Al Houthis’ missiles drew widespread criticism from the Arab and Islamic world, a sentiment echoed by countries around the world who support freedom, justice and peace, said Saudi Arabia’s Al Yaum.
“It is a heinous crime that targeted the holiest Muslim site, and it is a representation of the enmity that Al Houthis and Ali Abdullah Saleh’s [ousted Yemeni president] forces hold against Muslims. This attack is a flagrant violation of Islam’s tolerant teachings and principles. Iran’s continued support for Al Houthi militia and Saleh’s forces is a clear threat to the lives of civilians in Yemeni governorates. The attack proves that Al Houthis’ slogan is bogus, forged to deceive the people in Yemen and the Arab and Islamic world. They claim that they are keen on protecting Islam and defending its causes, yet they do not hesitate in targeting the religion’s most sacred site.”
Al Houthis denied that they targeted Makkah, instead claiming that they were targeting King Abdul Aziz Airport, which is a civil airport, wrote the London-based Pan-Arab paper Al Quds Al Arabi. “It is as if Al Houthis think that targeting a civil airport in a nearby city in the nation that witnessed the birth of Islam is actually better than targeting a sacred Islamic site. The incident drew a strong reaction from the Gulf Cooperation Council and other Arab nations. It is these recent events that will only drag the Arab region towards widespread destruction and will go beyond the borders of violated cities, in the wake of a politico-religious dispute that will only lead to the loss of lives ... This is an outcome that will boost Iran’s regional influence. Meanwhile, Israel is just overjoyed with these chaotic events sweeping the region.”
New Lebanon president
Electing Michel Aoun (above) as President is a move with many indications, the most prominent being a national consensus between the political parties [of Lebanon], said Qatar’s Al Sharq. “It is a new page for Lebanon, a country that did not have a president for two years. What Lebanon needs now is a consensus on a national agenda, moving on from disagreements and unifying their ranks ... The biggest challenge perhaps is for everyone to agree on details pertaining to the next phase and for Aoun to unify ranks when it comes to the national agenda and forming a government that includes all political powers,” the paper said.
An overwhelming commitment of support pouring in from those who voted for Aoun and those who did not vote for him illustrates a display of Lebanese democracy at its best that featured all the ingredients of seriousness, suspense, intrigue and comedy, said Lebanon’s Daily Star. “The next obvious step is the formation of a homogeneous government that is determined to put the country on the threshold of recovery. There is no reason for this goal not to be realised ...”
The election of Aoun shows that Lebanon possesses the tools for democracy, diplomacy and politics, said Oman’s Al Watan. “The election shows Lebanon’s political maturity, which allowed the country to triumph over itself by setting aside guardianship for the sake of the country and its citizens. It shows that the country is aware of the importance of looking inwards and observing matters in an objective and rational manner.”
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