Al-Jazeera reports that the rivaling Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, have signed the reconciliation agreement brokered by Cairo. Over the last several days, Fatah and Hamas delegates met with Egyptian leaders to finalize the agreement before signing it. Many believe that this reconciliation would not have been possible during former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s regime.

New TV reports that the death of al-Qaeda’s leader, Osama bin Laden, does not mean an end to the organization. Three people are being considered to replace bin Laden: Ayman al-Zawahri, the “mastermind” behind the 9/11 attacks; Anwar al-Awlaki, the leader of al-Qaeda’s Yemeni branch; and Abu Yahya al-Libi, the head of the organization’s military operations. Security experts believe that bin Laden’s successors will launch even fiercer attacks on Western interests around the world.

The BBC reports from Libya, where NATO is searching for a naval mine near Misurata's port that is preventing the evacuation of African workers and wounded people trapped at the port. While sporadic battles continue between Gaddafi and opposition forces in Misurata, thousands of people in the capital Tripoli attended the funeral of Saif al-Arab, Gaddafi's youngest son, and three of his grandchildren who were killed in a recent NATO air strike. People at the funeral chanted slogans demanding that NATO halt airstrikes in Libya.

In Yemen, one person was killed and two were injured in Aden after police fired at protestors demanding the expedition of the trial of security forces accused of killing a detainee. Al-Alam reports that this news comes as demonstrations demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh's resignation and prosecution continue throughout the country. The Yemeni people affirmed that demonstrations will continue until the their demands are met.

Future TV reports that new images have been released showing the Syrian army arresting, beating, and insulting demonstrators participating in rallies during Syria’s “week of breaking the siege.” Syrian security forces were heavily deployed in several areas including Baniyas, Daraa, Baida, al-Qamishli, al-Riqqah, and Damscus. As crackdowns on protests continue throughout Syria, France and Britain are urging the EU to impose sanctions against Syrian officials, including President Bashar al-Assad.

Tonight, al-Jazeera reports on the death of Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda. Reuters quoted a US Department of Homeland Security official saying that the instructions issued to the US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) team were to kill bin Laden, not capture him. President Barack Obama announced bin Laden’s death in a speech late last night, describing it as “the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda.” Americans gathered by the thousands in a number of cities to celebrate the news.  

The BBC reports on the mixed reactions to the death of bin Laden in the Arab world. Many expressed happiness and relief over his killing, while others doubted that bin Laden was actually dead. Hamas has condemned the killing, describing bin Laden as a “holy warrior.” The Saudi Arabian government has expressed hope that his death will be a step forward in the international efforts against terrorism.

In other news, Future TV reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested that the US end monetary support of the Palestinian Authority if a united national government is formed that includes Hamas. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh responded by demanding that the Palestinian Liberation Organization withdraw its recognition of Israel. Some political analysts believe that a third intifada is inevitable, whether or not the UN recognizes the Palestinian state.  

Al-Alam reports that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has refused to sign the deal put forth by the Gulf Cooperation Council. The opposition’s Joint Meeting Parties are holding Saleh responsible for the failure of the agreement. Meanwhile, the Yemeni people remain determined to attain what they consider to be their most important demands, including Saleh’s resignation and prosecution.

New TV reports on the disastrous consequences that violence in Libya is having on children. Forced to live amidst war and death everyday, children have been drawing pictures of weapons, bombs, and other violent scenes. Teachers have reported that children have also been drawing people crying and frequently using the color black.

In a meeting with Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the leader of the Libyan Transitional National Council, French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised to intensify air strikes targeting Gaddafi forces. However, France has rejected the proposition of sending ground forces into Libya to protect the residents of Misurata. According to hospital records, Misurata’s death toll is in the hundreds and continues to rise with ongoing battles between revolutionaries and Gaddafi forces. Al-Jazeera reports that Paris and London have pledged to send a limited number of military advisors in noncombat operations to Libya to improve the revolutionaries’ military organizational structures, communications, and logistics, in addition to medical and humanitarian aid.

