Presenter, FEMALE, #1
The Iraqi street responded to the case of Journalist Muntathar al-Zaydi throwing his shoes at US president Bush. A number of Iraqi’s who were asked about the incident expressed their support of Al-Zaydi’s action.

Presenter, MALE, #1
Many people consider the journalist’s position a natural response to the suffering and pain brought about by the US occupation of Iraq, which President Bush said was based on inaccurate intelligence information.

Reporter, MALE, #2
Iraqi journalist Muntather al-Zaydi threw his shoes at US president George Bush during the latter’s commemoration of signing the Security agreement with the Iraqi government. This became the hot topic on the Iraqi streets. Mystery surrounds the fate of al-zaydi.
The Security authorities in Baghdad were satisfied by simply saying that he was under investigation. Almost everyone agrees that Muntather al-Zaydi expressed what many Iraqis feel towards Bush. This was apparent in the voices of thousands of Iraqis who protested against the arrest of al-Zaydi and called for his release. In the event that these protests continue, there is a threat of tension returning to the streets.

Guest, MALE, #3
They are occupying us and we want to say good bye to them with our shoes, with anything, just to say goodbye.

Guest, MALE, #4
Bush deserves it, because he did not implement anything that he had said earlier…no democracy-no nothing, only mobile phones and satellite dishes.

Reporter, MALE, #2
Some people went further than just expressing their opinion with words. This civilian for example devised his own way of reacting to the event.

Guest, MALE, #5
Here are sweets to celebrate the shoe thrown at Bush.

Guest, MALE, #6
God bless your parents. I swear the man is a hero, he is an Iraqi hero.

Reporter, MALE, #2
According to Abu Umar, Muntather al-Zaydi has sent a message expressing what is in the hearts of Iraqis.

Guest, MALE, #5
He threw his shoe at Bush, the President of the US. He expressed the opinion of the Iraqi people.

Reporter, MALE, #2
According to Bush, change in Iraq has reached all levels of the Iraqi nation and its people since the first day the US forces entered the land of the Euphrates. This is in spite of his recent confession that he had led a war based on inaccurate information. Perhaps these statements by Bush were what aggravated the feelings of Muntathar al-Zaydi, causing him to replace his pen with his shoe to express them.

Presenter, Female #1
In a statement released by Al-Baghdadiya news agency, the agency called on the Iraqi authorities to immediately release of its journalist Montazer al-Zaidi in accordance with the democratic era and freedom of expression that Iraqis were promised by the US authority. In short, what happened in Baghdad has turned the equation upside-down, as the incident continues to dominate the political headlines.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said that he does not give much importance to the criticisms made by his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, who he thought lacks, what he termed, political credibility. On December 8th, the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Sarkozy said that it is impossible for him to shake hands with someone who wants Israel to be wiped off the map, referring to the Iranian president. Iranian leaders considered the French president’s statement as a violation of diplomatic protocol.
They warned against repeating statements like this one, which are inappropriate and impact future relations between France and Iran.

Reporter, MALE #1:
According to Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the statements made by his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, in which he said that it is impossible for him to shake Ahmadinejad’s hand because he called for the wiping of Israel off the map--- lacks any political credibility and that he does not pay much attention to these kinds of criticisms.

Guest, MALE #2:
Iran views France as having lost a lot of its credibility and French politics also lost a lot of credibility when it aligned itself closer to the US policies relating to the Middle East.

Reporter, MALE #1:
Sarkozy’s statements on the 60th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights drew strong reactions from Iran at the official level. Especially since the French President also reiterated that Ahmadinejad does not represent the full authority of Iran, and that he doesn’t even represent the Iranian people. This compelled the Iranian Foreign Minister to summon the French Ambassador, Bernard Poletti, to object to what it termed as “heedless ways” of his country and the “reckless statements” of its president.

Guest, MALE #3:
The entire world knows well that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected president of Iran, according to international principles and basic laws. His words and speeches at international forums and the treaties that he signs, are done on behalf of the country and the Iranian nation.
Any doubt about this by Mr. Sarkozy shows that the French President does not know the ABCs of international policy.

Reporter, MALE #1:
Despite Ahmadinejad holding firm to his slogan to wipe Israel off the map and his call for a conference that was held in Tehran in December 2006 to debate the truth about gas chambers during the Holocaust, -- the superpowers, who are critical of his positions against the Hebrew state, still need his country’s support to settle many hot issues in the Middle East.

Guest, MALE #4:
Now, if France wanted to enter or work in a political or security system, it must have a dialogue with the big countries in this region. Iran is one of the biggest states in this region and it is impossible to ignore it for any political, military or security project.

