Lebanon clashes prompt press warnings

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As fighting continues between the Lebanese army and Fatah al-Islam militants in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, Lebanese and Arab papers worry about where the conflict is heading.</P>

One Beirut commentator warns of chaos and sectarianism; in the wider region there is talk of "new disasters", "another Iraq" and the need to "eradicate this terrorist gang". </P>

Despite featuring in papers across the Middle East, no comment on the story has been observed in any Syrian dailies.</P>

ALI HAMADAH IN LEBANON'S AL-NAHAR </P>

What is going on clearly reveals that the goal is to overthrow Lebanon and throw it into a state of chaos and sectarianism. </P>

RAFIQ KHURI IN LEBANON'S AL-ANWAR </P>

Fatah al-Islam appears as if it is isolated and disowned by everybody. But in reality, it has local and regional sponsors... Perhaps the clearest lesson is that all the Arab and international support is not able to get us out of this crisis.</P>

HUSAM ITANI IN LEBANON'S AL-SAFIR </P>

Social deterioration and living conditions have caused more young people from the north to join Salafist Jihadist movements. The circumstances on the ground are ripe and there is fertile soil to prompt people to embrace this kind of desperate action.</P>

NADIRAH AL-SAID IN LEBANON'S AL-ANWAR </P>

You know what? We do not want to surrender... We will go to Tripoli and enjoy its ports and sweets. We will keep going to all parts of Lebanon as we thank God for giving us this beautiful country. We do not want to give up... This nation does not die, and its people do not surrender. </P>

GHASSAN SHARBAL IN PAN-ARAB AL-HAYAT </P>

No-one wants another Iraq in Lebanon. However, everything indicates that the country is slipping in that direction. Those who consider themselves leaders should act now before it is too late.</P>

MASHARI AL-DHAYIDI IN PAN-ARAB AL-SHARQ AL-AWSAT </P>

The Nahr al-Bared battle between the Lebanese army and the Fatah al-Islam Sunni fundamentalist group is a blunt message revealing the dangerous turn that disputes in Lebanon can take. </P>

JORDAN'S AL-DUSTUR </P>

Lebanon and the region are currently going through complicated circumstances as a result of a mounting absurd terrorist trend and the mixing of domestic and regional cards... Igniting fires here and there will result in new disasters to be added to the disaster of Iraq and the plight of Palestine. </P>

RASHID FAHD AL-RASHID IN SAUDI AL-RIYADH </P>

What happened in Lebanon was not a surprise, but we can say it is the beginning of the beginning, and what is coming is worse. Lebanese political leaders think of everything except the interests of Lebanon, its people, identity, economy and good living.</P>

ABD-AL-BARI ATWAN IN PAN-ARAB AL-QUDS AL-ARABI </P>

The damages sustained by the Lebanese army are an indication that this army is neither prepared nor well trained... The way the army managed the crisis in Nahr al-Bared was inadequate by all standards, and showed incompetence and lack of wisdom.</P>

EGYPT'S AL-AHRAM </P>

Lebanese political forces, which stood firmly and without wavering behind the Lebanese Army against Fatah-al-Islam, adopted the right national course. What is to be hoped for now is that Lebanese national forces resume their march to achieve security and stability in Lebanon.</P>

YUSUF AL-QAZAZ IN PALESTINIAN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDAH </P>

Our people in Nahr al-Bared have paid a heavy price for the adventure of the gang called Fatah al-Islam and the crimes of the regimes supporting it. For the good of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, we need to carry out bilateral measures to eradicate this terrorist gang.</P>

<I><A href="http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk">BBC Monitoring</A> 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></P>