Presenter, Male #1
The Iraqi legislative election tally is still underway. According to the latest numbers released by the Iraqi Electoral Commission, the State of Law coalition headed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is once again ahead of the Iraqiya slate led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. So far, 89% of the votes have been tallied. Previously, Allawi’s Iraqiya slate surprisingly shared an equal number of votes with the Maliki collation. At the time, only 79% of the votes were tallied. The numbers that were released by the Electoral Commission compelled Maliki’s collation to demand a vote recount, saying that fraudulent activities have taken place.

Reporter, Male #2
More than 80% of the votes have been tallied by the Electoral Commission. The partial parliamentary election results only include the general elections; they do not include the expatriate vote, or conditional and special voting sessions. The Electoral Commission has not yet specified the percentage represented by those votes.

Guest, Male #3
I think that within the next few hours, the results of the special voting sessions will be added to the general results. In addition, the expatriate vote will also be added. The results of the polling stations that were set-up in 16 countries have arrived. I think that tomorrow we will complete the process of adding the results of the special voting sessions, as well as the expatriate votes.

Reporter, Male #1
The special voting, as well as the expatriate vote, will be added to the general results before the final election results are announced. Candidates say that these votes will increase the number of votes gained by all the coalitions. However, the Electoral Commission has not yet announced the elections’ final results or the number of the parliamentary seats that each coalition will be getting.

Guest, Male #3
The expatriate votes have the same value as the ones that took place inside Iraq. The special voting sessions, which include the votes of military personnel, hospital staff and patients, and prison inmates as well as the conditional voting session, which was applied to certain segments of the Iraqi population, will be added to the general results and will be counted in the provinces.

Reporter, Male #1
These votes will be computed in the same way the general votes were computed, and therefore they will be added to the results of all Iraqi provinces.

Guest, Male #3
The process of counting the votes will be based on the system of parliamentary seat allocation, which uses the system of allocating seats to collations based on the percentage of votes they received. However, based on the majority system, preliminary seats will be allocated to candidates with the highest number of votes.

Reporter, Male #1
The political coalitions lost because they did not receive the minimum percentage of votes necessary to qualify them for a parliamentary seat will be eliminated, along with the votes that they have received. Therefore, the empty seats in the parliament will be exclusively allocated to the winning coalitions. Those seats will be divided among the winning coalitions, based on the percentage of seats they originally won. Therefore, the coalitions that won more votes will also get more seats. For Baghdad, Samer Yosef, al-Arabiya.

Presenter, Male #1
For more information, we are joined by our correspondent Muntazar Rashid. Mutazar, what are the latest developments in the election results?

Guest, Male #1
So far, 83% of the votes have been tallied. Of course, the latest results show that Maliki is slightly ahead of Allawi. The results also show that Maliki is ahead of the National Coalition Alliance in Waset Province. Those are the latest election results that we have acquired so far from the Electoral Commission.

Presenter, Female # 1
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton arrived to Russia, in hopes of removing the obstacles facing a new deal to reduce the 2 countries’ nuclear arsenals, and in an attempt to get Moscow to approve severe sanctions on Iran.

Presenter, Male # 1
On Friday, Clinton will represent her country in the Middle East Quartet meeting that will be held in Moscow.

Reporter, Male # 2
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s top 3 priorities while meeting with her Russians hosts are: discussions related to reaching a new agreement for the reduction of strategic weapons, the Iranian dossier, and the developments in the Middle East, which will be discussed by the Quartet group during a meeting in Moscow on Friday. Clinton’s visit will last 36 hours, and it is expected for bilateral relations to consume the majority of that time; as in the reduction of the 2 countries’ nuclear arsenals following President Barack Obama’s attempt to improve relations with Moscow, after a tense period witnessed during the former administration of President George Bush. Within the framework of that attempt, Obama and Medvedev had committed last year to reducing the number of nuclear warheads; the 2 countries each have about 1,500. Russian and American delegations have been negotiating for a year in order to reach a substitute agreement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, START 1, that was signed in 1991 in the aims of reducing nuclear arsenals. However, the talks stalled in the past few months because of Russian fears of American plans to spread missile defense systems in Eastern Europe. In addition to disagreements over the means to reduce nuclear warheads and verify that reduction. Regardless, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expects the 2 sides to reach an agreement next April. The removal of the obstacles facing such an agreement will probably help Clinton gain Russia’s support in imposing severe sanctions on Iran, especially after Medvedev’s recent talks of his country’s readiness to support smart sanctions on Tehran. Amid attempts to revive the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, the visit could improve the 2 countries’ ties, and increase the level of coordination between them. Moscow will undoubtedly find, within the current American-Israeli disaccord, an opportunity to pressure Tel Aviv, and demand the reversal of the decision to build additional settlement units in East Jerusalem. Until now, this is the decision that seems to constitute the most significant obstacle in the face of the proximity talks that were approved by the Arab League.

