An Event and a Regional Trend

Head of Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman’s statements before the delegation of Merits movement, which were published in the Israeli paper Ma’ariv, held Israel responsible for what happens on the Palestinian track and completely rejected the idea of deploying international forces in Gaza.
This means that Egyptian calculations are totally different from the US-Israeli project that Olmert expressed in Sharm el-Sheikh summit, and this reveals the reasons behind the failure of this summit and President Mubarak’s insistence on the idea of calling for Palestinian dialogue.
Suleiman also vehemently criticized, according to what was published in Ma’ariv, the foiled US policy in Iraq and Lebanon.
Analysts and experts concentrate on the increasing Egyptian signs in this respect, and consider that the natural tendency of the Egyptian stand is working to achieve understanding with Syria and trying to re-build the Syrian- Egyptian - Saudi axis.
Information say that achieving this goal is the motivation for Arab League secretary general’s endeavors, because Cairo tends to activate the tripartite axis which provided an Arab umbrella for 30 years instead of Rice’s quartet which lead the foiled policies, as Omar Suleiman put it.

An Event and a Lebanese Trend

Reactions on French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s statements against Hezbollah continued, while Hezbollah decided to boycott Paris dialogue according the available news. For its part, the opposition announced its support to Hezbollah, and announced that it will not attend the dialogue forum if the Elysee does not issue a statement that clarifies its stand towards the party.
The presidential statement which was issued at night formed an initiative that stressed Paris’s care about the success of its call to dialogue despite the US-Israeli pressures. Consequently, the opportunity for communication between Hezbbollah and the French government will occur again.
Observers in Beirut say that France is serious about building a new image for its stand and role in the area and Lebanon, and that is what the visit of ambassador Jean-Claude Cousseran to Tehran is trying to enhance in the shadow of information which confirm that he will visit the Syrian capital in the near future in accordance with the new trend of the French diplomatic institution, which started to take shape many months before former president Jacques Chirac’ departure from the Elysee.

Arab and International Press

The British paper The said the international community’s abstain from dealing with Fatah’s government and Hamas contributed to the sharpness of the current crisis.
The writer Naomi Klein said Israel is not comfortable concerning Hamas’s control of Gaza, pointing out that the Israeli army in the Golan is summoning its members to join their camps.
Leader of the multinational force in Iraq general David Petraeus said the presence of the US forces in Iraq may be necessary for a decade in order to fight armed men.
United Press International quoted Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari as saying that his government is not committed to dates or timetables related to the modification of the constitution or the oil and gas law, pointing out these laws should be based on conciliation and correct bases.
Wall Street Journal paper said French president Sarkozy promised before becoming a president to shape a new French Vision to the world, and he started to do this, while distancing himself from the policies of Chirac.
Arab and international press agencies said the US sent a third battleship to the Gulf area due to the escalation of violence in Iraq, and other places and to face the Iranian behavior which the US described as arrogant.
Arab and international press agencies said some US officials belittled the importance of the report which will be submitted to the Congress on the deterioration of condition in Iraq.
The Israeli general Eyal bin Ra’ovin said in an article published in the Israeli press that Israel faces difficulties in solving security problems, including Hamas’s state in the south, Syria and Hezbollah in the north, and the Iranian nuclear threat, pointing out that Israel should avoid a confrontation in the north and search for painful prices for the Golan Heights.
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert said in an interview with the Spanish paper El Pais that he is sure that conciliation between Hamas and Fatah is impossible, pointing out that Mahmoud Abbas told him this.
The Israeli press quoted Agence France Presse as saying that Washington raises doubts on the possibility of deploying international forces in Gaza.
Arab Press quoted the Italian television Rai as saying that Mahmoud Abbas accused Hamas of cooperating with Al-Qaeda.
The correspondent of Science Christian Monitor paper Howard Lafranche said the US strategy in Iraq prepares for entering the stage of what is called as "after additional enhancements", but decisions are not taken yet in this respect.
The Emirate paper Al-Khaleej said the judge of Palestinian judges sheikh Tayseer At-Tamimi stressed that the occupation is going to finish the Judiazation of Jerusalem.
Press sources that follow up the affairs in Arab Maghrib said French president Sarkozy’s visit to Tunisia and Algeria has only symbolic dimensions.

Lebanese Press

Lebanese press said Paris dialogue forum between Lebanese sides faces a crisis due to president Sarkozy’s statements against Hezbollah.
The resigned minister of Hezbollah Muhammad Fneish belittled the importance of the French statements saying that they aim at satisfying the Jewish lobby.
Spokesperson for the French foreign ministry clarified France’s stand by saying that Hezbollah is an important political force in Lebanon’s political life, but Hezbollah insisted on a presidential statement in this respect.
For his part, Muhammad Fneish said Hezbollah did not take a final stand in this respect.

Arab Satellite Stations’ Interviews

Al-Jazeera
The harvest of the Day
The second man in Al-Qaeda, Ayman Al-Zawahiri threatened to carry out operations in Britain as retaliation against the British Queen knighting of Salman Rushdie, pointing out that the operation against the UNIFIL in south Lebanon is a retaliation against the crusader’s occupation of South Lebanon.

Television Stations News in Lebanon

The NTV said while politicians of the second line were packing their bags to head for Paris, Amr Moussa penetrated the wall of internal silence by making phone calls with House Speaker Berri and Prime Minister As-Siniora.
The NBN quoted Al-Thwara paper as saying that the real solutions for Lebanon’s crisis passes in Damascus and solutions are possible if the US ambassador Jeffrey Feltnam stops putting sticks in the wheels.
The LBC said some sides discuss with Amal movement and the Liberal Trend reconsidering their stand towards Paris meeting.
The Future TV said a Lebanese consultative meeting will be held on the sidelines of Paris forum.

Television Stations Interviews in Lebanon

LBC
Program: With all Courage
Former ambassador Juni Abdu said president Emile Lahoud decided to violate the constitution, pointing out that it was wrong to propose the topic of the Good Friday and the Christians’ percentage while the army is facing Fatah al-Islam, and in a time when the Syrian intelligence’s words are returning to Lebanon.