[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 11/10/09: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Woman # 1
A new Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Sa’ad Al Harii was formed after four months of tough negotiations, sending a message of relief to the entire region. In this new government, the ruling majority has 15 ministers, the minority has 10, and the prime minister has 5. The minority does not have veto power. The opposition had demanded the right to veto major decisions at the ministerial cabinet, by having one third of the ministers plus one vote against hem. Our reporter Eliane Shatiry reports from Beirut.

Reporter, Woman # 2
At last, the Lebanese have a new unity government that is inclusive to all political parties 136 days after the parliamentary elections. Lebanese citizens expressed different views about this government.

Guest, Man # 1
God willing, it will be good. Lebanon is now united with all its religious groups. They are all brothers.

Guest, Man # 2
We hope that he new government will be good for the country.

Guest, Man # 3
At least, the people stopped worrying.

Guest, Man # 4
We used to have an interim government, now we have a different kind of government. We need a real government with real authority to mange the country. This is not the kind of government we got.

Reporter, Man # 2
Finally, the national unity government was born. These were the words of Prime Minister Sa’ad al-Hariri during his speech which he gave after a presidential decree of the new cabinet line-up. This came after a three way summit which included President Michel Suleiman, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at the presidential headquarters in Ba’abda.

Guest, Man # 5 (Hariri)
This government reflects the current Lebanon. Some see Lebanon as a country of differences between different religious groups, but we must prove to the whole world that our country has a true national unity.

Reporter, Woman # 2
The national unity government raised many political questions: Is Lebanon heading towards a happy ending or will the political crisis be extended to the new government and hinders the ministerial cabinet?

Guest, Man # 6
As I said, the ministerial cabinet reflects the balance that was reached in the Doha agreement, which has not changed. I do not see how this government can do essential things. I do not think it has a comprehensive plan to change the status quo. However, this government can cope with international and internal crises.

Reporter, Man # 2
After a historical picture was taken, the new government held its first session at the presidential place. The birth of the new national unity government has marked a new political era in Lebanon. Now that the Parliament voted in favor of the new government, it has to stand up to foreign and internal challenges. Of course, these new developments did not happen in isolation from regional and international influences. Eliane Shatiry, Dubai Television, Beirut.

Presenter, Female #1
Saudi Deputy Minister for Defense and Aviation Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz confirmed that the Saudi forces have mopped up the border regions in Yemen, and that the Saudi air force is pursuing Houthi infiltrators. Crown prince Sultan also confirmed that the air raids will not stop until after armed Houthis retreat dozens of kilometers back into the Yemeni territory.

Guest, Male #1
We will not stop the air strikes until after they retreat dozens of kilometers away from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reporter, Male #1
The Saudi military operations at the borderline with Yemen moved from Jabal al-Dukhan, after it moped up other mountainous regions. War planes heavily patrolled the border region before launching their attacks and hitting their targets. Meanwhile, the navy has been securing the coastline facing the city of Jizan to make sure that there are no infiltrations or smuggling of weapons. News reports indicate that 7 infiltrators were cornered and eventually caught for carrying weapons in the Tweed mountain range. The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that the results of the ongoing interrogation with the Houthi smugglers will be released soon, and will uncover which foreign group has been supporting them. Saudi authorities’ evacuation of the residents from the villages at the border helped uncover Houthi infiltrators’ hideouts. Saudi sources pointed out that Houthis’ control over a part of the borderline with Yemen helps them infiltrate into Saudi territory. A Saudi military official revealed that before the Houthi attacks on Jabal al-Dukhan, there was a previous operation to dig trenches inside the mountain. Its purpose was to store weapons and food, as well as hide from air strikes and artillery attacks, and it lasted two months. Meanwhile, Yemeni military sources stressed that its military and security units have launched a full attack on the Houthi rebels in the directions of Harf Sufyan and Sa’ada. The source said that its forces controlled one third of the region in Harf Sufyan and deeply advanced through Sufyan, and that the Houthi rebels suffered massive losses.

Presenter, Man # 1
Local Taliban commanders announced the establishment of a special administration in areas that fell under their control in eastern Afghanistan.

Presenter, Woman # 1
Government officials held American forces responsible for the fall of large parts of the province of Nuristan along the Pakistani borders. They said that it is unlikely to regain control of these areas in the near future.

Presenter, Man # 1
Al Jazeera correspondent in Kabul Sami A’lawi reports about the new reality in parts of Nuristan that fell under Taliban control.

Reporter, Man # 2
Taliban fighters move freely in the eastern part of Nuristan only 2 weeks after they had taken control of it. It seems that it is no longer necessary for them to hide their faces. Taliban commanders are now performing their administrative duties in Kamdeesh, one of the major districts in the province of Nuristan.

Guest, Man # 3
We formed administrative bodies and appointed officials. We established a judicial system and an Islamic police force. We are now working to meet the people’s daily needs.

