An-Nahar (Lebanon): New Unity Cabinet, Return of Prisoners Unite Lebanon – The Lebanese scene today and tomorrow is one of unity on the occasion of the return of five prisoners and remains of 199 resistance fighters from Israel, and the launching of the first government under President Michel Suleiman. The picture to be taken of the new cabinet at the presidential palace today will combine the representatives of the Lebanese rivals and the picture at the airport will show leaders of both camps as they welcome the returning prisoners.

al-Quds al-Arabi (London): They Said Goodbye to Their Palestinian Comrades Amid Chanting of 'Next Year in Jerusalem' – Israel will today swap prisoners with Hezbollah, in which the longest-serving Arab prisoner, Lebanese Samir Kuntar, will return home. He was given a farewell party at the Israeli prison, during which dozens of Palestinian detainees wished him a dignified life, as the prisoners chanted in one voice, "Next year we will be in Jerusalem, God willing."

Al-Baath (Syria): Assad's Historic Visit to France Affirmed Syria's Strategic Status – Syrian President Bashar Assad's historic visit to France, his talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his participation at the events in Paris received unprecedented attention. Analysts say Assad's political accomplishments during this visit affirm Syria's strategic status on the regional and international fronts.

Al-Anbaa (Kuwait): Ahmadinejad: Talks with Washington 'Possible in Near Future' – Despite growing tension between the two countries over Iran's nuclear program, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not rule out talks with the United States in the near future. He told state-run Iranian TV that possible talks with Washington would be on a lower-than-government level, adding that Tehran was keen on holding "dialogue with the entire world's countries, except the Zionist entity," in reference to Israel.

Az-Zaman (London; Iraq): Izzat al-Douri Criticizes al-Qaida and al-Mahdi Army – Iraq's former Vice President Izzat al-Douri, in an audio message, sharply criticized the approach of al-Qaida network and the Shiite al-Mahdi Army militia to fighting the American forces, promising the latter a "decisive end" this year. The whereabouts of Douri, whose demise was announced several times and is wanted by U.S. forces, remains unknown.