Reporter, MALE #1:
According to observers, the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner’s invitation to his Iranian counterpart, Manoushahr Motakki, to participate in an international conference on Afghanistan to be held in Paris next month as well as his reiteration of his country’s desire to continue talks with Iran, and strengthen relations and cooperation with it to settle regional problems, -- indicates France’s inability to ignore Iran’s pivotal role in regional issues

[Summary]
Nasrallah has called on the international community to lift the siege off the Gaza strip. He called Arabs to protest the situation, and he asked Egypt to allow humanitarian aid workers to enter the border into Gaza. On the other hand Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners; however, thousands of other Palestinian families are waiting for the release of their loved ones.

[Summary]
Livni refuses to let the case of IDF soldier Shalit become politicized, and she will not negotiate his release via the media. While speaking to high school student she was criticized for her words last week saying that not every IDF soldier will return home.
The Knesset finance committee approved the treasuries economic incentive plan designed to help Israel’s economy. The plan includes large scale investment, infrastructure, and guarantees local banks to help free uptight credit markers. The safety net for pension plans will cost 17 billion Shakeles. Many demonstrators called on Baron to help keep their work places from shutting down.
An interesting statistic is that the Israeli settlements are at a growing rate of about 3 times more than the rest of country, which has caused the Israeli population to double. The average income for those living in the West Bank settlements is 10% higher than those who live in the rest of the country. Unemployment is 1% less in the West Bank settlements than the national average. However, 22% more criminal records are opened annually in the West Bank than in the rest of country.

Presenter, Female #1
In the Egyptian Province of Minya, a horrific traffic accident has inflicted a heavy death toll among the passengers on board of a municipal bus. Nearly 58 people were killed when a bus turned over and plunged into the Al-Ibrahimiya irrigation canal. This news comes after the bus driver tried to avoid oncoming truck. Ahmad Bagato has the details in the following report.
Reporter, Male #1
Dozens of people on board on this bus were either killed or wounded. This news comes after the bus plunged into the Al-Ibrahimiya irrigation canal. The bus, which is owned by the Public transit system, was enroute from the Province of Minya to Beni Swaid during the accident. The bus driver, who was speeding at the time, tried to avoid an oncoming truck but he lost control and crashed into the canal. The emergency teams responded immediately and with the help of the residents they pulled the bodies and the injured out of the water.

Guest, Male #2
Upon hearing of the accident, we started rushing to the scene. Everyone was running.
Many victims drowned in the water. We took off our clothes and jumped in the water. The number of responding ambulances was not enough to accommodate all the victims so we started to transport some of the bodies by car.

Guest, Male #3
Upon arrival at the scene, we saw some bodies floating in the water so we started to pull them out. We helped rescue six victims from the water. We were pulling out a group of five or six victims at a time.

Reporter, Male #1
The number of people who were injured stands at 10, and all of them were transported to the Maghagha General Hospital.

Guest, Male #4, Survivor
I was brought to the Maghagha Hospital at nearly 10 AM.

Guest, Female #1
We tried to climb out of the bus.
As we struggled free, we saw fishing boats, and the people on board rescued us.

Guest, Male #5
The hospital deployed all the resources necessary to accommodate the victims. The number of the injured is 10. All of the injuries were minor. The injured have received first aid, and they should be checking out of the hospital within the next 24 hours, God willing.

Reporter, Male #1
This accident, which has claimed the lives of dozens of people, is sounding off the alarm bells regarding traffic accidents in Egypt, where thousands of people are killed each year in car crashes. Egypt is considered to be among those countries in the world with the highest number of traffic accidents, due to speeding, reckless driving, and poor road conditions. According to an Egyptian government study, the number of people who were injured in traffic crashes during 2007 was more than 30,000, not including the number of fatalities. This prompted the government to issue a new traffic law, which calls on enhancing the punishment for traffic violations. However, the situation seems to require more than just the passing of a law. Ahmad Bagato, Alarabiya, the province of Minya.

Presenter, Female #1
Former US president Jimmy Carter visits South Lebanon again and meets with parliament speaker Nabeeh Biri for two hours.

Reporter, Male #1
President Jimmy Carter Arrived to Lebanon on a plane that belongs to UNIFIL. He came to meet with parliament speaker Nabeeh Biri in Musalyah. The leader of UNIFIL, Cloudio Gradziano, and Ali Hamdan the advisor for the parliament speaker were also present. The American guest had lunch with parliament speaker Biri. At lunch they both had a wonderful time. Biri asked Carter about the new Administration policies towards the Middle East. Carter answered by saying that he must wait until he meets with the US president Barak Obama. Carter talked to Biri about the Palestinian situation, their suffering and the eviction from their land for a period of 60 years. Saying that it is like having a stranger pull out an olive tree that is 100 years old, referring to the Palestinian trees that are being uprooted by the Israelis without being held accountable.

