World media gloom on Iraq anniversary

Media from around the globe see no reasons for celebration on the fourth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Most commentators believe the war has been a disaster for the Bush administration and Iraq.

FATIH ABD AL-SALAM in IRAQ'S AL-ZAMAN

The past four years have put everyone to the test of their lives... so far we have seen none of those tested come out smiling, happy with their performance.

COMMENTARY on IRAQI AL-DIYAR TELEVISION

Four years have passed since the US President promised Iraqis a life of prosperity. However, Iraqis have found themselves in resuscitation wards and morgues.

REPORT on PAN-ARAB AL-JAZEERA TELEVISION

On this day four years ago, US President George Bush gave the go-ahead for the war on Iraq, which was launched under the banner of freedom for Iraq... To this day... Iraqis have not attained the promised freedom. In fact, they have lost security and safety and become fuel for war and daily killing.

Ahmad Dahbur in PALESTINIAN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDAH

Today, on the fourth anniversary of the barbaric US invasion of Iraq, no-one can claim the existence of banned weapons of mass destruction in that disaster-stricken Arab country.

MUHAMMAD AL-MASFAR in LONDON-BASED AL-QUDS AL-ARABI

On this sombre anniversary, civil society organisations are holding mass demonstrations in most parts of the world, from as far as Chile to South Korea... as well as in America and Britain... However the Arab capitals keep silent, even more silent than the grave.

QASIM HUSAYN in BAHRAIN'S AL-WASAT

The sleeping Arab world, for the past four years, has not been moved by the smell of Iraqi blood, which is widely shed every day... the whole world has demonstrated against the US occupation of Iraq on the fourth anniversary of the invasion, but the Arab world is staying indoors.

GHAZI AL-DADA in SYRIA'S TISHRIN

Four years of occupation have elapsed, leaving behind destruction, disaster, chaos, abject poverty, millions of refugees, in addition to disastrous consequences going beyond the borders of Iraq to the surrounding region.

SAMIR QATAMI in JORDAN'S AL-RA'Y

If the USA does not hurry up and withdraw from Iraq and arrange this country's affairs at the international level... then a disaster, larger than that of Vietnam, will befall it.

VIEWPOINT in EGYPT'S AL-AHRAM

On the fourth anniversary of the US invasion, there is consensus that the US occupation has been a mistake.

ABBAS MUSA in QATAR'S AL-WATAN

The Americans are praying for their sons and for the war to stop. Everybody is waiting for the coming days to know to what extent the deployment of more forces will turn more Americans against Bush.

SAMI KOHEN in TURKEY'S MILLIYET

The Bush administration is still pursing the military option by sending extra troops to Iraq. But the number of those who are looking for other "ways out" is gradually increasing. The "way out" is to end the occupation as soon as possible...

MUSTAFA BALBAY in TURKEY'S CUMHURIYET

Will the USA pull out of Iraq? No. Why? Because the USA does not have a plan based on just one country, such as Iraq, Afghanistan or Syria. It has a regional plan. That is why, even if all its plans do not come true, it will not leave Iraq easily.

EDITORIAL in PAKISTAN'S NAWA-I-WAQT

The world community is united in demanding the USA withdraw its forces from Iraq and Afghanistan and free both countries so that they can form the governments they want. But the USA instead of freeing the people of this region is trying to engage them in religious sectarianism...

EDITORIAL in PAKISTAN'S ISLAM

It becomes the primary duty of Muslim countries to stand up for the establishment of peace in Iraq and the resolution of Middle East issues.

EDITORIAL in AUSTRALIA'S THE AGE

It is an anniversary not to celebrate, but to lament. How much longer before Mr Bush sees reason? (19)

STEPHEN MORRIS in THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

Because a peaceful and relatively stable Iraq cannot be established quickly, no dates for withdrawal can wisely be identified... The dreadful consequences of the hitherto flawed occupation of Iraq will only be multiplied by a forced retreat in failure.

EDITORIAL in JAPAN'S ASAHI SHIMBUN

No-one in the world thinks Iraq and the world have become safe.

EDITORIAL in SOUTH KOREA'S CHUNGANG ILBO

If the war continues, anti-war sentiment can only grow... If face-saving is the reason the Bush administration keeps hanging on to the idea of sending additional troops, the United States will only dig a deeper hole for itself.

EDITORIAL in SOUTH KOREA'S HANKYOREH SHINMUN

The failure of the US invasion of Iraq represents the failure of self-righteous US unilateralism.

EDITORIAL in SOUTH AFRICA'S CAPE ARGUS

Iraq is a country brought to its knees without any indication that the US objective is being achieved. If there is any consolation, it is that the American people who enthusiastically voted Bush into power have now seen the error of their ways.

LI XUEJIANG in CHINA'S RENMIN RIBAO

Four years ago on 1 May, Bush announced proudly to the world: The Iraq war has been won! Today... in the face of national opposition to the war, Bush has had no choice but to retreat to Camp David and wrack his brains for an exit strategy.

WU WENBIN in CHINA'S RENMIN RIBAO

The Iraq war has been a disaster for both the United States and Iraq.

YANG LIQUN in CHINA'S JIEFANG RIBAO

Four years ago... when the Americans launched a war against Iraq, President Bush vowed to the Iraqi people that they would be rescued from "dire straits", but the reality four years later is depressing.

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 bureaux abroad.