Imam Moussa Sadr abduction & Role of Qadafi - English
Imam Musa Sadr
A member of Lebanese Amal Movement has described the abduction of Lebanon\'s Shia cleric Imam Moussa al-Sadr as a deliberate ploy...
Imam Musa Sadr
A member of Lebanese Amal Movement has described the abduction of Lebanon\'s Shia cleric Imam Moussa al-Sadr as a deliberate ploy by the United States and international Zionism.
Khalil Hamdan, who headed a delegation representing the Amal Movement, told reporters in the Iranian capital of Tehran that the US and \'Zionists\' used Libya\'s fugitive ruler Muammar Gaddafi to implement the ploy in order to undermine the Lebanese movement, IRNA reported on Monday.
Sadr, the founder of Lebanon\'s Amal Movement, was a popular and highly revered Lebanese Shia cleric of Iranian descent that disappeared on August 31, 1978 while visiting Libya.
Hamdan further made reference to Sadr\'s endeavors to illuminate and spread the values of the Islamic Revolution and noted that Imam Moussa had elaborated on the point in his last article before his abduction.
Accompanied by two of his companions, Mohammed Yaqoub and Abbas Badreddin, Sadr was scheduled to meet with officials from the then government of Gaddafi.
At the time, Libyan authorities claimed that the Iranian-born influential cleric and his associates had boarded a flight to Rome, Italy. However, Italian officials said the three men were never found on the plane.
Born in the Iranian city of Qom, Sadr went to Lebanon in 1959 to work for the civil rights of Shias in the southern city of Tyre. In 1974, a year before Lebanon\'s 15-year civil war broke out, he founded the Movement of the Deprived, attracting thousands of followers.
In 1975, Sadr founded Amal, the first major resistance and political force for Lebanon\'s Shias, who were historically under the rule of Christians and Sunnis.
Most of Sadr\'s followers are convinced that Gaddafi ordered his assassination in a dispute over Libyan payments to Lebanese groups, but the Imam\'s family argues he could still be alive in a Libyan jail.
In 2008, the Lebanese government issued an arrest warrant for Gaddafi over Sadr\'s disappearance.
Lebanon has recognized Libya\'s Transitional National Council (TNC), saying it would work with \"emerging authorities\" in the North African country to uncover the fate of the missing cleric.
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[ENGLISH e-Book] Al-Ghadir and its Relevance to ISLAMIC UNITY by Shaheed...
Message of Thaqalayn
\"Al-Ghadir\" and its Relevance to Islamic Unity
________________________________________
Ayatullah Murtaza...
Message of Thaqalayn
\"Al-Ghadir\" and its Relevance to Islamic Unity
________________________________________
Ayatullah Murtaza Mutahhari
Translated by Mojgan Jalali
Vol. 3, No. 1 and 2 (1417 AH/1996 CE)
The distinguished book entitled \"al-Ghadir\" has raised a huge wave in the world of Islam. Islamic thinkers shed light on the book in different perspectives; in literature, history, theology, tradition, tafsir, and sociology. From the social perspective we can deal with the Islamic unity. In this review the Islamic unity has been dealt with from a social point of view.
Contemporary Muslim thinkers and reformists are of the view that unity and solidarity of Muslims are the most imperative Islamic exigencies at the present juncture when the enemies have made extensive inroads upon the Islamic community and have tried to resort to different ways and means to spread the old differences and create new ones. We are aware that Islamic unity and fraternity is the focus of attention of the Holy Legislator of Islam and is actually the major objective pursued by this Divine religion as firmed by the Qur\'an, the \"Sunnah\", and the history of Islam.
For this reason, some people have been faced with this question: Wouldn\'t the compilation and publication of a book such as \"al-Ghadir\" which deals with the oldest issue of differences among the Muslims- create a barrier in the way of the sublime and lofty objective of the Islamic unity?
To answer this question, it is necessary first to elucidate the essence of this issue, that is, the Islamic unity, and then proceed to examine the role of the magnum opus entitled \"al-Ghadir\"and its eminent compiler \'Allamah Amini in bringing about Islamic unity.
Islamic Unity
What is meant by the Islamic unity? Does it mean that one Islamic school of thought should be unanimously followed and others be set aside? Or does it mean that the commonalties of all Islamic schools of thought should be taken up and their differences be put away to make up a new denomination which is not completely the same as the previous ones? Or does it mean that Islamic unity is in no way related to the unity of the different schools of Fiqh (jurisprudence) but signifies the unity of the Muslims and the unity of the followers of different schools of Fiqh, with their different religious ideas and views, vis-a-vis the aliens?
To give an illogical and impractical meaning to the issue of the Islamic unity, the opponents of the issue have called it to be the formation of a single Madhhab, so as to defeat it in the very first step. Without doubt, by the term Islamic unity, the intellectual Islamic \'Ulama\' (scholars) do not mean that all denominations should give in to one denomination or that the commonalties should be taken up and the different views and ideas be set aside, as these are neither rational and logical nor favorable and practical. By the Islamic unity these scholars mean that all Muslims should unite in one line against their common enemies.
These scholars slate that Muslims have many things in common, which can serve as the foundations of a firm unity. All Muslims worship the One Almighty and believe in the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (s). The Qur\'an is the Book of all Muslims and Ka\'abah is their \"qiblah\" (direction of prayer). They go to\"hajj\" pilgrimage with each other and perform the \"hajj\" rites and rituals like one another. They say the daily prayers and fast like each other. They establish families and engage in transactions like one another. They have similar ways of bringing up their children and burying their dead. Apart from minor affairs, they share similarities in all the aforementioned cases. Muslims also share one kind of world view, one common culture, and one grand, glorious, and long-standing civilization.
