Tonight, the BBC’s Arabic language channel reports on the ongoing demonstrations throughout Syria which call for the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. In a number of Syrian cities today, confrontations erupted between protestors and security forces leading to a number of deaths and injuries. Reports indicate that over 30,000 people participated in the day dubbed by Syrians as the “Day of Dignity.” The Syrian government tried to avoid the anticipated protests with an initiative that the government said would provide better services to citizens, guarantee better living conditions, and restore their freedom and dignity. Despite these efforts, protestors took to the streets chanting the familiar slogan, “The people want to topple the regime.”

In Libya, al-Jazeera reports that new countries have joined the international coalition forces, including the United Arab Emirates. Coalition warplanes continue their air strikes to prevent Gaddafi's brigades from advancing. The UAE has agreed to send 12 warplanes, including six F-16 fighters and six Mirage jets. In the past 24 hours, coalition forces carried out 130 raids. In Misurata, a medical source reported that 109 people were killed and nearly 1,300 others were injured in one week of battles.

Dubai TV reports that supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh held a protest rally to mark what they referred to as the “Day of Steadfastness and Loyalty.” Saleh called on his supporters to hold solidarity protests around the presidential palace while thousands of anti-regime protestors held massive rallies in Change Square, marking a day dubbed the “Friday of Departure.” This news comes a week after 52 people were reportedly killed when Yemeni security forces opened fire at protestors. In a speech to his supporters, Saleh described protest organizers as “adventurous conspirators and drug traffickers.” He also said that he doesn't want to hold onto power but will only hand it over to “honest and capable hands, not malicious or corrupt ones.”

Tonight, ANB interviews the secretary-general of the Progressive Democratic Forum, Dr. Hassan Madan, about the current situation in Bahrain. Dr. Hassan believes that the situation in Bahrain should have been dealt with peacefully by meeting the public’s demands for political and constitutional reform. He said that the intervention by Gulf nation forces has complicated the issue and created an even deeper divide in the country. He states, “We welcome the Gulf to play its role. But this role should be limited to a political one that helps bridge the gap between the opposition and the government, which hasn't been the case so far.”

Al-Alam also reports on Bahrain, as massive protests broke out in Daraz, Dayer, Samahij, and Beni Jamra.. Eyewitnesses say that in response, eyewitnesses say Bahraini security forces launched fierce attacks on protestors, firing tear gas and live ammunition. The authorities also closed down all health centers, and threatened to burn down protestors' homes and strip protestors of their Bahraini citizenship if they don't put an end to the protests and sit-ins. Bahraini opposition blocs called on the U.N. and other Islamic countries to intervene to stop the crackdowns and massacres that are being carried out by authorities.

Today on Mosaic, New TV reports on the Israeli air strikes in Gaza that targeted the neighborhoods of al-Shuja'eiya and al-Zaitoun and killed nine people, including several children. The public held funerals for the victims on what the government called the "day of mourning their souls." The mourners believe that Israel “carefully and deliberately” chose the timing of the attacks to occur while the world is preoccupied with the revolutions occurring throughout the Arab world.

Al-Jazeera reports that French fighter jets struck an air force base in central Libya early this morning. International coalition forces are continuing their military operations in the capital Tripoli for the fifth consecutive day. Colonel Gaddafi’s key military bases are located in Tajura, an eastern suburb of the capital that has been bombed three times since the beginning of coalition military operations. However, many political observers believe that the revolutionaries lack the necessary equipment and organization to fully benefit from the coalition air strikes and achieve a strategic victory in the eastern regions.

In Dubai, police foiled an attempt to smuggle a shipment of 16,000 firearms from Turkey to Yemen that was valued at 16 million Dirhams, the equivalent of two million dollars. During a press conference, the commander-in-chief of the Dubai police, Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, said that six people, including one Turkish citizen have been arrested. The seizure of the arms shipment is being hailed as a 'great accomplishment' by the Dubai police department.

Al-Alam reports from Yemen, where an army unit supporting anti-government protestors clashed with Republican Guard forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Medical sources and eyewitnesses said that three military officers were injured in the clashes that took place this morning. In a massive protest in the capital Sana'a, Yemenis demanded the downfall Saleh's regime, waved the Yemeni and Palestinian flag, and carried banners that read "Palestine is in our hearts." 

In Syria, 20,000 protestors attended the funeral for victims of yesterday’s violent clashes in Dara’a. Eyewitnesses say that Syrian security forces encircled al-Omari mosque on Wednesday at dawn before storming the mosque and opening fire on the people inside. According to reports, at least six people died and several others were injured. The BBC reports that Syrian state TV blames an “armed gang” for the incidents. The state-run media accused Arab and foreign satellite television channels of fabricating news.

Tonight, al-Jazeera brings us the latest developments from Lybia, where Gaddafi's battalions have bombed central Misurata, killing a number of civilians including four children. Local residents are hoping to set up a floating hospital near the city's port in order to treat the increasing number of wounded. According to an al-Jazeera correspondent, international coalition fighter jets intercepted a Gaddafi warplane carrying soldiers and munitions 60 kilometers east of Benghazi. In Ajdabiya, clashes continue between the revolutionaries and Gaddafi’s battalions. Revolutionaries in the outskirts of Ajdabiya were determined to liberate the city from the Colonel's battalions.

