Presenter, Man # 1
Attorney General of the Iranian city of Esfahan threatened the demonstrators who are protesting the authority, saying that they may face the death sentence in accordance with Islamic law. According to Fars News Agency, Attorney General Muhammad Reda Habibi said that the protestors are moved by forces outside Iran. Today, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused foreign media of being biased towards the protesters, and said that these enemies will be eliminated. The candidate who lost in the Iranian Presidential elections, Mir Hussein Mousavi, declared tomorrow, Thursday, as a national mourning day and a day for organizing protests and demonstrations.

Reporter, Man # 2
The battle between conservatives and reformers in Iran has moved to electronic websites. Cell phones have served as the main cameras documenting the events since Iranian authorities restricted media coverage. Coordination via internet has become the communication method between Iranian opposition. Popular site, Twitter, is filled with posts expressing the tense relations between the two sides. It has become a center of recruitment and coordination of protesters. Most of the electronic messages on Twitter are in opposition to Ahmadinejad. However, some of Ahmadinehjad’s supporters have been trying to interfere with the flow of the news on the website. Many of these posts called on people not to listen to official Iranian media, demanding that the images they send be published. Since it was announced that foreign journalist were banned from covering the events in Iran, major media corporations became more dependant on Twitter as a way to get Iranian news. These media corporations asked Iranians about their ideas and the situation in the country. They want to know if the demonstrations will change the course of events in Iran in the long run. The answers to these questions became an important part of covering the events in Iran. The US State Department asked Twitter, a private company, to provide them with summaries of recent posts and to postpone the scheduled website maintenance. Originally, the website was supposed to be closed for the rest of this week for maintenance. The objective of this move is to give an opportunity to the opposition in Iran to use the website as a means of communication. Iranians relied less on Facebook because it was already banned by the Iranian authority two weeks before the elections. YouTube has broadcasted video images of demonstrations and injuries sustained by the protests. This has compelled the website to restrict some of the video images from being published, as they showed a great deal of graphic violence. Khaled Al Kashif, Al Arabiya.

Presenter, Female #1
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the election results prove the nation’s trust in its government. In his first post-election speech and after returning from Russia, Ahmadinejad said that his government has integrity, and its main duty is to serve the nation. He added that more than 25 million Iranians have voiced their confidence in his government, which is operating on the principles of the Islamic revolution. Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities decided to clamp down on foreign media trying to only cover the protests. In addition, the authorities refused to grant visa extensions to foreign journalists working in Iran. This ban coincided with a decision to block social Internet websites and disable text message service, in addition to wiretapping. However, some Iranians were able to hack through the system and send images anyway. Katiya Jameel reports.

Reporter, Female #2
Under normal circumstances, the quality of these images would be described as “bad.” These images were not captured by cameras but by mobile phones, with media outlets blaming the source for the poor quality. These images are the only way to cover the protests in Iran due to the ban on journalists and news service agencies. Iranians are using their mobile phones to capture images of the daily confrontations on the streets of Tehran. Once captured, these Iranians try to send images to the world, despite the ban on the use of social Internet websites, such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. This mission would be impossible to accomplish if it wasn’t for the help of expatriate Iranians, including Shahinaz who is a student in the U.S.

Guest, Female #3
I think what the bloggers are doing is great. If it wasn’t for the social websites, we wouldn’t be able to receive updates from Iran. By doing this, the bloggers are trying to turn the world’s attention to the situation in Tehran, hour by hour.

Reporter, Female #2
With social websites becoming the main News outlet covering the events in Iran, the U.S. State Department asked Twitter to postpone a scheduled maintenance in order to keep the website open to Iranian bloggers.

Guest, Male #1
It is very clear to me that these communication networks are playing an important role in democracy, by making information available to the world.

Guest, Male #2
We are receiving images captured by Iranian official media outlets. In addition, we are receiving images sent to us by bloggers, who are risking being arrested.

Reporter, Female #2
According to “Reporters Without Borders,” more than 10 Iranian journalists have been arrested. In addition, an unspecified number of bloggers have been detained in this Iranian battle, where words and pictures are becoming an effective weapon.

[Summary]

Iran’s foreign ministry has called on Western countries not to meddle in the country’s internal affairs.

The foreign ministry spokesman has urged Western countries to prevent unlawful protests occurring outside of Iran. The ministry has also summoned ambassadors from several countries in protest against to their biased stance to the Iranian elections.

Meanwhile, Iran’s interior ministry has ordered an investigation within the dormitories of Tehran University, which recently fell victim to an attack.

Presenter, Male #1
The Malian army has completely destroyed an al-Qaeda base north of the country, near the Algerian border. According to a Malian security source, several armed men were killed in the attack, which is the first such attack on al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. In addition, the army seized a large quantity of weapons and explosives. The source added that the operation was carried out in consultation with the Algerian authorities. In another unrelated development, our Alalam correspondent in Nouakchott said that Mauritania's ousted president, Sidi Weld Sheikh Abdullah, will resign to activate a new government deal if the coup leaders in the military council stand down. Meanwhile, the Head of the Islamic National Rally for Reform and Development, Mohammad Jameel Weld Mansur, said he will run for president in the July 18 elections.

