Libya celebrates bittersweet revolution anniversary

Libya is celebrating the first anniversary of its revolution, allowing Arab media to reflect on its achievements and shortcomings. Libya’s greatest problem today, argues liberal-daily Al-Hayat published in London, is that local militias are refusing to give up their arms after having successfully toppled dictator Muamar Qaddafi.

It is not only the arms, but the harsh treatment of elements of Qaddafi’s regime by the opposition, which reflects poorly on the new leaders of Libya, Al-Hayat notes.

Despite the challenge of disarming the militias, Libya faces “a golden opportunity” to create a democratic political system, the daily argues.

Hard-line newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi reports that the Libyan government has promised to grant every Libyan family 2,000 Libyan Dinars ($1,600) on the occasion of the anniversary. Local reports add that all unmarried individuals will receive an additional 200 Dinars. Quoting Western news agencies, the daily reports that Qaddafi supporters were arrested across Libya for planning to destroy the celebrations.

Arab press gloats at Syria condemnation

“The international community stands on the side of the Syrian people,” reads the headline of Al-Hayat on Friday, referring to the UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the Arab League condemnation of Syria. The UN decision will lead the way to a humanitarian corridor into Syria, the daily reports. Saudi ambassador to the UN Abdullah Mouallimi tells Al-Hayat that the Russian-Chinese veto in the Security Council “does not represent the point of view of the international community.”

Saudi-owned daily A-Sharq Al-Awsat, continuing to quote the opposition Local Coordination Councils (LCC), reports that Syrian security forces arrested 14 activists in the capital of Damascus on Thursday. The LCC also reports that Syrian forces opened fire in Aleppo following the morning prayers on Thursday in order to scare the population in Syria’s second largest city.

Standing in front of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, protesters shouted “Syria belongs to the rebels, despite you O Bashar” (it rhymes in Arabic) and “God save the Free [Syrian] Army” (another opposition group).

Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya pours cold water on the enthusiasm, reminding its readers that General Assembly decisions are not binding. It adds that a UN condemnation of Syrian violence was already issued back in December, but that Thursday’s vote adds “political content” to the previous decision.

Iraqi VP a mega-terrorist?

Iraq’s highest judicial council is accusing vice president Tareq Hashimi and his security detail of involvement in no less than 150 terror attacks, including car bombs, explosive charges and missile firing, Al-Hayat reports in its lead story Friday. Hashimi’s guards are also accused of assassinating senior Shiites including Iraqi officers, parliament members, judges and doctors using guns with silencers. He then fled to the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq to seek refuge.

Hashimi previously told Qatar-based news channel Al-Jazeera that he had been blackmailed by unnamed elements into expressing certain political views otherwise his guards’ confessions would be aired.

Hashimi is a member of the Iraqiyah bloc led by coalition partner Ayad Allawi.

Nasrallah watches Assad’s back

In a much reported televised speech, Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah lent his support Thursday to his political ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Al-Hayat opens its coverage with Nasrallah’s attack on Arab countries for attempting to topple Assad. Nasrallah accused Arab and Muslim organizations of double standards by focusing solely on violence in Syria while ignoring the suffering of Shiites in Bahrain. Nasrallah then went on to accuse Israel and the United States of spreading strife in Arab countries.

“In every event causing chaos in Egypt we must search for an Israeli, as is the case in Iraq,” Nasrallah declared.

Al-Quds Al-Arabi chooses to lead with Nasarallah’s denial of involvement in this weeks blasts in New Delhi and Bangkok. Nasrallah did however voice a threat, saying that the blood of Hizbullah official Imad Mughniyah; believed to have been assassinated by Israel in 2008; “will continue to pursue them (Israelis) and will not rest.”

Al-Manar, the organization’s media outlet, quotes Nasrallah’s speech in its entirety.

Tunisian President: Let us be innovators, not followers

An unusually long opinion piece penned by Tunisian interim president Moncef Marzouki appears on Al-Jazeera’s website. Titled “Just leadership and wise society,” Marzouki argues that leadership in post-revolution Arab countries cannot govern properly without a well-developed civil society.

“There is nothing more important today than teaching civics curriculum from primary school, through high school, to higher education,” writes Marzouki.

“So many theoretical and practical challenges await us,” and the revolution grants us a historic opportunity to be innovators and creators rather than conveyors of pre-created formulas.”