Al-Baath (Syria): On fifth anniversary of Iraq invasion, Americans protest the war and Bush prepares for 'strategic victory' – U.S. President George W. Bush ignored the deaths of more than 1 million Iraqi occupation victims, destruction of Iraq's infrastructure, an absence of security, and the spread of chaos, by marking the fifth anniversary of the invasion with false justifications and promising a great strategic victory. The anniversary was also met with massive anti-war demonstrations in American and European cities.
Al-Quds al-Arabi (London): Report: U.S. administration eases its position on Hamas – Arab diplomats in Washington said the Bush administration is using Egypt as a mediator to open channels between Israel and Hamas, indicating U.S. flexibility toward the movement. Diplomats in Washington said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has given tacit support for Egyptian mediation between Hamas and Israel to reach a truce, as Egyptian security officials shuttle between the two sides.
Al-Gomhuria (Egypt): Moussa: Direct Egyptian-Saudi-Syrian contacts over Lebanon – Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said that direct contacts are being held between Saudi Arabia, Syria and Egypt over the events in Lebanon. Moussa added that hopes were pinned on discussions regarding Lebanon that will take place at the Arab summit, and that they might lead to a quick solution for electing a Lebanese president.
Al-Qabas (Kuwait): Emir dissolves parliament … Elections on May 17 – Kuwait's emir has dissolved the National Assembly to overcome the political crisis and set May 17 as the date for new elections. He said in a royal decree that he chose this option to "protect national unity from violations of the constitution."
Ash-Sharq al-Awsat (London; Saudi Arabia): Saudi: Plan to train 40,000 imams on culture of dialogue – Saudi Arabia has endorsed a new plan to train 40,000 mosque imams across the kingdom on the culture of dialogue and communication skills. The national dialogue project, initiated by King Abdullah in 2003, is considered the largest plan ever to encourage moderation and avert extremism, as well as expand the foundations of dialogue within Saudi society.