up to fifty thousand people are expected to descend on central moscow in a second major protest against the results of this month's parliamentary poll. the opposition claims the vote was rigged and is demanding a recount while authorities have announced political reforms in the country for i don't more in just a few moments. no merry christmas for syrians so is countries locked in a spiral of violence with the arab league looking for ways out of the crisis and the truth behind why it's happening. and turning from leave yet to

somalia london names it a failed state and a territory in camp leading to speculation and invasion is the next step. it's a.t.m. in the russian capital you're watching r t i'm marina joshie welcome to the program now anything up to fifty thousand people are expected to gather in central moscow on saturday for another protest against the results of russia's problem and reelection earlier this month the mass rally is being organized by various opposition groups who claim the voting was rigged or has a corpus going off joins us live now from moore. the warranty of war so what can we expect from this gathering today. good morning and this rally was also orange for fifty thousand people with the authorities but. on one of these social networks

over fifty thousand activists have already confirmed that they were planning to attend a vent the organizers have managed to disappoint gather over one hundred thirty thousand dollars from donations and we're also expecting heavy security there on the spot since this is probably going to be a big mass of people and every everybody hopes that everything will go on in a peaceful manner just like it did on december tenth on bolotnaya square in central moscow that was so far the biggest protest rally in russia in two decades where at least over twenty thousand people at least twenty thousand people. gathered there demanding a new problem entry zero action claiming that there were various violations but back then like i said everything went on peacefully in fact many who came there thanked the police for cooperating with the activists let's hope it's going to be

the same way today ok well how the russian leadership have been reacting to this protest so far. president me the defense ordered to look into all the allegations all for violations during the election and we know that over fifty criminal cases have already been opened and the results from over twenty polling stations have been canceled and need media to fulfill said that it is. definitely the legal right for every russian citizen you will believe voice his or her you as long as there are no provocations as long as it's done peacefully and without involvement was alvin ailey foreign forces now this statement was actually made just recently at the annual state of the union address where the president also voiced a set. of changes which is actually already been deemed a sweeping political reform. which is aimed at realty wising and the russians.

local system for example when the president wants to see them at cern election he's all for regional governors want. to use simplified and also he named on you know a set of other of quite a liberal of the forms which are planned study carried out and he actually did i think with the new parliament already working following of the election on december fourth. tell us a bit more about the people who are behind the rallies. but at the moment there is no unified oppositional force in russia it consists of various groups of either been there a long time or have emerged just recently but then coming out of this on the streets started to actually just a few weeks ago following the parliamentary elections by the opposition and the people which are going to be at this rally does have some well known figures even

former russian politicians and officials like so for example there's also the new generation connected to the internet like a blogger on the scene of one very controversial figure he was actually arrested during one of the previous protests rallies which also followed you know lection but he's going to be there today as well as white known figure as a strong critic fierce critic of the kremlin in the west but he's also known here in russia for his sometimes quite nationalist oriented and aggressive statements that he often makes but actually this rally is expected to. bring just a loss of ordinary people but celebrities are planned to be there as well including journalists writers actors and even. the first and last president of the u.s.s.r. mikhail gorbachev help a while you were saying. very much indeed for bringing us the sub day downforce

will be going back to you for more as the day progresses for now though thanks very much for pissing off reporting there from central moscow. the christian world is getting ready for christmas but there's little festive spirit in syria the capital is recovering from two suicide blasts which left over forty people dead and more than one hundred injured the arab league is searching for a solution to the crisis and trying to find out the truth behind the empress syrians just want the bloodshed to and firth reports. chaos and confusion in damascus as the capital which until now has remained largely spared from the violence starts to feel the effects of an escalating conflict but. the first day of the league's work was a bloody tragic day the people of syria will never forget these terrorists this time live here the capsule is usually brightly lit is christie and here comes the

ten percent of the population get ready to celebrate christmas but these scenes of devastation are a harsh contrast and a stark reminder of just how much the country has changed in the past nine months. last year at christmas we used to wish health and pray for people in other countries that were going through hard times with war we never thought that this year it would be us. this year is totally different because of the situation in our country. the priests here planning their own mark of respect for the coast. of syria our people to avoid the external signs of history beauties but to go. no one really feels like celebrating anyway when the country's hospitals are full of casualties the government claims it's fighting

