Gulf shakes ‘Queen of World’ Rice’s crown

Other Gulf newspapers, which usually reflect official thinking, said Rice’s remarks proved that Washington’s declared anti-terror war was actually intended against Islam.

‘‘Her suggestion that Islam poses an obstacle to what she called liberal American values represents the essence of the coming conflict between the hegemonous American culture and Muslim civilisation,’’ said Qatar’s al-Rayah daily.

It warned Washington that its plans would only incite an Islamic revolution over its planned ‘‘crusade’’, especially since Arabs were fed up with perceived pro-Israel US bias. ‘‘The US is playing with fire by feverishly seeking a fight with Islam,’’ the newspaper added.

Rice singled out Qatar, along with Bahrain and Jordan, as Muslim countries who had instituted some reforms. ‘‘We want to be supportive of those,’’ she said. In Oman, the al-Watan said Rice’s comments would ‘‘only rob Washington of yet another bunker in its confrontation with Iraq.’’

Newspapers in key US ally Saudi Arabia did not directly react to Rice’s comments, but some ran editorials alluding to her remarks and warned that ‘‘colonialism’’ had returned. (Reuters)