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[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 06/25/12: World News from the Middle East [VIDEO]

Yemen's Council of the Revolution's Youth holds first general conference

Al Jazeera, Qatar
Presenter, Male #1
In Yemen, the Council of the Revolution's Youth started its first general conference in Sanaa with the aim of forming a clear vision for the youth project. The Presidential Communication Commission, formed by interim President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi to hold a dialogue with the youth, was accused by Yemeni revolutionary coalitions of including thugs loyal to deposed Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Reporter, Male #1
The first annual conference of a revolutionary coalition, called the Council of the Revolution's Youth, is being held in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. It was convened to manage discussions held in different governorates on the role of the revolutionary youth in the transitional phase, and aims to form a clear vision of their plan to build a modern Yemeni state.

Guest, Female #1
The changing face of the revolution must be taken into account, and that means that this revolution, its concepts, and its goals must reach all the people, so that it becomes a social revolution.

Reporter, Male #2
The conference was initiated after holding a debate and heated discussions that sometimes escalated to fistfights. The youth refuse what they call the attempts by the Presidential Commission, which was formed by President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, to include in the dialogue those that they describe as the thugs of the deposed Yemeni president's party. They add that the Gulf initiative stipulated that the dialogue must be held between the youth of the revolution and the government. The Presidential Commission denied these accusations, and said that it will take the youth's observation into account.

Guest, Female #2 (Samah Radman, Rights Activist)
The terms specified that the dialogue should take place between those who did not sign the Gulf initiative, the Houthis, al-Hirak, and the youth. We want to be treated like the Houthis and al-Hirak, as one entity under the banner of revolutionary youths.

Reporter, Male #2
The intense dialogue coincides with protests held almost daily, in which thousands participate. They roam the lively streets of the capital and other cities to demand the resignation of Saleh's relatives, especially his son, who leads the Republican Guards and special forces. In addition, they demand the release of the detainees as a prerequisite for holding a dialogue with the government. According to observers, the situation hinges on how serious and committed the political parties are to include the youth in the country's political future. According to the Gulf initiative, the dialogue was supposed to be held between the government and the revolutionary youth. However, the youth are accusing certain elements from the former regime of seeking to disrupt the process, and include the deposed president's loyalists in the dialogue. Ahmed al-Shalafi, Al Jazeera, Sanaa.

Sudan's al-Bashir says protests are no 'Arab Spring' as crackdown continues

Dubai TV, UAE
Presenter, Male #1
Cautious calm is dominating the streets of the Sudanese capital only hours after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir warned that security forces will be deployed to confront the protestors. Al-Bashir dismissed the economic crisis as a reason for the anti-government protests, and accused agitators of being behind them. The opposition condemned al-Bashir's position, saying his rule has started to dwindle. Our correspondent Sami al-Shinawi reports from al-Khartoum.

Reporter, Male #2
"Deviants!" This is how the Sudanese president described the demonstrators in al-Khartoum's squares, while ruling out that protests over the deteriorating living conditions are an "Arab Spring." And while there was no mention of mobilizing jihadist groups, the ruling party said it will use the security option to deal with the demonstrators by setting up training bases to counter the conspiracy against the country.

Guest, Male #3 (Omar al-Bashir, Sudanese President)
When the Sudanese people revolt, they really revolt. The people who are burning tires are a few agitators and deviants. Some people came out to the street, but we know who the real jihadists are.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the threats and warnings, the scene of protests continues to dominate the country's squares that are bracing for further escalations, especially considering that al-Bashir's reforms are not suitable to deal with the suffocating economic crisis looming in the country.

Guest, Male #4 (Abu Bakr Abed al-Razeq, Change Now Movement Spokesman)
We are not deviants. Those who took to the streets are not deviants. They are the sons and daughters of the Sudanese people. They have specific demands. The wave of demonstrations will escalate in the coming days. They will be peaceful.

Reporter, Male #2
The opposition believes that al-Bashir's remarks indicate that the reign of his regime is dwindling, at the security, political, and economic levels. It seems that the ruling regime's options are limited, especially amid the suffocating economic situation, which is continuing to pull the opposition, the government, and the demonstrators further apart leaving the door open to all possibilities. Sami al-Shinawi, Dubai TV, al-Khartoum.