militant groups sponsored from abroad meanwhile the opposition originally marked by its insistence on peaceful protests it's now been joined by growing numbers of army defectors and has become increasingly armed after months of quite downs by the government and this violence spreads it's prevailing extremely hard to know exactly who is responsible for what. you have for instance. from somebody who is not. government's. position the. government. taxing killings have been met repeatedly with claim counter-claim an accusation. have. two different views. we don't. see. the truth the arab league team

will be attempting to cut through the rhetoric and discover his version of events is most accurate they many remain skeptical about how much they'll be able to achieve but there's one thing that everyone here is hating for and that's for the violence to be stopped the christmas celebration. down this religious services will be happening. again for the with the country there are. russia supports the arab league's observer mission but the u.s. and its allies have blocked a u.n. security council draft resolution which would condemn both sides for violence new york based author and political analyst even the u.s. is only interested in inflaming the conflict in syria. the reason they would want to provoke regime change is to put in place a government that would be friendly to us and its allies interests and of course to

enable those interest to control strategic resources in syria and throughout the region which is the same case that we saw in libya i mean the whole justification of protecting the population was really just a front to be able to overthrow and assassinate really a moammar gadhafi and put in place a government that would be friendly to the u.s. we have to remember that right after the obama administration would drew troops from iraq to some of those were relocated to the border of syria from jordan and in preparation of arming this conflict and possibly engaging in it as well and i think that these terrorist attacks are part of that or part of maybe a justification to say hey there needs to be a stronger military presence from abroad in order to prevent further military conflict internally in the country that could result in the deaths of so called innocent civilians. as a year draws to an end and we're looking back at some of the major events that

shaped twenty today we focus on the crisis in syria with artie's desert celia sharing her thoughts about what she saw firsthand during a visit to the conflict torn country. well when we went to syria it was sometime in october and the situation was getting very tense there so our flight arrived at the around three in the morning so you can imagine the surprise and the shock. when three foreign journalists arrived at a time when there was a media bad international journalist there will. be a syria you can see behind me traffic is just about started to flow again going into the city damascus was rather peaceful it was quiet although very tense still because everybody knows what was going on in the country. and what's interesting

mostly for us is that we saw the kind of. diverse opinions on what was going on there was no clear. there were more than two sides it was not i want the regime or i don't want the regime. and there was one time you were interviewing a young man and he was rather critical of the government gave his point of view and what you didn't see on the camera is that there was a group of men around him and listening to what he was saying. and afterwards after the interview was finished they all came up to us and said get us on camera we want to see what we feel. and then we also spoke to those people who were protesting specifically those who were on the streets in about twenty minutes outside of damascus one of the guys that we interviewed he actually disappeared for

two days and he said he was held by security forces. after forty eight hours of detention and torture they took all of my money and belongings and threw me out into the. streets. we all spoke at soldiers' families those who had been killed and you can't wholesale feel that they are angry at the protesters because their sons have been lost fathers have been lost husbands have been lost and you can understand the point of view that they're coming from you from how console jer's killed their soldiers this is impossible whatever media says this is plainly lawyer . speaking about fear look out tell you one incident we were supposed to interview one of the leaders of the national coordination council the local opposition. the interview with sets and he when we called him he said i might have to cancel because we there were security forces we think who were at the office and they wrote some threats on the wall. we had to our fixer who

translated what it meant. it said you're working for the u.s. we're going to kill you. and so they were threats at the members of the f.c.c. particularly the leader. that was a scary time because we they were just outside we didn't know whether they would come in and we asked their our interview are you scared he said you only die once. so the syrians are very i felt hospitable people but when it comes to political talk when it comes to expressing a political view in a crowd it can really get heated they would. jostle at the rally that we went to it got pretty rough. and so point.