Unity in the world view, in culture, in the civilization, in insight and disposition, in religious beliefs, in acts of worship and prayers, in social rites and customs can well turn the Muslim into a unified nation to serve as a massive and dominant power before which the big global powers would have to bow down. This is especially true in view of the stress laid by Islam on this principle. According to the explicit wording of the Qur\'an, the Muslims are brothers, and special rights and duties link them together. So, why shouldn\'t the Muslims use all these extensive facilities accorded to them as the blessing of Islam?
This group of \'Ulama\' are of the view that there is no need for the Muslims to make any compromise on the primary or secondary principles of their religion for the sake of Islamic unity. Also it is not necessary for the Muslims to avoid engaging in discussions and reasons and writing books on primary and secondary principles about which they have differences. The only consideration for Islamic unity in this case is that the Muslims- in order to avoid the emergence or accentuation of vengeance - preserve their possession, avoid insulting and accusing each other and uttering fabrications, abandon ridiculing the logic of one another, and finally abstain from hurting one another and going beyond the borders of logic and reasoning. In fact, they should, at least, observe the limits which Islam has set forth for inviting non-Muslims to embrace it:
\"Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner... \"(16: 125)
Some people are of the view that those schools of fiqh, such as, Shafi\'i and Hanafi which have no differences in principle should establish brotherhood and stand in one line. They believe that denominations which have differences in the principles can in no way be brothers. This group view the religious principles as an interconnected set as termed by scholars of Usul, as an interrelated and interdependent set; any damage to one principle harms all principles.
As a result, those who believe in this principle are of the view that when, for instance, the principle of \"imamah\" is damaged and victimized, unity and fraternity will bear no meaning and for this reason the Shi\'ah and the Sunnis cannot shake hands as two Muslim brothers and be in the same rank, no matter who their enemy is.
The first group answers this group by saying: \"There is no reason for us to consider the principles as an interrelated set and follow the principle of \"all or none\". Imam \'Ali (\'a) chose a very logical and reasonable approach. He left no stone unturned to retrieve his right. He used everything within his power to restore the principle of \"imamah\", but he never adhered to the motto of \"all or none\". \'Ali (\'a) did not rise up for his right, and that was not compulsory. On the contrary, it was a calculated and chosen approach. He did not fear death. Why didn\'t he rise up? There could have been nothing above martyrdom. Being killed for the cause of the Almighty was his ultimate desire. He was more intimate with martyrdom than a child is with his mother\'s breast. But in his sound calculations, Imam \'All (\'a) had reached the conclusion that under the existing conditions it was to the interest of Islam to foster collaboration and cooperation among the Muslims and give up revolt. He repeatedly stressed this point.
In one of his letters (No.62 \"Nahj al Balaghah\") to Malik al-Ashtar, he wrote the following:
\"First I pulled back my hand until I realized that a group of people converted from Islam and invited the people toward annihilating the religion of Muhammad(s). So I feared that if I did not rush to help Islam and the Muslims, I would see gaps or destruction which calamity would be far worse than the several-day-long demise of caliphate.\"
In the six-man council, after appointment of \'Uthman by \'Abdul-Rahman ibn \'Awf, \'Ali (\'a) set forth his objection as well as his readiness for collaboration as follows:\"
You well know that I am more deserving than others for caliphate. But now by Allah, so long as the affairs of the Muslims are in order and my rivals suffice with setting me aside and only I am alone subjected to oppression, I will not oppose (the move) and will give in (to it).\" (From Sermon 72, \"Nahj al- Balaghah\").
These indicate that in this issue \'Ali (\'a) condemned the principle of \"all or none\". There is no need to further elaborate the approach taken by \'Ali (\'a) toward this issue. There are ample historical proofs and reasons in this regard.
\'Allamah Amini
Now it is time to see to which group the eminent \'Allamah, Ayatullah Amini - the distinguished compiler of the \"al-Ghadir\" - belonged and how he thought. Did he approve of the unity of the Muslims only within the light of Shi\'ism? Or did he consider Islamic fraternity to be broader? Did he believe that Islam which is embraced by uttering the \"shahadatayn\" (the Muslim creed) would willy-nilly create some rights for the Muslims and that the brotherhood and fraternity set forth in the Qur\'an exists among all Muslims?
\'Allamah Amini personally considered this point - i.e. the need to elucidate his viewpoint on this subject and elaborate whether\"al-Ghadir\" has a positive or a negative role in (the establishment of) Islamic unity. In order not to be subject to abuse by his opponent - be they among the pros and cons - he has repeatedly explained and elucidated his views.
\'Allamah Amini supported Islamic unity and viewed an open mind and clear insight. On different occasions, he set forth this matter in various volumes of the \"al-Ghadir\'. Reference will be made to some of them below:
In the preface to volume I, he briefly mentions the role of \"al-Ghadir\" in the world of Islam. He states: \"And we consider all this as service to religion, sublimation of the word of the truth, and restoration of the Islamic \'ummah\' (community).\"
In volume 3 (page 77), after quoting the fabrications of Ibn Taymiyah, Alusi, and Qasimi to the effect that Shi \'ism is hostile to some of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Household of the Prophet) such as Zayd bin \'Ali bin al-Huseyn, he notes the following under the title of \"Criticism and Correction\":
\"These fabrications and accusations sow the seeds of corruption, stir hostilities among the \'ummah\',create discord among the Islamic community, divide the \'ummah\', and clash with the public interests of the Muslims.
