Presenter, Male #1
Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou said jihadists in northern Mali will not stop at West Africa, and that their goal is Europe, adding that those who control Africa control Europe. Issoufou made these statements during an interview with the French Le Figaro newspaper on the eve of his meeting with French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday in Paris.

Reporter, Female #1
Late Sunday evening, the Nigerian television station announced the Economic Community of West African States' decision to send nearly 3,000 soldiers to northern Mali to restore stability to the region. The decision was made at the end of the summit held in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso will deploy most of the troops.

Reporter, Female #1
Military experts from the UN, ECOWAS countries, Europe, and the African Union had laid out a plan to return the northern part of Mali to the authority of its central government. However, the plan was awaiting the approval of the African Union and the Security Council before being implemented. Seven months ago, a military coup toppled the rule of the democratically-elected president, which created a vacuum that paved the way for the extremist Islamist Ansar al-Deen group to seize power in the north. Observers and diplomats say the plan requires months before its implementation, even with the approval of the United Nations.

Presenter, Female #1
Licensed by the authorities this time around, opposition groups and some Kuwaiti youth forces organized a mass gathering Sunday night in Irada Square in front of parliament, where they renewed their calls to boycott the election on December 1st. This gathering is an escalation, among others, taken by the opposition to protest the new election law. This also comes after the country's emir gave Kuwaitis the choice between taking the path of the law and the constitution, or chaos. Ahmad al-Eneizi reports from Kuwait.

Reporter, Male #1
This rally is described as the largest in comparison to the previous "Dignity of the Homeland" gatherings. Irada Square, in front of the Kuwaiti parliament, hosted a gathering under the supervision of security forces since organizers received an official authorization in contrast to previous unauthorized protests and sit-ins, which witnessed clashes and confrontations between the masses and security personnel. The protest by the opposition, and some political and youth forces, comes as Kuwait is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the constitution. It is also the day on which they are objecting to the new election law, and announcing they will boycott the elections.

Reporter, Male #1
Those participating in this escalation expressed their desire to hold on to the popular gatherings and sit-ins to boycott the ballot boxes on December 1st. They also warned that the crisis is headed toward a dead end, and that it places the country at a crossroads. At the same time, they confirmed that the authorities are capable of diffusing the crisis, but that otherwise the confrontation will continue until the overthrow of the next parliament.

Guest, Male #2 (Hussein Jamal, Political Analyst)
The opposition insists on boycotting and resisting the elections. On the other side, government supporters are confirming that his royal highness assured that he will implement the law in its entirety.

Reporter, Male #1
The political situation in Kuwait these days is going through a difficult and sensitive phase. The opposition wasn't satisfied with merely calling for a boycott of the elections, but insisted on implementing all means to change the current situation. In contrast, the authorities say they have been very lenient, but the time has come to firmly apply the law. Ahmed Eneizi, Dubai TV, Kuwait.

Presenter, Female #1
In Libya, the trial of the former Libyan prime minister, al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, started today in Tripoli, according to statements by the spokesperson for the Libyan attorney general. Al-Baghdadi appeared in court on charges of committing prejudicial acts against the security of the state. Alongside Saif al-Islam, the son of al-Gaddafi, al-Mahmoudi is viewed one of the most important figures holding the secrets of the long rule of al-Gaddafi. Al-Mahmoudi took over the position of prime minister of Libya in 2006 and until the fall of Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime. Al-Baghdadi had fled Libya and was arrested in southern Tunisia. The Tunisian government extradited him to Tripoli nine months after his arrest.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah says they are capable of deterring Israel from attack Lebanon. He made his comments during a ceremony to mark Martyrs' Day, saying that the group is capable of retaliating against any attack by the Israeli military. Nasrallah also lashed out at the US and its allies for their approach to the conflict in Syria, and slammed the international community and the Arab League for remaining silent on the Bahraini government's crackdown on peaceful protests.

Three Palestinian children are the latest victims of an Israeli air strike on Gaza, as Israel threatens to escalate its attacks on Gaza and even wage a full-scale invasion. The threats come amid rising air and ground attacks on Gaza, to which Palestinians have been responding by firing rockets and mortars into Israel that have mostly hit open fields and left no injuries.

Tensions are rising between Israel and Syria as the Israeli military has fired shells into Syria. Reports say a Syrian artillery unit was being targeted. Israel claims the attack was in response to a stray Syrian mortar shell that struck the Golan Heights, saying the shell hit an Israel military post.

Security in the Golan Heights has been raised to its highest level as Israel responded to Syrian mortar shells fired into the Golan Heights for the second time in two days. Israeli tank shells scored direct hits, destroying a Syrian mobile artillery unit, without any word so far on casualties. IBA reports that the strike follows yesterday's firing by the IDF of an advanced anti-tank missile at a Syrian post after a 120-millimeter mortar shell hit Israeli territory, and that the Free Syrian Army is warning Israel to not get involved in a conflict, accusing Jerusalem of aiding Assad's regime.

