Bottom Lines

"What is it with Libya and Egyptian workers? First it greets them with open arms then it shuns them at the borders. Such moodiness does not work in relationships between brotherly countries." --Abbas El-Tarabili, Al-Wafd

"We will never know the secret of contradictory decrees issued by the government until its own 'black box" is examined. The problem is that despite our constant prayers this government never goes down." -- Ahmed Ragab, Al-Akhbar

"The US discourse on the reshaping of the Middle East is becoming more intense and there is a pressing need for a rational Arab stance." -- Ghassan Tuini, An-Nahar

"Syria is keen on achieving a clear peace on the basis of the Madrid Conference and what has been achieved (in previous sessions of direct talks), and will respond (favourably) with offers leading towards this direction." -- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, Asharq Al-Awsat

"We're fed up with these hypocritical Swedes who praise anyone who kills Jews." -- A reader, Hebrew Web site

"We would have expected a more civilised response from the ambassador. Sweden is not the Knesset or the Likud Party headquarters. As a diplomat, he should have controlled himself and his reactions. It would have been better to leave the hall, protesting in a civilised manner." -- A reader, Hebrew Web site