Syria warns NATO of conspiring against Damascus

Press TV, Iran
Syria says it is against an emergency NATO meeting that is to take place in Turkey on Tuesday after the downing of a Turkish warplane by Syrian forces. A spokesman for the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that the aim of the NATO meeting is hostile, and that Damascus would defend its borders at any cost.

European Union to impose unilateral sanctions against Iran on July 1

Press TV, Iran
The European Union announced its plans to go ahead with an embargo against Iranian oil imports. The sanctions will be implemented on July 1. Catherine Ashton's remarks come when the P5+1 and Iran are engaged in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

Syrian army continues shelling besieged Homs, as opposition cries 'genocide'

BBC Arabic, UK
Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 41 people were killed today in the shelling and clashes in many Syrian regions. The shelling continued on the neighborhoods of Homs as the Free Syrian Army warned against an attack on the city by regime soldiers, and against what it referred to as a massacre.

Presenter, Female #1
For its part, the revolution's General Commission reported that the city of Talbisa in Homs Province is also being heavily shelled. Meanwhile, Syrian National Council sources and Turkish media confirmed that 33 Syrian soldiers defected from the Syrian army yesterday, including a major-general and two colonels who crossed into the Turkish territory.

Reporter, Male #1
Heavy artillery shelling and rockets are targeting al-Hamidiya as explosions are rocking the neighborhood, and columns of smoke were seen rising.

Reporter, Male #1
Clashes also continued in al-Khalidiya, Jouret al-Chayah, Deir Ba'alba, Jawbar, and al-Sultaniya in the city of Homs. As for the countryside of Homs, the shelling of Talbisa, al-Qusayr, and al-Rastan continued, leading to casualties, according to activists who uploaded these videos online.

Reporter, Male #1
Relief organizations were unable to enter Homs, which led the Free Syrian Army's high military council to warn Arab and Muslim states and international organizations that the regime is carrying out what it called a massacre in Homs. In an appeal by the National Council, it said the events in Homs constitute what it called mass annihilation,that has been ongoing for 20 days. In Deir az-Zour, clashes continued in the area of al-Jbeileh, al-Hamidiya, al-Ardee, al-Aammal, and Sheikh Yassin as regime forces continue the operations.

Reporter, Male #1
This comes as the official Syrian TV confirmed the regime is fighting what it described as armed terrorist groups that are targeting vital facilities and oil lines in that region.

Reporter, Male #1
Clashes also continued in the neighborhoods of al-Hader, and Tariq Halab in Hama, leading to casualties. Civilians were also killed in Kufr Runbul and Maarat al-Numaan in the countryside of Idlib, as confrontations continued in other regions. According to opposition videos uploaded online, the authenticity of which could not be verified, a police station was attacked in al-Ghandoura in the countryside of Aleppo. Following the attack, this sergeant defected from the station, and handed himself over to members of the Free Army on camera. Al-Humaira in Douma is being shelled by Syrian regime forces trying to take control of the region.

Reporter, Male #1
As for the countryside of Daraa, the village of Maarada was subjected to shelling with helicopters in the government's attempt to control the village, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Many regions continued to protest since the early morning, despite the Syrian security forces' use of force to disperse the demonstrators, even in sensitive areas, including Damascus, Hama, and al-Sahel. Also in al-Sahel, Syrian TV said what it described as a terrorist group was captured by government forces in Latakia. The group is responsible for a number of operations that targeted civilians, including children. Hayyan Yaqoob, BBC.

Celebrations in Egypt as President-Elect Morsi vows to continue revolution

Al-Alam, Iran
Presenter, Female #1
Egyptian president-elect Mohamed Morsi said the revolution is continuing until all of its goals are achieved. He also confirmed that his country will not interfere in the internal affairs of any other country. Morsi said he will work on building relations with all countries on the basis of respect and mutual interests. Celebrations swept most of the country's governorates.

Reporter, Female #2
Egypt is festive after the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate Mohamed Morsi was announced as Egypt's first post-revolution president. Here, in central Cairo's Tahrir Square, as in most squares and cities of the country, different Egyptians celebrated in their own way. Some chanted "God is great," others celebrated to the tune of popular music, while some set off fireworks. Hundreds of Egyptian flags were raised to rejoice in this historic event, which is the culmination of months of struggle that ended an era of injustice and tyranny.

