Bottom lines

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"Why do we consider a Christian convert as representing an aggression against the Muslim belief? Can we do this with a Muslim convert?" -- Mounir Megahed, Al-Badeel

"Washington will not provide unlimited protection for its allied Arab regimes, and Mubarak's regime is on the top of that list." -- Abdallah El-Sennawi, Al-Arabi

"Frankly, I no longer understand the way the political game is now run in Egypt. I also don't understand who runs it since it appears there are no longer any rules." -- Hassan Nafaa, Al-Masry Al-Yom

"The success of that meeting requires a unified Palestinian stand, a firm Arab stance that works to resolve all the pending issues, an unbiased US stance, European pressure on all the involved parties as well as a genuine Israeli will for peace." -- Nabil Hammouda, Al-Quds

"The US move aims to convince the Arab states to normalise their relations with Israel. That is why it is trying to push for as many Arab states as possible to attend the meeting and have their photos taken with the Israeli delegation." -- Tishreen

"The US, in collaboration with Israel, substituted Security Council resolutions with the road map. The call for a peace meeting indicates that the US is trying to draw up another plan to abort the Arab initiative and involve the region in a new debate in which Israel would be the only winner." -- Omar Giftaly, Tishreen

"By calling for a peace meeting, Bush directed another blow at democracy. He is offering the Palestinians a choice between electing Hamas and losing their chance for peace or supporting Mahmoud Abbas and his party, an option which supposedly would lead to the establishment of the Palestinian state." -- Ibrahim Abbas, Akhbar Al-Arab

"Fayyad aims to create a settlement formula that is acceptable to Israel, a political settlement that creates a Palestinian entity under the full control of Israel." -- Bilal Al-Hassan, Asharq Al-Awsat