No longer a secret “Foreign intervention in Arab affairs, whether direct or indirect, has become a terrifying truth and a declared strategy undermining the fate of many Arab states.” Al-Ahram Revolutionary times? “The doors of jail have been opening to let out one agent of corruption after another, yet they stay closed once members of the opposition are inside. Meanwhile dozens or hundreds of people who usurped state land and used shady deals to deprive people of food staples are at large and safe from questioning; and this, at a time when we claim to be living in revolutionaries times of change.” Suleiman Al-Hakim, Al-Masry Al-Youm A national unity government? “The first lesson to be learnt from Tunisia is that our next elections, probably to take place next February, should be properly planned. In the current state of fragmentation, no political party will be able to obtain the majority of seats to form what we may call ‘the revolutionary government'. Thus, like Tunisia, rather than electing a strong party to rule the country, we will be forced to form a coalition government. What we need is a real national unity government reflecting the Tunisian lesson.” Abbas Al-Tarabili, Al-Wafd Egyptian Essence: 12 billion debt “In the last four years, after Mubarak stepped down, controversy has raged as to the financial status of national and governmental press institutions. Their debts range from LE seven to 12 billion according to the assessment of the chairmen of the boards and Ahmed Fahmi, former speaker of Al-Shura Council.” Al-Youm Al-Sabei Facebook “Apropos of what is happening in Tunisia and Egypt: are the Arab peoples destined to choose between accepting the rule of the MB and apologising for revolting and taking things back to pre-revolution? We should look for a third option: that which meets the ambitions of those peoples.” Nour Farahat “Burkina Faso's revolutionary youth cleaned the streets and painted the pavements after their president stepped down… Very silly people… They should have learnt from the experiences of neighbouring states…” Mohamed Shoair Twitter Nervana Mahmoud @Nervana_1 The Buffer Zone in Sinai is a cruel act, but to compare what Egypt does on its OWN land with Israel's actions on occupied land is insincere. Daniel Nisman @DannyNis Egypt coordinating with Israel on insertion of large military force into Sinai for upcoming crackdown in #Gaza border area. Keneth Roth @KenRoth Hating Hamas, #Egypt destroys homes on #Gaza border, but militants “far more likely” to receive weapons from Libya. Amnesty New Zealand @AmnestyNZ Yara Sallam: a beacon for human rights in Egypt. Yesterday she was sent to prison for 3 years. Arabist @arabist Popular uprising / coup pro-tip: don't let your military take over your transition. #BurkinaFaso