Guest Male #2
Mohamed Morsi is responsible for us, and we are responsible for him, God willing. If he makes a mistake, we will evaluate him.

Guest, Male #3 (Saad al-Katatni, Speaker of the People's Assembly)
The Egyptian people are very happy because for the first time they are able to express their will, and choose their president on their own.

Reporter, Female #2
The Egyptian people chose their president for the first time, so they elected Mohamed Morsi as Egypt's first post-revolution president. He is the fifth president after Mohamed Naguib, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak. In his first speech to the people after his victory, he vowed to be a president for all Egyptians without any discrimination, assuring that the revolution is continuing.

Guest, Male #4 (Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian President Elect)
I am now a president for all Egyptians, wherever they are, in the country or abroad. I will reach out to all Egyptians. The revolution is continuing until all its goals are achieved.

Reporter, Female #2
Morsi also vowed to respect Egypt's treaties and international charters, and not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. He said he will work on building relations with countries around the world on the basis of respect and mutual interests.

Guest, Male #4
We will respect international treaties and charters, and all pacts and obligations between Egypt and the entire world. We will not allow ourselves to interfere in the internal affairs of any country, as we will not allow any interference in our affairs.

Reporter, Female #2
Egypt has entered a new phase in its history by electing the first civilian president for the country that has been ruled by the military since 1952.

Israelis concerned over Muslim Brotherhood's victory in Egypt

IBA, Israel
Israeli media expressed almost unanimous concern over the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood rising to power in Egypt. A number of newspapers, including Yedioth Ahronoth, Maariv, and the Jerusalem Post said that the election of Mohamed Morsi was a dangerous development in the Middle East, especially for Israel. IBA interviewed Jerusalem residents about the new development; they were hopeful that Morsi would be a pragmatic leader in terms of avoiding extremism, but not optimistic.

Russian PM Vladimir Putin visits Israel for the first time since 2005

IBA, Israel
In an act of historic cooperation between Russia and Israel, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Shimon Peres together unveiled a monument commemorating the Russian army's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. It was Putin's first visit to Israel since 2005, and included a summit between Putin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

UN experts train Palestinian security to remove land mines

Palestine TV, Ramallah
Presenter, Male #1
Under the supervision of the Interior Ministry-run Palestinian Center for Mine Action, experts from the United Nations started training security members on means to clear land mines. The program will last three weeks, and is held in the field of the Institute of Public Security Forces in the city of Jericho.

Reporter, Male #2
This is a supposed land mine field, where members of police, civil defense, and national security institutions are training on how to handle and clear land mines in accordance with the principles of security and safety. Dozens of Palestinians have been victims of land mines left by the occupation's army.

Guest, Male #3 (Captain Taisir Muqbil, Trainer)
Palestine as a whole is infested with mine fields. Land mines were planted in all the cities, villages and refugee camps of the West Bank, even in the agricultural areas. And with the recurrent injuries and deaths by land mines, it became necessary for us in the National Authority to take the decision to remove these land mines. God willing, the team will soon be able to handle land mines in real fields.

Reporter, Male #2
The program extends to training these demining specialists for four weeks, under the supervision of experts from the United Nations and the Palestinian Center for Mine Action, so they will be capable of executing their mission professionally, knowledgably, and competently.

Guest, Male #4 (Allen Kylie, UN Land Mine Expert)
Each team consists of technical experts in clearing land mines from the United Nations. I believe the level of these trainees is very high, and so far, I'm very happy with their level. They have the capacity for EOD.

Reporter, Male #2
For the training program on disposing and removing mines to be successful, trainees must be familiar and aware of the land mines' sizes and various types, and be able to distinguish them and know how to dismantle them. But the available capacities for practicing are limited.

Reporter, Male #2
With extreme caution and high accuracy, the trainees are carrying out the operational steps on how to locate the land mines underground, and dispose of them to spare our people their dangers and horrors.

Reporter, Male #2
The distance between this training field and the Jordanian-Palestinian border is a short one, and the border region is infested with thousands of tons of explosives of different types. The day will come when these security members and soldiers will be working to remove these mines in an independent Palestinian state with Palestinian know-how. Fathi Baraha, Palestine TV, Jericho.

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