Press considers US-Egypt summit

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President Obama has called on Arab countries to make overtures to Israel

Press reaction in the Middle East to the summit between Hosni Mubarak and Barack Obama has focused mainly on its potential implications for the Arab-Israeli peace process.

Obama has called on Arab countries to make overtures to Israel, but several Arab newspapers say Mubarak should have used the visit to insist that the Jewish state make concessions first.

In Israel, one commentator said the US was prepared to set aside its concerns over Egypt's human rights record because of Cairo's linchpin role in the Arab world - a decision which one pan-Arab paper described as "absolutely wrong".

EGYPT'S AL-JUMHURIYAH

During his talks with US decision makers in Washington, President Mubarak has defined Egypt's position towards the US call for Arabs to make steps to encourage Israel to achieve peace. The president stressed that this proposal will never succeed because Israel is the side which is required to make steps to encourage Arabs.

EGYPT'S AL-AKHBAR

Mubarak's current visit to Washington is of particular importance as it comes at a time when the Obama administration is exercising pressure on Israel in order to halt the building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank... While Cairo is trying to convince Washington to increase its pressure on Israel… it is also trying hard to end Palestinian division through its sponsorship of a reconciliation dialogue between Fatah and Hamas.

DAVID M WEINBERG IN ISRAEL'S JERUSALEM POST

After years of tension resulting from the Bush administration's focus on human rights and democratic development, the traditional US-Egyptian bilateral "bargain" has been effectively restored. In exchange for cooperation on key mutual interests - the peace process and the Iranian threat - Washington appears to have shelved longstanding concerns over internal Egyptian governance.

MAYA BENGAL IN ISRAEL'S MA'ARIV

According to Israeli sources the US is interested in a commitment to freeze construction for at least a year; Israel is ready for three months… Obama's summit initiative could shatter if the two sides do not reach an understanding

JORDAN'S AL-RA'Y

President Mubarak's visit will make Washington face up to its political, legal and ethical responsibilities... It is now time that words be translated into actions and, as President Mubarak said, Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and the halting of settlements building should precede any steps aimed at normalization with Israel.

TALAL SALMAN IN LEBANON'S AL-SAFIR

It is difficult to suppose that Egyptian President Husni Mubarak's visit will yield magnificent results… No Arab official will return victorious from Washington... as countries, particularly the US, are not charities.

PAN-ARAB AL-QUDS AL-ARABI

Obama is absolutely wrong to deal with President Mubarak, who is his current guest, as an exemplary leader... Issues of lack of democracy, freedoms and corruption should also be taken into consideration.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk">BBC Monitoring</a> <i>selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.</i>