Jeddah-based Okaz newspaper said that the decision by Israel to expel the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, from Palestinian territories is unjustified and violates international law. “The decision by the Israeli government flagrantly violates UN resolutions. It is time for the international community to shoulder its responsibility to curb such aggressive, arrogant Israeli policies. We are awaiting the response of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and permanent members of the UN Security Council, notably the U.S.,” the daily said.
On the same topic, Jeddah-based Al-Madina said that Washington is incapable of convincing the world that it is genuinely working to bring about peace in the Middle East. “It is very difficult to differentiate between American and Israeli policies,” the paper said. Al-Madinah attributed the insistence of Washington to settle the Middle East problem unilaterally - declining all international efforts, including those of the UN, to assist - to its keenness to please extremist elements in Israel.
Under the title “Israeli Threat”, Riyadh Daily said that never in Israel’s recent history has it faced as much worldwide condemnation as it does following its decision to expel Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
On recent developments of the situation in Iraq, the Jeddah-based Saudi Gazette said that the 10,000 British troops in Iraq pale into insignificance in comparison to the 146,000 American troops in the country. But the British forces provide a measure of comfort to the U.S., which faces international criticism due to its acting unilaterally in Iraq, against warnings by the international community. The British Defence Minister has announced that 1,200 additional British soldiers will be sent to Iraq within the next week, with 1,000 more to follow. The Minister told the House of Commons that the situation in Iraq was constantly evolving, as are the kinds of tasks being undertaken by British forces. The extra deployment came in response to advice from British military commanders on the ground.
Source: SPA
