Press doubts over Iraq assembly

A conference being held in Baghdad to appoint an interim national assembly gets a muted reception in the region's press.

Many papers make the point that progress is hampered by continued fighting in the holy city of Najaf. There is however some cautious optimism, with commentators stressing the need for dialogue.

The government's announcement to suspend negotiations for a political solution to the crisis in Najaf and to revert to the military option was a setback to Iraqis' hopes and aspirations to see an end to the horrible, bloody scene that cost hundreds of Iraqi lives.

Editorial in Iraq's al-Bayan

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The Iraqi government and prime minister should back dialogue to contain the crisis and drive the Sadr trend towards the political process... This trend should understand that its own interests, the interests of the Iraqi people and those of Najaf are in joining the political process, even as the opposition. As for the military option, it will not bring about positive results. Rather, it will lead to more bloodshed.

Commentary in Iraq's al-Adalah

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The Iraqi people cannot and will never allow any party or new authority to rule them by the same oppressive means used by the former regime... Hence the government, together with the national assembly, should think a thousand times before taking any step.

Editorial in Iraq's al-Shira

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The Iraqi national conference was born dead... What value does a conference have, which is not attended by the strongest Shia faction loyal to Moqtada Sadr? The USA, which is the power occupying Iraq, wanted to hold this conference to suggest that the situation in Iraq is stable... The US project in Iraq is moving from a state of failure - to a state of failure, and the hatred for the US Administration and its allies is increasing from the north to the furthest corner of southern Iraq.

Editorial in UK-based al-Quds al-Arabi

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The Iraqi national conference, which is being held at a very difficult time, seems to be on the verge of collapse after many of the participants withdrew in protest against the attacks planned by the US occupation and the Iraqi police on the holy city of Najaf... The way out of the current crisis is to undertake plans for a withdrawal of foreign forces currently based in Iraq.

Editorial in Egypt's al-Ahram

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The picture of what is happening in Iraq is very gloomy and the future of Iraq is dark. There is no hope in the near future.

Editorial in Egypt's al-Akhbar

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Most of those attending the Iraqi national conference preferred facing hot issues, even if they were not on the agenda. They were determined to save their citizens from the holocaust which surrounds them and which has claimed hundreds of souls. Their message was to make the government pledge a settlement in Najaf before the conference can continue.

Editorial in Saudi al-Jazirah

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The National conference is another step. The daily bloodshed we are witnessing in Iraq... will not prevent the progress of the new Iraqi government towards building security and military institutions.

Editorial in Jordan's al-Dustur

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What is happening in Najaf... should be overcome through peaceful means. This should be the best option and the responsibility of the new National Assembly.

Editorial in Saudi Ukaz

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The fear is that the objective behind the scenario of escalation is to blow up the national reconciliation effort and sabotage the conference which has just begun in Baghdad.

Editorial in Iran's Arabic-language al-Vefagh

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.