do you know but that is your job you go in there she try to get you try to do what you can to try to film as much as you can try to put it in as much context and we had to tell sometimes. to tell people please calm down otherwise we can't get anything on film work here in the sense that the syrian capital was there to show their support for the government how did they get up far cry from the images we've been seeing in other cities of a country where there have been reporting a lot of. government photos however one think it's about where and this country whenever they'd be use about syria would never really be everything you suppose syria i would really pay attention to all the everybody here and say that they gots correct i don't think that's or a good start as precise as i think it was so i'd like to think that because of my trip there and my experience there. that when i see something about syria i don't take it at face value i remember everything that i gathered and bigloo

through with through that perspective rather than just what i see. looking back of the ten most significant events of twenty as seen through the eyes of our correspondents so in case you miss any and catch the series online dot com. well the campaign levy now seen as mission accomplished the problem british prime minister has turned his attention to somalia david cameron plans a summit in february to discuss what to do about what he calls a failed state in britain and britain secret services have named it the new training ground for terrorists laura smith explains why london sees somalia as a threat. in the words of prime minister david cameron somalia is a failed state that directly threatens british interests his solution options ranging from humanitarian aid right through to military intervention and reports

suggest that in the new year following the perceived success of the libyan capital in government circles somalia could be the next target for u.k. forces newspapers as saying that the royal air force could be sent to help african union troops to support the weak u.s. backs transitional government equipment and money other main nations despite a tough economic situation. there are around one hundred thousand somalis living in the u.k. making up one of the largest muslim groups according to m i five somalia is the latest terrorist training ground where british residents from a variety of backgrounds pakistan baghdad dash and yemen go to study jihad the risk is that they then come back to the u.k. and carry out terrorist attacks there's also the threats of piracy and the kidnapping of eight tourists but crucially somalia has boss toil and gas reserves and other natural resources including which the u.s.

and other countries have had their eye on for years is many points also to somalia as to t.j. position presiding over a knowledge policy of oil transport routes through the gulf of aden usually following military strategist to planning long term intervention somewhere. or. one of the biggest because a huge somali community round here. most of whom are from. saying to me. have support to get a functioning system of government and. some see this as a direct result of the perceived success by the government of the come paid in libya operation me to oust gadhafi successful next stop somalia.

and coming out coming up on our t.v. what are you for. do you think that sense of humor it would be appealing in a world leader i think it's an international way of speaking you know everybody gets it and everybody likes it at. our own resident in new york ask people on the streets about the must have qualities for the world leaders of today. that was draw all of us troops from iraq has left a wave of sectarian violence in its wake america's hasn't left stability behind but even the largest oil reserves in the world aren't enough to pay for the peace iraqis want r.t. shaun thomas investigates what that means for the reputation of the u.s. in the region and beyond. packing up to head home it may be easy to overlook the total costs of war at least one hundred fourteen thousand iraqi civilians killed as well as four and a half thousand american soldiers millions displaced from their homes not to

mention a one trillion dollars financial burden still the former occupiers leave behind some words of encouragement i can say that with confidence that in the next twenty or fifty years iraq will be a leader here in the in the gulf region that rivals a country inside the region i think that iraq now is a safe and secure environment it's not a safe and secure is as it should be or it will be but it's it's progressing very well the american occupation of iraq saw the fall of the balance regime the capture and execution of deposed leader saddam hussein and the implementation of a democratic government but now nearly nine years later these are the country better off ladies are that they below and also the u.s. troop invasion of iraq and three thousand and three and their grief mystique recommitted made the situation here worse there are so many mistakes committed by the u.s. military leadership especially in managing civilian aspects here this had

a negative effect because they said that in fact many here say it was the american mismanagement of iraq and that led to the rise of sectarian violence in the country all people if you us then who brings the three of us to iraq he said us a. whole them each to have the infrastructure. he said usa so i think. we on american must cooperate in order to. this. culture that hate. between two peoples the timeline for u.s. troop withdrawal was set in two thousand and eight and while the obama administration an issue. he tried to extend the deadline the official transfer of power came sixteen days ahead of schedule on december sixteenth two thousand and eleven but we hope that the future. many good things if we can look to the acquittal

