[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 05/21/12: World News from the Middle East [VIDEO]

Presenter, Female #1
Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi issued a decision to dismiss the head of Yemen's Central Security, Abdul Malik al-Tayyeb, and replace him with Fadel al-Qawsi. Hadi is expected to dismiss a number of military and security leaders within the next several hours, as nearly 90 people were killed and hundreds were wounded in a suicide bombing that targeted the Central Security's headquarters in al-Sabeen area of the capital Sanaa.

Reporter, Male #1
A massive bombing targeted a military brigade of the Yemeni Central Security during its preparatory training for the military parade scheduled for Tuesday, to mark the 22nd anniversary of Yemen's National Unity Day. The blast, which took place in al-Sabeen Street of Sana'a, caused dozens of casualties among the soldiers. The defense minister and the chief of staff, who were present at the training, were not wounded. Some sources said the bombing was a suicide mission, but other sources said it was caused by explosive devices.

Guest, Male #2 (Jamal al-Maliki, Researcher in Yemeni Affairs)
This bombing happens right before the first national holiday with the new president. This specifically indicates that many parties are trying to send a message to Abd Rabbu Mansur, that there are still other forces controlling the scenes in Yemen.

Reporter, Male #2
The preparation for the military parade, which President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi was going to attend, was the first of its kind. The Central Security units, the First Armored Division, the Republican Guard, and all military and security units participated for the first time since the Yemeni revolution erupted last year, causing rifts in the Yemeni army.

Guest, Male #3 (Holger Green, German Ambassador to Sanaa)
I still don't have a very clear picture of what happened, but this was a tragic accident. It is not fair that one person kills this large number of his fellow soldiers.

Reporter, Male #1
The incident may reinforce the idea of division within the army. But at the same time, it illuminates the need to unite the army, which observers believe will remain the target for penetration and fragmentations, if it does not become united soon. The incident may cast shadows on Yemen's transitional phase and political process, in light of the continual division of the army, which has led to a noticeable security vacuum.

Presenter, Female #1
A cautious calm returned this morning to the Lebanese capital Beirut, following overnight armed clashes that erupted between supporters and opponents of the Syrian regime. Two people were killed and 18 others were wounded in the clashes. Tension is rising across various Lebanese regions, following the death of a religious cleric by the army, in the northern Lebanese region of Akkar. In response, several political groups called for a truce and warned against what they described as "acts of sectarian strife." Iliam Shatri reports from Beirut.

Reporter, Female #2
A cautious calm is dominating the Tariq Jadidah district in the Lebanese capital, after a night full of clashes that ended with the Lebanese army's deployment. The district of Beirut woke up this morning to scenes of destruction, property damage, and causalities, amid chaos and fear of renewed tension.

Guest, Male #1
Unfortunately, there's no more talk. What you see here on the ground is what you get.

Guest, Male #2
There's tension on the ground, but we need to believe that we can end this tension.

Guest, Male #3
A good citizen is a citizen who remains calm. However, there will come a time when he has to break his silence.

Reporter, Female #2
As for the night in Beirut, this is how it appeared. Armed confrontations erupted between supporters and opponents of the Syrian regime. The angry crowd closed city streets with burning tires and barriers in protest over the killing of a religious cleric and his companion at a Lebanese army's checkpoint in the northern Akkar region. The incident sparked a wave of indignation and tension across various Lebanese regions. In response, several political leaders called for self-restraint, in a bid to avert dragging the country into strife.

Reporter, Female #2
This is the first time in a long time that both sides of the Lebanese conflict agree on the importance of restoring calm and upholding civil peace. However, it remains to be seen whether the tensed street will respond to the call issued by its leadership, especially amid the unfolding developments in Syria, which Lebanon is trying to distance itself from.

Guest, Male #4 (George Alam, Writer and Political Analyst)
It's not in any Lebanese group's interest to see a civil war in the country. Unfortunately, the Lebanese front is being infiltrated by foreign intelligence. Perhaps, certain foreign groups may benefit from dragging Lebanon into strife. There is a reason to point the finger abroad. The leadership is keen to solve this problem.

Reporter, Female #2
From Tripoli, which is still healing from its wounds, to Akkar, where confrontations erupted in the Tariq Jadidah district, Lebanon is facing the challenge of managing to distance itself from the developments in Syria. Is there a plot to drag Lebanon into chaos? Many questions are being raised. And the answers to these questions hinge on the unfolding developments on the ground. From Tariq Jadidah, Iliam Shatri, Dubai TV, Beirut.

Presenter, Female #1
North Lebanon was not much different. Today, the residents of Akkar will hold a funeral procession for religious cleric Sheikh Ahmed Abed al-Wahed and his companion, Mohamed al-Mireb, who were killed yesterday at a Lebanese army checkpoint. A general strike and a state of tension are dominating the northern Lebanese region, despite the call for truce by several members of the government and opposition. The army said it launched an investigation into the incident. In response, the residents rejected the army's intervention in the case. On the ground, the army was able to reopen the streets in Tripoli, Akkar, al-Biqaa, and the coastal road connecting Beirut with the South, which protestors blocked with burning tires.