Presenter, Male # 1
The Israeli Army Radio reported today that a rocket fired from Gaza hit a southern Israeli village, killing a foreign worker. Immediately afterward, the Ansar al-Sunna group claimed responsibility. European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton entered Gaza via the Erez Crossing just one hour before the rocket was launched. Ashton met this morning President Shimon Peres, and will only stay a few hours in Gaza to meet with the UNRWA representative and inspect the conditions in the Gaza Strip. Then, she will head to Ramallah in the West Bank to hold talks with Palestinian officials. One week after the tension initiated by Israel’s settlement announcement started, American President Barack Obama denied the existence of a crisis in US-Israeli relations. In his first public comment since the crisis began, he confirmed during an interview with Fox News that a special bond exists with the Israeli people, and that the only disagreement lies in the ways to advance the peace process.

Guest, Male # 2 (Obama)
“Israel is one of our closest allies”, and we have a special bond with the Israeli people, and that is not going to go away. But, friends sometimes disagree, and I specifically sent Vice President Joe Biden to Israel to send a message of support and reassurance about my belief that Israel’s security is sacrosanct, and that we have a host of shared interests. There is a disagreement in terms of how we can move this peace process forward, and obviously, when I sent Vice President Biden there, it was at a moment when we were trying to restart talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The actions that were taken by the Israeli interior minister weren’t helpful to that process.

Presenter, Male # 1
Following a tense week in American-Israeli relations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised American President Barack Obama. In a statement issued by Netanyahu, he expressed his deep appreciation for the American president’s commitment to Israel’s security, and his keenness to clarify statements made by his brother-in-law who accused Obama of anti-semitism during a radio interview. The crisis has caused officials, most notably Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, to ignore Netanyahu’s meeting requests during his upcoming visit to Washington; this is the first such occurrence in the history of the 2 countries’ relations. US peace envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell will return to the region next Sunday to revive the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis after the settlement crisis caused him to postpone his trip. Mitchell will convey the outcome of the Quartet meeting about the Middle East that begins today in Moscow with the participation of US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The meetings will start with a dinner; in attendance will be UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. Clinton will hold talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov about the new deal for nuclear disarmament that will replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 1).

The US-Israel relationship is still on shaky ground, but there has been a concerted effort in the past 24 hours to keep the feud from growing. The crisis is now cooling down as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Vice President Joe Biden spoke on the phone last night in a bid to ease the tension between the US and Israel over the plan to build 1,600 new settlement units across the Green Line.

Presenter, Male #1
Our correspondent Eman Eirakat reports from Ramallah where E.U. foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton just arrived. Eman, has Ashton met with any Palestinian officials after arriving in Ramallah from Gaza.

Reporter, Female #1
Of course, about 15 minutes ago, Ashton started a meeting with Prime Minister Dr Salam Fayyad. An agreement of cooperation is expected to be signed between the Palestinians and Ashton, which will be announced in a press conference, before she goes to Jerusalem. The Palestinians think very highly of the efforts exerted by the E.U. foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton and said that her visit is extremely important, especially when considering that it comes amidst what the Palestinians described as a tense and dangerous situation. We listened to many Palestinian officials talk about Catherine’s visit. They reiterated its importance and demanded that the E.U. help in ending the Gaza siege and start the reconstruction there as soon as possible. In addition, the Palestinians expressed hope that Europe would play a role in pushing the peace process forward. These statements were made by the Palestinian President’s advisor Mr Ahamd. We called him before Catherine’s visit.

Presenter, Male #1
Will Ashton’s visit to Gaza which preceded her visit to Ramallah lead to any results?

Reporter, Female #1
As I said earlier, the Palestinians said, particularly the President and other officials, they said that Ashton’s visit is extremely important. They said that her visit to Gaza is a message that the E.U. will continue to push the peace process forward. Also she wanted to see closely the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and continue the financial support to the Palestinian people. The Palestinians hope that the European role in the peace process will develop.

Presenter, Female # 1
Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa met with the 3 Lebanese heads of state, but refused to comment on Lebanon’s response to Libya’s invitation to the Arab Summit. Moussa said that this issue will not be resolved through the media.

Reporter, Female # 2
Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa did not want to comment on Lebanon’s participation in the Arab Summit. Since his arrival to Beirut and after holding meetings with Lebanese officials, Moussa simply stated that this issue will not be resolved through the media, and that he will not issue any statement as long as the issue is still being discussed in the Lebanese Parliament. Upon Moussa’s arrival at the Rafik Hariri International Airport, he denied that the case of the missing Imam Moussa Sadr was on the agenda of Libya’s Arab League Summit. However, Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami responded by confirming that the issue has been included.

