Prayers and praise for Yasser Arafat

On the day that Yasser Arafat left for urgent medical treatment in France, the press in the Palestinian territories and the wider Arab world hails his commitment to the Palestinian cause and prays for his speedy recovery.

One paper warns Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that without Mr Arafat he would be hard-pushed to find another partner for peace. But there is also criticism from a Lebanese paper of Mr Arafat's slowness to implement reforms.

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Palestinians all over the world are putting their hands on their hearts at this time to pray to God during this holy month of Ramadan, so that He will stand by their side in their most serious predicament, heal their president and prolong his life; so that the president can see with his own eyes the great national hope materialise... Yasser Arafat embodies modern Palestinian nationalism and what is left of the popular ambition to establish the independent state.

Commentary in Palestinian al-Ayyam

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Best wishes to the brother, father, leader and captain of the ship who has lived his life - and is still living it - in the saddle. We pray to God the Almighty to give Abu Ammar [nom de guerre of Yasser Arafat] good health to continue the fighters' march towards independence and freedom.

Commentary in Palestinian al-Hayat al-Jadidah

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The illness of a historic leader such as Abu Ammar is not an everyday news report. But nor does the media's exaggeration of its repercussions - the succession, the deterioration of the internal situation, the jostling for position - reflect the scene on the Palestinian street. Here... there was only natural concern for Arafat's health.

Second commentary in Palestinian al-Hayat al-Jadidah

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The Israeli government has tried to present a fake humanitarian face to the world, knowing full well that the conditions of strict siege it imposed on Arafat had a negative impact on his health.

Editorial in Palestinian al-Quds

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You're not dead yet

Headline in London-based Arabic paper Al-Hayat

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If there's one leader who deserves a reward for leading his people, for liberation from occupation, and for bringing about freedom and independence, it is Yasser Arafat.

Commentary in London-based Arabic paper al-Hayat

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Sharon, who refused to negotiate with Arafat, considering him to be a radical terrorist, will soon find himself facing Palestinian leaders who are more radical and more devoted to the comprehensive legal rights of Palestinians. He will not find a Palestinian who can fit into Arafat's shoes and who is capable of signing a peace agreement.

Commentary in London-based Arabic paper al-Quds al-Arabi

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Arafat's quick death would not be good news for Sharon, rather it would shock and irritate him.

Commentary in Qatar's al-Watan

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It is an irony that with Arafat in a parlous condition many Israelis are now fearing the future, for they realise that the situation could become worse, as the central stabilising factor in the Palestinian National Authority may no longer be there to rule.

Editorial in UAE's Gulf News (in English)

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Without doubt, Israel will try to take advantage of the situation by issuing distressing reports on the Palestinian leader's health to divide Palestinian ranks. This compels Palestinians to be wary and unite until victory is attained.

Editorial in Egypt's al-Jumhuriyah

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The best way to honour Arafat and his legacy, especially during his lifetime now, or after he leaves the scene, would be to actually implement the domestic political, economic and security reform promises that he has repeatedly made to his people, but has never put into practice.

Editorial in Lebanon's The Daily Star (in English)

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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.