In London's Arabic-language, Saudi-backed press, the analysis of the swap between Hizbullah and Israel last week was laudatory of the Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
A reporter for Al-Hayat wrote on Saturday that "the international press has admired Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for establishing a balance of deterrence with the enemy at a time when Arab armies are at a strategic disadvantage compared to Israel." He noted that even "The most renowned Israeli journalists have criticized Sharon's decision, which presented Hezbollah a second victory."
The article went on to relay the reaction of George Habash, founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Habash issued a statement to the effect that "the captives' exchange operation will have positive effects on the struggle for the liberation of all the remaining detainees." In Habash's estimation, this will come about just as "the liberation of South Lebanon contributed in igniting the flames of the Intifada."
The Al-Hayat article concluded, "Surely, the second phase of this silent war will be more thrilling because it will resolve the climax of the story, which is the exchange of Ron Arad and Samir Kuntar, the two most famous captives; who have been captured for the longest time."
Similarly, the following day, a columnist for Al-Hayat called the Hizbullah-Israel exchange "a victory at a time of decadence." And again, "a jubilant victory at a time of an Arab dark age." He even suggested: "Add to your calendars, 29 January: the day of freedom."
Furthermore, calling it "realistic optimism", the editorialist wrote that "this is the beginning of another liberation operation: the liberation of land after the detainees." How? "[I]ndependence should be taken and not offered," the article declared, continuing, "...this deal has definitely turned Nasrallah into a Palestinian and Arab leadership figure at the time when even Kofi Annan has expressed concern about the possible collapse of the Palestinian Authority...."
A reporter for Al-Hayat wrote on Saturday that "the international press has admired Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah for establishing a balance of deterrence with the enemy at a time when Arab armies are at a strategic disadvantage compared to Israel." He noted that even "The most renowned Israeli journalists have criticized Sharon's decision, which presented Hezbollah a second victory."
The article went on to relay the reaction of George Habash, founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Habash issued a statement to the effect that "the captives' exchange operation will have positive effects on the struggle for the liberation of all the remaining detainees." In Habash's estimation, this will come about just as "the liberation of South Lebanon contributed in igniting the flames of the Intifada."
The Al-Hayat article concluded, "Surely, the second phase of this silent war will be more thrilling because it will resolve the climax of the story, which is the exchange of Ron Arad and Samir Kuntar, the two most famous captives; who have been captured for the longest time."
Similarly, the following day, a columnist for Al-Hayat called the Hizbullah-Israel exchange "a victory at a time of decadence." And again, "a jubilant victory at a time of an Arab dark age." He even suggested: "Add to your calendars, 29 January: the day of freedom."
Furthermore, calling it "realistic optimism", the editorialist wrote that "this is the beginning of another liberation operation: the liberation of land after the detainees." How? "[I]ndependence should be taken and not offered," the article declared, continuing, "...this deal has definitely turned Nasrallah into a Palestinian and Arab leadership figure at the time when even Kofi Annan has expressed concern about the possible collapse of the Palestinian Authority...."