Presenter, Female #1
According to plan, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces came to light. Who is the president, who are its members, and what roles are the Syrian National Council and the Muslim Brotherhood playing? Answers in this special report by Rachel Karam.

Reporter, Female #2
In a long Qatari, Turkish, Saudi, and American week, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was formed in Doha, after a painful process and manipulations, marked by financial threats and political pressure. The coalition was established and Muslim cleric Sheikh Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, the imam of the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, became its president. Syrian businessman Mustafa al-Sabagh, who is residing in Saudi Arabia, was inaugurated as its secretary-general.

Reporter, Female #2
The co-sponsors of the initiative, Riad Seif, and opposition figure Suhair al-Atassi were merely appointed as vice presidents. The position of the third vice president will remain vacant until the fate of the National Kurdish Council is decided.

Reporter, Female #2
As the coalition is now established, the national council elected two days ago conceded its central position with opposition and joined the new coalition. Council members consensually approved the formation of the transitional government, provided it is transferred to Syria, and the number of its members is increased from 8 to 10 in order to preserve their interests. Council members also received a greater share than granted by the coalition by increasing the number of their seats from 20 to 22, out of 60. These seats are expected to be occupied by members of the executive office and by some members of the general assembly, which are both mostly dominated by Islamists. The revolutionary mobilization, the High Command of the Syrian Revolution, and civil councils will receive 15 seats, while the military will receive 15 seats as well, and particularly the Farouk Brigade in Homs and the Ahrar al-Sham Brigade, which are considered the most influential among all brigades and factions.

Reporter, Female #2
For its part, the democratic forum, the coalition led by opposition figure Michel Kilo, will be incorporated into the coalition in absentia. In addition, other seats are being set aside for members of the coordination committee, if they decide to join the coalition that committed in one of its articles not to engage any dialogue or hold any talks with the Syrian regime.

Reporter, Female #2
The coalition will also support the joint leadership of military revolutionary councils that will be unified in terms of support, financing, and planning. And to go back to the face of the coalition, who is Ahmed al-Khatib? He is a prominent Syrian Islamist who became an opposition activist and sought refuge in Cairo after repeated arrests by the Syrian security agency in 2011 and 2012, over his support for the popular mobilization. Al-Khatib, who was a former imam at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, sought to remind the Syrian opposition that their war is against President al-Assad, and not against the members of the Alawite minority, who are even more oppressed, because they were used by the state and placed on the front lines.

Reporter, Female #2
The manner in which al-Khatib ascended to the head of the coalition, by appointment, and without any competition, is an initial indicator of the so-called new democracy of an opposition that started its speech by rejecting dialogue and talks with the regime, bringing the crisis back to square one. Rachel Karam, New TV.

Presenter, Male #1
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman warned against sliding into civil strife following Sunday's clashes between supporters of Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir and Hezbollah members, which led to the deaths of three people and injury of others. The funeral procession for the killed was held amid heavy security deployment, as al-Assir called on his supporters to calm down.

Reporter, Female #1
The southern Lebanese city of Tripoli was not its usual lively self Monday morning. The killing of three people and injury of seven others in Sunday's clashes between Salafi supporters of Sheikh Ahmad al-Asir and Hezbollah members is unusual for a city known for its religious coexistence that lasted during the decades of the Lebanese civil war. The roundabout that leads to Haret Sidon that is mostly inhabited by Shiites, witnessed the deployment of the army, foot patrols, and checkpoints as did Sidon and its suburbs. The army is attempting to prevent similar security incidents and ensure the safety of the citizens. In addition, all schools, public and private universities, and businesses were closed.

Reporter, Female #1
In the neighborhood of Abra, where Sheikh Ahmad Assir serves as the imam of the Bilal bin Rabah mosque, supporters of the Sheikh gathered to mourn the two killed, as al-Assir surveyed the impact of the clashes that took place near the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. The clashes erupted after al-Assir's supporters took down Hezbollah flags erected by the latter's supporters. Al-Assir explained the reasons behind the incident, renewing his attack on Hezbollah and its secretary-general, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Guest, Male #1 (Sheikh Ahmad Assir, Imam of the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque)
It was provocative because we were hurt, and raised our voice after Hassan Nasrallah confessed to participating in the fighting in Syria. We also raised our voice after the killing of Wissam al-Hassan, and we accused Hezbollah of killing Wissam al-Hassan because that's what we assume. So, for this reason, they placed the flags provocatively. It was so noticeable that most people were surprised. Even their allies in Sidon were surprised that they were behaving this way. And that's why we called the officials.

Reporter, Female #2
However, it seems there are some in Sidon who don't recognize Sheikh al-Assir, and believe that there are no problems between the residents of Sidon and Haret Sidon.

Guest, Male #3 (Samih El Zein, Mayor of Haret Sidon)
Nothing is wrong. We don't care about this Assir; we are looking at the bigger picture, and that's civil strife. Assir can create this strife easily. Look at the situation in Lebanon. It is only the creators of chaos who are fighting each other. The residents of Sidon and the residents of Haret Sidon and the south have no problems with one another.

