Khobar killings horrify Arabic press

The hostage-taking and killings in the Saudi city of Khobar at the weekend spark condemnation throughout the Arabic press.

There is widespread revulsion and incomprehension as to how Muslims could carry out such acts.

Saudi papers write that no-one in the country is now safe from possible attack.

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Everyone has become a target for the terrorists... We repeat the question which should be answered. Where is the problem, and in what ways can we neutralize the forces of terrorism?... Is it possible for us to treat this ideology with another ideology, which can influence our understanding of the current confrontation?

Saudi Al-Riyadh

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Every Saudi citizen and every foreign resident has become a target for these terrorist groups... Terrorism has revealed its ugly face more than once, thereby affirming to all that it is working towards causing damage and destruction in the country. It is now up to all of us to abandon laziness and relaxation, and join in combating this renegade group.

Saudi Al-Watan

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Daily the terrorists add to the deepening hatred towards themselves... It is the only thing they succeed in doing. The threats being presented by terrorism cannot be underrated. We cannot leave the issue to get worse... It is important to understand that the responsibility [for combating terrorism] is not the work of the security men alone. For us to succeed in combating it, the participation of all the people is required.

Saudi Al-Jazirah

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A war against terrorism has been declared in Saudi Arabia... Those skilled killers will not hesitate to commit any crime, however grisly. To them, human life is very cheap... They do not care who dies.

Saudi-owned, London-based Al-Sharq al-Awsat

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It is not possible for any Muslim to accept these despicable acts carried out by a deviant group in Saudi brotherly society... How can one describe what happened in Khobar as a jihad or defence of a religion? Is the killing of innocent children a jihad in the name of God?... It is necessary to look into this ugly phenomenon more seriously.

Egypt's Al-Ahram

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The terrorist attack which was carried out by the al-Qaeda network in the town of Khobar... was in all ways a criminal act and part of an horrendous scheme targeting this Arab nation... We totally denounce the terrorist attack and join our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in confronting these wicked designs.

Jordan's Al-Dustur

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Terrorism in all its forms and aims is against sound options, which seek to resolve problems affecting societies... The horrendous killing operation in the Saudi town of Khobar is an unacceptable act... The international community should carry out its responsibility and reject this dangerous phenomenon. Terrorist operations are now dangerously threatening the stability and security of the region, and we are called on to stand together against them.

Oman's Oman

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All Muslims in east and west are united in rejecting terrorism, eliminating it and pursuing its perpetrators... The international community must be vigilant towards the dangers of this renegade group. It should work and co-operate in uprooting this vagabond, which is threatening the world's principles of peace and stability.

UAE's Al-Khalij

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Islam is a religion of truth, love, tolerance, mercy and peace, and is not responsible for those who are carrying out the killings and destruction... This horrible and wicked act is an expression of the decadence of its perpetrators... An Arab and Islamic stand is required in order to confront this eroded minority group.

UAE's Al-Bayan

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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.