Again in volume 3 (page 268), he quotes the accusation leveled on the Shi\'ahs by Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida to the effect that \"Shi\'ahs are pleased with any defeat incurred by Muslims, so much as they celebrated the victory of the Russians over the Muslims.\" Then he says:
\"These falsehoods are fabricated by persons like Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Rida. The Shi\'ahs of Iran and Iraq against whom this accusation is leveled, as well as the orientalists, tourists, envoys of Islamic countries, and those who traveled and still travel to Iran and Iraq, have no information about this trend. Shi\'ahs, without exception, respect the lives, blood, reputation, and property of the Muslims be they Shi\'ahs or Sunnis. Whenever a calamity has befallen the Islamic community anywhere, in any region, and for any sects, the Shi\'ahs have shared their sorrow. The Shi\'ahs have never been confined to the Shi\'ah world, the (concept of) Islamic brotherhood which has been set forth in the Qur\'an and the \'sunnah\'(the Prophet\'s sayings and actions), and in this respect, no discrimination has been made between the Shi\'ahs and the Sunnis.\"
Also at the close of volume 3, he criticizes several books penned by the ancients such as \"Iqd al-Farid\" by Ibn Abd al-Rabbih, \"al-Intisar\" by Abu al-Husayn Khayyat al-Mu\'tazili,\"al Farq bayn al-Firaq\" by Abu Mansur al-Baghdadi, \"al-Fasl\" by Ibn Hazm al-Andulusi, \"al-Milal wa al-Nihal\" by Muhammad ibn Abdul-Karim al-Shahristani \"Minhaj al-Sunnah\" by Ibn Taymiah and \"al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah\"by Ibn Kathir and several by the later writers such as \"Tarikh al-Umam al-Islamiyyah\" by Shaykh Muhammad Khizri, \"Fajr al Islam\" by Ahmad Amin, \"al-Jawlat fi Rubu al-Sharq al-Adna\" by Muhammad Thabit al-Mesri, \"al-Sira Bayn al-Islam wa al-Wathaniyah\" by Qasimi, and \"al- Washi\'ah\" by Musa Jarallah. Then he states the following:
\"By quoting and criticizing these books, we aim at warning and awakening the Islamic \'ummah\' (to the fact) that these books create the greatest danger for the Islamic community, they destabilize the Islamic unity and scatter the Muslim lines. In fact nothing can disrupt the ranks of the Muslims, destroy their unity, and tear their Islamic fraternity more severely than these books.\"
\'Allamah Amini, in the preface to volume 5, under title of\"Nazariyah Karimah\" on the occasion of a plaque of honor forwarded from Egypt for \"al-Ghadir\", clearly sets forth his view on this issue and leaves no room for any doubt. He remarks:
\"People are free to express views and ideas on religion. These (views and ideas) will never tear apart the bond of Islamic brotherhood to which the holy Qur\'an has referred by stating that \'surely the believers are brethren\'; even though academic discussion and theological and religious debates reach a peak. This has been the style of the predecessors, and of the \'sahaba\' and the\'tabi\'un\', at the head of them.
\"Notwithstanding all the differences that we have in the primary and secondary principles, we, the compilers and writers in nooks and corners of the world of Islam, share a common point and that is belief in the Almighty and His Prophet. A single spirit and one (form of) sentiment exists in all our bodies, and that is the spirit of Islam and the term\'ikhlas,\"
\"We, the Muslim compilers, all live under the banner of truth and carry out our duties under the guidance of the Qur\'an and the Prophetic Mission of the Holy Prophet (s). The message of all of us is \'Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam ... (3:18)\' and the slogan of all of us is \'There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.\' Indeed, we are (the members of) the party of Allah and the supporters of his religion.
In the preface to volume 8, under the title of \"al-Ghadir Yowahhad al-Sufuf fil-Mila al-Islami\", \'Allamah Amini directly makes researches into the role of \"Al- Ghadir\" in (the establishment of) Islamic unity. In this discussion, this great scholar categorically rejects the accusations leveled by those who said: \'Al-Ghadir\' causes greater discord among the Muslims. He proves that, on the contrary, \"Al-Ghadir\"removes many misunderstandings and brings the Muslims closer to one another. Then he brings evidence by mentioning the confessions of the non-Shi\'i Islamic scholars. At the close, he quotes the letter of Shaykh Muhammad Saeed Dahduh written in this connection.
To avoid prolongation of this article, we will not quote and translate the entire statements of \'Allamah Amini in explaining the positive role of \"al-Ghadir\" in (establishing) Islamic unity, since what has already been mentioned sufficiently proves this fact.
The positive role of \"al-Ghadir\" is established by the facts that it firstly clarifies the proven logic of the Shi\'ahs and proves that the inclination of Muslims to Shi\'ism - notwithstanding the poisonous publicity of some people - is not due to political, ethnic, or other trends and considerations. It also verifies that a powerful logic based on the Qur\'an and the \"sunnah\" has given rise to this tendency.
Secondly, it reflects that some accusations leveled on Shi\'ism - which have made other Muslims distanced from the Shi\'ah- are totally baseless and false. Examples of these accusations are the notion that the Shi\'ites prefer the non-Muslims to the non- Shi\'i Muslims, rejoice at the defeat of non-Shi\'ite Muslims at the hands of non-Muslims, and other accusations such as the idea that instead of going to hajj pilgrimage, the Shi\'ahs go on pilgrimage to shrines of the Imams, or have particular rites in prayers and in temporary marriage.
Thirdly, it introduces to the world of Islam the eminent Commander of the faithful \'Ali (\'a) who is the most oppressed and the least praised grand Islamic personality and who could be the leader of all Muslims, as well as his pure offspring.
Other Comments on \"al-Ghadir\"
Many unbiased non-Shia Muslims interpret the \"al-Ghadir\" in the same way that has already been mentioned.
Muhammad Abdul-Ghani Hasan al-Mesri, in his foreword on\"al-Ghadir\", which has been published in the preface to volume I, second edition, states:
\"I call on the Almighty to make your limpid brook (in Arabic, \'Ghadir\' means brook) the cause of peace and cordiality between the Shia and Sunni brothers to cooperate with one another in building the Islamic \"ummah.\"
\'Adil Ghadban, the managing editor of the Egyptian magazine entitled \"al-Kitab\", said the following in the preface to volume 3:
\"This book clarifies the Shi\'ite logic. The Sunnis can correctly learn about the Shi\'i through this book. Correct recognition of the Shi\'ahs brings the views of the Shi\'ahs and the Sunnis closer, and they can make a unified rank\".
