Presenter, Male #1
Demonstrators took to the streets in Baghdad, Basra and Najaf, to demand the ban of Ba’ath party members from participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Reporter, Male #1
The protesters’ overwhelming chants resounded on the streets of the Iraqi capital and two other cities: Basra and Najaf. Protesters in all three cities voiced the same slogan and had one unified demand, which they repeated together over and over again: No to the return of the Ba’ath Party and no to its participation in any upcoming elections or in the Iraqi political process in general.

Guest, Female #1
I don’t know why the Ba’ath should return, I just don’t know. They slaughtered so many martyrs. I don’t know why the Ba’ath would come back. Where is the change? What’s different? Nothing’s different than before.

Reporter, Male #1
Representatives of the Coalition for the State of Iraq, headed by the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, joined a demonstration in Baghdad. They reiterated their determination to abolish the resolution passed by the Anti-Discrimination Committee, which allows candidates accused of belonging to the Ba’ath Party or of promoting it, to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Guest, Male #1
These people stole a revolution. These are the masterminds of the black coups. They shall not return to the political process.

Reporter, Male #1
The scenes in Basra and Najaf are not very different from those in Baghdad. Local officials and tribal leaders participated in the protests that the three cities witnessed simultaneously, in support of the Accountability and Justice Commission’s decision to bar candidates from the Ba’ath Party. They also criticized what they described as “foreign interference in Iraqi affairs”.

Guest, Male #2
I am suppressing my resentment and reservations in regards to the US embassy’s intervention in Iraqi sovereignty. We stand together behind the prime minister of the country to protect Iraq. And we say this clearly: “No” to Ba’ath; “No” to the mass graves; “No” to the genocide campaign.

Reporter, Male #1
Today’s demonstrations took place shortly before the Iraqi parliament’s special session began to discuss this matter. And one day after a meeting was held among the four leaders of the country: the government, the ministers, the council of representatives and the council of the Supreme Court. The meeting was scheduled to discuss the Anti-discrimination Committee’s resolution in order to reach a consensus and bring proposals forward to the parliament’s special session today. One of these proposals is for the Anti-Discrimination Committee to separately review each appeal and complaint submitted by the relevant candidates, without generalizing the decision of barring all of the candidates. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC.

Presenter, Female #1
Iran will unveil a domestically-built air defense system to protect its nuclear plants from potential airstrikes. Iran’s official news agency quoted Iranian air force commander Heshmatollah Kasiri confirming that the mentioned system has at least the same capability as Russia’s S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. Moscow froze the sale of the S300 to Iran following pressure from the West. Yesterday, the Iranian president issued orders and tomorrow is the day on which Iran plans to begin producing highly-enriched uranium in the Natanz facility. The chief of Iran’s nuclear agency Ali Akbar Salehi affirmed that his country will inform the International Atomic Energy Agency today of its intention to enrich uranium by 20%, stressing that Iran would halt this process if it received the fuel as agreed on by the super powers. Salehi also reiterated his country’s determination to build 10 new plants to enrich uranium. He indicated that several proposals regarding this matter were brought forward, and the construction work to build new plants will start in the nearest future possible once these proposals have been studied and an appropriate location has been selected.

Reporter, Male #1
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad’s orders to the Iranian nuclear organization began with the Iranian saying:”Show them the worst”. He ordered the start of enriching uranium at a high percentage; cutting off all possibilities of Iran retreating from its position on the nuclear issue challenged by Western pressures.

Guest, Male #1
On the uranium exchange deal, I say that the door to cooperation with Western countries is no longer open. I asked the chief of the Iranian nuclear organization to begin the “work on the production of 20 percent fuel using centrifuges”.

Reporter, Male #1
The chief of the Iranian nuclear organization believed that Ahmedinejad left the door open to a diplomatic solution to his country’s nuclear issue, on the condition that negotiations with Western countries have no pre-conditions. He indicated that the president is trying to gain more time, while fully preparing to begin the enrichment at any time.

Guest, Male #2
The president gave orders to fully prepare to begin enriching uranium at a high level. While there has been no agreement with the West, we should be prepared to enrich, considering the little time we have and the few chances that we have.