Reporter, Male #2
It seems that the Mauritanian public is divided into two camps due to the suffocating political crisis rocking the country. Standing in one camp is the Front for Defending Democracy, which is calling for an end to the military rule in Mauritania. Two prominent leaders from the national front said they will run for president in the July 18 elections.

Guest, Male #3
The national front for defending democracy decided to run in the upcoming presidential elections. The national front has nominated Masoud Weld Maaouiya. The National Rally for Reform and Development has nominated their leader, Mohammed Jameel Weld Mansur, to run in the presidential elections.

Reporter, Male #2
Some believe that the nomination of MP Mohammed Jameel Weld Mansur for the presidency will weaken the opposition. This news comes despite the fact that Mansur is often described as a “charismatic leader,” who helped promote the views of the opposition. Forty two year old Mansur started his political career some twenty years ago. Mansur has been known for his opposing views against the policies of the former regime of Maaouiya Weld Taya. He was also one of the main voices against normalizing relations with the Israeli Entity. The Islamic National Rally for Reform and Development, led by Jameel Mansur, was recognized by the Mauritanian authorities in 2008, after repeated rejection.

Guest, Male #4
The party is well liked by the people. All members of the party enjoy wide support among the Mauritanian public. The party has made many achievements at the national level. It deserves the privilege of representing the nation in the upcoming elections, God willing.

Reporter, Male #2
The Reform and Development Party, which is being described by its supporters as “moderate,” was founded on the principles of Islam. Its leaders confirmed they will apply such principles to their political program, which they intend to introduce in the upcoming elections. Good speech delivery, charisma, and political talent, are some of the characteristics associated with the Islamists’ candidate, Mohammad Jameel Mansur. However, Mansur lacks what it takes to win the presidential race: namely money, tribal influence, and good rapport with military institutions. Mohammad Abdullah Manni, Alalam, Nouakchott.

Host, Man #1
In today’s program we will talk about how Arabs view the Lebanese elections. Professor, Suleiman Abu Sofa can you please make your answer short. Some see Lebanon as a sectarian country and point out that it was established in 1943 based on sectarianism. What is strange is that no effort has been exerted by Arabs or the international community to make Lebanon less sectarian, perhaps because they want it to say that way. I would like to ask a provocative question: is this backwardness or is it a way to ensure democracy in Lebanon?

Guest, Man #3
Of course this is backwardness. Political analysts who are pessimistic say that sectarianism has been labeled as democracy. They point out the struggle over power between Shiites, Sunnis and Christians; sometimes there are internal struggles among the Sunnis and the Shiites. Also in northern Africa we have a struggle between the Amazigh and others. In Yemen, there is a struggle between the south and north and so on.

Host, Man #1
Aren’t you oversimplifying? As you said it is not always a secretion struggle. There are political divisions among the Shiites, Sunnis, and even among Christians. This means that divisions are political not sectarian.

Guest, Man #3
The divisions are based on sectarianism. The divisions are political but they are built on racial and religious grounds. Therefore, pessimists say that the Arab world is dissolving. The political system in the Arab homeland needs to be destroyed completely before it can be reconstructed. What we see today is destruction, but we hope that it is not destroyed completely. There is a big difference between what we hope for and what is happing on the ground. On the ground the Arab world is being destroyed in Iraq, Somalia and other countries. The Arab world is being destroyed due to the backwardness that you have mentioned. Democracy in Arab countries goes only as far as the elections booths. Democracy however is based on the education of change, civic institutions, and human rights. Do these things exist in Arab countries? We are not talking about regimes. The question is, do the Arab masses believe in these democratic principles? The answer is NO. In contrast, after long wars, the Europeans believed in these principles and they build their civic institutions on democracy. This is how they progressed to where they are now.

Host, Man #1
Europeans were also engulfed in one hundred years of war between the protestant and the Catholics before they supported this form of democracy. Professor Yopsef Hassan, some believe that Arab society is a sectarian one that is hidden under broader national Arab ideologies. Thus, sectarian groups are the natural products of Arab society. They are not foreign to Arab society.

Guest, Man #3
I have a different opinion. I think that Arab society is pluralist in nature. They have different sectarian groups and races. Pan-Arab nationalism in the 20Th century provided an umbrella for these groups. Lebanese and Syrian Christians celebrate with Muslims to commemorate their culture. Different groups came to Egypt and showed interests in the projects, which fostered Pan Arab nationalism. There were disadvantages, but there were democratic experiences that helped foster a true melting pot. Honestly, oppressive Arab dictators forced people to go back to their sectarian groups to face oppression.

Presenter, Male #1
The former American President Jimmy Carter described the situation in the Gaza Strip as tragic and said that the crimes being committed against the rights of the population there should end. Carter, who visited the Gaza strip yesterday, emphasized that the international community must continue to support the establishment of a Palestinian state. Our correspondent, Samir Abu Shamaleh, reports on the visit.

