Bottom lines

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"In [Sunday's] strike, there was something missing which has nothing to do with security measures or the authorities' position on the strike -- it is the culture of going on strike, which Egyptians did not have." -- Mohamed El-Shabba, Nahdet Masr

"The municipal council elections are like any other elections... the [ruling] National Democratic Party wants to rule out the opposition." -- Osama El-Ghazali Harb, Nahdet Masr

"While on a mission abroad, he [Pope Shenouda] is not representing himself or the church, but representing Egypt as a whole. Therefore, when he is insulted, Egypt is insulted." -- Mohamed El-Baz , Al-Fagr

"Israel is taking the peace negotiations from one mirage to another." -- Al-Watan

"Israel is serious when it talks about war and it lies when it discusses peace." -- Mohamed Kaoush, Al-Arab Al-Yom

"How can the US prepare for Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations when Israel behaves as if it is preparing for a new war in the region?" -- Ahmed Dawa , Al-Thawra