Reporter, Male #1
Political observers think that Ahmedinejad’s talks about Iran’s readiness to exchange uranium with the possibility of enriching it domestically reflected Tehran’s desire to gain the international community’s trust.

Guest, Male #3
Iran wishes to cooperate with the 5+1 countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency, to remove the artificial barriers and fears in the minds of some of these countries. But in return, of course… producing 31 kilograms of highly-enriched uranium is very costly.

Reporter, Male #1
So, with this position, Tehran wants to break through Western pressure by saying that it is moving forward in its nuclear program without hesitation. At a crossroad, the easiest decision is difficult. The Iranian president left his country’s nuclear issue on the chessboard of the West. Tehran either accepts highly-enriched uranium, or returns to the negotiation table without any pre-conditions. Faisal Basha, Dubai TV, Tehran.

Presenter, Female #1
Iran reiterates that the uranium that it pursues will only be used for environmental and civil purposes. But that does not diminish the concerns that the West has about Iran’s nuclear program. These concerns come from the fact that producing a nuclear bomb requires uranium enrichment to the level of 90%, or atomic fuel that contains 90% of the equivalent of Uranium-235 fission. Natural uranium contains no more than 0.7% of the equivalent of U235 fission. According to some studies, raising this percentage needs 1,500 centrifuges and takes an entire year.

Iran’s announcement of its decision to being enriching uranium up to 20% has continued to draw harsh reactions from a number of western countries. The US secretary of defense and his French counterpart have called for fresh sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Robert Gates said in a meeting with Hervé Morin that they have agreed to launch international talks that will lead to new sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Iran has officially informed the IAEA of its plan to enrich uranium up to 20%, and has invited the UN weapons inspectors to visit Iran and monitor the enrichment activities.

Presenter, Male #1
Al-Qaeda’s Deputy Leader in the Arabian Peninsula, Saed Elshari, said that the attempted bombing of a U.S. plane in Detroit was planned under the direct consultation of al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden.

Presenter, Female #1
Elshari warned of attacks to cut what he described as “The tails of the crusaders” in the region. He further said that the attacks will help al- Qaeda leaders, Mullah Mohammed Omar, and Osama Bin Laden, achieve victory.

Guest, Male #2
To our Emir, the Emir of believers, Mullah Mohammad Omar, to our Sheikh and jihadist commander, Abi Abdullah Osama Bin Laden, and to the brain of our nation, Dr. Ayman Zawaheri, may God protect them all! We are not standing-by and watching while the crusaders and their followers prepare to eliminate you and your group. I swear to God, for them, we will open the doors of hell on the ground, which will be the key to our victory. We will cut the tails of the crusaders and destroy the dreams of crusade and ruin the desires of the Jews in the region. I would like to assure you that you will soon hear some good news, God willing. We are standing with you on the same front. For your sake, I swear to God that blood will be shed and flesh will be torn.

Presenter, Female #1
In Yemen, the Head of al-Haq Party, Hassan Zaid said that the Houthis have expressed reservation over the 6 conditions offered by the Yemeni government to end the conflict in Sa’ada.

Presenter, Male #1
Hassan Zaid, who is leading the mediation efforts between the Houthis and the Yemeni government, said that Abdul al-Malak al-Houthi has called on appointing the Joint Meeting Parties as a guarantor to any agreement with the Yemeni government.

Reporter, Female #2
The Houthis have expressed reservation over the time frame for the implementation of the government’s conditions to end the war in Sa’ada. According to Abdul al-Malak al-Houthi, the mechanism in its current context and timeframe is very difficult to implement.

Guest, Male #3
Abdul al-Malak al-Houthi said that the mechanism proposed by the government is unreasonable, and it’s difficult to implement on the ground. He said that a consensus must be reached with the authorities. An agreement must be reached between the two sides responsible for ending the war in Yemen. Al-Houthi called on appointing the Joint Meeting Parties as a guarantor and a national witness to the ceasefire agreement with the government.

