Al-Hayat (London): Messages of calm between Israel and Syria; warnings against repercussions of attacks

– Israel and Syria exchanged messages of calm, accompanied by mutual warnings against launching an attack, following reports of preparations by both sides for an imminent war. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem insisted that peace was his country's strategic choice but "we should be awake to any Israeli aggression." Israel's army officials said it was not in anyone's interests to have a military confrontation, but warned that "our response will be harsh and painful" if attacked.

Al-Ahram (Egypt): International expectations for imminent military strike on Iran

– Amid international expectations of an imminent American strike against Iran within the month, sources at the International Atomic Energy Agency said that China provided the agency with new information regarding Iran's nuclear program. The sources said that two other countries friendly to Iran have also provided information in this regard, which could include proof that Iran is seeking to possess nuclear weapons.

Al-Qabas (Kuwait): Zawahiri: Al-Qaida will fight Israel after victory in Iraq

– Al-Qaida's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri said in response to questions on an Islamic Web site that Osama Bin Laden was in good health and said rumors saying otherwise were lies. He condemned the United Nations and vowed to "attack the Jews inside and outside Israel" after achieving "victory in Iraq."

Al-Arab al-Yawm (Jordan): Kuwaiti mediation to solve Syrian-Saudi crisis

– Kuwaiti reports said the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, will visit Riyadh on Saturday to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Syria to ease tensions over the Lebanese crisis. Sources said the emir, who attended the Arab summit boycotted by the Saudi monarch, will deliver to King Abdullah a Syrian message that is hoped would defuse tensions between them.

Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon): Teachers assert their 'apolitical' unity amid comprehensive strike

– Lebanon's public and private educational institutions held what they said was a successful strike yesterday to demand better pay and working conditions. The teachers' syndicates said they will continue to make their demands away from the political and sectarian polarization, adding there cannot be an improvement of their salaries in the wake of continued political strife.