Bottom lines

---

Click to view caption

On corruption: 'We used to steal first, then the public knew about it. Now, after transparency, the people know about it, then we steal.' By Walid in Sabah Al-Kheir, the Egyptian weekly magazine In Asharq Al-Awsat, Amgad Rasmi shows how the Iraqi agenda as a nation conflicts when it comes to a particular ethnic group

"Corruption is like bad weather -- you complain about it but cannot do much to change it." --Ahmed Ragab , Al-Akhbar

"Has Egypt yielded the crown of arts in the Arab world?" -- Rafiq El-Sabban , Al-Qahira

"It is not enough for us to keep saying that Egypt has a great past and was a leader in many an avenue." -- Galal Dwidar , Al-Akhbar

"It is expected that a politician will ask people to vote for him because he is Sunni or Shia. But the real danger is when candidates do not accept the results of the ballot box." -- Abdul-Rahman Al-Rashed , Asharq Al-Awsat

"The differences between the sects were translated into a war on shrines and mosques that will only benefit those who want Iraq to return to square one." -- Leila Al-Bahrani , Asharq Al-Awsat

"There is only one Iraq. All the parties should cooperate in defending it." -- Al-Bayan