Political turbulence shakes Jordan and Egypt

Has the Annan mission in Syria come to an end? That is the question Arab media is asking following an escalation in violence across the country over the last few days.

A-Sharq Al-Awsat, a Saudi-owned daily published in London, leads Friday’s news with the headline “The Annan plan wavers, and increased demands for ‘chapter seven’.” The daily reports that two senior American government officials admitted in a Congressional hearing Thursday that Annan’s internationally brokered ceasefire accompanied with UN monitors on the ground is heading towards collapse. A photo embedded in the article displays a Syrian civilian demonstrating in the city of Idlib with a sign that reads “Oh monitors, go to your children and tell them the story of our deaths.”

Liberal daily Al-Hayat leads its coverage with reports of a government massacre in the city of Hama, where opposition sources claim that an explosion in a building has cost the lives of 60 civilians. The government admits only 16 deaths, accusing “terrorist groups” of causing the explosion. The daily displays a shocking image of an opposition activist being buried alive by Assad forces, by dividing a video clip released by the opposition Ugarit TV channel into 8 boxes, displaying the gruesome burial in progress.

Meanwhile, Saudi-owned news site Elaph reports that the Turkish region of Antakya, which borders Syria, is paying the price commercially for the unrest in the neighboring country. According to the report, the once thriving transportation route has been significantly affected by the unrest in Syria. One taxi company owner who runs a service from Antakya to Aleppo reported that business was down 80% on that line, due to drivers’ fear of making the route.

Jordan’s surprising cabinet change

The surprising resignation of Jordanian Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh Thursday and the appointment of Fayez Tarawneh as his successor is making major headlines in Arab media Friday.

Arab nationalist daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi leads its news with the story, reporting “a surprise resignation of the prime minister amid disputes over the matter of elections.”

“It has become clear since the King quickly appointed Dr. Tarawneh as successor to Khasawneh, that the royal palace recalculated its moves to get rid of the latter’s legacy – which caused the centers of power in the kingdom a chronic political headache. These elements forcefully opposed the popularity of Khasawneh’s government with the Muslim Brotherhood.”

According to Al-Hayat, Khasawneh’s resignation “confused” Jordan’s political scene, with speculations amassing as to the destiny of parliamentary elections scheduled to take place by the end of the year. The daily speculates that Tarawneh’s interim government will not last more than three months; its sole mission – to pass a new elections law.

A-Sharq Al-Awsat quotes an anonymous Jordanian source who reports that Khasawneh and King Abdullah differed on extending the term of parliament until the end of May. The king wished to extend the term in order to push forward reforms, but Khasawneh argued — according to the source — that the public mobilization and Jordan’s internal unrest would not allow for such an extension.

Shafiq is back in the presidential race

Despite a new Egyptian law banning members of the Mubarak regime from running for office, former Egyptian prime minister and presidential hopeful Ahmad Shafiq was included Thursday among the 13 candidates authorized for the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for the end of May. The story appears on the front page of the main Arab dailies Friday.

“Egypt: A legal debate following Shafiq’s return to the presidential race,” reads the headline of A-Sharq Al-Awsat’s story. The daily displays a graphic of the four leading presidential contenders: on the left column appears “the religious stream” which included Muslim Brotherhood candidate Muhammad Mursi, and independent Islamist candidate Abd Al-Munim Abu-Fattouh. On the right, you find the “former regime” column including Shafiq and former foreign minister Amr Moussa.

Establishment Egyptian daily Al-Ahram reports Friday that the election campaign will officially begin on April 30, with elections to take place as planned on May 23. According to the daily, the Muslim Brotherhood have released contradictory statements regarding the acceptance of Shafiq. Some members acknowledged his right to pursue the position of president, while others condemned the decision of the central election committee to accept his appeal.