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Posted on 09/11/2001 2:59:16 PM PDT by Thinkin' Gal
Tuesday September 11 4:04 PM ET
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By Joseph Logan
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Arab leaders voiced shock and horror at devastating attacks that leveled symbols of American power on Tuesday, but a chorus of cheers rose from streets that resent U.S. backing of Israel.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (news - web sites), Washington's key Arab ally, called the plane attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center and left the Pentagon (news - web sites) in flames ``horrific beyond imagination.'' Ordinary Egyptians, however, felt otherwise.
``Do you want to hear my honest opinion?'' asked Samira Mohamed, a 26-year-old lawyer. ``I was very happy when I heard the news. My happiness is based on my utter rejection of the U.S. treatment of the Middle East case.''
The jubilation was echoed in other countries with large Palestinian populations, where sentiment has crystallized against the United States over the course of an 11-month Palestinian uprising against Israel.
While Jordan's King Abdullah called the attacks ``terrorist actions that contradict all...values,'' Jordanians and Palestinian refugees in Amman took to the streets in joy, some handing out sweets to celebrate.
SYRIA CONDEMNS, IRAQ, HIZBOLLAH SILENT
Syria, which has tense relations with the United States, strongly condemned the attacks.
``Syria condemns the sabotage destructive attacks which were directed against innocent civilians in the United States,'' a Syrian information official said.
``Syria expresses its sympathy with the American people and families of the victims who fell as a result of these attacks.''
Iraq, at war with Washington, had no reaction.
The Islamist Hizbollah guerrilla group, which in the past carried out suicide bomb attacks against U.S targets in Lebanon, declined comment on Tuesday's attacks.
In Beirut, Lebanese citizens and Palestinian refugees said the attack was payback for U.S. policies in the region, chief among them its backing for the Jewish state that launched a bloody invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
``We're ecstatic. Let America have a taste of what we've tasted,'' said Ali Mareh, a Lebanese resident of Beirut.
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was quick to offer condolences to President Bush (news - web sites).
``These tragic actions contradict all human and religious values,'' Hariri said in a statement.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) condemned the attacks, but celebratory gunfire echoed across the West Bank, when television stations showed footage of New York buildings on fire and collapsing and terrified Americans fleeing the carnage.
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon greeted news of the devastating attacks with jubilant gunfire, dancing and cheering, saying Israel's chief backer deserved such a punishment.
``This is the result of American policy. America and Israel are one,'' one Palestinian gunman said.
``This is the reaction required to confront the American and Israeli arrogance,'' said Mohamad Hallak, a 40-year-old Palestinian refugee from the Rashidiyeh camp in Tyre.
SHARED JOY
Some Lebanese shared the joy.
``People are happy. America has always supported terrorism. They see how the innocent Palestinian children are killed and they back the Zionist army that does it. America has never been on the side of justice,'' said Samir, a Lebanese.
``This is the language that the United States understands and this is the way to stop America from helping the Zionist terrorists who are killing our children, men and women every day,'' said Palestinian Mohamed Rasheed.
Lebanon is home to some 360,000 Palestinian refugees. After four generations of exile, many feel embittered against the United States for its support of Israel -- a feeling which has grown during the present uprising in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza.
Palestinians who have often burned U.S. flags in protests during their 11-month-old uprising against Israeli occupation also celebrated in Arab East Jerusalem.
``I feel I am in a dream. I never believed that one day the United States would come to pay a price for its support to Israel,'' said Mustafa, a 24-year-old Palestinian gunman.
Several dozen Palestinian youths gathered in East Jerusalem to celebrate, honking out wedding tunes on their car horns.
``We are so happy that America was hit. America is against us in supporting Israel,'' Suleiman, one of the demonstrators, said.
In Nablus, motorists honked horns and gunmen fired into the air to cheer the attacks which unfolded within a few hours and stunned people around the globe.
Israel and the Palestinians have been locked in fighting since the Palestinian uprising against occupation erupted last September after peace talks stalled.
Reaction was mixed elsewhere in Lebanon. Many people, used to wars, bombardment and destruction of their cities, watched the news in disbelief and shock.
``Who could believe this is happening in the capitals of the world's only superpower?,'' said one Beirut resident.
Cheer on you Bastards, cause that's the last you ever gonna hear about a Palestinian state.
Sharon declared a day of mourning in Israel.
I wonder if the huge pro-Israel demonstration and concert planned for Sept. 23rd in NYC will still go on.
And this is going to make that treatment better? Well, Egypt gets what, $2 or $3 billion a year from us? There's $2 or $3 billion we can use to cover costs.
...condemned in his English language press release, certainly. What did he say to his minions in Arabic?
HF
I think the US should find out who did this and LEVEL them.
And why is that never reported?
Then we should spare the Arab leaders but destroy the civilians.
Liar! That was no teen agaers acting up. Those were adults!
Bump that
Shoot first America .
25 Mt Air Blast: Pressure Damage - Beirut -Lebanon
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