Arabs gripped by Mubarak trial

The dramatic images of ailing Hosni Mubarak in the defendants' cage has captivated the Arab world, where the murder trial of Egypt's former president has been hailed as a lesson for those clinging to power.

Footage of the ailing 83-year-old, lying on a hospital bed behind the wire mesh of the cage on Thursday, was broadcast across the Arab world. From Morocco to Jordan, Arabs were fixed to their television screens or following the live updates of the trial on Facebook and Twitter, dumbfounded.

"This day has transformed into what feels like a dream because no one imagined that an autocrat would sit behind bars answering the judge's questions and listening to a long list of charges," said Palestinian newspaper 'Al Quds' in an editorial.

"Each and every Arab hopes that this historic case will be a lesson for all those clinging to their chairs to listen to the demands of peoples who ask for freedom, democracy and social justice," it said.

In Damascus, the state-owned press avoided commenting on the trial, except for Al Baath, the ruling party's mouthpiece, which only made brief mention of the fact that the hearing was adjourned until Aug.15.

"We will probably not witness a (Ben Ali trial) and Tunisia still hasn't suspended relations with Saudi Arabia," said Tunisian activist Amira Yahyaoui in a tweet.

There was no official reaction from Riyadh, but the Saudi press, which usually reflects the kingdom's official stance, welcomed the "civilised" proceedings.

Under the headline "The rule of the judiciary", daily 'Al Jazira' wrote that "there are no exceptions" to justice.

"Illness does not prevent the defendant from being held accountable for his mistakes, neither does his long national work and public service," the paper said.


'Al Riyadh' daily described the trial as "a civilised trial in which conditions were met by both prosecution and defence, in addition to the presence of witnesses," hailing Egypt's judiciary as "independent and impartial."

"The historic trial of Mubarak is great proof that the people of Egypt have defeated dictatorship," wrote Taher Adwan, in the independent Jordanian daily 'Al Arab Al Yawm.'

"The trial will give Arab revolts a great boost to overcome obstacles," wrote Mohammed Abu Rumman in Jordan's 'Al Ghad' independent daily.

In Morocco, the press described the trial as a triumph.

"This trial is a victory for the will of the people in the region who want democratisation," said Moroccan daily 'Al Tajdid.'

But some commentators were more tempered in their enthusiasm.

"It's very nice that the people were able to remove and prosecute a whole regime, but it should be done without vengeful feelings that will cause future grudges," wrote Hafez Al Barghuti in the Palestinian 'Al Hayat Al Jadida.'