Presenter, Male #1
NATO leaders announced today that they will hand over security operations to Afghan forces by mid-2013. Meanwhile, the Afghans expressed their readiness to take over security and military responsibilities, after more than a decade of having the presence of Western forces in their country. At a summit in Chicago, NATO leaders announced the launch of the first phase of a defensive missile shield to protect Europe from missile attacks from the Middle East, especially Iran.

Reporter, Male #2
At the Chicago summit, the NATO leaders announced their readiness to transfer the military leadership in Afghanistan to Kabul's government by mid-2013. A day after that, Afghan officials and citizens expressed their eagerness for their forces to take over security operations in the country, which has witnessed years of chaos and violence. A military commander affirmed his forces' readiness to protect the country and maintain its security.

Guest, Male #3 (General Gadam Shah Shahim, Commander of Division 110)
The Afghan army and other Afghan forces are ready to take on security operations in our country. We are grateful for the assistance from the international community, but we do not lament taking over security operations. It is our duty to lead the mission.

Reporter, Male #2
A government official spoke of the most significant challenges that Kabul's authorities are facing after the international forces leave Afghanistan.

Guest, Male #4 (Sadiq Siddiqi, Spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry)
The main challenges are our equipment, and of course, training. We need to focus on and invest in training security forces, while acknowledging the international community's commitment to providing equipment to the Afghan security forces. That should be done in accordance with the plan that was drawn up within the framework of the transitional process. This makes us confident, not only as Afghans, but also as part of the international community, that we will be able to take up more responsibility.

Reporter, Male #2
As for Afghan citizens, they indicated the main problem their country is facing pertains to improving living conditions in order to prevent fresh violence. They stressed the importance of the international community's continual support for their government.

Guest, Male #5
If the international community paid attention to our economic situation and made efforts to improve it, no one would resort to using violence to destabilize our country. The problem here is the economy.

Guest, Male #6
We are happy that the Chicago summit supported the Afghan government, and showed the world that Afghanistan is not alone, and that NATO will not leave Afghanistan to be on its own.

Reporter, Male #2
Even though the Afghan security forces consist of 330,000 members, they still need support in terms of intelligence, aerial forces, and logistics. Their mission will not be easy when NATO's 130,000 military members leave the country, as Afghanistan is still enduring recurrent attacks from the Taliban.

Presenter, Male #1
The Syrian Revolution General Commission said 13 people were killed today in various Syrian areas: four in Homs, four in Hama, and a woman in Daraa. The al-Khalidiya neighborhood of Homs was intensely shelled, and regime forces stormed the town of Qassun on the west coast. Meanwhile, the town of Karnaz in the countryside of Hama witnessed a general strike in protest of the military operations carried out by the regime's army in Hama and its countryside. Al-Sukkariya Town in the countryside of Idlib witnessed an anti-regime demonstration as well. This comes as international observers continue to visit a number of Syrian cities, one day after an explosive device was detonated near cars carrying a number of UN observers near the town of Duma in the countryside of Damascus.

Presenter, Female #1
Demonstrations calling for toppling the regime are continuing in Bahrain, while security forces burned residential homes in the village of Maameer. On the other hand, political and rights activists called for a sit-in in front the UN headquarters in Geneva, which was holding a session designated for discussing human rights, and on its agenda was the case of human rights violations in Bahrain.

Reporter, Male #2
Bahrain, an island with a dark night, and the suffocating smell of toxic gas fill its cities. All that can be heard are the screams of its residents, and gun fire mixed with cries. People who do not know calm; every morning has its own slogan, and protestors calling for peaceful demonstrations on the week of "rejecting the US arming of the regime," and solidarity with the wanted and the fugitives. These calls were answered in various cities and villages in Bahrain, and demonstrations emerged.

Reporter, Male #2
In one of its countless violations, Bahraini security forces burnt a house in the village of Maameer, by firing poisonous and petrol bombs on the homes of the residents of the area, as a punishment for participating in a demonstration, only to demand their rights.

Reporter, Male #2
In a new crackdown on the freedom of expression, Ahmed Reda, a media figure, tortured by police officer Isa Majali, to force him to confess to publishing false news and participating in anti-regime demonstrations. The interior ministry is refusing to allow his family and lawyers to visit him, for fear of seeing the signs of torture on him. Meanwhile, the case of the Bahraini regime's violations against the people was being viewed by the UN Human Rights Council. One hundred different human rights organizations worldwide called for an end to the assault on the freedom of expression, and the release of all rights and online activists. They also called on the UN Human Rights Council and all relevant governments to use their influence on the ruling al-Khalifa family to end its violations of these rights.

