At 0527 gmt, Al-Arabiya hosts Dr Mustafa al-Ani in the Dubai studio to comment on Senator Obama's victory. Al-Ani says: "I am not concerned about what he is going to change in the United States; I am concerned about foreign policy," adding that the lobbies in the United States influence the US decision-making process.

At 0540 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari who says that Iraq will remain a top priority for the next president.

At 0546 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Dr Mustafa al-Barghuthi via satellite from Ramallah, who says that Senator Obama will be put to test as to whether he can handle the Middle East peace process. Al-Barghuthi calls on Senator Obama to put an end to the US bias towards Israel.

At 0548 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Lebanese journalist Sarkis Na'um, via satellite from Beirut; Dr Muhammad al-Qahtani, a professor at the Diplomatic Institute, via satellite from Riyadh; and Iraqi MP Iyad Jamal al-Din, via satellite from London.

Asked whether Lebanon is on Senator Obama's agenda, Na'um says: "Lebanon is on Obama's agenda since Lebanon is part of the Middle East where the United States is in a direct and brutal confrontation with an axis that is comprised of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria. As evident over the past few years, Lebanon is one of the arenas of this confrontation, and the Lebanese people, with all their components, have been part of this confrontation." Na'um adds that Senator Obama's advisers on the Middle East believe that the United States should start a dialogue with Syria, noting that Syria is used to taking, not giving.

Commenting on whether the ruling elite in Saudi Arabia prefers Senator McCain over Senator Obama, Al-Qahtani says: "Senator Obama's victory is undoubtedly historic, and is the outcome of the US civil rights movement, which was launched in the 1960s." Al-Qahtani notes: "The effect of the presence of Democrats or Republicans will be limited, because - as some pundits just mentioned - the issue is related to interests, institutions, and lobbies. These lobbies have an impact on the formulation of US policies. The US President cannot take any initiatives that are in conflict with the interests of these institutions and lobbies."

Asked whether the Democrats will adopt a different approach towards Saudi Arabia, Al-Qahtani says that there was "no significant change" in the policies of the consecutive US administrations towards Saudi Arabia.

Asked whether the role of neo-conservatives ended in the United States, Al-Ani says: "Obama's victory was the result of a voting in protest to the neo-conservatives and President Bush's policies, which depleted the United States. At the political and moral level, the United States lost its credibility." Al-Ani sheds light on Senator Biden's plan to divide Iraq into three independent entities, questioning the concessions the United States could make in the negotiations with Iran.

At 0610 gmt, Al-Arabiya continues its interview with Al-Barghuthi, who says that if Obama wants to make a change, "he should stop supporting partial and transitional solutions." Al-Barguthi goes on to say: "Clinton and McCain's stands towards the issue of Jerusalem were much worse than Obama's stand, which was also very bad. When he visited the region, Obama failed to mention the racist separation wall, while in Berlin, he talked 26 times about the Berlin Wall, which was demolished."

Iraqi MP Iyad Jamal al-Din joins the discussion and says: "I do not think we will see a great difference between the policies of Obama and President Bush. He is a responsible man, and he said more than once that he will never take irresponsible decisions when it comes to the troops in Iraq." Jamal al-Din says that as soon as Senator Obama reviews the reports coming from Iraq, he will realize that a withdrawal is not possible at this time.

Asked whether the election of Senator Obama would expedite the ratification of the security agreement with Iraq, Jamal al-Din says: "Iran will exploit the new situation in the United States and Obama's victory to negotiate with the Americans over all the issues in the Middle East, and all the arenas in which Iran has influence such Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and others. This will lead to one deal between Iran and the United States. The Iranian administration should realize that the American compass always points towards Israel and Tel Aviv; therefore, no US administration can overlook the Israeli interests and security in the Middle East. The Iranian administration should dream less, and not imagine that the doors of the White House will be open for Iran's demands."

At 0630 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Bassam al-Salihi, secretary general of Al-Sha'b Party, via satellite from Ramallah, to comment on how the new US administration views Hamas. Al-Salihi says that the new US administration is expected to change its position on the Palestinian affairs and on the Middle East issues.

At 0705 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews its correspondent in Amman, Sa'd al-Silawi, to report on the reactions on the streets. Al-Silawi notes that the Jordanians have expected Obama to achieve a landslide victory.

At 0706 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews its correspondent in Baghdad, Majid Hamid, to report on reactions to the election of Senator Obama. Hamid cites varying reactions, saying some Iraqi politicians have welcomed the election of Senator Obama, while others have expressed their reservation.

At 0713 gmt, Al-Arabiya runs an interview with its correspondent in Gaza, Hanan al-Masri, to report on the Palestinian reaction. Al-Masri notes that some people believe that Obama could change the image that the Palestinians have of the United States.

At 0715 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Randa Abu-al-Azm from Cairo to report on the reactions of the Egyptian people to the election of Obama. Abu-al-Azm says that the Egyptians welcome the election of Senator Obama in hope that he would achieve peace in the Middle East.

At 0729 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews its correspondent in Beirut Adnan Ghamlush to report on the election of Obama. Adnan notes that the Lebanese people are "delighted that Obama won the US presidential elections."

At 0810 gmt, Al-Arabiya carries an interview with Jamal Khashiqji, editor-in-chief of Saudi Al-Watan newspaper, over phone from Jedda. Asked if he expects a change in the US policy towards Gulf States and Saudi Arabia in particular, Khashiqji says: "I expect President-elect Obama to be completely different from President Bush. He will be pragmatic to a great extent. We can reach a better understanding with him on the Palestinian cause, because this issue hampers the development of Arab-US relations and US-Saudi relations."

