In-between the lines of Arab columnists

CAIRO – 30 May 2017: A collection of significant topics were tackled by Middle Eastern writers on Tuesday, covering Egypt-Sudan strained relations, Cairo-Moscow ties and reactions on Egypt’s airstrikes on Libya.

Youm7 newspaper

Wael El-Semari is an Egyptian writer, deputy editor-in-chief and head of the culture section of Youm7.

Wael El-Semari wrote: Russian Foreign Minister’s Call

Semari wrote about the meeting between Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shokry and his Russian counterpart on Monday. He welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's call to enforce combating terrorism and to enlarge the cooperation scale between Cairo and Moscow.

The writer doubted the good intention of the Russian call. He admitted their positive calls and statements, although the Russian calls have not been put into force till this moment. The Russian authorities have suspended the Russian tourism flows to Egypt. This Russian procedure strengthens the terrorism position in Egypt. Honestly, Egypt is deprived of a pivotal income resource; tourism.

Although the Egyptian-Russian cooperation has been boosted in several fields, the Russian administration has to take serious steps forward showing its good intention to Egypt. The writer demonstrated the keenness of the United States to strengthen its ties with the Egyptian administration which clearly shown in encouraging its nationals to visit Egypt, which is categorized as a ‘safe country to visit.’

The writer called on the Russian administration to take more serious steps to increase cooperation with Egypt and to reconsider its consensual map in the region. For its part, Egypt is under pressure from many regional countries and burdens many losses owing to its consensus with Russia.

Abdel Fattah Abdel Moneen wrote: How does U.S. administration read CIA reports?
The writer demonstrated how the Americans are excellent in monitoring present and future scenarios through researches, intelligence and security apparatuses. These apparatuses’ main task is to conduct reports that shall always alarm the American administration.

He expressed his sorrow for not having similar apparatuses in the Middle East region. He emphasized importance of these reports that should detect problems and potential errors.

We are still suffering from heavy rains, unlike the U.S. where the progress wheels never stop because they take advantage of these reports to prepare for a better future, the writer said.


Jihad Al-Khazen (a Lebanese columnist) wrote: killers to be killed…especially terrorists

The writer opposed the European countries’ merciful treatment with terrorists. Most of the Western countries ban the execution penalty. He believed if the British authorities had deported families of terrorists who had committed brutal crimes in London in July 2005, the following terrorists would have changed their minds after considering the British procedures against their families. He claimed if harsh procedures were taken, no victims would be killed in Manchester Stadium or London later.

He praised the Egyptian military airstrikes against the terrorists in Libya in retaliation to killing 30 Copts on Friday in Minya, Upper Egypt. “Briefly, like fault, like punishment. The killer should be killed as a punishment for his deeds and deterrent to the others”, al-Khazen said.


Al-Ahram newspaper

Morsi Attallah wrote: the war decision includes several messages

The writer asserted the Egyptian airstrikes targeted terrorists in Derna and Jafra in Libya carried several messages to the world. These messages warn countries funding those terrorists that Egypt’s anger may reach their lands. He indicated that Egypt will not forgive anyone who directly involves in shedding the Egyptian blood or seeks to destabilize the Egyptian security order.

The writer described the countries funding terrorist organizations as ‘capitals of incitement and turmoil.’

Salah Montaser wrote: Why do not they believe Qatar?

The writer demonstrated why Egypt and the Gulf States do not believe Qatar which alleged its official news agency website had been hacked, after circulation of Qatari Prince Tamim’s statements about his good ties with Iran and Israel and his hostile stance towards the Gulf States and Egypt.

The writer pointed out that the Qatari foreign policy emphasizes funding and backing many terrorist organizations to destroy many Arab countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Libya…etc.

According to the writer, there are three reasons why nobody believes the Qatari allegations about hacking its official news website.

First: such statements were announced before.

Second: Qatar did not condemn these statements.

Third: the denial of the statements was not as big as the statements themselves. The Qatari Prince should have gone himself to the Gulf States’ rulers to discuss that issue.


Al-Akhbar

Galal Dewedar wrote: Why Bashir denies historical ties with Egypt?

The writer pointed out to the hostile stances taken recently by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Despite of Egypt’s supportive stances to Sudan in difficult times, Bashir insists on denying the Egyptian stances.

Former President Hosni Mubarak allowed Bashir to visit Egypt many times, in spite of the International Criminal Court’s decision against him.

Bashir accused Egypt of backing opposition and military groups in Darfur. He distorted the image of Egypt before the Sudanese people. The writer says that Egypt had committed a mistake when it did not take serious procedures against the Sudanese President’s crimes against his own people.


Al-masry alyoum

Hamdy Rezk wrote: Gardens of Ignorance

In response to doubting legitimacy and legality of Egypt’s airstrikes on some terrorist sites in Libya by outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Rezk wrote the reply of diplomat Mohamed al-Ghitany who had written on his Facebook account that some Brotherhood members did not pay attention to the retaliation made by the Egyptian army for the Egyptian Christian citizens, but they definitely did not ignore constitutional articles aiming to illegalize the Egyptian military retaliation.

Al-Wafd newspaper

Abbas al-Tarabili wrote: To both…Egypt & Sudan

The writer refused escalation of disputes between Egypt and Sudan at the time being. He said they are the closest sister states currently. He stressed that both countries have to work on preserving good relations. “As an Egyptian who adores Sudan…I hope the upcoming visit to be paid by the Sudanese Foreign Minister will carry practical ideas how to solve common issues such as Hala’ib Triangle or Darfur on a condition that Khartoum takes it on an official level,” the writer added.