In his foreword to the \"al-Ghadir\" which was published in thepreface to volume 4, Dr. Muhammad Ghallab, professor of philosophy at the Faculty of Religious Studies al-Azhar University said:
\"I got hold of your book at a very opportune time, because right now I am busy collecting and compiling a book on the lives of the Muslims from various perspectives. Therefore, I am highly avidfor obtaining sound information about \'Imamiyah\' Shi\'ism. Your book will help me. And I will not make mistakes about the Shi\'ahs as others have\".
In this foreword published in the preface to volume 4 of the\"al-Ghadir\", Dr. \'Abdul-Rahman Kiali Halabi says the following after referring to the decline of the Muslims in the present age and the factors which can lead to the Muslims\' salvation, one of which is the sound recognition of the successor of the Holy Prophet (s):
\"The book entitled \"al-Ghadir\" and its rich content deserves to be known by every Muslim to learn how historians have been negligent and see where the truth lies. Through this means, we should compensate for the past, and by striving to foster the unity of the Muslims, we should try to gain the due rewards\".
These were the views of \'Allamah Amini about the important social issues of our age and such were his sound reflections in the world of Islam.
Peace be upon him.
Text Source: http://www.al-islam.org/mot/default.asp?url=ghadir-relevance.htm
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Shahid Beheshti and Imam Khomeini on Characteristics of Leader in Islam...
Ayatollah Dr. Shahid Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti defends wilayatul faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) doctrine in a Parliament session...
Ayatollah Dr. Shahid Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti defends wilayatul faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) doctrine in a Parliament session debating on the vote that would eventually result in changes to IRI constitution involving implementation of WF theory
5m:13s
16527
US, Israel greatest security threat - English
http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/215690.html
A political activist says that the United States and Israeli governments are the greatest security...
http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/215690.html
A political activist says that the United States and Israeli governments are the greatest security threat in the world, inflicting wholesale slaughter and massive human displacement.
Press TV has conducted an exclusive interview with Dahlia Wasfi, with the Iraqi Justice & political activist, to further discuss the issue.
The following is a transcript of the interview.
Press TV: The US is supposed to withdraw from Iraq by the year's end. And with Obama saying just days ago in a press conference with Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki, the US troops will be leaving Iraq with heads held high. What legacy will the US leave behind in Iraq?
Wasfi: Well, it's nothing to be proud of. There's a legacy of the wholesale slaughter of over a million people, the making of a massive refugee crisis - the largest since the Palestinian refugee crisis began - the destruction of the Iraqi health care system, the destruction of the Iraqi education system, the destruction of Iraq's infrastructure.
In terms of security in Iraq, the most dangerous forces in the world today are the United States military and the Israeli occupation forces. Those are the greatest threats to global security. So while it's true that Iraq is a dangerous place, it is because of the US military stay and its illegal occupation, not in spite of it.
Press TV: If the US leaves Iraq - and I say IF, because there might be the possibility to extend the deadline at the 11th hour - how capable do you think Iraq would be in taking care of itself?
Wasfi: Iraq is the cradle of civilization. There's no question that though it will take decades to overcome the destruction that has been wrought by the forces led by the United States and Great Britain, that Iraq can recover on its own. History has shown that.
As you said, this is a farce. It's not actually an end to the military occupation of Iraq. It's a maintained military and economic occupation with, as I've read, 16,000 US military personnel, in addition to mercenaries, in addition to CIA and other operatives that are operating in Iraq under the guise of organizations like US Aid which have long time been used as cover for the CIA.
Press TV: Adding to your list, what remains for the question of the Mujaheddin Khalq Organization - the terrorist organization operating on Iraqi soil?
Wasfi: I'll repeat again that the largest terrorist organization that's operating on Iraqi soil is the US military. Iraq's borders have been blown wide open since March 19th, 2003. Anyone and everyone has access to Iraq. Iran has a very strong influence in Iraq today.
But the only future of Iraq, it is only up to the Iraqis, just as the future of Syria is up to the Syrians, just as the future of Iran is only up to Iran. And the future of the US is up to the Americans. And for all of these countries, no more interference by Israeli politics.
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Turkish police arrest youths for insulting israel - 19 Dec 2011 - English
What started as a regular basketball game between two teams, ended in the arrest of 30 Turkish youth. Police in the Turkish city of Kayseri stepped...
What started as a regular basketball game between two teams, ended in the arrest of 30 Turkish youth. Police in the Turkish city of Kayseri stepped in after the crowd, waving Palestinian flags, began protesting against the Israeli team.
According to the indictment, they have been accused of "insulting Israel".
This is not the first time Israeli players have been forced off the court. In 2009, some 3000 Turkish fans disrupted a game in the capitol Ankara.
Soma analysts say these events shine a light on the growing rift between the long-time regional allies, who share trade, military and strategic ties.
Tensions between Turkey and Israel were at one time, reserved only for the political leaders. However that is now being seen on the streets. This is especially true since the deadly raid on the Gaza aid ship back in May of last year that saw 9 Turkish activists' killed.
Israel refuses to apologize to Turkey for the deaths saying their troops acted in self defense.
According to Hayrettin Turan, the editor of the foreign desk at Turkiye Newspaper, relations between the two countries really soured with the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip in December 2008.
While Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, it is a secular one, leading some to believe it will make a good role model for new governments in the Middle East.
Turkey also maintains strong ties with Iran and with that growing influence across the region. The dilemma now rests with Israel and how long they feel their policies will keep them afloat.
