AMMAN -- Its out in the open: Syrian-Israeli peace negotiations are underway. But public statements and positions reiterated by both sides suggest the talks may be lengthy, difficult, and will probably remain behind closed doors if a peace deal is to be ultimately reached between the historic enemies.

What the Arab papers said on May 19:

BEIRUT -- Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah is a prominent Lebanese Muslim scholar and author, and a spiritual guide to millions of Shiites around the world. In an exclusive interview with Sana Abdallah of the Middle East Times at his residence in Beiruts southern suburbs, Fadlallah, 72, spoke about his relationship with Lebanons Islamic group Hezbollah, the Iranian-U.S. face-off in the region, the Lebanese political crisis, and sectarian struggles in Lebanon and Iraq. Following are excerpts from the interview, translated from Arabic.

The general belief is that the United States has been fighting two wars, in Afghanistan and Iraq, for seven and five years, respectively. But there is a third war that has been raging for the last 25 years. That war began on April 18, 1983 when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden van into the U.S. Embassy in Beirut bringing down the entire front façade of the multistoried building, killing 68 people – among them 17 Americans.

SPECIAL REPORT: Twenty-five years ago on this day, April 18, I was driving back from the U.S. Marine compound near Beirut International Airport where a press conference was held for the big news item of the day: a Marine guarding the perimeter was shot at. The Marine was unhurt, but the bullet went through his baggy trousers. That was the top news item of the day … until … until 1:03 p.m. That was the exact time when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden van into the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. The blast was heard and felt several miles away.

Kuwait Dithers at Spring Election Crossroads

Theres something happening here. What it is aint exactly clear. Theres a man with a gun over there, Telling me I got to beware....

JERUSALEM -- Tensions on Israels northern border have increased significantly as the Jewish state began a week of the largest ever military exercises and emergency drills in the countrys history on Sunday, raising fear and suspicion from its arch enemies Hezbollah, Syria and Iran that a preemptive strike could be in the offing.

What the Arab papers said on April 7: