Al-Qabas (Kuwait): Kuwaiti Court Endorses Execution of Ruling Family Member – The Kuwaiti Court of Appeals yesterday endorsed the death penalty by hanging against Sheik Talal al-Sabah after finding there was no justification to overturn his conviction on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. This is the first time in Kuwait's judicial history that a member of the ruling family is sentenced to death, a verdict that still needs to be endorsed by the state's emir.

Al-Hayat al-Jadeeda (West Bank): PA President Asks France to Lead Active European Peace Role – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday asked French President Nicolas Sarkozy to lead an active European political role to support the peace process. Sarkozy said progress in the peace talks was primarily a Palestinian and Israeli responsibility, but vowed that France would help by using its diplomatic, economic and even military weight to achieve peace.

Al-Bayan (United Arab Emirates): Sarkozy Leaves Israel Running after Soldier Kills Self – President Sarkozy left Israel running yesterday after an Israeli soldier shot himself while standing at the farewell ceremony on the airport tarmac. Police officials said this was not an assassination attempt, but a suicide by a border guard; after it became clear there was no danger, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres then boarded Sarkozy's plane to bid him farewell.

Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon): Spiritual Summit Affirms State Authority, Sovereignty – In a scene that reflected the religious pluralism in Lebanon, 15 religious leaders gathered in a meeting at the presidential palace yesterday, at the invitation of President Michel Suleiman, to affirm the need for the unity and sovereignty of the country and its people. Suleiman warned in an opening address that the differences between the Lebanese "have reached a point of suicide," and called for working together to eliminate the struggle dividing the country.

Okaz (Saudi Arabia): Oil Ministry: Oil Output Rise is Commercial, not Political – A top official at the Saudi oil and natural resources ministry told Okaz that the kingdom has decided to raise its oil output to 9.7 million barrels per day as of the beginning of July. He said this was not a political decision, but purely for commercial reasons on the basis of supply and demand.