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The Egyptian government is giving LE5,000 in compensation to the families of last week's train collision. 'It's not much, but we'll do better next time.' By Mohamed Ezzeddin in the Egyptian weekly magazine Sabah Al-Kheir UN Secretary-Gene ral Kofi Annan comes to the region powered by remote control. By Rabea in the Saudi daily Al-Riyadh

"The problem [in the crises facing the country] lies not in third degree trains... but in third rate citizens." -- Fahmi Howeidi , Al-Ahram

"Is it because the trains are used by poor people while the elite use their own jets, yachts and luxury cars... that the state leaves the [railway] system to rot under an ancient system in force since its initial establishment by Khedive Abbas I?" -- Gamal Badawi , Al-Wafd

"Suicide out of despair has become for the first time in Egypt a social phenomenon." -- Alaa El-Aswani , Al-Arabi

"Once again Iran showed its excellence in buying time to escape imminent sanctions." -- Areeb Al-Rentawi , Ad-Dostour

"The real problem in the relationship between Gulf countries and Iran is mistrust." -- Shamlan Al-Eissa , Al-Ittihad

"Ahmadinejad has never visited Kuwait, Bahrain or the UAE, neither to better relations or allay their fears." -- Jihad Al-Khazen , Al-Hayat