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Media Summary

Palestinian Cabinet to resign, PA calls elections in September

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Events in Egypt continue to dominate Middle East coverage in the UK media today. All papers and news outlets report the army’s dissolution of parliament. The Daily Telegraph has a profile of Field-Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, defense minister and the current de facto ruler of Egypt. The Guardian has an editorial suggesting that the events could be a ‘trigger for change’ across the Middle East. The paper also runs a piece asking if Bahrain could be the next Arab state to experience unrest. The Independent, meanwhile, asks if the military is ‘tightening its grip’ on Egypt. BBC Online notes the departure of protestors from Cairo’s Tahrir Square. In another major development, the Guardian, Times, Financial Times, Reuters and BBC Online note an announcement of the impending resignation of the Palestinian Authority Cabinet. The Times and the Daily Express review a new drama series set in the British Mandate of Palestine. The Times notes the departure of Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat and has a piece predicting success for Islamists in Egyptian elections. The paper notes the suppression of protests in Algeria by the military. The Financial Times has an article by former US ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk on the events in Egypt. BBC Online notes remarks by Quartet Middle East Envoy Tony Blair on the implications for the region of the events in Egypt.  

Over the weekend, the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak dominated coverage. All papers and news outlets had reports and analysis of this latest dramatic development. In additional items, the Daily Telegraph, Reuters, Sky News Online, Independent and Financial Times on Saturday noted clashes between protestors and the authorities in Algeria. The Observer on Sunday and Independent on Sunday reviewed a new drama series about the British Palestine Mandate period. The Financial Times on Saturday had an article about clandestine warfare efforts against the Iranian nuclear programme. Reuters on Sunday noted fears of the role of Islamists in Egypt. Reuters also reported that Teheran has banned a planned rally by the opposition in Iran, noted that Hamas has rejected calls for elections in the Palestinian territories and reported on the suppression of demonstrations in Yemen. BBC Online on Saturday noted the resignation of Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, and on Sunday reported on attempts by the Egyptian military to clear Cairo’s Tahrir Square. 

In the Israeli media today, all papers cover the latest developments in Egypt. All papers note the confirmation of the appointment of Benny Gantz as the IDF’s 20th Chief of Staff. All papers also note the resignation of the PA Cabinet and the planned PA elections. The Jerusalem Post and Ynetnews note remarks by prominent Egyptian dissident Ayman Nour apparently arguing against retention of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Ynetnews also notes remarks by outgoing Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, in which he expressed his regret for not bringing home kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Maariv reports on tensions between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman over the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador in London.