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Instead of the national football team run by all-conquering coach Hassan Shehata, Mustafa Hussein of Egypt's daily Al-Akhbar is calling it the national circus led by the legendary ring master Hassan El-Helou

"The government made political capital of the national football team's victory, and the team's achievement caused people to temporarily forget their daily problems." -- Magdi Samaan , Al-Masry Al-Yom

"Social security funds are in safe hands." -- Minister of Finance Youssef Boutros Ghali , Al-Akhbar

"There are many critical daily issues [that should be the main focus of Friday sermons]." -- Anis Mansour , Al-Ahram

"Lebanon is close to establishing an international tribunal, but it is also on the threshold of small but destructive wars as a result of the failure of the Arab initiative." -- Zuhair Qusaibati, Al-Hayat

"Either the majority and the opposition reach an agreement and save their country or be governed by their personal desires." -- Abdullah Al-Alyan , Al-Ittihad

"I am afraid that the US could deal with Lebanon with the 'fast food' or 'quick delivery' mentality and act in a way that destabilises the balance in the Lebanese community." -- Ahmed Melli, As-Safir