[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 07/10/12: World News From The Middle East [VIDEO]

Presenter, Male #1
Thousands of supporters of Islamic parties and national figures affiliated with the Pakistan Defense Council demonstrated in front of parliament to protest the government's decision to allow NATO supply convoys in Afghanistan to pass through Pakistani territories.

Presenter, Female #1
Protestors threatened to continue protesting until supply routes are shut down and US drone attacks on Pakistani villages are halted.

Reporter, Male #2
Tens of thousands of protestors spent two days marching from Lahore to Islamabad. The demonstration was named "the long march." They boarded all kinds of vehicles to protest the Pakistani government's approval of Islamabad's reopening of supply routes for NATO troops in Afghanistan. The flags of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, which is banned internationally, dominated the march that was not attended by the parties of Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, who only expressed verbal opposition to the reopening of the supply routes.

Guest, Male #3 (Samie al-Haq, Head of the Pakistan Defense Council)
The government not only failed to defend Pakistan but it let us down, deceived us, and defied the decision of a previous parliament, which did not allow the reopening of supply routes.

Guest, Male #4
The biggest challenge we are facing is stopping America from continuing to enslave us. We will not be part of America's new regime, and the drone attacks on our cities must end.

Reporter, Male #2
The organizers of the "long march," which was called for by the Pakistan Defense Council and included leaders of the Islamic political parties and national figures, stopped at Rawalpindi near Islamabad and strongly criticized the Pakistani government. The march that reached the headquarters of the Pakistani parliament in Islamabad at night is considered to be the largest of its kind in the capital in years. It may send a strong message to India and America about the strength of the Islamic parties, especially the banned party. The "long march" is threatening to continue its protests, which may include shutting down NATO supply routes to Afghanistan with human chains, if the Pakistani government does not peacefully accept their demands. Ahmed Zaidan, Al Jazeera, Islamabad.

Presenter, Male #1
After cutting half of the number of its ministerial portfolios to manage expenditure, the new Sudanese government, consisting of 37 members, took the oath before President Omar al-Bashir. While the ruling party believes the new government conforms to the austerity plan to minimize the effects of the economic crisis in Sudan, others believe it doesn't bring anything new. The opposition vowed that this change will not stop it from renewing its calls to topple the regime. Sami al-Shinawi reports from Khartoum.

Reporter, Male #1
It was as the ruling party desired, and was called "a slimmed-down cabinet," which preserved its old nature and some of its figures, including tribal members. It's the new Sudanese austerity government, which the ruling party says will help improve the economic crisis raging in the country.

Guest Male #2 (Hasabu Mohamed Abdel-Rahman, NCP Political Secretary)
This change was part of the economic measures adopted by the state with the aim of cutting down government spending. This will help us counter the economic challenges by cutting the positions of nearly 100 leaders at the federal government, including experts, advisors, as well as federal and state ministers.

Reporter, Male #2
By cutting 76 ministerial posts, mostly by combining or cancelling certain positions, the Khartoum government was reduced to 37 cabinet and state ministers. The opposition believes the new makeup will not help resolve the latest economic crisis, vowing to continue to demand the downfall of the regime.

Guest, Male #3 (Asmaa al-Turbai, Opposition Popular Congress)
The program of the opposition will not change with the change of the government. The opposition will continue to move in the same direction. Our program is the answer to the demands of the Sudanese street. This government must leave in order to end this frightening deterioration of the country's economy and society.

Reporter, Male #2
The recent economic crisis that struck Sudan due to the loss of oil revenue after the secession of the South has sparked massive protests on the Sudanese streets. Meanwhile, the Sudanese people continue to look for a way out of this suffocating economic crisis.

Reporter, Male #2
The Sudanese street may not pay much attention to this newly-formed austerity government. The decisive factor that will determine the success of the ruling party's emergency rescue plans hinges on finding a real solution to the economic crisis that is threatening its survival. Sami al-Shinawi, Dubai TV, al-Khartoum.

A tense atmosphere in Qatif, as Saudi Arabian forces surround the city to prevent the eruption of fresh protests. Anger has been building up in the oil-rich eastern region following the arrest of a prominent Shia cleric. Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was wounded in an attack on his car and taken away by Saudi forces two days ago, an incident which prompted people to take to the streets of Qatif and al-Awamiyah in protest. Saudi forces responded with live fire, killing three people, bringing the Qatif death toll to 10 since last year.

