Bottom Lines

"So only now does the US administration realise the huge price it has to pay for its occupation of Iraq, be it the death of its soldiers, US tax money or Bush's [slim] chances of winning a re-election next year." -- Galal Aref, chairman of the Press Syndicate, Akhbar Al-Yom

"Why do Christians need to recognise each other through a religious symbol that is largely unknown to most people?" -- Wael Abdel-Fatah, Sawt Al-Umma

"A US-Zionist plan proposes deporting Arafat from the occupied territories and if that proves difficult, assassinating him." -- Mustafa Bakri, editor of Al-Osboa

"How can a country that has been friends with the US for over seven decades suddenly be turned into the No 1 enemy of the United States?" -- Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi foreign minister, Asharq Al-Awsat

"The deterioration of the security situation requires an effort on the part of the UN to preserve security in Israel and the Palestinian territories. This effort may include sending international forces to separate the two sides." -- Ali Abul-Raghib, Jordanian prime minister Al-Hayat

"Of course we need more Iraqis to increase security in Iraq." -- Donald Rumsfeld, US defence secretary, Al-Hayat