Al-Ghad (Jordan): Paris angers Washington by contacting Hamas – French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner confirmed yesterday that France had undergone contacts with the Islamist Palestinian Hamas movement, which controls Gaza. While Israel downplayed – if only publicly – the importance of these contacts, Washington took a more firm position by expressing its deep resentment for the French contacts with Hamas, saying it was an unwise move.

Ash-Sharq al-Awsat (London; Saudi Arabia): Israel reveals direct negotiations with Hamas – Israel's Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon revealed that Israel is holding negotiations with Hamas, in violation of the government decision that insists on boycotting Hamas until it accepts the Quartet's peace conditions. Ramon said he hoped the government would next week adopt a "strategic position that would not accept Hamas' presence" at Israel's southern borders.

Al-Watan (Oman): Hamas receives Israeli response to truce today – A Hamas delegation today meets with Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman to receive an Israeli response to a truce proposal. This meeting comes as Israel's "War Minister" Ehud Barak reiterated Israel's demand that any truce agreement should entail releasing an Israeli soldier abducted in Gaza in 2006, while Hamas says a ceasefire and releasing the soldier should remain separate.

Al-Ahram (Egypt): Gamal Mubarak: U.S. president's speech was frustrating – The deputy head of the ruling National Democratic Party and President Hosni Mubarak's son, Gamal Mubarak, said that U.S. President George W. Bush's speech to the economic forum in Sharm el-Sheikh was "frustrating for the Palestinian cause, because everyone was expecting a new American position" in this regard. The Egyptian people were generally angered by what Bush stated at the forum, saying it was similar to what he told the Israeli parliament and thus raised doubts over his administration's seriousness in finding a just solution to the Palestinian question.

As-Safir (Lebanon): Doha conference paves way for comprehensive deal – Bargaining continued until the early hours of the day between the Lebanese ruling majority and the opposition in Doha, as the Qataris put all their weight behind the dialogue through the direct involvement of the emir and his prime minister. The participants are expected to take a break today until the emir's return tonight from Gulf Cooperation Council consultations in Saudi Arabia, in which the Lebanese question will be among the top subjects on the agenda.