Presenter, Male #1
The Israeli Ha’aretz newspaper said that the Israeli construction department has nearly 50,000 new housing units in various planning stages. The units will be built in settler neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Haaretz further said that 20,000 apartments are ready for official approval.

Presenter, Female #1
The Israeli Labor Party hinted at possibly withdrawing from the Israeli ruling coalition in protest over the latest government decision to build nearly 1,600 housing units in East Jerusalem.

Presenter, Male #1
More details in the following report by Ilias Karram in Jerusalem.

Reporter, Male #2
Israel is planning to build nearly 50,000 new housing units in the coming years in occupied Jerusalem, in a project known as “Settlements of the Jerusalem Blockade.” The details, which surfaced in the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz, have strengthened the position of the Palestinian Authority or PA. The PA announced that it has reconsidered its decision to hold indirect talks with Israel, pending a complete freeze of the Israeli settlement campaign.

Guest, Male #3
During his consultations with the Arab League yesterday, President Abbas said that he was convinced that resuming negotiations with Israel will not be easy, especially as Israel continues to expand its settlement campaign.

Reporter, Male #2
Nearly 20,000 of the 50,000 planned units are ready for official approval and implementation. The remaining 30,000 apartments are in the planning and preparation stage. Some of the construction will take place in settlement outposts at the heart of Arab neighborhoods, such as the Maail Zitin in the Damascus Gate, and Noft Zeuon in the area of Jabal al-Mukaber. In addition, some units will be built in what has become known as “Settlements of the Jerusalem Blockade.” These include the settlements of Nevi Yaqoub, Begad Aiv, Ramat Shlumo, and Ramut north of occupied Jerusalem. In addition to Gilo, Jabal Abu Ghenaim, and others in the south of Jerusalem.

Guest, Female #2
Netanyahu has proved once again that he is not headed toward a peaceful solution. He humiliated the US Vice President. It’s too bad that Biden didn’t turn around and go back to the US. Israel must halt its settlement campaign, including in Jerusalem. Otherwise, we will become a bi-national state.

Reporter, Male #2
The Israeli prime minister was not able to conceal his embracement as he announced the construction plan, which coincided with the visits of the US vice president to the region. The US vice-president described the Israeli plan as “a dangerous decision,” as Netanyahu is perceived as the one who is trying to undermine US peace efforts.

Guest, Male #4
This is very negative for Netanyahu. Internally, it shows Netanyahu as a prime minister who has no control over his coalition. To the world, this is seen as deliberate.

Reporter, Male #2
Aside from his head-on collision with the US, Netanyahu may find himself in the midst of political crises that could shake-up his coalition. This news comes after several members of the Labor Party expressed resentment over the latest Israeli move. These new settlement plans expose Israel’s real face, and show the world that the Palestinians are not the ones that are impeding the peace process. The Palestinians are demanding that the international community to not only condemn the Israeli decision, but also take constructive measures to restrain Israel. Ilias Karram, al-Jazeera, West Jerusalem.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, China has condemned Israel’s plan to build new settlements in Jerusalem. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang called on Israel to immediately halt its settlement campaign.

Guest, Male #5
The Chinese government strongly condemns the Israeli government’s latest decision to build new Jewish housing units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. This action comes at a very sensitive time, as both the Palestinians and the Israelis are getting ready to launch indirect talks. This action will damage the basis of the negotiations between the two sides and undermine international mediation efforts. We request that the Israeli side immediately stop the building of settlements and help create the right environment for the resumption of peace talks.

The Israeli plan to build new apartments in East Jerusalem overshadowed the visit of US Vice-President Joe Biden to the Palestinian Authority today. Biden held talks with PA President Mahmud Abbas, and attempted to ease Palestinian doubts over the latest US efforts to start indirect peace talks with Israel. The East Jerusalem housing plan drew worldwide condemnation today. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the move undermines any movement toward a viable peace process.

Guest, Male #1
The last question goes to al-Jazeera Channel reporter Haitham Abu Saleh.

Reporter, Male # 2
Yes, your Excellency, Mr. prime minister, don’t you think that the approval that you gave Abbas to begin indirect negotiations with Israel was not the right decision? The second question: today’s meeting was held by representatives of Arab countries, shouldn’t the meeting have been held by higher ranking officials? And why are you going to wait two weeks until the summit of the Arab League is held, considering that the situation is dangerous as was evident in the way you described it? Thank you.

