good news or bad news

Mixed Arab reactions to Sharon's condition
05-01-2006
www.albawaba.com

There were mixed reactions Thursday in the Arab world towards the critical condition of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Officials from the Palestinian Authority expressed concern for the future of the peace process in Sharon's possible demise. "On a purely humanitarian level we feel sorry for Mr. Sharon," said Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nabil Shaath. "Politically it will increase the uncertainty we are facing to get back to the peace process," he said. "It is highly unpredictable to tell what will happen."

Representatives from the offices of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah II contacted Sharon's office to voice their concern over Sharon's condition and their wishes for his recovery.

However, leaders of Palestinian factions expressed their delight. "We say it frankly that God is great and is able to exact revenge on this butcher. ... We thank God for this gift he presented to us on this new year," Ahmed Jibril, leader of the Syrian-backed faction Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, told the Associated Press. He said Sharon's legacy would be one of huge damage inflicted on the Palestinians.

In Lebanon, Islamic Jihad leader Anwar Abu Taha said, "We are not sorry about his health and let him go to hell whether he lives or dies... we in Islamic Jihad shall continue our holy war until we regain our rights."

Osama Hamdan, a prominent political leader in Hamas, told AP he saw no justification for postponing the Palestinian vote, slated for January 25, because of the political uncertainty in Israel. "On the contrary, it could be an opportunity for the Palestinians to take advantage of the jolt caused by Sharon's absence to conduct an election away from pressures. Sharon out of the picture is a way out for Palestinians to escape the pressures," he said.

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