Reporter, Female #2
A few days ago, the Yemeni presidential advisor outlined his government’s mechanism to end the war in Sa’ada. Some of the articles covered in the mechanism include the reopening of roadways and the handover of control to the army. In addition, the Houthis must give up their weapons. The Yemeni government said that it wants to make sure that the latest Houthi announcement to accept the ceasefire is serious and realistic, and it’s not an opportunity for the Houthis to regroup. This is an important step to make sure that a 7th war will never erupt in Sa’ada. Yemeni Foreign Minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirby, said that the Houthis accepted the government’s conditions to end the fighting after failing to forcefully mandate their own conditions. Amidst the unfolding developments, the sound of artilleries continues to blare in the province of Sa’ada. These are daily briefs: The Saudi army continues to carry out air raids and shelling inside the Yemeni territory, killing scores and injuring scores of others. In response, Houthis carried out raids and counterattacks against the Yemeni army. The Yemeni army announced that it has cleansed several areas from armed fighters and directed painful blows against them.

Presenter, Female #1
Chadian President Idriss Deby arrived to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, where he was met by his Sudanese counterpart, Omar al-Bashir. This is Deby’s first visit to Sudan since 2004. The visit aims to boost relations between the two African neighbors, Chad and Sudan.

Reporter, Male #1
The visit of the Chadian President, Idriss Deby, comes after relations between Sudan and Chad improved. Sudan and Chad signed last month a military agreement on border security, the first military commitment by both countries to end border violence. The military agreement commits Khartoum and N'djamena to a timeframe for forming a joint security force led by Sudan in the first 6 months. Both nations have accused each another of harboring and supporting rebel movements in Sudan and Chad. Khartoum has filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against N'djamena, after the latter carried out air raids inside the Sudanese territory. Khartoum said that some Sudanese armed groups, which are fueling the armed conflicts in Darfur, are receiving logistical and financial support from Chad. On the other hand, N’djamena accused Sudan of supporting armed groups in Chad’s northern regions. All eyes are focused on Khartoum, where the Chadian President Idriss Deby met with his Sudanese counterpart, Omar al-Bashir. The meeting aims to help end the more than 5-year bloody hostility between Sudan and Chad. Yasser Mohammad Ali, al-Arabiya.

Presenter, Female #1
In Afghanistan, the Taliban confirmed that they will continue to fight against NATO forces deployed in the country. The joint Afghan-NATO forces announced a few days ago that they will carry a wide-scale offensive against Taliban positions in the south of the country. The Taliban rejected the latest call by the Afghan president to hold a dialogue, and described it as “useless.”

Reporter, Male #2
The Afghan-based Taliban movement confirmed that it is capable of dealing with challenges as well as fighting the Afghan- NATO forces. This news comes despite the latest military escalation and the warning of a looming attack against Taliban positions in the south of the country. The Taliban said they will maintain their positions and continue the fight against Afghan forces. Meanwhile, Afghan and NATO forces said that they are preparing for a wide-scale military offensive against Taliban positions in the south of the country. The Afghan authorities, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and the US-led NATO forces have announced a plan to carry out a wide-scale military operation against prominent Taliban positions in the area of Marja, in the Helmand Province. Military officials, however, doubt that the offensive will be launched by the end of this week. A Taliban’s spokesperson said that Afghan and foreign forces have arrived in the area of Marja, and that his fighters are firing shells against the invading forces. Observers believe that the NATO attack will be broad and powerful. The attack, which will target Taliban positions in Helmand, comes as part of the new US troop surge. The US said it will deploy 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan in order counter the Taliban. The Taliban rejected a call by the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, to hold a dialogue and described as “useless and funny.” The Taliban said it will hold talks in order to achieve its ultimate goal, which is to establish an Islamic state.

The King of Jordan has warned that the Middle East peace prospects will diminish unless Palestinians and Israelis start serious and effective negotiations to solve the conflict. He spoke at the World Economic Forum and said that the core issue in the region is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-state solution is the only viable means to bring about peace.

Presenter, Male #1
An official source from the European Commission’s Delegation to occupied Jerusalem unveiled that the European Union, with the approval of Fatah’s authority in Ramallah, stopped paying the bill for the industrial fuel used in the power plant that generates electricity in Gaza. Chief of the Palestinian Energy Authority Kanan Obeid confirmed that the power crisis in the Gaza strip is ongoing, indicating that the limited amount of industrial energy provided to the power plant was barely enough to run one electricity generator on Friday and Saturday.