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NYPD Muslim Spy Scandal Grows With Newly Revealed Plan to Target Shiite...
democracynow.org - New revelations have emerged about the New York City Police Department's secret program to spy on Muslim communities. The...
democracynow.org - New revelations have emerged about the New York City Police Department's secret program to spy on Muslim communities. The Associated Press has just uncovered a confidential NYPD plan from 2006 to engage in targeted surveillance of Shiite mosques following increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran; the latest revelation on its secret intelligence operations focused on Muslim neighborhoods. On Thursday a coalition of Muslim and civil rights organizations reiterated their call for the immediate resignation of NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. We're joined by reporter Matt Apuzzo, who has helped break the NYPD spying story for the Associated Press; and Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid, spiritual leader at the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood and president of the Islamic Leadership Council of New York. "It's very hard to read that document as saying anything other than you're doing religious profiling. What that document says is, we should look at all Shiite mosques because we need to know about Iranian terrorists," Apuzzo says.
Watch Part 2 of 2: http://youtu.be/JUszepk-h9k
Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid says: "Well, we're not surprised at all, those of us who are familiar with the history of the NYPD. We know that there has been a long-standing tension, not just between the Muslim community, but between communities of peoples of color here in New York City. And we view these latest programs, the programs that are focused on Muslim New Yorkers, as being directly related to NYPD intelligence programs of the past: the Red squads of the 1950's and 60's, you know, focused in on political activists. Except now, instead of just focusing on the political community, they are focusing on our religious community."
To watch the complete daily, independent news hour, read the transcript, download the podcast, and for the additional Democracy Now! reports, visit http://www.democracynow.org.
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Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today, visit http://www.democracynow.org/donate/YT
24m:42s
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Noroz Message of Iran Supreme leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei - Farwardin...
[English] Noroz Messege of Iran Supreme leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei - Farwardin 1391
Leader Reiterates Significance of Iran\\\\\\\'s Economic...
[English] Noroz Messege of Iran Supreme leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei - Farwardin 1391
Leader Reiterates Significance of Iran\\\\\\\'s Economic Progress in New Year
TEHRAN (FNA)- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei named the new Iranian year as the \\\\\\\"Year of National Production, Supporting Iranian Labor and Capital\\\\\\\", and once again underlined the importance of efforts to bolster the country\\\\\\\'s economic progress.
In a televised address on the occasion of the advent of the Iranian New Year on Tuesday, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei extends his congratulatory message in the early hours of the Persian calendar year of 1391.
Ayatollah Khamenei said \\\\\\\"Economic Jihad\\\\\\\", which was the slogan of the previous year, is never-ending, adding that one important aspect of economic issues is \\\\\\\"domestic production.\\\\\\\"
The Leader said if domestic production prospers, most of the enemies\\\\\\\' efforts will undoubtedly fail.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the prosperity of national production is the key to resolving the problems of inflation and unemployment and will strengthen domestic economy.
The Leader further lauded the country\\\\\\\'s great accomplishments during the previous year, saying that the past year was eventful for the world, the region and Iran.
\\\\\\\"What one witnesses is that these events generally were to Iran\\\\\\\'s benefit and conductive to the [country\\\\\\\'s] objectives. Those in Western countries who pursue malevolent objectives against Iran and Iranians are having various problems.\\\\\\\"
\\\\\\\"Those countries in the region that the Islamic Republic has always supported have achieved great goals, [some] dictators were overthrown and constitutions based on Islam were passed in some countries,\\\\\\\" the Leader stated.
\\\\\\\"The number one enemy of the Islamic Ummah (community) and the Iranian nation, namely the Zionist regime has been surrounded,\\\\\\\" the Leader added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran\\\\\\\'s enemies started their hostile measures against the country from the beginning of the previous year, and the Iranian nation, officials, people could counter these sanctions by adopting prudent measures.
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[25May12] Resistance & Liberation Day - [ENGLISH]
(Last 9 min missing. We thank LitleButerfli for the upload.)
Sayyed Nasrallah: Ready for Dialogue, Resistance Weapon Saved Lebanon...
(Last 9 min missing. We thank LitleButerfli for the upload.)
Sayyed Nasrallah: Ready for Dialogue, Resistance Weapon Saved Lebanon
Marwa Haidar
As his eminence stressed that kidnapping of the Lebanese visitors would not change Hezbollah’s position from the Syrian crisis, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah announced his party’s decision to take part in the National Dialogue in Lebanon which President Michel Sleiman has called for.
Sayyed Nasrallah affirmed that the Lebanese army has been the most important guarantee to establish security, urging Lebanese to support this service and to stand behind it.
Addressing massive crowds who were marking the twelfth anniversary of Liberation in the southern city of Bint Jbeil, Sayyed Nasrallah said that the weapon of the resistance had defend Lebanon against the Zionist entity, adding that May 25 of the year of 2000 had hammered the last pin of the so-called “Greater Israel” coffin.
Sayyed Nasralla also tackled the current developments related to the release of the Lebanese visitors who were kidnapped by Syrian opposition militants two days ago.
Hezbollah S.G. thanked the three Presidents: Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati as well as former Premier Saad al-Haririr for their efforts that helped in releasing the visitors.
His eminence also underlined the importance of the magical formula: army-people-resistance, saying it was the main deterrent against the Israeli attacks.
Tackling the latest unrest in the north, Sayyed Nasrallah criticized what he described as the chaos of weapons, refusing to compare between these arms and the resistance weapon.
“FIRM STANCE ON SYRIA”
Talking about the abduction of Lebanese visitors, Sayyed Nasrallah said Hezbollah’s position from the Syrian crisis would not change, as he thanked different Lebanese, Syrian and Turkish figures for their efforts that helped in releasing the visitors.
“We thank God the abduction ended without negative consequences. However it may have some positive ones,” Sayyed Nasrallah said.
“Since the first moment of the abduction, several national parties launched many possible contacts in order to release the kidnapped visitors.\\\\\\\"
“We thank President Sleiman, PM Miqati, Speaker Berri and Saad al-Hariri, who exert special efforts to free the visitors,” Sayyed Nasrallah added.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah S.G. hailed the people’s commitment to calls of calm, noting that the cutting off the roads was useless.
