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The French are in decline. By Hassan Blebel in the Lebanese daily Al-Mustaqbal; 'This is one of the few times we get some respect.' Ashraf in the Egyptian weekly magazine Rose El-Youssef on the desperate search for votes in the parliamentary elections

"The greatest danger facing the elections is that the NDP will not be pleased with the results of the first round and effects a repeat scenario [of the 2000 elections where the second and third round were allegedly less fair] giving everyone a 'cold shower'." -- Makram Mohamed Ahmed, Al-Ahram

"Those who are attempting to spoil the parliamentary elections experiment by using direct government intervention are only abusing the regime. Hence we have no choice but to request the intervention of the president to put an end to this meddling." -- Mustafa Bakri, Al-Osbou

"The Arabs are forced to choose from various forms of monarchical or republican oppression or -- in accordance with the latest political refuse these days -- monarchy/republicanism oppression." -- Ibrahim Eissa, Sawt Al-Umma

"What has happened is, hopefully, an electric shock that will push both sides, French and immigrants, into examining the roots of the problem and engage in a real dialogue to find a genuine solution." -- Al-Quds Al-Arabi

"French people of Arab origin must act as French citizens and prove to the rest of the community that they are part and parcel of it." -- Ahmed Al-Robei, Asharq Al-Awsat

"Is France living a new revolution and are the cries that surrounded the Bastille being renewed?" -- Sultan Al-Hattab