Amnesty says UN peacekeepers did 'nothing' to protect civilians in Sudan's Abyei [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Amnesty International accused the UN peacekeeping troops in South Sudan of deliberately neglecting to protect civilians in Abyei, a disputed city between Sudan and South Sudan. The organization said in a report that the Sudanese army committed atrocities and the UN forces refused to intervene to prevent them last May.

Reporter, Male #2
The Sudanese government forces took control of Abyei in mid-May shortly before South Sudan's independence. South Sudan demands that the border city be part of its territory. The ferocious battles ended and over 100,000 people fled to the south. Amnesty International says it is the first international organization that has entered Abyei since these events took place. In its report, the organization said the Sudanese army and its subordinate militias expelled all residents of Abyei and burned their houses so that they cannot return. In addition, the army bombed the bridge that connects Abyei with South Sudan. The report quotes former members of the UN troops in Abyei saying the UN forces decided not to intervene. According to the report, the international troops did not intervene because they believed the Sudanese army was better equipped. Amnesty International relied on scenes like this for its report: burned houses and looted buildings. The organization considers these scenes to be evidence of the atrocities committed in a city that now appears to be a ghost town. It is worth mentioning that Khartoum and Juba reached an agreement last June stipulating that Abyei would be a demilitarized zone. However, the United Nations indicated in September that Khartoum did not respect its vow to withdraw its forces from the city. Asadullah Sawi, BBC.

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Fifty Taliban lay down arms, join Afghan peace process [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Nearly 50 Taliban militants turned themselves in to the Afghan government in the southern parts of the country. This comes after months-long secret negotiations were held in the framework of a national reconciliation program. The commander of this group said he and his colleagues were tired of fighting and no longer wanted to see his comrades killing each other.

Reporter, Male #3
This is Bin Jawad in the southern Afghan province Kandahar, and these are dozens of Taliban militants handing over their weapons to the authorities in the framework of a reconciliation program. The two sides shook hands and exchanged flags. A government official gave the former insurgents a copy of the holy book of Quran and prayer rugs. Together, they prayed to the heavens, indicating the end of ten years of suffering and fighting between these men and government forces.

Guest, Male #4 (Fada Mohammed, Commander of surrendering group)
Our houses were destroyed and our friends were martyred because of the war. Now we have decided to join the Afghan government and live in peace in the future.

Reporter, Male #3
This group of Taliban fighters surrendered after nearly ten months of secret talks between the government and Taliban militants, which seem to have taken a crucial turn. Political observers believe that this may lead to the end of the conflicts in the country that have been ongoing for a decade.

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President of South Sudan makes first visit to Israel [IBA, Israel]

President of South Sudan Salva Kiir arrived in Israel today for a low key one-day visit. South Sudan was recognized by Israel just hours after it declared independence last July. Israeli government officials declined to provide details about the talks but according to political source, the meetings were likely to focus on illegal migration from Africa. Kiir met with President Shimon Peres and toured the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial ahead of meetings later in the day with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

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Panetta says Iranian nuclear program is a 'red line' [IBA, Israel]

Iran is capable of producing a nuclear weapon within one year or less. That's the view of US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta who told CBS News that Washington and Jerusalem see eye-to-eye on the need to prevent Iran from acquiring a bomb by any means necessary.

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Egyptian women stage mass protest against military violence [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male # 1
The Egyptian interior minister said security agencies attained information revealing the involvement of some officials in the violent events witnessed in Cairo in the last few days. But he refused to identify the officials until an investigation into the events is concluded. He added that a number of wanted individuals confessed to having received sums of money to vandalize and burn public facilities. The Egyptian Interior Ministry said groups were formed to interrogate the accused, who were caught with the aid of video clips filmed during the clashes. On the other hand, 18 coalitions and political movements called for a million-person march on Friday to protest the violence that women protestors were subjected to. Political movements, youth coalitions, and human rights activists launched a campaign called "Liars" to expose what they described as the lies of the military council.

Reporter, Male # 2
Thousands took to the streets to participate in a march denouncing the stripping that an Egyptian woman was subjected to by soldiers in Tahrir Square. They chanted phrases confirming that Egyptian women are a red line and demanded to continue the revolution until all its demands are attained.

Guest, Female # 1
We are not thugs! Shame on you! Shame on you! Come down to the street! Come help women, help the youth! We are in the square for Egypt!

Guest, Female # 2
This silence means they agree with what the military council is doing! Take to the streets my loved ones and participate!

Reporter, Male # 2
Young and old men joined the rally and formed a security cordon around the march. They confirmed their rejection of evidence presented by military council member Major General Adel Emara during a press conference, and of his denial that those in Tahrir Square include revolutionary youths.

Guest, Female # 3
If you call these people thugs then we are all thugs! Friday's protest will be called "we are all thugs!"

Guest, Male # 3
Are all those people thugs? The thugs are being sent from their side.