“We also thank people who were calm and respond to calls of self restrain.”
“Cutting off roads is useless as well as attacking Syrian citizens which is forbidden,” Sayyed Nasrallah said.
On the other hand, his eminence said that Hezbollah’s stance on the Syrian crisis was firm and obvious, stressing that the political solution was the only way to end the unrest there.
“To kidnappers I say: your act is condemned and it harms what you are working on.”
“If you were aiming at changing our political position on the Syrian crisis, then your act is fruitless and has no sense,” his eminence also told the kidnappers.
“Our stance is firm and clear, we support the political solution in Syria in order to end the current crisis.”
RESISTANCE ACHIEVEMENTS
Talking about the occasion, Sayyed Nasrallah said that Resistance and Liberation day was for all Lebanese sects without exception, assuring that the formula of army-people-resistance was the only formula to defend Lebanon.
“May 25 is a day for the Lebanese state as well as for all the national parties who contributed to this resistance. This day is also for all who supported the resistance to achieve this victory.”
Sayyed Nasrallah said that the resistance had foiled Israeli project against Lebanon.
“Everyone knows that the Israeli occupation of 1982 was a part of a US-Israeli project which aimed at inserting Lebanon in the Israeli era; however the resistance foiled this project.”
“The Israeli enemy thought that its army would stay in Lebanon, but the resistance gave it a clear impression that the Lebanese land was not safe to implement its projects,” Sayyed Nasrallah added.
“This land was liberated with dignity and without any precondition or any accord of humiliation,” Hezbollah S.G. stressed.
“The conspiracy planned for Lebanon by the Israeli enemy has failed, thank God.”
Sayyed Nasrallah also stressed that the Zionist entity by virtue of the resistance could not dare to attack Lebanon.
“Since May 25, 2000 and till now, except for July war in 2006, the Israeli enemy hasn’t dare to attack Lebanon by virtue of army-people-resistance equation.”
“Israel which has been attacking us, it fears today that we may attack it, for that the Zionist entity started the construction of the wall along the Lebanese-occupied territories borders.”
“May 25 hammered the last pin of the so-called Greater Israel coffin,” Sayyed Nasrallah assured.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah S.G. talked about the wall which the Zionist entity has been building along the border with Lebanon.
But Sayyed Nasrallah said that this wall would not defend the Zionist entity, stressing that the resistance’s rockets have been capable of reaching any location in the occupied territories.
“The Zionist entity sought to dominate the region from Nile to Furat, including Litani River. But today there are people whose rockets can reach any location in the occupied territories.”
CHAOS OF WEAPONS
Talking about the unrest the Lebanese witnessed in the country’s north, Sayed Nasrallah talked about a chaos of weapons in the country.
His eminence also noted that no party can deny its procession of weapons, refusing to compare these arms with the weapon of resistance.
“Surely no party can deny it has weapons.. Everybody in Lebanon has arms, whether it were heavy or light weapons.”
“What is the aim of these weapons which we witnessed? It’s unacceptable for someone to say they are individual weapons.”
Sayyed Nasrallah wondered about the achievements of these weapons, as his eminence refused to compare between the two types of arms.
“We believe that there is an essential difference between the two types of arms.”
Although that the two types of arms were not similar, Sayyed Nasrallah said he had no problem in discussing the resistance’s weapon.
“We are ready to discuss this weapon or that. Let us discuss the defense strategy, the strategy that concerns all the Lebanese people.”
In this context, Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted the importance of the army-people-resistance formula.
READY FOR DIALOGUE
Meanwhile, Sayyed Nasrallah said Hezbollah was ready to go on the national dialogue which President Sleiman had called for.
“President Sleiman called for a national Dialogue. Hezbollah agrees to take part in the dialogue without any precondition.\\\\\\\"
But Sayyed Nasrallah said that March 14 alliance should also take part in the dialogue without preconditions, as they must abandon the calls for the government to step down.
Hezbollah S.G. also called on Lebanese to support the army and to stand behind it.
“The important service in Lebanon is the army”, Sayyed Nasrallah said, adding that the army “is the last and the most important gurantee of the security in Lebanon.”
“For that we must defend the army in order for it to do its duties,” Sayyed Nasrallah said further.
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[26 May 2012] US accomplice to Bahraini regime crimes - English
[26 May 2012] US accomplice to Bahraini regime's crimes - English
The Bahraini regime forces backed by troops from Saudi Arabia have once again...
[26 May 2012] US accomplice to Bahraini regime's crimes - English
The Bahraini regime forces backed by troops from Saudi Arabia have once again attacked protesters in the tiny Persian Gulf littoral state. Security forces on Friday fired teargas and sound grenades at the demonstrating crowds in several towns and villages around the Bahraini capital, Manama. Clashes then erupted between government forces and the pro-democracy protesters demanding the ouster of the Al Khalifa regime. Several people were injured during the demonstrations. The protesters also voiced their anger at the US government for its support of the Manama regime. Anti-American sentiments are high in Bahrain after Washington announced earlier this month that it would resume arms sales to Bahrain. However, Bahraini opposition groups and activists condemned the decision, saying it could encourage further human rights violations in the Persian Gulf country.
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[08 June 2012] Syria: Annan plan or civil war - Middle East Today - English
[08 June 2012] Syria: Annan plan or civil war - Middle East Today - English
UN-Arab league peace mediator Kofi Annan has once again warned of the...
[08 June 2012] Syria: Annan plan or civil war - Middle East Today - English
UN-Arab league peace mediator Kofi Annan has once again warned of the danger of civil war breaking out in Syria; Saying that the peace plan must be implemented as soon as possible. This comes as Syria's president Basher Assad has appointed a new prime minister and tasked him with the formation of a new government is Syria despite a continuous western pressure on hi government. Syria's security and political crisis carries on despite the UN's efforts to bring about a peaceful political solution.