There have been solidarity protests for the anti-regime protestors in Saudi Arabia. Demonstrators gathered outside the Saudi embassy in London to condemn the kingdom's crackdown on protestors. The demonstrators shouted slogans against the Saudi government, waved Bahraini flags, and condemned Riyadh's decision to send troops to help the Bahraini regime suppress the popular uprising there. They also protested against the arrest of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi forces.

Presenter, Male #1
In Baghdad, UN-Arab envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, said he will brief the UN Security Council on Wednesday about the outcome of his talks on the Syrian crisis. Earlier in Tehran, Annan said there's talk of a political process that has yet to begin. Meanwhile, a Syrian opposition delegation visited Moscow in a bid to narrow the gap between the Syrian opposition and Russia over finding a solution to the conflict in Syria.

Presenter, Male #1
On the ground, the Local Coordination Committees said that 41 people, mostly in Deir al-Zour and Aleppo, were killed by security gunfire and shelling by government forces. The Syrian official SANA news agency said they have foiled an infiltration attempt by armed groups coming from the Lebanese territories.

Reporter, Male #2
The display of military capabilities and various weapons is continuing in Syria, where the Syrian army has been conducting maneuvers for days. The drills were attended by senior officials, notably Defense Minister Daud Rajha and Deputy Defense Minister General Talal Mustafa Tlass, who is a relative but not the son of General Mustafa Tlass.

Reporter, Male #2
Amid the maneuvers, the official Syrian news agency said security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by what it referred to as a "terrorist" group coming from the Lebanese territories. The security forces also detained armed assailants in the countryside of Idlib. It seems the Syrian government is continuing to claim that its security forces are waging a war exclusively against groups described by the regime as "rebels and terrorists." This comes despite the latest statement issued by UN-Arab envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, who said the Syrian government has accepted a deal to hold talks with the armed opposition.

Reporter, Male #2
On the other hand, the opposition has a different story. Opposition activists said that the Syrian army and security forces continue to carry out military operations using heavy weapons across various regions. According to various reports, clashes erupted following attacks by the armed opposition on Syrian army bases. Incoming reports from Daraa confirmed the storming of the city by security forces. In addition, several soldiers announced their defection at a security checkpoint.

Reporter, Male #2
According to reports by the opposition, several people were killed or injured in a shelling targeting the city of Homs, al-Rastan, and the countrysides of Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib. Amid the military operations and clashes, the Syrian opposition held demonstrations across various regions, demanding the downfall of the regime. The demonstrators also criticized the international mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis, and accused them of failing to protect civilians. Wael al-Hajjar, BBC.

Today's verdict from the Jerusalem District Court found Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert innocent in two cases of corruption, but guilty of committing a breach of trust in a third. Olmert says he has been vindicated after being cleared of major corruption charges, namely bribery and the financing of private trips by Olmert and his family. However, in the investment promotion case, Olmert was ruled to have obtained government financing for businesses in his capacity as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor.

Presenter, Male #1
The occupation's authorities are delaying allowing families from the Gaza Strip to visit their imprisoned children in the Israeli occupation's jails, as agreed to in the last prisoners' deal.

Reporter, Male #2
Families of Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip are impatiently awaiting the resumption of the visitation program for their families. It has been stopped for over 6 years, following the capture of Israeli prisoner Gilad Shalit, who was released in an exchange deal signed last year. The prisoners' families presented the necessary documents and information to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which supervises the visitation program.

Guest, Female #1 (Mother of Detainee Mohamed al-Agha)
We, the families, are impatiently waiting for the Red Cross, or anyone, to inform us that we can visit. We were very happy to learn that we were being allowed to visit, but unfortunately, nobody knows when this will happen. We don't know, and the Red Cross doesn't know, and Ramadan is coming up, and we still haven't visited our children. We miss them.

Reporter, Male #2
The occupation's prison administration continues to postpone the date set for the resumption of visits to family members held behind bars. This has caused growing fear and concern over the condition of the prisoners, especially amid the prison administration's failure to implement the articles of the agreement signed with the prisoners' movement last May, and its return to using repressive and abusive policies against the prisoners.

