An-Nahar (Lebanon): Israel Begins National Drills; 'It's in Our Interests to Talk with Syria,' Olmert Says – Israeli tensions with Syria and Hezbollah converted into practical steps as Israel began nationwide domestic drills, amid hysteria over an expected Hezbollah reprisal for the assassination of Imad Mughnieh.

Nevertheless, Israeli leaders continued to send messages of calm to Syria and Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told parliament that it was in Israel's interest to negotiate with Syria.

Okaz (Saudi Arabia): Army Chief's Retirement Does Not Prevent Electing Him President, Siniora Says – Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo that the retirement of army chief General Michel Suleiman does not prevent him from being the consensus presidential candidate. He said Suleiman's retirement from the military is a message that he has become frustrated "with the way Lebanon is being dealt with and [he] aims to reach an agreement on the Arab initiative."

Az-Zaman (London; Iraq): Fighting Paralyzes East Baghdad; Sadr Refuses to Surrender Mahdi Weapons for Elections – Iraq's top political leadership council decided in a meeting yesterday to prevent the Sadrists from running in provincial elections in October unless they put down their Mahdi Army weapons. Sadrists rejected the ruling, saying the council's decisions are not binding.

In the meantime, 25 people were killed in renewed fighting in Baghdad yesterday, during clashes between U.S. forces surrounding Sadr City in eastern Baghdad and al-Mahdi Army, led by Moqtada Sadr.

Al-Wafd (Egypt): Cairo Streets and Provinces Empty – State security forces arrested opposition activists in Cairo on April 6 ahead of a demonstration called by the Kifaya movement, which the group's leaders said reveals the failure of the government to deal with the strike.

Hundreds of people held separate protests organized by the professional syndicates against price rises and low wages, as well as against corruption sweeping government institutions.

al-Quds al-Arabi (London): Egypt: Hundreds Arrested, Installations Destroyed, Massive Security Deployments to Confront Strike – Egyptian security forces were on full alert yesterday, as unprecedented violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and the police.

Observers said the violence that swept Egypt was a symptom of a popular uprising or movement of civil disobedience.