Al-Fadjr (Algeria): Yesterday's blasts call for practical evaluation of national reconciliation … Casualties of terror constantly rising for two years – The double attacks that rocked Algiers Tuesday has added to the casualty toll of terrorist attacks since the national reconciliation law was enacted two years ago. Yesterday's explosions have raised questions on the positive results the national reconciliation plan has achieved and on the real numbers given by the government on those who renounced armed activities.

Al-Sahafa (Tunisia): Tunisia affirms full solidarity and support to Algeria in the fight against all forms of terrorism – Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine ben Ali has sent a message of solidarity and support to his Algerian counterpart Abdel Aziz Bouteflika after 26 people were killed and 177 injured by two car bomb explosions in Algiers. The Tunisian president said his country stands by Algeria in the fight against terrorism in all its forms.

Ash-Sharq al-Awsat (London): Ahmadinejad ready to visit Egypt with an invitation … America asked him for the first step after he requested more positive moves – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, hours before the first visit by an Egyptian envoy to Tehran in 27 years, that he is ready to visit Egypt and restore diplomatic ties with it if he receives an invitation. At the same news conference, Ahmadinejad abandoned his usual hostility towards the United States, calling for more positive U.S. steps, while the White House responded that Iran should make the first move through its nuclear activities to improve relations.

Al-Qabas (Kuwait): Al Faisal: Gulf states are not seeking military balances in the region – Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council states are not seeking to develop their military capabilities in order to create military balances in the region, but to achieve security for their people. He said the recent arms deals of some Gulf countries with the United States were part of developing their armed forces for self-defense, denying his country is settling accounts with Iran on Iraqi soil.

As-Safir (Lebanon): Blood is abundant in Gaza and Abbas goes to negotiate today – Israel paved the way for resuming negotiations with the Palestinian Authority in occupied Jerusalem today by committing a new massacre in Gaza during the biggest penetration of the strip since Hamas took control of it in June. The Israeli army killed eight Palestinians and injured and arrested dozens of others in a move that the Palestinian factions saw as a prelude to an imminent invasion of Gaza.