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[11 June 2012] Pakistanti protesters march towards PM office - English
[11 June 2012] Pakistanti protesters march towards PM office - English
These members of the Pakistan's main opposition party were marching towards...
[11 June 2012] Pakistanti protesters march towards PM office - English
These members of the Pakistan's main opposition party were marching towards the offices of the president and prime minister as part of their protest campaign against the government.Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmakers have boycotted the parliament's budget proceedings to join the protest rally.They have staged a sit-in outside the President House to seek the removal of the Peoples Party government for what they call its failure to improve the country's economy including energy crises.
Pakistan is currently in the midst of severe energy shortages with many parts of the country witnessing long power outages.The opposition party does not consider Yousaf Raza Gilani as the country's legitimate Prime Minister following his conviction over his refusal to reopen corruption cases against the President.The government has rejected the opposition protest saying they should have attended the important budget proceedings of the Parliament.Despite strong calls by the opposition, the government has no plans to quit.
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[15 June 2012] Egypt rev. continues through elections - English
[15 June 2012] Egypt rev. continues through elections - English
Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court has ordered the country's parliament...
[15 June 2012] Egypt rev. continues through elections - English
Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court has ordered the country's parliament dissolved saying the legislative body's election about 6 months ago was unconstitutional. The Supreme Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that one-third of the parliamentary seats were "illegitimate." The court also ruled that the parliament-approved political isolation law is unconstitutional, allowing ousted dictator Hosni Mubarak's last premier Ahmad Shafiq to stay in the presidential runoff this weekend.
The Thursday rulings come just two days ahead of a tense presidential runoff between Shafiq and Muslim Brotherhood's candidate Mohammed Morsi. Following the decision, the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) declared full legislative authority and said that, by Friday, it will announce a 100-person assembly that will write the country's new constitution.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Waleed el-Haddad, spokesman of Freedom and Justice Party, to hear his opinion on this issue. The video also offers the opinion of an additional guest: Ezzat Abu-Moustafa, chair of the Egyptian, Arab and British Cultural Forum.
5m:2s
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[15 June 2012] Syria A global compass - Middle East Today - English
[15 June 2012] Syria A global compass - Middle East Today - English
With the events in Syria taking more violent turn by hour, a call for...
[15 June 2012] Syria A global compass - Middle East Today - English
With the events in Syria taking more violent turn by hour, a call for political solution has been the most resonant among the world leaders, despite calls from some Arab and western states for supporting and arming the opposition groups.
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for a political solution to end the crisis in Syria, saying foreign military intervention is not the right path.
Now that the entire world is scrutinizing the situation in Syria to see how it impacts the rest of the region, this edition of Middle East Today reviews the latest developments in Syria with political analysts and experts.
25m:40s
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[20 June 2012] Egypt junta seeks to usurp power - English
[20 June 2012] Egypt junta seeks to usurp power - English
An Egyptian NGO known as Judges for Egypt says that Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed...
[20 June 2012] Egypt junta seeks to usurp power - English
An Egyptian NGO known as Judges for Egypt says that Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi has won the country's presidential run-off election.
The Egyptian judges association announced Morsi as the winner on Wednesday, saying it has obtained the results without interference from either candidate's campaigns.
Egyptians cast their ballots in a two-day presidential run-off election on June 16 and 17, which pitted the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, Mohammed Morsi, against former Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq.
Both candidates in Egypt's presidential election are claiming victory.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Zayd al-Isa, Middle East expert and political commentator from London, to further discuss the issue.
8m:19s
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[26 June 2012] Putin Russia has no problem to recognize Palestinian...
[26 June 2012] Putin Russia has no problem to recognize Palestinian state - English
Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to the occupied...
[26 June 2012] Putin Russia has no problem to recognize Palestinian state - English
Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to the occupied Palestinian territories was described as a success. During his press statement, he reiterated Russia's support; saying Russia has no problem recognizing a Palestinian state.
2m:20s
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[03 July 2012] Saudi Arabia invested in Syria crisis - English
[03 July 2012] Saudi Arabia invested in Syria crisis - English
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay says the flow of arms into Syria is "fueling...
[03 July 2012] Saudi Arabia invested in Syria crisis - English
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay says the flow of arms into Syria is "fueling the violence" in the Arab country, calling for an end to the militarization of the ongoing conflict.
Pillay did not specify where the arms are coming from, but UN diplomats believe that Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been supplying weapons to the armed Syrian rebels.
The UN official claimed that the situation in Syria is "a non-international internal armed conflict," the legal term for a civil war, saying "there is a risk of escalation."
While the West and the Syrian opposition say the government is responsible for the killings, Damascus blames "outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups" for the unrest, insisting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Hisham Jaber, director, Middle East Studies Center, to further discuss the issue.
7m:51s
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[10 July 2012] NATO after regime change in Syria Webster Griffin Tarpley...
[10 July 2012] NATO after regime change in Syria Webster Griffin Tarpley - English
NATO is not after a peaceful solution for the Syrian crisis but...
[10 July 2012] NATO after regime change in Syria Webster Griffin Tarpley - English
NATO is not after a peaceful solution for the Syrian crisis but wants there to be "continuing violence and civil war" ultimately leading to an armed attack followed by "regime change," says an analyst.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned Russia and China over their support for Syria, saying they "will pay a price" for their actions.
During a so-called "Friends of the Syrian People" meeting in Paris on Friday, Clinton launched a scathing attack on Moscow and Beijing and called for imposing pressure against both nations to drop their support for Damascus.
"I do not believe that Russia and China are paying any price at all - nothing at all - for standing up on behalf of the [Syrian President Bashar] Assad regime."
"The only way that will change is if every nation represented here directly and urgently makes it clear that Russia and China will pay a price," Clinton warned.
Russia and China boycotted the latest "Friends of the Syrian People" meeting as one-sided.
Press TV has talked with author and historian, Dr. Webster Griffin Tarpley to further discuss the issue.