Reporter, Male # 2
This women's march, which was guarded by the young men of Egypt, was not the only response to the military council's press conference. It was followed by other actions, including presenting evidence that refuted statements made during the press conference. At the el-Ghad Party headquarters, political forces called for participation in the Friday protest called the 'Friday to restore honor.' They confirmed there's a plan to abort the revolution, break the will of the revolutionaries, and sway public opinion against them.

Guest, Male # 4 (Alaa Aswani, Writer and Political Activist)
In numbers, Tahrir Square does not represent Egypt but politically, the revolutionaries and Tahrir Square made us see for the first time the true face of the military council.

Reporter, Male # 2
"Liars" is the name of a campaign launched by activists affiliated with 29 political movements. They say it targets the blatant violations of the military council and they presented a number of videos showing army forces beating protestors. Intellectuals and politicians also launched an initiative to submit a date to transfer power from the military council to a president-elect. They promised to clear the square and nearby streets if the military council agrees to their initiative.

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Syria urged to apply Arab deal as deaths mount [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian killing machine continues to function as it took the lives of over 40 people on the first day after signing the protocol.

Reporter, Male #1
Under the slogan "Tuesday of Levant's Rage for the Square," supporters of the Syrian opposition angrily took to the streets in massive marches after the bloody escalation killed 120 people on Monday. Most of the victims were killed in a massacre against army defectors in Idlib. The protestors chanted for the downfall of the regime, and demanded international protection to put an end to the barbaric violence that has been targeting them for ten days. The violence escalated in the past several hours, coinciding with Damascus' signing of the Arab observer protocol. Syrians began to mourn a number of victims killed by Assad's brigades. The mourners did not escape the hatred of the brigades who opened fire on them in al-Maydan neighborhood in downtown Damascus. Activists uploaded a video of an anti-regime protest in Deir Bealbeh of Homs that was led by a boy. These new developments coincided with the continuation of the dignity strike that entered its tenth day. Universities will join in the strike on Wednesday to escalate the movement amid obvious pessimism in most Syrian cities and towns. This provoked Assad's brigades, who intensified their military operations in a number of areas, especially Idlib, Deir az-Zour, and Homs where they stormed the neighborhood of al-Qusair from three directions. In Khan Shaikhoun of Idlib, a number of citizens were killed in arbitrary gunfire from a military checkpoint. Meanwhile, Syrian tanks launched violent shelling on the western neighborhood of Kafar Aawed village in Jabal al-Zawiya. Reports indicate that dozens of corpses are strewn across the streets, and residents are unable to remove them due to the shelling. Assad's brigades continued their campaign on Horan and stormed the city of Heirat amid heavy gunfire after a suffocating nine-day siege on the city, causing a number of casualties. In Hasaka, a lieutenant colonel and seven of his soldiers were killed by gunfire as they were headed to join the Free Syrian Army in Deir az-Zour. At the same time, news circulated indicating that the city of Sanamein is suffering from a complete occupation, as over 300 security men and 1,000 soldiers from the Ninth Division are deployed in the streets to prevent the citizens from taking part in the strike and protests. In related news, the opposition's websites circulated a video showing members of the Syrian army digging trenches and building mud fences in the Masha'al Arbaeen neighborhood of Hama. Meanwhile, the coordinators of the Syrian revolution in Rif Dimashq said the regime is working to empty prisons and hospitals of detainees, wounded people, and corpses, and transfer them to the military headquarters before the Arab observers arrive. The observers' mission does not include entering these quarters.

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Police target protestors with tear gas on the 'Day of Loyalty to Martyrs' [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
A funeral procession for martyr Ali al-Qassab is underway in the Bahraini town of Abu Saida, west of Manama. Al-Qassab was martyred last week by security forces. Bahraini regime forces attacked peaceful demonstrations marking the "day of loyalty for the martyrs."

Reporter, Male
With one voice, the Bahraini protestors continued to mobilize across the country's towns and villages, demanding change and democratic rule. The mass of protestors also called for the downfall of the regime. On the day of loyalty for the martyrs, as called for by the February 14 Coalition, peaceful demonstrations broke out demanding loyalty for the martyrs' blood as well as denouncing the regime's crackdowns. In a ceremony marking the anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Amir al-Jamri's death, the participants vowed to continue their mobilization until all of their demands are met. They also denounced the world's silence on the regime's violations against the people.

Guest, Male #3
The criminal regime and its mercenaries have carried out excessive acts of repression and spilled the blood of our youths. This was done in front of the eyes and ears of the press and international delegations, which continue to remain silent as if nothing has happened.

Reporter, Male #2
In response to the peaceful demonstrations, the Saudi-backed Bahraini forces carried out a campaign of crackdowns and arrests against protestors. Security forces used poisonous gas and attempted to run over demonstrators, inflicting causalities among them. In light of the escalating peaceful protests in Bahrain, Western delegations arrived in Manama to hold talks with the Bahraini authorities. Secretary-General of the Bahrain Freedom Movement Saeed al-Shahabi said the purpose of the visit is to help protect the Bahraini regime after the Saudi occupation failed to break the people's resolve for change and reforms.