The BBC reports that four people were killed and 12 injured in the shelling of al-Houlu’s family home in eastern Gaza. Three of the four killed were children, and of the injured, four are in critical condition and seven are children. The Israeli air raids came after Hamas fighters launched a number of mortar shells into southern Israel. A BBC correspondent in Gaza said the Israeli air strikes are considered the most violent since the 2009 Israeli bombardment in Gaza.

Dubai TV’s breaking news from Yemen confirms that two Yemeni soldiers were killed last night in clashes that erupted between the army and the Republican Guards near the presidential palace in Mukallah. Meanwhile, protestors continued to stage sit-ins at Sana'a University’s square, the epicenter of protests demanding the ouster of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Yemeni army has been heavily deployed around the entrances of the protest square since yesterday. The protest movement has spread to 12 provinces in Yemen and has gained the support of several military commanders and Yemen’s two largest tribes, Hashed and Bakil.

In a report from Bahrain, al-Alam confirms that 20 people have been martyred since the beginning of the country’s protest movement. Opposition sources reported the death of one man from injuries caused by the Saudi Peninsula Shield in the Bahraini capital. Medical sources also confirmed that a woman was shot in the neck by Saudi forces as she was driving her car in the western part of Manama. The opposition called on international organizations to take action to end the violence and demand an immediate withdrawal of Saudi fighters from Bahrain. But with each martyr's funeral, Bahrainis assert they will continue their peaceful movement until their demands are met.

In an interview with Saudi TV, Profesor Hajawida discussed discusses why France and Britain have been at the forefront of military operations in Libya while the U.S. has taken a backseat. He states that while the U.S. wants to take the “humanitarian stance and support the Libyan people’s rights,” the Obama administration has to deal with pressing American issues such as the economy and unemployment. He also added that after the events that occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. public opinion might be more opposed to the U.S. assuming a primary role in the military operations in Libya.

Al Jazeera's Arabic language channel reports that Gaddafi's forces violently attacked protestors in the Libyan cities of Misurata and Az-Zawiyah this morning. Eyewitnesses say that Gaddafi’s troops were armed with machine guns and that dozens of people were injured and killed.

Reporters from Dubai TV stationed at the Egyptian-Libyan border state that Egyptian workers are pouring across the Salum border crossing. Thousands of buses wait on the Egyptian side of the border to transport people returning from Libya. Of the 1.5 million Egyptians residing and working in Libya, nearly 20,000 have returned to Egypt in the past few days with haunting stories of the atrocities they witnessed in Libya.

In Yemen, BBC Arabic reports that President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered security forces to protect protestors and prevent confrontations between pro- and anti-government demonstrators. This came after two people were killed and eleven were injured in clashes that erupted two days ago near Sana'a University.

Protests also persist in Bahrain, where demonstrators have filled Pearl Roundabout to mark the one-week anniversary of ‘Bloody Thursday.’ The tens of thousands who continue to protest in Pearl Square say they will not withdraw before their goals of constitutional and political reform are met.

New TV reports that in Beirut, many Lebanese youths were disappointed at the poor attendance at an anti-Libyan regime rally organized on Facebook. While many expressed enthusiasm for the rally, only a small number of people attended. A Lebanese Gaddafi impersonator provided extra flair to the protest.

NBN also reports on Muammar al-Gaddafi, describing his madness as “laughable and tragic.” The Libyan dictator depicted himself as a Greek god and said that he is the one who created Libya and will also be the one to save it. The report includes an interview in which Gaddafi gives his own unique definition of democracy.

In a defiant address to the nation Libyan leader Mammar al-Gaddafi affirmed that he had no intention of stepping down. He stated, "Generations from now, Libya will be at the top! It will be the leader of Africa, Latin America and Asia; it will be the leader of the whole world!" Gaddafi also declared he had not yet used force against protestors but will use force according to international law as protests continue. The BBC reports that this statement comes as the death toll in Libya continues to rise and residents of Tripoli complain of the increasing number of dead bodies in the streets. Tripoli, the capital, was the most recent Libyan city to be struck by protests, yet eyewitnesses say that it has been subject to the worst attacks by security forces.

Al Jazeera’s Arabic language channel discussed the Libyan people’s reaction to Gaddafi’s speech. Libyan political activist Abdallah el-Fituri reports seeing people throwing shoes at television screens in anger. He states, “Libyans have spent 40 years listening to speeches without articulating their views. The day has come for the people to express themselves.”

Dubai TV also reports on the sweeping unrest in Libya, where two helicopter pilots and two more fighter jet pilots have defected and sought refuge in Malta. The pilots fled after refusing to open fire on protestors, as ordered by Libyan authorities. Both helicopters and fighter jets are being held in Malta’s airport. A number of Libyan diplomats have also condemned the regime’s crackdown on protestors. The Libyan embassies in Malaysia and Australia have stated they no longer represent the regime and four Libyan diplomats in China have resigned.

Lebanon’s New TV reports that The Beirut Theater is honoring the Egyptian and Tunisian people in a show called “The Rule of Bango.” The show praises both countries for opening the door to other Arab people in the quest for freedom. The Beirut Theater celebrates the victories in Egypt and Tunisia and their effect on countries throughout the Middle East.

Iran’s Arabic language channel, Al Alam, reports on ongoing protests in Bahrain, where thousands of protestors are still filling the streets of the capital. In an attempt to calm protestors, the Bahraini king issued a statement announcing the release of some prisoners and an end to the criminal prosecution of political activists. Demonstrators in the capital city of Manama remained unsatisfied and stated they will continue to protest until all of their demands are met. These demands include issues of political rights, respect of human rights, political participation, and policy reform.