Presenter, Male #1
The participating countries in the session to review the human rights case in Bahrain directed sharp criticisms at the al-Manama government, due to the violations and crimes it committed against its people. And throughout the session that was held in Geneva, the Bahraini government delegation seemed fully aware of the continuing violations, was not able to respond to the condemnations and criticisms directed to them by participating countries. The delegation was subject to precise and clear questions regarding violations and the international obligations, and for not implementing the recommendations of the fact-finding commission. However, the official answers of the Bahraini delegation were not spared of untruths.

NATO leaders are urging Pakistan to reopen a key supply route into Afghanistan. In a declaration at the NATO summit, the alliance asked Pakistan to open the supply route as soon as possible. NATO's secretary-general had threatened to leave Pakistan out of the summit if the supply lines remained closed. Islamabad shut key supply routes for the US-led forces back in November, following a deadly American attack on its military personnel.

The head of the IAEA, Yukiya Amano, promised the prevention of information leaks after leaked information led to the assassination of several Iranian scientists. Iran has accused the IAEA of disclosing the names of its scientists in one of its reports; those scientists were later killed in terrorist attacks.

A new video shows Israeli settlers armed with a pistol and an M-16 shooting at Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as Israeli soldiers stand by around them. Other settlers involved reportedly threw stones at the Palestinians. A 24-year-old Palestinian was injured in the shooting; five others were also wounded by rock-throwing settlers. The incident took place in Asira al-Qibliya near the Nablus area, and the footage was released by Human Rights Watch.

Israel celebrated Jerusalem Day, with the Cabinet holding a special session attended by Mayer Nir Barkat at the 1967 battlefield of Ammunition Hill. The main subject of the session was the influx of migrant workers into the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there must be a national campaign to prevent illegal African migrants from entering the country. The government also authorized a plan that would encourage the economic development of the capital, with funded by a 350 million shekel grant to be used over the next six years to develop tourism sites and encourage the development of hotels and infrastructure for tourism. The government also authorized a plan to build homes police officers and career IDF soldiers with land provided by the Israel Lands Administration.

Presenter, Male #1
In occupied Jerusalem, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and a number of officials inaugurated the reopening of the Palestinian Heritage Museum in Dar al-Tifel al-Arabi organization, or Children's House. The museum exhibits relics of the Ottoman manuscripts, which proves the presence of Jerusalemites in the holy city of Jerusalem at the time.

Reporter, Female #1
With cooperation from local, Arab, Islamic, and Italian organizations, Dar al-Tifel al-Arabi inaugurated the reopening of the Palestinian Heritage Museum in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and a number of community leaders of the holy city of Jerusalem attended the ceremony.

Guest, Male #2 (Khaled al-Khatib, Curator of the Museum)
The organization recounts the rich history of the Deir Yassin village, when the Palestinian villages were deserted due to the Nakba, or catastrophe, of 1948. That was extremely difficult for us. We worked very hard on this subject, and the result was great, thank God. God willing, we have accomplished something very good for the Palestinians and the Jerusalemites.

Guest, Male #3 (Salam Fayyad, Palestinian Prime Minister)
I believe this museum expresses the real resistance against the occupation. It is a form of resistance against the occupation's campaigns and practices. It helps preserve the identity of the land and our Palestinian heritage, especially in Jerusalem. I salute this pioneering organization and its founders, who helped launch such an initiative. It's an accomplishment with great importance and value.

Reporter, Female #1
The Palestinian Heritage Museum was established by Hind al-Husseini in 1962, because it was necessary to introduce the Palestinian people's historical legacy to the outside world. But the obstacles imposed by Israel prevented it from developing. After a full operation of restoration and architectural modernization over the past few years, the museum and its various exhibit halls have been renovated, and are prepared to re-display the valuable historical relics that stemmed from the Jerusalem civilization.

Guest, Male #4 (Adnan al-Husseini, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs)
We put this culture on display because it is very important for the generations to be proud of their history, to appreciate it, and to know that Jerusalem is theirs. Jerusalem is theirs with all its details, in every yarn, every brick, every rock, and every picture on these walls. This organization is still in its infanthood.

Guest, Female #3 (Mahirah al-Dajani, Head of the Council of Dar al-Tifel al-Arabi)
In the celebration held today, we saw a very enthusiastic crowd. They were very impressed by the items that we've put on display. This makes me very happy, and makes me feel that my hard work didn't go in vain. Everything comes with a price. It's true that I worked very hard on this, but the result was pleasant. It proves to the entire world that we have been here for hundreds of years. This building is more than 200 years old. Who built it? Its owners. The administration building is 150 years old. Therefore, we have been here in the country for many decades, not today or ten years ago.

Reporter, Female #2
The museum houses exhibition halls that present an authentic and rich history, including a showroom for textile spinning and weaving, a room for traditional attire and jewelry, and a hall for manuscripts and documents from the Ottoman era. These relics reinforce the deep-rooted Palestinian civilization in Palestine generally, but particularly in Jerusalem. In light of Israel's defacement attempts, culture still thrives in Jerusalem, adorned with a civilization that remains shining and prospering among the cities. Sarwa Shaqra, Palestinian TV, occupied Jerusalem.

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