Iraq's 'grudge court' rules: Aziz to hang

The ruling handed down by Iraq's high criminal court sentencing to death Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi foreign minister, embodies the worst of revengeful sentiments, wrote Abdelbari Atwan, the editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds al Arabi.

The ruling handed down by Iraq's high criminal court which sentenced to death Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi foreign minister, was hardly a surprise, wrote Abdelbari Atwan, the editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds al Arabi.

"The court has nothing to do with justice and embodies the worst of revengeful sentiments. With his suavity, farsightedness, culture and politeness, Mr Aziz was a bright, civilised personage not only in Iraq, but also in the wider Arab world. Accusing him of 'crimes against humanity' is a joke in poor taste that betrays the pettiness of those who have promoted it."

The man never meddled with his country's domestic affairs, let alone took internal decisions. He spent most of his life travelling from one capital to another, fiercely defending Arab causes and exposing conspirators and collaborators with the Israeli regime.

Ironically, those Iraqis running the judiciary now are the same who, under Saddam Hussein, were denouncing repression and injustice and pledged to put in place a model for human rights.

Look at the timing of the sentence; it was far from innocent. As the recent Wikileaks files on Iraq abuses were released to wide public attention, the verdict came to kick up the dust over the failures of the current regime. Mr Aziz isn't the person who should be facing trial.

Saad Hariri needs to ponder resignation  

The Lebanese prime minister Saad al Hariri is in a political dilemma, wrote Saleh al Qalab in the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Jareeda. Al Hariri should either accept sustaining pressure from his opponents or reject it by resigning from his post as his father once did.

Al Hariri is resisting the dictations of his detractors from many political forces, mainly Hizbollah. The latter would like him to waive the case concerning the assassination of his father by dissolving the International Tribunal for Lebanon. This way, potential suspects can escape justice.

Mr al Hariri is aware that the situation is getting worse and might lead to a civil conflict that possibly could claim his life in the same scenario as his father. "But how long will he stay firm and obstinate as regional powers interfere to affect the political situation in Lebanon? Mr al Hariri is under both internal and external pressure, which adds to the burden of his responsibilities."

He is keen to legally identify the killers of his father but, at the same time, maintain the stability of Lebanon. As a solution to this intricate dilemma, Mr al Hariri and his supporters should work on the regional track to reduce the sources of power that contribute to Hizbollah's political and military might. But he also should think of resigning, yet without forsaking the judiciary case against those responsible for the assassination of his father.

Israel plans to create a new political reality

In its lead article, the Palestinian newspaper Al Quds described the situation of the Palestinian issue as stalled and settlement activities as in full swing. While Israeli premie minister Benjamin Netanyahu adheres to his expansion policies, the Palestinian Authority sticks to its stance that relates resumption of negotiations with settlement freeze.

This is happening at a time when international political efforts to solve this crisis are failing to bring the divergent views closer. Mr Netanyahu is not ready to give up his expansist ambitions, nor is the Palestinian Authority ready to forsake the most basic Palestinian right, which is the complete cessation of settlement activities.

Mr Netanyahu warns the Palestinians against resorting to the UN, which he considers a threat to Israel. He also opposes to any project that leads to the declaration of an independent Palestinian state.

The crisis may take another turn with an Israeli plan to suddenly and unilaterally withdraw from some unimportant settlements and maintain the largest ones. This will enable Israel to keep Jerusalem within the its wall, reproducing a similar situation as the Gaza Strip.

"If that happens, it might have large-scale implications. This is why we need to seriously address this issue on all levels, locally, regionally and internationally."

Opening the issue of Afghan embezzlement

"The Afghan president Hamid Karzai broached a critical issue that concerns most developing nations: the embezzlement of public funds and international aid," noted the UAE newspaper Akhbar al Arab in its editorial.

The announcement came at a time when the US has intensified its efforts to reinforce the alliance with Mr Karzai against the Taliban movement, especially after a wave of criticism against his government concerning rampant corruption.

It was reported, in this regard, that the US was investigating Iranian funds that were transferred to the Afghan government accounts. This may raise more doubts about secret relations between Kabul and Tehran.

Mr Karzai tried to explain that receiving money from Iran is normal, adding that he also got money from other friendly countries. The way he described his relations with Iran prompted many in Washington to think that he treated his ties with the West on an equal basis with Tehran.

Ironically, the  western media attacked Mr Karzai not for this reason, but for corruption and lack of transparency, as if to say: "It is not important where these funds come from, but how should they be spent and to whom should they go?"

* Digest compiled by Mostapha El Mouloudi