Al-Hayat (London): White House sells Iraq agreement to Congress – White House sources told Al-Hayat the George W Bush administration has successfully sold the security and military agreement it is negotiating with Iraq, ruling out a confrontation with Congress. President Bush expected Washington and Baghdad to overcome their differences and reach a treaty. Denying intentions to set up permanent military bases, he reiterated that he does not regret the invasion of Iraq.
An-Nahar (Lebanon): Saudi-American dispute over reasons for oil price hikes – OPEC chief Abdullah al-Badri said the meeting in Saudi Arabia on June 22 for oil producers and consumers to discuss the 40 percent price hikes since December will be held on a heads of state level. But the White House announced that Bush will not participate in this meeting due in Jeddah.
Okaz (Saudi Arabia): Siniora rejects Olmert's call for bilateral negotiations – Lebanese Prime Minister designate Fouad Siniora yesterday rejected a call by his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Olmert, to hold bilateral negotiations because the conflict between Israel and Lebanon is ruled by international resolutions that are non-negotiable. He said in a statement the issues linked to comprehensive peace, particularly the right of return for Palestinian refugees, involve the entire Arab parties, and are within the Arab peace initiative.
Al-Ayyam (West Bank): Four martyrs, including child and a senior, in Israeli raid in Gaza – Three people, including a little girl and a resistance fighter, were martyred and six others were injured during an Israeli occupation raid in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. In Jabaliya, an elderly man was killed and his 10-year-old daughter was injured in their homes by an Israeli air strike.
Al-Ahram (Egypt): 123 survive, including two Egyptians, in Sudanese airline accident – Sudanese authorities said that 123 people, including two Egyptians, survived a fire that engulfed a Sudanese aircraft upon its landing in Khartoum airport on Tuesday night. They said that 33 bodies were found, while the fate of 50 to 60 of the plane's 217 passengers and crew onboard at the time has not yet been determined.