Reporter, Man # 2
The Taliban have avoided to talk about the presence of foreign forces among them, despite the different languages that one can read in the new signs. The dozens of war prisoners which they captured from the Afghan police and army are hoping to be pardoned. The Taliban already announced that they will be well-treated and said that the prisoners have expressed regret for working with the government.

Guest, Man # 4
Our fate has not yet been determined, and we frustrated. The government does not ask about us and it does not even care. It does not seem that the government plans to free us in a prisoners’ swap deal.

Reporter, Man # 2
Local residents did not hide their feelings of relief for getting rid of what they called the “pressures” that were caused by the presence of foreign forces in the area. The new Taliban administration opened children schools in an attempt to assure local residents and show them that it can manage their affairs. Meanwhile, government officials appeared frustrated and said that they do not expect o regain control of Nuristan any time soon.

Guest, Man # 4
The area is now under the control of the Taliban and they move freely in the Kamdesh district. I do not think that there is a government plan to regain control of Nuristan.
Government security forces especially the local ones are very weak and they can’t do anything.

Reporter, Man # 2
It appears that the Taliban did not take over a large part of Nuristan in negotiated a deal.
This means that the Taliban has used force to impose a new reality on the ground and that the government has no option but to deal with it. Meanwhile, American and government forces continue to blame one another for the loss of the eastern parts of Nuristan. The US forces announced that it will redeploy its forces in a way that reflects its new strategy. Samer Alawi, Al Jazeera, Kabul.

Presenter, Female #1
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that an investigation is ongoing on the allegations that the three American hikers had committed additional violations besides illegally crossing the Iranian border.The families of the three Americans have denied that they were involved in espionage, reiterating that they were tourists in northern Iraq.

Guest, Male #1 (Mottaki)
Normally, an investigation is conducted in all cases based on simple allegations. The important thing is the final verdict, which will be released by the judicial authorities. The obvious violation is: illegally crossing the western borders. A judiciary investigation is being conducted on the other alleged violations.

Reporter, Male #1
The three Americans held by the Iranian authorities may have been enjoying their final dance before being arrested on the charge of illegal entry into Iran. Their fourth friend, who was staying with them in this hotel in Sulaiman city in Kurdistan, Iraq, did not go with them on their last trip.But he received a phone call from them, briefly saying that they got into trouble with soldiers who did not speak Arabic or Kurdish. An official announcement quoted the Iranian general prosecutor saying that the three Americans have been accused of espionage. The Iranian president said that they will be brought to court.

Guest, Male #2 (Ahmedinejad)
Every country punishes those who cross its borders illegally. Therefore, they should stand trial and answer the court’s questions. I hope that they did not have any bad intentions, and I hope that the matter does not turn into a problem. But the case is in the hands of the judicial system.

Reporter, Male #1
But in Iran, some people doubt the official story.

Guest, Male #3
I don’t believe that they are spies. If they were, they would not have crossed the border wearing sport outfits.

Reporter, Male #1
The non-believers say that Iran fabricated the case to open a new door to dialogues with the West. This was achieved indeed. The US Secretary of State sent out a call from Berlin to the Iranian government.

Guest, Female #1 (Clinton)
We believe strongly that there is no evidence to support any of the allegations. We renew a request on behalf of the three young people and their families that the Iranian government exercise compassion and release them so they can return home.

Reporter, Male #1
Some believe that Tehran may use this case to pressure the US and the West on the nuclear issue. The Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad had said in a statement to the American NBC network two months ago that the release of the three Americans may be connected to the release of Iranian diplomats held by the US forces in Iraq. Ahmed Shaikh, BBC.

Presenter, Female #1
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad called for applying new economic systems in the world replacing capitalism, which he said “has come to a dead end”.During his speech at the economic summit for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) held in the Turkish city Istanbul, Ahmedinejad said that monopoly and exploitation of wealth led to a massive financial crises. The summit, which lasts for one day, continues to study a number of economic issues.

Reporter, Male #1
The Islamic summit in Istanbul opened with challenges and ambitions. The Standing Committee on Economic and Commercial Cooperation held its 25th session. Many leaders from Islamic countries attended the summit, as well as representatives from the 57 member countries of the organization. The proposed agenda of the summit is fighting poverty and seeking further trade cooperation among Islamic countries. Turkish president Abdullah Gul opened the summit by stressing the need of making a plan to confront the social, economical and environmental challenges that the member countries are facing. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad demanded the application of new economic principles in the world as an alternative to capitalism. He called on OIC member countries to use their national currencies for trade based on the experience of Iran and Turkey.

Guest, Male #1 (Ahmedinejad)
The painful results of the capitalist system have manifested themselves in wars, divisions, occupation, terrorism and discrimination in international relations. During the recent global financial crisis, tens of millions of people have lost their jobs, many of them have lost their homes and suffered from bankruptcy. The people have paid a price for all of this.