At 0919 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Dr Antoine Haddad, member of the general secretariat of the 14 March Forces in Lebanon, to comment on the impact of the election of Senator Obama on the Middle East. Haddad rules out the possibility of "any radical shift in the US policy."

At 0922 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Yusuf al-Kuwilit, deputy editor-in-chief of Al-Riyadh newspaper, via satellite from Riyadh. Al-Kuwilit notes that Obama's victory will have a great impact on, not only on the political arena, but also the economic arena.

At 1113 gmt, Al-Arabiya interviews Dr Sa'd al-Hudaythi, political science professor at the University of Baghdad; via satellite from Baghdad, Jamal Abd-al-Jawwad, researcher at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies; Thabit Salim, a political analyst, via satellite from Damascus.

Asked about his expectations about any change in the policy towards Iraq, Al-Hudaythi notes that Senator Obama "might renege on promises he made while campaigning." Regarding the status of the US-Syrian relations after Obama assumes office, Salim criticizes the policies of the Bush administration towards Syria, saying that the election of Senator Obama might change these policies. Asked how Egypt views the election of Senator Obama, Abd-al-Jawwad notes that Egypt is optimistic about the election of Obama, noting that the ouster of regimes has led to the deterioration in the relations between the United States and Egypt.

In its subsequent newscasts throughout the day, Al-Arabiya was also observed to carry factual reports on the US elections and Senator Obama's victory with live relays with correspondents in the United States.

Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 0400 gmt 5 Nov 08

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Al Arabiya will also broadcast special reports and interviews with key speakers and participants and will air during the News channel's daily regional business reports.

"Al Arabiya has successful long-standing relationships with Leaders in Dubai" said Mazen Hayek, MBC's Group Director of Marketing, PR and Commercial. "As the most watched news channel amongst CEOs and top business decision makers in the Middle East North Africa Region, Al Arabiya is committed to the business and investment communities in a rapidly changing economic outlook, given the growing importance of Brand connections with key productive sectors and industry leaders." This year's forum is held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, from the 16th till the 18th of November 2008; it attracts some of the world's most influential minds and business leaders across the globe.

About Al ArabiyaAl Arabiya news channel ,a 24/7 free-to-air news and current affairs satellite outlet , was launched in 2003 and soon became the news source of choice for Arabs seeking credible news and information about the Middle East and the world beyond. Al Arabiya's reputation for sober and balance reporting now extends beyond its natural geographic and cultural domain, i.e. the Middle East. A number of renowned international news organisations and research institutes interested in the Arab and Islamic worlds regularly monitor Al Arabiya.

Al Arabiya runs an extensive global network of correspondents and reporters to provide its audiences with the latest updates, scoops, interviews, and exclusives. With nearly 30 offices around the world and large-scale presence in several key countries such as Iraq, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Yemen, Al Arabiya enjoys a competitive edge in providing on-the-ground, first hand coverage of major events of relevance to its audience and the world at large.

Al Arabiya's charter embodies an independent editorial policy based on providing its viewers with a speedy news service and balanced analysis that is thoughtfully accurate, comprehensive and objective.

(C) 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Al-Nasiri says that "the Iraqi Foreign Ministry received a call, described as official notification to the Iraqi Government from the Syrian side, about severance of contacts between the two countries."

He explains that the notification was initially described as "severance of relations," but inquiries revealed that the notification did not mean "withdrawal of ambassadors or closure of embassies, but rather stopping all contacts between the two countries on the level of joint bilateral committees, including the security and economic ones, and the exchanged shuttle visits" of Iraqi and Syrian officials.

Al-Arabiya correspondent says that the Iraqi Government has not issued any comment, thus far, noting that the notification came by the end of the working day.

Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 1700 gmt 30 Oct 08

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It has become known that the crisis spread all over the world, and even countries which have not experienced the crisis are preparing themselves and waiting in anticipation. In Britain, some banks saw increased deposit transfers between banks by customers who are concerned about their savings amidst government efforts to calm down the market.

[Begin video recording] [Report by Al-Arabiya's Muhammad Shubaru] The US Congress' decision was disappointing and Britain will do whatever it can to ensure the stability of the banking system and face any instability in the market. This is how British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reacted to the US Congress' rejection of the plan to inject approximately 700 billion dollars into the markets.

[Brown, speaking in English with Arabic voiceover, translated from Arabic] The governor of the Bank of England, the chancellor, and I are ready to take any decision that will guarantee the stability of the banking system and secure the interests of families.

[Shubaru] Brown's statement came at a time when three British banks announced that their customers had started to transfer their deposits from one bank to another in search of financial security. It also coincided with increased talk in Europe of the tendency of some countries to secure the total savings of customers after Ireland announced its plan to provide its citizens with this guarantee and after France promised to study the idea.

[Alex Patelis, head of international economics at Merrill Lynch, speaking in English with Arabic voiceover, translated from Arabic] The problem at the moment is that rules are changing. Ireland, for example, has decided to secure all savings. Today, we are witnessing money transfers from British banks to Irish ones. I believe this will pose a problem and might force Britain to increase guarantees here. What is happening today is considered a problem because no bank wants to provide loans to other banks. If this situation persists for two months, everyone will lose.

[Shubaru] It is known that the British law guarantees an automatic refund of 35,000 sterling pounds per individual from the total sum of his bank savings. The government seeks to increase this amount to 50,000 sterling pounds in order to build trust [in British banks] during this period. This is an international financial crisis that apparently requires several efforts to unite and prevent a total collapse. In Britain, the US bailout plan is necessary on condition that it is followed by individual, regional, and perhaps international steps to ensure the stability of international banking and financial markets, and provided that lessons are learnt to prevent the recurrence of what happened. [end recording]

[Video shows footage of famous British banks; Brown, Patelis giving interviews]

Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 0402 gmt 2 Oct 08

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