RIYADH, 17 February 2003 — Gulf newspapers took comfort yesterday from the worldwide anti-war protests saying the United States has become increasingly isolated in its bid to wage war against Iraq.
“These protests staged in most countries ... came as a (new) declaration of human rights principles ... and provided an example of how people are more humanitarian than governments of war,” said Al-Riyadh newspaper.
“Those who are preparing for war have brains that see only the red color of blood,” the paper said in a front-page editorial.
Al-Bilad newspaper saw in the demonstrations an indication that the US administration of President George W. Bush was losing credibility.
“If the world did not believe (US Secretary of State) Colin Powell, there is no one in the Bush administration who can be trusted. This is what is happening now. No one is believing America ... no one at all,” said the paper.
In Qatar, Al-Raya agreed with the Saudi press that the United States and Britain find themselves isolated” and urged Washington “to listen to world public opinion.”
“What happened yesterday is not only rare but also an international vote showing the international community opposes war in form and substance,” added Doha’s Al-Watan. “Recourse to force in such circumstances would be to show contempt for millions of people who have chosen peace,” it said.
In Dubai, the government daily Al-Bayan termed Saturday “a historic day” of “the most dynamic demonstrations radically opposed to the American position in the United States and Great Britain.”
Riyadh-based Al-Jazirah said the world appeared united in opposition to war.
“From the Security Council session Friday and the massive protests yesterday in which millions took part, it is undoubtedly clear that there is a strong international desire ... to avoid this war,” it said.
Al-Madinah, published from Jeddah, urged Arab leaders to capitalize on the anti-war stance and to “formulate an Arab position opposed to the war against Iraq ... to safeguard Arab supreme interests.”
Arab leaders are set to hold a summit meeting in Egypt in late February in a final bid to avoid war. (AFP)
