Al-Sabah (Iraq): 'Alliance' an important step to support national unity government – Iraqi politicians welcomed a new alliance agreement between two Kurdish parties and the (Sunni) Islamic Party, saying it supports the national unity government and the political process. Iraqi Vice President Tareq Al Hashemi said the understanding signed is not a political grouping, adding, "We don't want to send the wrong message that this (agreement) is aimed against any specific sides, but is to activate national reconciliation."
Ash-Sharq al-Awsat (London): Iraqi Islamic Party: Our alliance with the Kurds a message to Maliki – A leader in the Iraqi Islamic Party, Salim Abdullah, said the agreement signed with the two major Kurdish parties was a message to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki that the Kurdish and Sunni forces could unite to confront the Shiite parties. Abdullah told ash-Sharq al-Awsat that the accord shows the Islamic Party can be active partners in decision-making and to assume a larger role in ruling.
Al-Hayat (London): Iranian Jews emigrate to Israel – A group of 40 Iranian Jews arrived in Israel via a third country for the first time in years, while the Israeli authorities slapped a blackout on details of an agreement with Iran in this regard, citing security reasons. A spokesman for the Jewish agency said that these new immigrants left their possessions in Iran and left silently, adding that most of them came from Tehran.
Al-Quds (East Jerusalem): Cairo launches attack on Livni on the eve of Barak-Mubarak meeting – Cairo preceded an expected visit by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to Egypt today by launching an attack on Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni for remarks she made regarding Egypt's role in dealing with the problem of tunnels across its borders with the Gaza Strip. Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hussam Zaki said it would have been better for Livni to focus on negotiations with the Palestinians instead of making sweeping statements without having facts.
Al-Gomhuria (Egypt): Sarkozy in Luxor with Carla – French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Egypt Tuesday with his new girlfriend, former model Carla Bruni, on a private visit to Luxor. The couple will spend a few days in the ancient city on the Nile before the French president starts an official visit to Egypt at the end of the month.