In an editorial, the Syrian government daily Teshreen stated that the peace conference declared by U.S. President George W. Bush is a trap set for the Arabs in the guise of a peace initiative.
The paper stated that there are those among the Arabs who support the U.S.-Israeli direction and believe in an administration that has lost its political and moral credibility.
Source: Teshreen, Syria, July 31, 2007
Boy: "Daddy, before Christopher Columbus discovered America, who interfered in world affairs?"
Headline of newspaper in boy's hand: "America Threatens."
Source: Al-Ittihad, U.A.E., July 30, 2007
Source: Syria News, Syria, July 30, 2007
Figure on left: "Congratulations, you've won the Asia Cup!"
On the figure on the right: "Iraq."
Source: Al-Watan, Qatar, July 30, 2007
The Hamas government, headed by Isma'il Haniya, recently set up a new security apparatus that is to be in charge of intelligence missions in the Gaza Strip.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Haniya's government said that the body was to be called the Internal Security Apparatus and that it would begin to function within a number of weeks.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 31, 2007
Egyptian security apparatuses have arrested activists who hold Salafi jihadist views.
The activists, who are citizens of Arab countries, were in Egypt illegally.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 31, 2007
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit yesterday signed, in Cairo, an agreement to establish a joint Saudi-Egypt consultation committee.
The committee is to function at the foreign ministry level.
Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, July 31, 2007
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has accused Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah of acting according to a Syrian-Iranian agenda instead of an Iranian agenda.
He said that Nasrallah's objections to UNSC Resolution 1701 and his statements that his missiles could reach any point in Palestine were proof that he is preparing the ground for a new war.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Lebanon, July 31, 2007
Southern Iraq tribes announced in a communiqué that 45 of their sheikhs have signed the founding document of an autonomous government in the region, which will rule over Basra, Amara, Nasiriya, Diwaniya, and Samawa provinces.
Also in the communiqué, they announced the appointment of 'Abd Al-Muhsein Al-Shalash as prime minister of this government, for a five-year term, as well as the establishment of an administrative committee and majlis shura which will be responsible for drawing up and passing laws.
Source: Islam Today, July 30, 2007