Guest, Man #1
Concerning the first question that the decision of the Arab League was not right, as I and my brother Amr Musa have said, we and all the Arab members of the peace initiative committee who met in Cairo believed that our decision will not be useful and will not change anything. Our objective, however, was to give American mediators an additional card in addition to the other cards we gave them, and see what they can do. Now, even before the indirect talks began, Israel announced a plan to build 1,600 new settlement units. They don’t want the Palestinians to have high expectations in these negotiations. Yesterday, all of the Israeli leaders said that we should not have a lot of expectations, but we do not have many. We only want the implementation of international resolutions, but they still think that this is a lot to ask. They don’t even accept these resolutions. The Israelis can do whatever they want under the current situation, and we can do the same. This is the situation right now, but I do not think that it will remain the same in the future. We have very high hopes, but Israeli recklessness will place Israel in danger in the future. I personally think that this will affect the future of Israel. We want peace with Israel; we want the conflict with Israel to end peacefully. This is not a warning; this is advice to the Israeli leaders.

Guest, Man #2
The situation will not remain the same. Israeli recklessness will harm it. This will cause catastrophic results for Israel, and maybe the region. Israel will not benefit from this recklessness. We want to reiterate that the recklessness of Israeli policies have become sickening. The recklessness of Israelis polices has reached a sickening and dangerous stage. The situation will not remain the same. You asked me why we decided earlier to approve indirect talks with Israel; we made that decision for tactical reasons. We made a temporary decision that was the best possible one. But we will not wait a long time. We thought that the best discussion is the one that we can reach quickly. We will immediately hold a meeting today. There is also the possibility of holding a ministerial meeting within days. We will discuss issues related to the recent development. We will discuss the summit, the decision we took, the recent Israeli measures as well as what the US has achieved in the last three weeks since it started mediating between the two sides. Afterward, we must make decisions. Sheik Hamad doubts that this is possible, but I will try to achieve this goal by using the Arab support that we can generate. However, no self-respecting Arab can accept this, or can agree to cooperate, hold a dialogue, or even listen to views related to Israeli policies. It is very clear; the Israelis do not respect anyone, including the American mediators, the Arabs and the Palestinians who are under Israeli occupation. For all of us Arabs, this is no longer acceptable. Israeli recklessness has reached a dangerous stage and it is unacceptable not to take any action.

Presenter, Male #1
None of the competing Iraqi parties were able to achieve a decisive victory. According to preliminary election results, al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition took the first place by wining 95 seats. Iyad Allawi's Iraqiya List won second place with 68 seats. The National Iraqi Alliance won third place with 50 seats. The Kurdish Alliance won 30 seats in the upcoming parliament. The Change List, which had split from the Kurdish Alliance and is led by Kurdish leader Anwar Shirwan Mustafa, won 12 seats. The United Iraq List led by Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani won 10 seats. According to these unofficial leaked numbers, the Iraqi Accordance Front won 8 seats, and the United Muslim Kurdish Coalition won 2 seats. Most of these estimates were given by political entities or political observers, and do not include the results of small parties and independents who participated in the March 7th elections. In addition, Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission distanced itself from these numbers and described them as the numbers of satellite television channels.

Guest, Male #2
It seems that political entities decided on their share of seats in the parliament even before the results of the elections were officially announced. We would like to tell the Iraqi people that we are not responsible for any report, or for the numbers being announced by satellite television channel and political parties.

According to preliminary results, a list led by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is leading the vote in 2 provinces in southern Iraq after the parliamentary election this week. The country’s electoral commission released the first results, which showed Maliki ahead in Najaf and Babel, in Iraq’s largely Shiite south. The results also showed a cross-sectarian secularist alliance, headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.

Presenter, Female #1
Afghan President Hamid Karzai reiterated his willingness to reconcile with the Taliban. During a press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, he said that he talked with the Pakistani side about the latest developments in the Saudi role in the reconciliation process. Gilani reiterated that Pakistan wants stability and security in Afghanistan.

Reporter, Male #1
Despite the ongoing fierce battles in Afghanistan, the reality on the ground is clear. At least publicly, international forces agreed on the means to achieve a victory against what they described as ‘the rebel movement’; the forces have tried very hard to remove the landmines that have impeded reconciliation and peace in this war and poverty-afflicted country. The West has reiterated once again that the war in Afghanistan can’t be won militarily.

Guest, Male #2
"Now is the time for the Afghans to pursue a political settlement with as much vigor and energy as we are pursuing the military and civilian effort." The political settlement must involve external and internal parties, including all of Afghanistan’s neighbors, and the rebel elements that are willing to permanently cut ties with al-Qaeda, give up armed struggle and live under the Afghan constitution.

Reporter, Male #1
One of the external parties is Iran, which says that it shares with the Afghan government the desire for stability and stated that it will help Afghanistan achieve it. This is what Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad publicly stated in Kabul, the day before yesterday. However, he stressed that his country rejects the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan. The Afghan president responded by agreeing with him, saying that the foreign forces have their own goals in Afghanistan, but added that these goals include establishing security and stability in the country. Security and stability can’t be established in Afghanistan without the cooperation of Pakistan: this is the message that Karzai took with him during his visit to Islamabad today. He also reiterated his willingness to reconcile with the Taliban through the only announced mediator.

