Al-Ayyam (West Bank): Bush pledges to support 'chosen people' in the face of terror – In his first speech to the Israeli parliament yesterday, US President George W Bush pledged to support Israel in confronting "terror" organizations, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the state's establishment, while the Palestinians commemorated their catastrophe. Bush described Israel as the "homeland of the chosen people," and briefly mentioned Palestinian aspirations to establish their own state.
Al-Arab al-Yawm (Jordan): Calls to reject U.S. pressures, affirm right of resistance against occupation – On the 60th anniversary of the Palestinian "Nakba," or catastrophe, the Higher Committee for the Defense of Right of Return called to reject all U.S. and Zionist pressures that demand recognition of the Jewish identity of the Zionist entity while abandoning the right of Palestinian refugees' return. It said that Palestinians have the right to resist the occupation by all means. It stressed that resistance was not terrorism, but a legitimate right.
An-Nahar (Lebanon): Arab committee in quick breakthrough as Beirut dusts away disobedience – Beirut returned to the status quo that existed before May 5, as its airport and roads were reopened last night. But this does not remove the explosive political situation that manifested with the armed invasion [by the opposition]. Nevertheless, the Arab ministerial committee achieved an enormous breakthrough with a framework agreement to resolve the security and political crises through talks in Qatar.
Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia): Six-point agreement to resolve Lebanese crisis, talks start in Doha today – Qatar's Prime Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem, who heads the Arab committee for Lebanon, announced that an agreement has been reached between the majority and the opposition to begin talks in Doha today. He said a six-point framework for dialogue includes ending armed confrontations and returning to normal life, in addition to halting incitement between rivals.
Ash-Sharq al-Awsat (London; Saudi Arabia): Syrian workers fleeing Lebanon badly affects construction, agriculture sectors – Lebanon's construction and agriculture sectors were negatively affected when large numbers of Syrian workers fled Lebanon at the start of clashes. Syrian laborers have always paid a price in tensions between Beirut and Damascus, as some have been attacked since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.