Guest, Male #4 (Secretary-General of the Bahrain Freedom Movement Saeed al-Shahabi)
It's obvious that these delegations have come to explore certain ways or mechanisms to help protect the regime, especially after the Saudi occupation's failure to break the will of the people. The revolution has affirmed its strength, resolve, and determination, especially as it becomes an integral part of the political equation.

Reporter, Male #2
Amid the Bahraini regime's sectarian practices, which include violating the sanctity of houses of God, al-Wefaq National Society confirmed that the authorities have demolished 38 mosques across various provinces. In a statement, al-Wefaq condemned the action as "dangerous and unprecedented," and something the world has not seen since the rise of Islam. It also violates humanitarian and religious principles. Al-Wefaq affirmed its demands for the immediate reconstruction of all demolished mosques, as well as for an apology.

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Iraqi VP denies role in terror acts [Press TV, Iran]

Iraq's vice president has denied charges of involvement in acts of terrorism against government officials. A judicial panel has issued an arrest warrant for Tariq al-Hashemi who says the charges are fabricated. Hashemi is accused of running a hit squad that assassinated government officials. His bodyguards have confessed to having taken orders from him to kill the authorities. Hashemi, who is in the northern city of Arbil now says he is ready to face trial if it's held in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

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Saudi king urges GCC unity [Press TV, Iran]

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has called for unity among members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, the GCC. King Abdullah urged GCC members to work as a "single entity" to improve regional security in light of the popular uprisings that have engulfed Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The council comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is said to be worried that the uprisings may spread to the kingdom. Riyadh has openly supported the despotic regimes in the region. It stands accused of interfering in Yemen in favor of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saudi Arabia has also sent troops to Bahrain to help crush the popular uprising in the small Persian Gulf nation.

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Yemeni protestors rally in Taiz for Saleh's trial [Press TV, Iran]

In Yemen, anti-regime protestors have once again taken to the streets in the southern city of Taiz to demand the trial of Ali Abudllah Saleh. The protestors condemned crimes committed by Saleh during the months-long revolution. They want Saleh and his aides to face justice over the killing of demonstrators opposing his 33-year rule. The protestors also condemned the Saudi-backed peace deal that gives the dictator immunity from prosecution and hands power to his deputy.

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The hardships of Palestinian prisoners' families [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Female #1
The families of prisoners live under difficult conditions, especially in light of the occupation forces' frequent aggressions on detainees in Israeli prisons.

Reporter, Male #1
Following the prisoner swap deal, Israel has been persistently taking repressive measures against detainees in the occupation's prisons. Khalil al-Musallam, who is serving 25 life sentences, is sick. He was attacked nearly two weeks ago when the occupation forces stormed Nafha prison.

Guest, Male #2 (Ibrahim, Brother of prisoner)
I haven't seen him in two years. I rely on God, the almighty and sublime, to have him released, as well as all the prisoners. I hope all of them peacefully return to their families.

Reporter, Male #1
The family of prisoner Musallam lives in the Aida refugee camp. The family has endured devastation by the occupation and tasted the bitterness of detainment many times. When Musallam was attacked, the family was informed but his fate was unknown until the family received the confirmed news.

Guest, Male #3
We were told he was attacked in Nafha prison, and was taken to an undesignated location. It was confirmed later by the Red Cross that he was at Soroka military hospital. His hand, skull, and other parts of his body are broken. Instead of providing treatment for my brother Khalil, he was later transported from the hospital to solitary confinement in Be'er Sheva, and of course under very difficult conditions.

Reporter, Male #1
Violating international regulations that stipulate the need to protect and provide medical treatment to prisoners of war, Israel insists on its policy of solitary confinement. Furthermore, it attacks the prisoners even those in poor health. In addition, it often prevents the prisoners' families from visiting them as the world and human rights organizations remain silent. Most Palestinian families whose members are detained in the occupation's prison endure the same sufferings as prisoner Musallam's family. As for the Israeli occupation's practices, they always violate international laws. Ala'a Din al-Abid, Palestine TV, Bethlehem.

Presenter, Female #1
The Dajani family in Jerusalem said settlers infringed on the sanctity of their graveyard located in a neighborhood under the family's name adjacent to the western side of occupied Jerusalem's Old City wall. The family said Jewish groups stormed the graveyard. They exhumed a number of tombs, causing damage to some of them.

Guest, Female #3 (Rawan al-Dajani)
They trashed the cemetery. We found garbage, wood, and cardboard boxes.

Guest, Male #4 (Sufyan al-Dajani)
They trashed and vandalized the site. They are challenging us but we have patience. We will continue our steadfast to the end. We will come out and stay here every Friday.