Guest, Male #3
I spook at length with the Pakistani side about our request from the Saudi King to facilitate peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region…especially by strengthening the brotherly bond that exists between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Reporter, Male #1
Pakistan’s prime minister reiterated that establishing security in neighboring Afghanistan is important for Pakistan’s security. However, Islamabad, believed by many to be closer to the Taliban since it established and financed the group, has not said if it is ready to mediate between the Taliban and the Afghan government. It wants reconciliation, but it is not clear where it will come from and how it will start. Amer Sultan, BBC.

Presenter, Female #1
The Iranian nuclear program and the situation in post-election Iraq were the focus of the discussion held between the Saudi Monarch, King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz, and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The meeting, which took place at King Abdullah’s ranch, comes during Gates’ tour of the region.

Reporter, Male #1
After Afghanistan, Riyadh was the next stop for US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Gates met with the Saudi Monarch, King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz, at the King’s ranch in Janderia. After a lengthy meeting between Saudi and US officials, the King and Gates held a special meeting for nearly 45 minutes. Gates and Abdullah discussed several important issues, notably the Iranian nuclear program. Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell said that Gates had asked for Saudi support as the US devised a set of stricter UN sanctions against Iran. Morrell added that the US hopes that the Saudis will use their influence to help draft a resolution to impose serious sanctions on Iran. Security in the region and the situation in Yemen in the aftermath of the Houthi rebellion were also the focus of the talks between the two leaders. Gates congratulated King Abdullah on the diligent Saudi efforts in the Yemeni conflict. The two leaders also discussed the situation in Iraq in the aftermath of the parliamentary elections. Gates believes that the formation of a new government in Iraq will give Saudi Arabia an opportunity to negotiate with Iraq. Saudi Arabia, just like other nations, is waiting for the results of the elections before engaging in any diplomatic action, such as the opening of a Saudi embassy in Baghdad. US officials believe that Saudi Arabia may waive part of Iraq’s old debts as well as engage in multi-level talks with Baghdad.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused the west of sponsoring terrorism He said: “they claim to be fighting terrorism. It’s obvious that they are lying if they are supposed to fight terrorism; they should learn it from Iran. As you witnessed some two weeks ago, we captured a terrorist who is linked to these corrupt powers and has killed over 140 people and injured 300 others.”

Presenter, Male #1
The African Union has proposed an Electoral Code of Conduct to Sudanese political parties and candidates. The charter includes a set of common moral principles aimed at setting-up a healthy environment in the country to ensure fair and free elections.

Presenter, Female #1
The Electoral Code of Conduct, which was based on the democratic practices of countries around the world, comes as the country is moving closer to the general elections.

Reporter, Male #2
The AU has endorsed the Electoral Code of Conduct, committing Sudanese political parties and candidates to a set of common principles necessary to ensure free and fair elections. The AU-sponsored Electoral Code of Conduct was signed last week by several Southern and Northern Sudanese political parties competing in the South. It was later signed by the ruling Sudan National Congress Party. The AU believes that the charter will play a crucial role in the democratic process of the country. In addition, the AU believes that the code will help build trust among the various political parties. All political blocs are expected to sign the electoral code over the next few days.

Guest, Male #3
God willing, we will hold a meeting sometime next week, perhaps on Tuesday. All political parties in the national unity government are expected to sign this important charter that sets the platform for the forthcoming elections in April, God willing.

Reporter, Male #2
The AU-sponsored Electoral Code of Conduct comes in the context of AU efforts aimed at promoting and supporting democracy in the African Continent. The charter calls for the protection of the election process against any form of violence or intimidation.

Guest, Male #4
The charter addresses election practices around the world. It’s comprehensive and consensual. All the Sudanese want free and fair elections that will serve as a model for the rest of the world.

Reporter, Male #2
The AU-sponsored draft bill includes a set of common moral and legal principles, which aim to help achieve stability in the country. The Electoral Code of Conduct prohibits religious and ethnic incitements, as well as the interference in public and political activities. In addition, the charter demands notifying the appropriate authorities prior to holding any public protest.

Presenter, Male #1
Joining us is Dr. Mohammed Ahmad Salim, an Expert in Constitutional Law. Dr. Salim, welcome. What is the importance of this charter as far as the Sudanese elections are concerned?

Guest, Male #5
The Electoral Code of Conduct is a set of principles that apply legal and moral practices. Codes come in different forms, including those pertaining to moral issues, sports or politics. This charter commits all political parties to common moral principles. The Sudanese elections, just like any election in the world, must be democratic, fair, transparent, smooth and free of violence, in order for them to be legitimate and binding. Regardless of the outcome, the parties must accept the results of the elections. All parties and candidates must refrain from engaging in any sort of corruption or acts of intimidation. They must refrain from engaging in acts of incitement, whether religious or ethnic. It is very important that all parties and candidates adhere to these common moral principles. They also must adhere to election laws cited in the constitution.