released 548 Palestinian and two Jordanian prisoners as part of the deal. Forty one freed prisoners arrived at the Gaza Strip via the Karm Abu Salem border crossing, after being transported by Israel to Egyptian mediators. Most of them were released to the West Bank, where they were welcomed by popular and official delegations. Our correspondent, Mohammad al-Sayyed, reports from the Betouniyah border crossing.

Reporter, Male #2
Israel has unexpectedly delayed the release of 550 prisoners, as part of the second prisoner swap deal, until the night. Despite the delay, the freed prisoners' families flooded the Betouniyah border crossing west of Ramallah hours before their release.

Guest, Female #1
This is the most joyous day and happiest Eid. I can't describe what I feel. Thank God, all praises to him. I wish the same for all the prisoners who remain behind bars at the occupation's jails. I pray for all them to be released so they can bring joy to their families. God willing.

Guest, Male #2
I congratulate all prisoners and their families. It's a joyous day not only for our sons who were freed today but also for the entire Palestinian people. While we are happy for our son, many prisoners remain behind bars.

Reporter, Male #2
The overwhelming joy felt by the freed prisoners' families was disrupted by the occupation soldiers, who stormed their gathering place and fired tear gas at them. Despite the fact that most of the freed prisoners have only a short time left to serve, joy was the common dominator here in this area where the vast majority of prisoners headed to the West Bank passed from. The first phase of the deal was supposed to include high-profile prisoners, who were serving long sentences, but only a few prisoners serving long sentences were released.

Guest, Male #3
It's true that I'm waiting for our sons. Some of them have one month or a week to serve. This deal is not valid, as it failed to include the people who are serving long or life sentences. Yes, I'm very happy for the release of my sons but our happiness will not be complete until all prisoners are released.

Reporter, Male #2
More than 5,000 prisoners remain behind the occupation's bars, awaiting the complete of their sentences or a deal similar to the one pledged by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. Mohammad al-Sayyed, Dubai TV, from the Betouniyah passage, west of Ramallah.

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Israel plans over 1,000 new settlement units [IBA, Israel]

The Housing Ministry announced today that tenders have been issued for the construction of some 1,000 new housing units in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Half of the homes will be built in the southeastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa. Some 180 units will be constructed in the town of Givat Ze'ev northwest of Jerusalem in the Binyamin region. And about 350 apartments will be built in Beitar Ilit, the south of Jerusalem over the Green Line. Sources in the Housing Ministry said the move was linked to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to take punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority for its unilateral actions at the United Nations.

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Five Palestinian cars torched near Ramallah [IBA, Israel]

Five Palestinian cars were torched this morning in the West Bank village of Bitin near Ramallah and the Jewish community of Beit El. Police are investigating suspected right-wing extremist involvement in the arson. In contrast to similar incidents, no graffiti was found in the area, but authorities are not ruling out the possibility that this was another so-called "price tag" revenge attack by Jews against Arabs.

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Woman refuses to sit at back of bus, spurs Israeli probe into women's equality [IBA, Israel]

The uproar over the issue of separating men and women on busses continues here in Israel. Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat told Tanya Rosenblit, who made headlines last week when she refused to submit to ultra orthodox demands on an Egged bus to move to the back of the bus, that she is proud of her for standing by her principles. "You did an important thing, and it doesn't matter if you intended to or not." Rosenblit has accepted an invitation from Livnat to speak before a subcommittee of the Ministerial Committee on the Status of Women, which was established on Tuesday to formulate a plan to deal with inclusion of women in the public domain.