a balanced not my view with see. iraq he follow america must have been in everything's on american. soil says it got some sources and also mind. many people who. love. our country right now the u.s. and iraqi governments are working on a new type of diplomatic relations building a new type of trust if you will but now the next step is in the hands of the iraqi government to move the country forward as america's influence waned political infighting and sectarian divisions in the iraqi parliament have diminished as well giving iraqis hope for a strong future i'm up just a bit off and without as regards other aspects civil life the political and parliamentarian aspects as well as the economic aspects that it lets me see that

iraq has good keep abilities to be put to become one of the developed states but as iraq prepares to move past this dark chapter they have a message for their former occupiers to our friends america that the police another mistake. because you are a mystic is a great mistake and it affects you. but it's teach. you the future relations and friends are few right now in a region in which america's reputation lies and friends in the eyes of many in iraq sean thomas r.t. . well there is more on the situation in iraq on our web site for you that's our team dot com as americans come back from conflict zone suicide now kills more soldiers and veterans down the enemies who shoot at them. also online police were forced to use pepper spray and a power of arrest when the thousands of shoppers cause mayhem trying to get their

hands on some retro style sneakers all the details are to dot com. now let's take a look at some other stories from around the world barack obama has agreed to the approval of a short term tax cut extension by congress by asking for another extension the president said the move was a make or break moment for the american middle class after he managed to overcome republican opposition for a landmark victory a conference committee which tries to so i'll be your long deal after the party season the bills will withstand the road tax cuts jobless benefits for millions of unemployed into the new year christmas. cuban government is set to release almost three thousand prisoners including many convicted of political crimes whatever of those accused of serious offenses like her as you know drug traffickers will not be granted amnesty president castro said this humanitarian gesture which showed he was

strength they had of the upcoming visit to. the tunisian it soundly has approved a new cabinet put forward by prime minister of hamas and it now falls to the caretaker government to write a new constitution the soundly was elected in october with moderate islamist party and out there taking the door you've seen the formation of the new government marks a political milestone after the ousting of former presidents in order dean ben ali in january. and i have presidential actions in the u.s. russia france south korea and many other countries in two thousand and twelve the question on many lips is what does a modern leader look like today artie's big apple resident laurie harshness asked people in new york about what they expect from a potential candidate. important elections will be held in many countries in two thousand and twelve what's it going

to take to be a good leader in today's world this week let's talk about that what do you think is the most important quality for a world leader to have right now just empathy for what's going on right now just the inability to be able to be flexible just with the american people and the people the world and a lot of patience i equate intelligence with humor. i mean say oh yeah a quick mind do you think that sense of humor would be appealing in a world leader think it's an international way of speaking you know everybody gets it and everybody likes it that circumstances are controlled all the countries so somebody step up and take the reins you know would you follow someone that was strong like that even if you didn't necessarily believe yes yes they're true leader and were honest with people is having the ability to lead people more important than having the intelligence or the right kind of policy. yeah i would say it

is because you have to have a whole team of people that are actually implementing your work so you have to be able to provide that process for them so is it important for them to have money so that they understand how it works or is it important for them to not have so much money that they're in touch with people who is probably important for them to have come up having no money i mean just nelson mandela i mean you look at mary came from. i mean he understood what it was what it was like to have nothing thing that's probably what made him such a good leader of course for me it was a new a positive. kennedy was was of one the leader of my mind because you had this really man who was my vision boss and he's now what he was a man who really wants to leave. nations to the future do you think it's possible in today's world or is it too different a time now than it was in the path of sort of this totally different because

a global war is a totally very complex and not easy to manage meadows being courted by a very so shows so show. it started to change your mind over how to be the people no matter what qualities we'd like just be in the new world leaders of two thousand and twelve let's just hope we aren't too disappointed in who they turn out to be. an issue that will look at the consumerism when russia and that's after i remind you of today's top stories.

in two thousand and ten especially economic zone for industrial production was established in russia somalia region with a total area of six hundred sixty six as. its investors are granted exclusive tax and customs benefits which includes five years the exemption from property land and transport taxes as well as an income tax reduction to fifteen point five percent. dismissal economic zone operates as a free customs own which enables manufacturers to market their products in russia free of him for duty.