7m:18s
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[16 July 2012] Revolution in Egypt has created changes - English
[16 July 2012] Revolution in Egypt has created changes - English
Egypt's military takes a tough line with the Muslim Brotherhood, saying the...
[16 July 2012] Revolution in Egypt has created changes - English
Egypt's military takes a tough line with the Muslim Brotherhood, saying the Armed Forces will not let the country to be dominated by just one group.
Interview with Mr. Yehia Ghanem, political analyst.
6m:23s
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Documentary - Inside Chernobyl [The Russian Atomic Power Plant Disaster...
Inside Chernobyl (Alt. title "Return to Chernobyl").
A 2006 news report by Australian Nine Network's program "60...
Inside Chernobyl (Alt. title "Return to Chernobyl").
A 2006 news report by Australian Nine Network's program "60 minutes" with television journalist Richard Carlton.
On 7 May 2006, Richard Carleton suffered a massive heart attack during a press conference. Carleton died in the ambulance on the way to hospital. He's death has absolutt nothing to do with he's recent visit to Chernobyl.
This video has been widely criticised on forums of being too overdramatic.
Here's an example:
"I'd be somewhat skeptical of what Richard Carlton was saying, mainly because I think the story was another classic 60 minutes beat up. Why? Well, when Richard was wearing the "bunny suit", he wasn't wearing a face mask. Why would he have been wearing a bunny suit? Was it:
(a) to stop radioactive dust from falling onto his skin.
(b) or to stop radiation, which is probably unlikely anyway, because the suit would probably have to be lead lined.
The question is, if he needed to be that safe from radioactive dust, or radiation, why wasn't his face covered?
Once you think about that, you then realise that the bunny suit was probably for dramatic effect rather than actually being required, which I think indicates that the areas he was in were much safer than 60 minutes was presenting. Once you can't believe that the safety measures portrayed were necessary, if the whole story is about the safety of the Chernobyl site, then I think you have to question the complete basis for the story."
16m:20s
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[02 Aug 2012] US hurts allies economies to hit Iran Joseph Zrnchik -...
[02 Aug 2012] US hurts allies economies to hit Iran Joseph Zrnchik - English
The US blames Iran for high oil prices in the US and has imposed...
[02 Aug 2012] US hurts allies economies to hit Iran Joseph Zrnchik - English
The US blames Iran for high oil prices in the US and has imposed unilateral anti-Iran sanctions despite its allies like Japan saying it will hurt their own economies.
Interview with Joseph Zrnchik, political commentator, Highland, California
4m:2s
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[06 Aug 2012] Panetta raises threat of military attack on Iran Galloway...
[06 Aug 2012] Panetta raises threat of military attack on Iran Galloway - English
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has raised the threat of a...
[06 Aug 2012] Panetta raises threat of military attack on Iran Galloway - English
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has raised the threat of a military attack on Iran regarding its nuclear energy program in an effort to reassure what they call Israel during a trip to Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to dismiss the tough talk though, saying American statements of solidarity with Israel and hints at military attacks are not working. Iran however has denied the Western accusations that Tehran is seeking a military objective in its nuclear energy program. According to a Fatwa from the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei Iran is prohibited to follow such an objective. Russian President Vladimir Putin was in London on Thursday to discuss the Syrian issue with David Cameron. So far, Russia and China have opposed any kind of UN resolution that could be seen as supporting Libyan-style Western military intervention. "Britain has retaliated in part by blocking a Russian arm shipment to Syria but the weaponry keeps getting through at least to those favored by the West," said George Galloway.
24m:10s
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[06 Aug 2012] Russia calls UN resolution on Syria one sided - English
[06 Aug 2012] Russia calls UN resolution on Syria one sided - English
Russia has condemned the latest resolution adopted by the UN General...
[06 Aug 2012] Russia calls UN resolution on Syria one sided - English
Russia has condemned the latest resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, saying it is one-sided and shows blatant support for the armed opposition.
Moscow says it will only undermine peace efforts in Syria
2m:17s
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[13 Aug 2012] Syrian Ambassador to Iran says Syria will not sit quiet -...
[13 Aug 2012] Syrian Ambassador to Iran says Syria will not sit quiet - English
"Syria the First Line of Resistance", This is the title...
[13 Aug 2012] Syrian Ambassador to Iran says Syria will not sit quiet - English
"Syria the First Line of Resistance", This is the title of a conference held in Tehran. The aim of the conference is to increase public awareness about what is going on in Syria, the scene of fighting between government forces and the opposition groups supported by the West, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Russian and China have so far vetoed three western-backed resolutions against Syria.
The Syrian Ambassador to Iran warned against any foreign intervention in Syria, saying:
2m:6s
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[14 Aug 2012] West not after democracy in Syria Bill Jones - English
[14 Aug 2012] West not after democracy in Syria Bill Jones - English
Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Hamed Hassan says Damascus welcomes...
[14 Aug 2012] West not after democracy in Syria Bill Jones - English
Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Hamed Hassan says Damascus welcomes "rational talks" with the opposition, provided that they are held under the supervision of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Hassan further warned against plots hatched by foreign powers, including certain regional and Western countries, to cause instability in Syria, saying not only would such efforts threaten the security of the Arab state, but are "a serious threat to the security and peace of the region and certain neighboring countries in particular."
The Syrian envoy further added that continuation of the plots to incite instability in the country can even pose "a serious threat to Arab countries not neighboring Syria".
Syria, which has been experiencing unrest since last year, has repeatedly said that weapons used by armed groups fighting against the government of Bashar al-Assad are being smuggled into the country from Turkey and Lebanon.
Damascus has also accused Saudi Arabia and Qatar, of fueling unrest in the country by funding and arming the anti-Syria gunmen.
Syria has been the scene of deadly unrest since mid-March, 2011 and many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.
Press TV has conducted an interview with William Jones with the Executive Intelligence Review from Washington to further discuss the issue.
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