Reporter, Male #1
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad reiterated that the economic recovery of member countries requires an independent political will without foreign intervention. On the situation in the Middle East, al-Assad stated that resistance is the proposed option since negotiations had failed with Israel.

Guest, Male #1 (Bashar al-Assad)
The failure of negotiations in restoring rights, will lead to resistance as an alternative solution. Stopping the settlement construction is not a final goal but a phase or a step. I call for removing the settlements instead of stopping their construction. More importantly, I call for ending the occupation.

Reporter, Male #1
The summit has an ambitious agenda that may be confronted with major challenges, such as pursuing a unified political will, finding an effective mechanism to eliminate poverty, and building a global Islamic economy.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a private meeting with President Obama and the standard photo-op and press briefings scheduled to follow the talks were canceled. In remarks made by Netanyahu at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America, he stated his eagerness to achieve peace with Israel’s neighbors.

The seizure of a ship allegedly carrying arms from Iran destined for Hezbollah is being used by Israeli officials to wage a propaganda war against Iran. The company who is in charge of tracking the ship said that it never actually docked in Iran. Iranian officials have denied the claims made by Israel, and accused it of trying to divert the world’s attention away from the Goldstone report.

Presenter, Male #1
The Palestinian pilgrims, who were allowed to take part in the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, have expressed overwhelming joy. They said they were happy to fulfill this religious duty.

Reporter, Male #2
The caravans of Palestinian pilgrims started to mobilize from the Gaza strip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Able Muslims are expected to make pilgrimage (a hajj) to Mecca, once in a lifetime. The first wave of Palestinian pilgrims has left from the besieged Gaza Strip. The pilgrims have crossed from Gaza to Egypt, where they will fly to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Guest, Male #3
We praise and thank God on this divine opportunity. We thank God for guiding us on the right path.

Guest, Male #4
Thank God.We are overwhelmed with joy. This is once in a life time opportunity. Everyone waits, hour by hour even minute by minute, to fulfill this obligation.

Reporter, Male #2
Last year, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were banned from taking part in the pilgrimage due to political disputes. However, this year pilgrims were allowed to leave the Gaza Strip for pilgrimage to Mecca. The officials in Gaza have taken steps to ease the process of registration of the pilgrims. In addition, they formed religious and health committees to follow up on the pilgrims’ needs. The pilgrims also expressed confidence in the Saudi Authorities, which usually tend to their needs, including their residential arrangements.

Guest, Male #5
The Saudis provide services to the pilgrims. They are very kind. Saudi Arabia is a good country. The Saudis enjoy a good reputation. God wiling, the things we heard are the things we will experience first hand? God willing, all praise to him.

Guest, Male #6
This is the land of the prophets and the country of the righteous people. Saudi Arabia is a great country of a great nation. The Saudis are generous and kind. They are here to help and serve the pilgrims.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the fact that each country is limited in term of the number of pilgrims who are allowed to perform the duty of Hajj, the Custodian of the Two Noble Sanctuaries, has made an exception in the case of the Palestinian people. The Saudi King has issued a royal decree, raising the number of Palestinian pilgrims from 5,500 to 8,500. Three thousand pilgrims have benefited from this royal gesture. The total number of Palestinian pilgrims includes 4,410 from the West Bank and 4,090 from the Gaza Strip. This royal gesture provides an additional proof of the Kingdom’s support for Palestine.

Guest, Male #8
This support, which has religious and ideological effects, has a larger impact on the people than the building of schools, and the building of infrastructure, such as roadways and hospitals. This gesture has brought joy to the entire people of Palestine. The increase in the number of pilgrims will help solve many problems.

Reporter, Male #2
The pilgrimage this year coincided with the spread of the H1N1 swine flu virus. This prompted the Palestinian Ministry of Health to include the pilgrims in the list of priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

Guest, Male #7
As we were told from his Excellency, the Saudi Minister of Health, the Kingdom has taken all precautionary health measures to help protect the pilgrims, who travel from all over the world. They have enough medicine, and they will give instructions to the pilgrims and those accompanying them. We hope that the pilgrimage will go well and that the pilgrims will return to their countries safe and sound.

Guest, Female #1
It’s okay if I die while performing the duty of Hajj at the House of God. The important thing is that we are able to perform the pilgrimage at the House of God.

Reporter, Male #2
Amidst this divine faith, Palestinian pilgrims will pray to God and ask him to help them achieve victory.

Guest, Female #2
First, I want to pray for the victory of my country and for the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. I want also to pray for the Arab Heads of Sates, and ask God to unite them and bring them together. I ask God to help Islam and Muslims achieve victory. God willing, he will guide the Muslims.

Reporter, Male #2
Through this journey, Palestinian pilgrims want to feel closer to God, hoping that during the next pilgrimage season, they will not cross into an Arab country through the occupation’s border crossing. Abdul Karim Samar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Television, the Palestinian Territories.