Hope and fear in region's press

As Iraqis digest the holding of their first free elections in 50 years, papers elsewhere in the region look on with cautious optimism.

There is much congratulating of Iraqis for their courage, but also awareness that this is only a beginning. Many agree the ultimate goal must be an end to occupation.

In Turkey, commentators believe the result can only lead to more sectarian strife.

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Elections in Iraq ended by giving birth to big problems. Post-election Iraq has a geography that is more difficult than pre-election Iraq. The events in Iraq will make the deep crisis in Turkish-American relations grow stronger. Kirkuk as part of a federal Kurdistan may start a process that will end with first Iraq, then Turkey and Iran breaking into pieces. In the coming ten years, the Middle East may be dragged into a process of a regional civil war.

Commentary in Turkey's Aksam

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These elections will not bring stability, democracy, security, health and welfare to Iraq, but ethnic and sectarian separation and hence more hostility... No matter who says what, we will talk about Iraq for many years to come. If, of course, a place near us called Iraq continues to exist!

Commentary in Turkey's Yeni Safak

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Iraqis will be remembered for being able to decide their affairs through the ballot box, despite strong frustrations, threats and interference.

Commentary in Jordan's Al-Ra'y

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The elections were designed to legitimise the occupation, after it lost all justification for the international community... But the period after the elections will witness an escalation of the resistance.

Commentary in Jordan's Al-Dustur

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Whatever the results of the election we hope it will restore harmony among all the Iraqi sects, so that they start building their country torn apart by the occupation war.

Editorial in Saudi al-Jazirah

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No one is absolutely certain of the success or failure of the Iraqi elections.

Editorial in Saudi al-Riyadh

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It is an important step forward in the Iraqi crisis, as it will give the Iraqi authority a semblance of legitimacy and pave way for the withdrawal of the occupation.

Editorial in Saudi al-Watan

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What is required in the period after the elections is to deal with the real political issues, with the highest degree of wisdom, away from sympathy towards any one party.

Editorial in Qatar's al-Rayah

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Iraqis yesterday dealt terrorists and terrorism a heavy blow and were not terrified by threats and criminal operations carried out by stray groups.

Editorial in UAE's al-Ittihad

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The Iraqi election experience and its terrifying future repercussions have confirmed that foreign intervention in the internal affairs and occupation of other countries are not compatible with any form of reform, even if concealed behind high sounding slogans.

Editorial in Egypt's al-Jumhuriyah

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This election will be remembered for being the first in history in which most of the candidates did not reveal their names. However, the most significant thing about it is that it should not be the last election in the history of Iraq.

Commentary in UK-based Arabic al-Hayat

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The Iraqis have shocked everybody by turning out in large numbers... The turnout of Sunnis in some Iraqi towns was also overwhelming and took people by surprise.

Commentary in UK-based al-Sharq al-Awsat

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The new era in Iraq finally began to dawn with a massive voter turnout in Sunday's election and some bloody incidents... Although the election cannot put an end to the current crises and challenges in Iraq, it will open a new horizon.

Iran's Tehran Times

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What happened in Iraq under the name of the election was only a show in which America on the one hand shifts responsibility for the insecure situation, destruction and disorder onto the Iraqi people and on the other continues its devastating presence.

Iran's Jomhuri-ye Eslami

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History in Iraq and the neighbouring region will change after the elections, just as President Bush predicted but in a regressive manner. He will take control of the central government and the central oil, leaving Ayatollah Ali Sistani and his like an autonomy... that will turn Iraq into a chicken cage. So dam this supreme democratic ideal!

Commentary in Palestinian al-Ayyam

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The Arab world wakes up this morning to a new reality in Iraq... Iraq's fate will be determined in the next few days. If the Shia, backed by the Kurds, begin creating a 'new order' at the expense of the proud and defeated Sunnis, the country could slide into a civil war. If the Shia show maturity and generosity and know how to embrace the Sunnis in a future regime, there is still hope for this large and miserable state.

Commentary in Israel's Yediot Aharonot

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With the closure of the polls, the great victory in Iraq became evident... It is an enormous achievement in the campaign against the terrorist organisations that made every effort to torpedo the elections.

Commentary in Israel's Haaretz

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