Guest (President Jimmy Carter), Male #2
I am grateful to meet the parliament speaker, and I am also happy to visit Lebanon.
As you know I came to Lebanon to offer to observe the Lebanese parliamentary elections in the spring. We talked about this matter during the meeting and we also talked about the occupation of the Shibaa farms by the Israelis, the issue of Palestine, and its liberation. We are very proud to see that there is progress in the Lebanese - Syrian relationship. We hope that they will exchange ambassadors and draw borders soon. We hope that Israel does not delay the withdrawal of their troops from this sovereign nation and stops violating Lebanon’s air space. We also hope that Lebanon is successful at achieving peaceful relations between their different political sects. This is what this country deserves, thank you very much.

Journalist, (Male #3)
Do you have a message for Hezbollah?

Guest (President Jimmy Carter), Male #2
I want to send a message to all the political parties in Lebanon, advising them to be organized and to work towards peace in this country.

Reporter, Male #1
Parliament speaker Biri welcomed an international observation mission for the elections; however, the pressing issue is to solve those issues that can’t afford to wait any longer.

Guest, (Biri Parliament speaker), Male #4
This subject is not a major issue. The major issues in my opinion are the political matters that I have spoken to President Carter about. President Carter is trying to paint a nice picture of the US new policies, to compensate for the US policies in the past towards both the Arab and Islamic worlds. Through this democratic move, he is really trying to show a new US. As I said in the meeting the Observation of the Lebanese election is necessary. However, it is much more pressing to observe the upcoming US policy in the area. The main issues that need to be resolved are the problems in the Middle East, the issue of Palestine and the problems that are going on in the world. Especially because during his visit Carter heard the sounds of the Israeli air force that are disturbing the air space and sovereignty of the country. I welcome President Carter now, and any other time to Lebanon.

Presenter, Man # 1
Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinajad said that the crimes of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people are motivated by frustration because it realizes that its end is getting closer. The Iranian president participated in a public demonstration in Tehran which coincided with similar demonstrations in a number of other countries, condemning the siege against Gaza. Ahamadinajad reiterated that Israel knows that the major powers are reconsidering the usefulness of supporting it.


Reporter, Man # 2
The residents of the Iranian capital, Tehran, who are aware of every detail of the Palestinian plight, once again refused to remain silent. Demonstrations were held in the streets of Tehran and served other Iranian cities. This is not the first time the Islamic revolution in Iran puts the Palestinian plight on the top of its agenda and it will not be the last time. Iran is trying to bring attention to the situation in Gaza through recent demonstrations.

Guest, Man # 3 Ahmadinajat
Some countries in the world are living in a state shakedown due to their support of Zionist entity.
The aggression of the Israeli regime does not reflect a position of power, rather it reflects their attempt to influence the resistance and improve their position domestically.

Guest, Man # 1 Woman
The messages that were sent to the arrogant countries are useless. Muslims must move and defend the Palestinians, but unfortunately some countries are not doing their duty.

Reporter, Man # 2
The demonstrations show that the Iranian people are in solidarity with Gaza. There are also other messages, such as condemning the silence of the International community and urging Muslims in the world to use all diplomatic means to end the siege. Muslim countries must consider the Palestinian plight in their relations with each other. Demonstrations were not the only method used by Iran to show solidarity with the Palestinians. Iran also decided to send a ship loaded with relief supplies to Gaza. Gaza has become a common word used when donations are collected on the streets. Donation boxes were located on all the streets where the demonstrations were held.
The need in Gaza is very strong, and these masses want to share the pain with the Palestinians although they are far away. After the demonstrations, people performed Friday prayers. Imams urged Iranians to show solidarity with the Palestinian people that have been betrayed on many occasions.

Guest, Man # 4
To free Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinians must use the same methods that Hezbollah used in Lebanon. The Zionists only understand the language of force.

Reporter, Man # 2
The Islamic revolution in Iran supports the Palestinians both at the official and public levels.
This will go on as long the resistance to the occupation continues. Once again, the streets of the Iranian capital of Tehran became a field for demonstrations. The masses who participated in the demonstrations, condemned the siege on Gaza. The Iranian voices can be added to other voices in the world that have been demanding that the international community end the silence which has left Gaza and its people in the dark for far too long. Jordan Pire, Al Alam, Tehran.