Guest, Male #3 (Father of Detainee Ramez Barbakh)
We are calling on the Red Cross and experts to allow us to visit our children. I am one of the people who hasn't visited my son in 10 years. I want to see him, even for 10 minutes.

Guest, Female #2 (Mother of Detainee Alaa Abu Seta)
We are calling on His Excellency the President to work hard to release our children. We have high hopes in God, then in President Abu Mazin.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the international committee's completion of all logistical measures, meetings and communication between the International Committee of the Red Cross and the administration of the occupation's prisons have not led to a set time for family visitations for the prisoners. It is a matter that many see as Israeli political blackmail, in the case of the detainees and prisoners.

Guest, Female #3 (Arwa Mahana, Deputy Spokeswoman for the Red Cross in Gaza)
We are very carefully and closely following up on the resumption of the visitation program for the families of prisoners from the Gaza Strip of their sons and relatives in Israeli prisons. Until now, no date has been set to resume the program, and we were not informed of a confirmed date by any side related to this matter. The minute we are officially informed, we will inform the concerned families of the time of the visit, and all details pertaining to logistic arrangements.

Reporter, Male #2
The families of prisoners from the Gaza Strip who are in the occupation's jails, fear that their hopes to meet their relatives may fade due to Israeli obstinacy and arrogance, as they continue to deny humanitarian visits, and sever communication between family members. Mohamed Judah, Palestine TV, Gaza.

Presenter, Female #1
The Women and Islamic Awakening conference held in Tehran witnessed a large gathering of women. In the morning session, a number of women gave speeches that focused on women's issues and their leading role in the awakening that toppled Arab regimes.

Reporter, Female #2
A large number of women from different countries are in the Iranian capital Tehran for the Women and Islamic Awakening conference. Twelve hundred activists and intellectuals participated in the conference that began with a speech by a member of the presidential committee of the Awakening conference Siddiqa Hijazi. She confirmed that the conference aims to exchange ideas between activists, and discussed the future of the Islamic awakening and find a strategy to promote the participation of women in the face of the Islamic world's current and future challenges.

Guest, Female #3 (Siddiqa Hijazi, Member of the Presidential Committee of the Awakening Conference)
The Islamic awakening is a blessing for the Muslim population. It is an important turn in the history of Islam and the beginning of new victories. This awakening is characterized by the presence of women in the squares and fields.

Reporter, Female #2
The head of the women's organization of Hezbollah, Reema Fakhry, assured that the Islamic revolutions witnessed in the region have foiled the plans of the US to control Muslim countries. She also praised the role played by women in the Islamic awakening, considering the Islamic revolution in Iran as the first revolution to fight on behalf of the vulnerable people against arrogant powers. She stressed that the revolution succeeded because of the cooperation between men and women.

Reporter, Female #2
Libyan activist Wijdan Wilad viewed the term Islamic Awakening as a confrontation of secularism and Western and American efforts aimed at erasing the Islamic identity by exporting strange knowledge about Islamic societies.

Reporter, Female #2
A member of the presidential committee of the Women and Islamic Awakening conference, Latifa al-Habashi, said the Tunisian revolution proved that the Tunisian people are faithful to their religion Islam, adding that Iranian women are serious and committed to their work, and Islam does not prevent Iranian society from achieving progress in all fields.

Reporter, Female #2
Egyptian activist Mona Ahmed said the Iranian revolution was the real launch of the Islamic Awakening witnessed in the Islamic World that relies on the foundations that were set by the late Imam Khomeini.

Guest, Female #4 (Mona Ahmed, Egyptian Activist)
Imam Khomeini said women are the source of empowerment. I think that today we are at the beginning of the road, and that beginning starts with raising a Muslim girl by a Muslim mother who is faithful to Islam.

Reporter, Female #2
The conference, which will last for two days, focuses on solving problems and issues related to women, as well as discussing the prominent role women have played in the Islamic Awakening that took over oppressive and unjust regimes that had long been in power. That awakening began in Tunisia, and passed through Egypt, Yemen, and Libya.

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