Reporter, Male #2
After his visit 36 years ago, the former American President, Jimmy Carter, has returned to Gaza for a second time under different political and security conditions, through the northern Beit Hanon crossing. Carter began his visit by surveying the residential and industrial regions that were destroyed during the last Israeli war. Some people attempted to make their voices heard; by angrily calling for help, despite strict security precautions, which were unable to drown out their voices.

Guest, Male #3
He’s just coming to look at us and then leave! We’re not just animals he can come look at and then just leave!

Reporter, Male #2
What is your message to him?

Guest, Male #3
What’s my message to him?! Has he given us time to send him a message? What should I tell him? What do I tell someone who just comes to take a look and then moves along in his car?!

Reporter, Male #2
Former President Carter arrived to take part in a program that included a party organized by “The International Relief Agency” to distribute human rights awards to more than 150 students. In a speech he made during a rally, the former American president confirmed that the two-state solution is considered the fundamental solution to the outstanding conflict in the region as he strongly criticized the siege imposed on the strip.

Guest, Male #4
Tragically, the majority of the international community disregards the voices calling for help. Meanwhile the people of Gaza are treated like animals, not like human beings.

Reporter, Male #2
The most important stops on this visit were separate meetings with the head of the government based in Gaza, Ismail Haniya, several of Hamas leaders, and members of the Palestinian parliament. Carter met with Haniya, in the presence of many victims of the last Israeli war and the families of Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli prisons, to learn of their ongoing suffering. Haniya praised the role of the visiting guest, which confirms the need for the establishment of a completely sovereign Palestinian state.

Guest, Male #5
We welcome any real projects aimed at solving the Palestinian issue. We will support a plan for a completely sovereign Palestinian state, with rights for the Palestinian and Palestinian territory based on the June 4, 1967 borders.

Reporter, Male #2
President Carter’s visit to Gaza reflects the various points of view of international interest about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip since the last Israeli war, and life under the ongoing siege. Samir Abu Shamaleh, Al Jazeera, Gaza, Palestine.

Presenter, Male #1
Today on the ground, 4 people were injured at dawn, as a result of shelling by Israeli artillery that targeted their homes in northern Gaza. Medical sources mentioned that 4 injured people arrived to the Kemal Udwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya after Israeli artillery shells hit the resident’s
homes in the town of Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza. In this context, the Israeli war machine carried out incursions today, at dawn, close to the liberated settlement of Dogit, north of the town of Beit Lahiya and hastened to fire heavily and indiscriminately on homes and properties. There were no additional injuries. Last night, the Israel occupation authorities released the political prisoner Fayiz Zyadat back to his home town of Benin Eam in Hebron after the Israeli military agreed to release him due to his difficult health condition. The occupation authorities made it an exception with Zyadat, who spent 3 years of his 12 year sentence in prison, to enter Palestinian land occupied in 1948 [Israel Proper].

Reporter, Male #2
Lifted on shoulders and with ululations, the town of Benin Am welcomed its freed warrior after being released from prison, Fayiz Abdul Muhdi Zyadat. He is fighting with death due to cancer, as a result of the occupation prison administration’s medical negligence.

Guest, Male #3
I am celebrating in my country and with my Palestinian brothers who supported me throughout my situation and thanks to God.

Reporter, Male #2
There were mixed feelings of happiness and sadness. Ululations were mixed with tears. Streets and squares were decorated to welcome the returning warrior. As usual, the president made sure to remain in contact with his people wherever they may be. He did more than just issue orders meeting the needs of Zyadat, especially his medical needs. The president even rushed to call him, and express his support. Abbas reiterated that the Palestinian leadership will make sure that the plight of the prisoners is a priority.

Guest, Male #3
We thank the president and our leader Abu Mazen, may he live for many years. Immediately after my release he called me and stayed on the phone with me from Ramleh until I reached Dwad Al-Nar.

Reporter, Male #2
Zyadat’s conditional release came after procrastination by the occupation authorities and after realizing in a categorical way, the impossibility of his recovery and the inevitability of his death.

Guest, Male #4
The occupation’s policies are criminal policies and they used methods of punishment, even in the last moments before he was released. He was supposed to be released in the early morning but the prison administration deliberately delayed his release until late in the night so people could not welcome him.

Reporter, Male #2
The occupation authorities arrested Zyadat more than 3 years ago after pursuing him for 5 years which ended in a sentence of 12 years in prison on the grounds of being part of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and the resistance to the occupation.

Guest, Female #1
I didn’t forget all the prisoners! I always send them letters. I also send letters to the Red Cross in all countries for the sake of my son. May God bless all the prisoners! May God make you victorious!

Guest, Male #5
Thank God for the release of my brother. God willing he will be healed quickly. We thank all those responsible, Abu Mazen and everyone who assisted in the release of my brother from prison!

Reporter, Male #2
Zyadat was scheduled to move to the Hussein Hospital in Beit Jala which specializes in Cancer, before being transferred to another hospital or medical center. Zyadat was released and though he was sick he hugged his children, leaving behind 10,000 prisoners in a small detention center. However, the large prison is where our people live under arrest and where we can become martyrs at any time. From the home of the freed prisoner, Fayiz Zyadat, in the town of Benin Eam, Salim Abu Salih, Palestine TV, Hebron.