In the UK and international papers, the Independent, Financial Times, BBC Online and Reuters report that the Arab League has urged the Syrian government to end its violence against anti-regime protesters and to allow more inspectors into the country. The papers added that the Arab League at this stage decided not to ask the United Nations for assistance in dealing with the crisis in Syria. Reuters notes that a report by Amnesty International says that most Middle East governments are failing to recognise the Arab Spring and are responding with repression or weak reform changes. BBC Online reported that Israel said it will respond to a cyber attack where Saudi Arabian hackers published Israeli credit card details online. The Independent notes that veteran Israeli journalist Yair Lapid announced yesterday that he will enter politics and will run in the next Israeli election. The paper also carries a piece on the Gaza music school.

Over the weekend, the Guardian, Independent, Times and Telegraph reported that Iran has started enriching uranium at a new underground site. The Independent on Saturday carried an interview with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

On the Israeli front pages, all papers note that veteran Israeli journalist Yair Lapid announced yesterday that he would enter politics. All papers also note that the cabinet voted in favour of a plan to finance free preschool education. Haaretz front page reports that the Israeli Navy will protect Israel’s offshore drilling rigs. The Jerusalem Post notes that Iran said it will begin uranium enrichment work at its new underground facility.

In other news, the Jerusalem Post notes that Israeli and Palestinian officials will meet in Amman today to continue talks and make progress on border and security issues for peace talks. IBA Radio reports that Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said yesterday that Hamas will never give up its arms or claims to Jerusalem.