Reporter, Female #1
The funerals of al-Assir's supporters ended in Sidon, but the tension remains in the city, as the Minister of Interior and Municipalities Marwan Charbel warned that the army has clear instructions from its leadership to shoot at anyone carrying weapons. This warning was met with al-Assir's call on his supporters to calm down and pray for the souls of the two killed young men. This call could ease the tension on the streets of Sidon, and shield the city from the ghost of civil strife. Rima Shlon, BBC.

Presenter, Female #1
A delegation of imams from France started a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories that will last five days. On its first day, the delegation visited the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, and met with a number of officials from the Department of Islamic Endowment. The delegation is scheduled to meet with Israeli and Palestinian representatives, and visit Muslim holy sites and the Holocaust museum.

Reporter, Male #1
A delegation of French imams chose the holy al-Aqsa Mosque as the starting point of their visit. Its members say they came to build a bridge for peace between Palestinians and Israelis. They confirmed that their most prominent messages include eliminating the impression held by Israelis that Muslims in France are against Jews and support terrorism. They also say they came to change the stereotype about Muslims in the aftermath of the terrorist attack that was carried out by Mohamed Merah against students at a Jewish school in the French city of Toulouse.

Guest, Male #2 (Hassen Chalghoumi, President of France's Conference of Imams)
Of course, there is a clear message. The first is that France's Muslims have no ties to terrorism, and no ties to those who kill Jews in the name of the Palestinian cause. A cause that is right, clean, just, faithful, and strictly political.

Reporter, Male #1
However, the delegation's visit renews a controversy for those who believe that such a visit further enables the occupation's hegemony over Jerusalem and the al-Aqsa Mosque, and grants the occupation legitimacy, while others view the visit as the implementation of Islamic law.

Guest, Male #3 (Mohammad Hussein, Mufti of Jerusalem and the Holy Sites)
During this visit, they are following the guidance of the Prophet, peace be upon him, to make a trip to al-Aqsa Mosque. The delegation clearly stated that it stands with the Palestinian cause.

Reporter, Male #1
But the position of Jerusalemites was split; some welcomed the visit, while others were skeptical of the impact this visit will have on the political level.

Guest, Male #4
We fear that such visits will become acceptable, then they become relied on, and finally they become a habit for Muslims around the world. This is what helps the occupation stay in control of Jerusalem and the people of Jerusalem.

Guest, Male #5
We are in favor of the presence of Islamic delegations so they can witness the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.

Reporter, Male #1
The delegation will visit the graves of those killed in the Toulouse attack, who were buried in the city of Jerusalem, and the Yad Vashem Holocaust history museum. It will conclude its visit by participating in a conference that brings together the heads of the heavenly religion in Israel with the attendance of Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Reporter, Male #1
Whether the visit normalizes the occupation, as seen by some Palestinians, or affirms the rights of Muslims to visit their holy sites, as others say, their hopes hinge on the Muslims' ability to unify and work against the occupation's distortion and judaization of the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, and its attempts to divide them. Elias Karram, Al Jazeera, from the courtyards of the holy al-Aqsa Mosque.

Presenter, Female #1
In Bethlehem yesterday, Israeli occupation forces uprooted dozens of olive and almond trees from the lands of the town of Nahalin, west of the city.

Reporter, Male #1
During the first hours of dawn, Israeli occupation forces cut down olive trees from the land of the Ain Fares area, in the town of Nahalin, west of Bethlehem. They prevented citizens from reaching their lands, and assaulted them under the threat of using weapons against them.

Guest, Male #2 (Osama Shakarneh, Head of Nahhalin Village Council)
They came to the area of the Ain Fares and cut down the blossoming olive trees that are over 25 years old. They chopped down over 25 olive trees in this area, the area of Ain Fares. We learned from them that there is a deliberate intention to uproot more olive trees in this area, under the pretext that they are on government land.

Guest, Male #3 (Moussa Ahmad, Citizen)
All of our life is here. These are our lands, and these are our olives. They're cutting down our trees in front of us.

Reporter, Male #1
Today's aggression isn't the first of its kind. Drowning the land with wastewater, attempting to raze and torch its crops, in addition to the settlers' storming the town, briefly summarizes these renewed aggressions that started when the extremist Israeli government took over the helm of governance.

Guest, Male #4 (Rabah Najara, Farmer)
They cut down trees and assaulted the town's residents. We remain steadfast, and ask that everyone stand with us in the face of the brutal colonizing power.

Reporter, Male #1
Despite all of these acts, resistance on this land and perseverance to hold onto it is the goal of all Palestinians in the town of Nahalin, which is surrounded by settlement outposts, and was attacked by the occupation, attacks that impact humans, stones, and trees. This is the scene in the town of Nahalin, located west of Bethlehem. And this is how the Palestinian resists, by praying and calling out on God to save us from this hateful occupation. Ala Iddin al-Abed, Palestine TV, the town of Nahalin.

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