Reporter, Male #1
Their world is getting tightened even more, and the siege has been renewed. The Palestinians are suffering, but they do not ask for help from anyone. Because they know that help can only come from God.

Guest, Male #1
The power was cut off. They say that the EU countries are not willing to pay the electricity bill. And the Jews won’t allow special solar energy panels that generate electricity. One does not know what to do. It’s confusing.

Guest, Male #2
I swear to God it was cut off for 24 straight hours, in Sabra in particular.

Guest, Male #3
Some days it gets cut off and comes back at 10 o’clock at night. And some days, it’s off from 3am to 3pm.

Guest, Male #4
The camp can be without electricity for 24 hours. On a daily basis, it comes for 4 or 5 hours, the most we get is 6 hours. If there is power for 6 hours, we cram the laundry, cooking and everything else during that time. After that, we sleep in the dark. The situation is difficult to solve. God alone has the solution.

Guest, Male #3
May God solve this for us! God has the solution, what can we do? We can’t do anything at all.

Guest, Male #2
The Lord has the solution, not the people. None of them are decent human beings.

Reporter, Male #1
On Wednesday, it appeared that the problem was solved. Energy was provided to run the power plant efficiently.

Guest, Male #5
The situation is still the same, and the energy provided is only enough to continue running one of the two machines at a time. The decrease of energy continues.

Reporter, Male #1
The problem was bigger than it was announced. Since November 2009, the EU informed the government in Ramallah that the financial sponsorship to generate electricity will stop. After an agreement was reached, the budget for the power plant’s fuel was used to sponsor other activities under Fayad’s authority.

Guest, Male #5
It has been said that Fayad’s interference in solving the crisis… or… that Fayad created the crisis. He aggravated the situation and the crisis continues. And the situation of the electricity is still the same, a decrease in the supply of electricity.

Reporter, Male #1
The power plant in Gaza is capable of producing 40% of the electricity that the whole strip needs. It is now producing only a quarter of that. This has forced the amount of electricity provided to be cut down to the minimal level, 8 hours a day. Almost as if they were reluctant to announce that this is the beginning of a new siege. They apologize for the EU’s decision to stop the financial sponsorship for the fuel. Just like the cooking gas issue that has been ongoing for four months, they apologize for technical problems without doing anything about them. To sum up, this is the beginning of a new siege, regardless of whether or not they announce it. Saar Din Asqur, Al Aqsa channel, Gaza.

Host, Man # 1
Professor Ashor al-Shames, is Professor Sanisi al-Beseki’s statement true? Has Libya played a role in Africa in the past? Does Libya have the geographic, economic, and demographic factors that enable it to play a role internationally in regards to Arab and African issues, or those of the Mediterranean region?

Guest, Man # 2
Of course, Libya has the capabilities and it has the connections. It can play an important role at the African and Arab levels. The Libyan role in Africa is not surprising. Libya has always been intervening in African affairs; since the 1980s. It has invested huge funds in Africa and these funds are continuous. Of course, Libya stood with Mandela during his struggle for freedom in South Africa. Libya also played a strong role in Uganda. Therefore, the Libyan role in Africa is not surprising. As Professor Sanisi said, the Arabs have betrayed Libya. Kaddafi lost hope that the Arabs would support him in the Lockerbie case and during the siege. However, he managed to influence African countries to take strong positions in support of Libya. These African positions were important, they were not small ones.

Host, Man # 1
Were the African positions taken during the siege on Libya more daring than those taken by Arab countries? Were they based on principle?

Guest, Man # 2
Yes, but it is hard to say that the African countries supported Libya in principle. Rather, they were motivated by money and they were encouraged to show support. Also, some international forces even in Europe encouraged Kaddafi to enhance his role in Africa as a way to increase his leverage against leading countries. Also, we should not forget that there are many indications that the US believes that Gaddafi has an important role in Africa. The US thinks about Gaddafi’s reactions when they want to intervene in some areas in Africa such as Chad, Sudan, Uganda and Somalia. Gaddafi has a great deal of influence there. Many people in these countries listen to Kaddafi, even more than they listen to the US. However, after Mandela left office, the special relationship between South Africa and Kaddafi vanished and Libya no longer has any influence over there. Gaddafi lost influence in big African countries such Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.