Al-Alam reports from Yemen, where two people were killed today, each representing a different side of the struggle. A gunman opened fire on an anti-government camp in al-Hodeida, killing one man, and a police officer was later killed in clashes with demonstrators in Aden province. Yesterday, five people were killed and hundreds were injured in Sana'a when Yemeni forces opened fire to disperse an anti-regime demonstration. After three months of protests, several international mediation meetings, and ongoing violence, al-Alam describes Yemen’s political situation as “irreconcilable.”

The BBC reports from Syria, where authorities have arrested Captain Amjad Abbas, the Baniyas Security Chief. The Syrian Human Rights League expressed their hope that other guilty members of the security agencies will be held accountable for negligence. Meanwhile, students at the University of Aleppo joined in the popular protests demanding freedom. Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, hadn't witnessed massive protests before today. Reuters quoted a human rights activist in saying that Syrian security forces and regime loyalists have attacked the rally, arresting 37 protestors and beating several others.

Future TV reports that the Egyptian fact-finding committee that investigated the attack on protestors during the January 25^th revolution has issued a 400-page report. The report provides evidence that high-ranking officials in the former Egyptian regime and National Democratic Party were involved in inciting the deliberate killing of demonstrators in Tahrir Square. The report was submitted to the prosecutor-general, who will now follow up with a formal investigation.

Tonight, New TV features a profile on the Yemeni Houthi leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. The Houthis are a sectarian group derived from a Shiite sect called Zaidiyya. Born in 1979 and educated in Zaidiyyah religious schools, Al-Houthi has been the leader of the Houthis since 2004, when the Yemeni government had the former leader, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, killed. The Houthis call themselves “God's helpers,” and while the group denies having a relationship with Hezbollah, Abdul Malik al-Houthi insists that the Houthis' similarity to the Lebanese organization stemmed from their admiration for Hezbollah's resistance movement.

French forces have been evacuating Lebanese nationals in Ivory Coast, where violence and looting is widespread. Future TV reports that several Lebanese citizens were injured and two sustained serious injuries. The Lebanese ambassador to Ivory Coast, Ali Ajami said that about 85 Lebanese evacuated the capital Abidjan onboard French military planes. Prime Minster Saad al-Hariri also met with Jordanian King Abdullah II to discuss the possibility of Jordanian forces participating in the UN intervention mission in Abidjan to provide protection and aid to the Lebanese nationals there.

The BBC reports from Libya, where the revolutionaries and Gaddafi’s troops have reached a stalemate in the eastern oil city of Brega. While the intervention by international coalition forces has prevented Gaddafi’s troops from advancing, it has not succeeded in helping the opposition make any significant progress.

Yemen’s Taiz province witnessed renewed confrontations today. Eyewitnesses said that security forces and men disguised in civilian clothing attacked thousands of protestors, who responded by throwing stones. Al-Jazeera reports that over 400 people were injured and transported to Taiz's field hospital. This escalation comes as the Yemeni authorities accepted the invitation by the Gulf Cooperation Council to hold talks in Riyadh with the opposition. Opposition leaders said they will only accept the invitation if Saleh steps down.

Tonight, al-Alam’s report focuses on Saudi Arabia and its controversial role in Middle Eastern affairs in recent months. The report accuses Saudi Arabia of undermining the security and stability of the region and of working to suppress popular uprisings of various countries.

Dubai TV reports on the assassination of political activist and director of The Freedom Theater, Juliano Mer Khamis. Palestinians described his assassination as “an attempt to assassinate the national Palestinian culture and identity.” Palestinian sources said that an unkown masked gunman shot Mer Khamis and that an investigation is underway. Mer Khamis founded the Freedom Theater in Jenin, and devoted his life to the promotion of Palestinian art and culture. Read more about Mer Khamis on Link TV's blog here.