Guest, Male # 1
If Lebanon wants to include this issue, we ask Lebanon, which has full membership in the Arab League, to do so. The meeting of Arab foreign ministers requested the case of Imam Moussa Sadr be on the Arab Summit’s agenda.

Reporter, Female # 2
From the airport, Moussa headed to the Baadba Presidential Palace where he met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman. He stressed on the importance of Lebanon’s participation in the Summit, but refused to comment on the Lebanese position. He added that the current circumstances in the Arab world are complicated, and should be resolved by the officials.

Guest, Male # 1
We deeply care about Lebanon’s participation. The situation in the entire Arab world, and the region, is very ambiguous. We face some serious issues, circumstances, and possibly unprecedented developments; Lebanon’s presence is important. However, on the other side, there are some specific considerations and that’s what we are trying to discuss. I will not deliver any message or any invitation. But as far as how the invitation will be received, this is something that you are aware of and I am not. In turn, there is nothing new. As long as the issue is being discussed in the Lebanese parliament, I will refrain from making any comments about it.

Reporter, Female # 2
In the Grand Serail, the secretary-general met with Prime Minister Saad el-Hariri; in attendance were Ambassador Abdel el-Rahman el-Solh, Moussa’s advisor Talal el-Amine, Hariri’s Office Director Nader Hariri, and his two advisors Mohamad Satah and Hani Hammoud. The discussions continued during a lunch held by Prime Minsiter Hariri in Moussa’s honor.

Guest, Male # 1
Every crisis has a solution; what matters is how the issues develop to serve the common good. I don’t see a necessity to discuss such issues with the media, it only further complicates things. It’s essential for us to reduce the complications, and not increase them.

Reporter, Female # 2
As far as the participation of the Arab University in the discussion of the Lebanese case, Moussa said that the issue does not require its automatic and daily participation every time, deeming it unnecessary at the moment; he said that the University will participate at the right time or if it is needed. Moussa concluded his first day in Lebanon by meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and reiterated from Ain el-Tineh his refusal to comment on the Arab Summit.

Presenter, Female #1
Saudi religious cleric Sheikh Youssef al-Ahmad issued a Fatwa, or religious decree, calling for the demolishment of the Noble Sanctuary compound in Mecca. During a televised interview with the Saudi-based Bidaya satellite channel, al-Ahmad said that his ruling was based on a Fatwa that was issued earlier by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, the former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. Al-Ahmad’s decree, which was issued at the beginning of this month, has stirred a wave of indignation and condemnation by Sharia and religious institutions across the Muslim world.

Reporter, Male #1
“The Demolishment of the Mecca Noble Sanctuary.” Yes, this is the proposal of a Saudi religious cleric. Sheikh Youssef al-Ahmad proposed demolishing the Noble Sanctuary in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as a way of separating men from women during the pilgrimage. Al-Ahmad issued his remarks during a televised debate aired by the Saudi-based Bidaya satellite channel. Sheikh Youssef al-Ahmad is a faculty member at the School of Sharia at the Imam University. Al-Ahmad said that his Fatwa was based on a decree issued by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, the late Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.

Guest, Male #2
The head of the Islamic Scholar Council, Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, May God bless him, issued a Fatwa banning the presence of men and women together during the circumambulation ritual around the Ka’aba. We must separate men from women during the Hajj. How can we stop the mixing of genders? God has given us the means to do so. In the past, resources were limited. Now, there are many ways to make it happen. It’s possible to separate men from women during the pilgrimage. We can restructure the site, with the use of technical and architectural applications.

Reporter, Male #1
In his Fatwa, the Saudi cleric proposed demolishing the Noble Sanctuary and re-building it with a new structure featuring 10, 20, or 30 floors. The new structure must be built in a way that allows the separation of men from women. “Abraha al-Habashi has returned, leading a herd of elephants under the shadow of darkness to demolish the Ka’aba.” This is how some Sharia and Islamic institutions have described the latest Saudi Fatwa. They further warned of the grave danger surrounding this latest Fatwa for the demolishment of the Noble Sanctuary compound, which includes the holy Ka’aba. This is not the first Fatwa to target the Ka’aba. Nearly a year ago, Sheikh Ahmad Ali Othman Ismail, a religious cleric at the Egyptian Awqaf or religious endowments, proposed demolishing the holy Ka’aba in Mecca, saying that the current structure doesn’t comply with Sharia laws. Ismail further urged Muslims not to visit, pray or perform Hajj at the Ka’aba. This latest Saudi Fatwa is part of the ongoing conspiracy that is being hatched against Muslim holy shrines across the globe. Nearly 8 years ago, a US magazine sent a message to Muslims across the world, saying that the US will drop an atomic bomb on the Noble Sanctuary in the holy city of Mecca in the event an Arab or Muslim country launches a nuclear attack on the US. This news comes amidst growing fear over the latest Israeli campaign that aims to demolish al-Aqsa Mosque.