Press sees difficult days for Syria

Rafik Hariri's death has shocked his many supporters in Lebanon

Newspapers across the Middle East lament the passing of a popular unifying force in Lebanon following the funeral on Wednesday of its former prime minister, Rafik Hariri.

Amid increasing US pressure and suspicion falling on the Syrian regime, many regional papers see tough times ahead for Syria and its neighbour Lebanon.

One Israeli commentator has no doubt where the blame for Hariri's death lies, but Syrian newspapers see things very differently, saying that Lebanon has greatly benefited from its ties with the country.

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The whole of Lebanon bid farewell to the late former prime minister, Rafik Hariri. The send off was dignified, befitting the deceased, and expresses the sadness of both the Lebanese and Arabs.

Oman's al-Watan

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The farewell accorded Rafik Hariri reflects the support which the man enjoyed among the diverse Lebanese people.

Saudi Arabia's al-Jazirah

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This public funeral represents a rejection of the return to civil war and an affirmation of the right of human beings to live.

Egypt's al-Ahram

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If Hariri was a symbol for this country, then the principles he planted will not die and will remain like a cedar tree as generations grow on these great principles.

UAE's al-Ittihad

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The fact that America's leaders ascribe the internal occurrences of Lebanon to Syria proves that they have found a good opportunity to increase the pressure on Syria in order to reach their objectives in Iraq and Palestine.

Iran's Hamshahri

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Hariri's assassination has become the focus of all of the Lebanese and international pressure to eliminate Syria from having an influence in the region.

Iran's Shargh

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After Hariri's assassination, strong storms are moving towards Lebanon from all directions.

Saudi Arabia's al-Riyadh

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If they did kill Hariri, could Syria - which is surrounded, under threat of attack, and oppressed by the US and Israel from east and west - really run the risk of standing against the current flow of events? Isn't it apparent that even before two days have passed, the results of the assassination have brought Syria face to face with occupation?

Turkey's Yeni Safak

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Even though no certain proof has been found about who is behind the murder of Hariri, it is certain that Syria, towards whom the finger has pointed, has difficult days ahead. Not only the Arab countries in the region but also Israel will get their fair share of this difficulty.

Turkey's Aksam

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Trying to internationalise the Lebanese crisis and urging that Lebanon be put under international protection will affect the current Lebanese and Syrian equation, and may lead to violent political and security tremors.

London-based Arabic newspaper al-Arab al-Alamiyah

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With the assassination of Hariri, Syria has reminded the Lebanese that it was the one who ended the civil war in the country in return for the known price tag [Syrian troops staying in Lebanon]. The Syrians, however, forget that 2005 is not 1976... The definers of strength in the world that have changed the direction of democracy and human rights are liable to turn Lebanon into the graveyard of the regime in Damascus.

Israel's Yediot Aharonot

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Whoever thinks that Hariri's assassination is a mere act of insurgency is wrong. It is a scheme to split and divide Lebanon, whose ties with Syria have enabled it drive away the Israeli occupation from the south.

Syria's Tishrin

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The crime of slaying Hariri is the work of a force which does not want blessing, security, tranquillity and stability in Lebanon and does not want it to have stable and distinguished ties with Syria.

Syria's al-Thawrah

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BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaus abroad.