Saudi columnist back in paper with attack on Ahmadinejad

A prominent Saudi columnist who had headed Alarabiya satellite TV station for nearly five years on Sunday resumed writing in a major Arab newspaper with a virulent attack on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Abdul Rahman Al Rashid, who resigned from his post as director general of the Saudi Alarabiya television, attacked the Iranian leader in his first article in the Saudi daily Alsharqalawsat in nearly two weeks following reports that he had been asked to stop his columns in the London-based paper.

Rashid, who is still within the Saudi-owned MBC group that controls Alarabiya, devoted his article to Ahmadnejad’s speech this week at the United Nations, where he attacked the United States and the United Nations Security Council.

Commenting on the September 11, 2001, terror strikes on the US, Ahmadinejad said some in the world have speculated that Americans were behind the attacks, staged in an attempt to assure Israel's survival.

“It was not strange that the Iranian president was the star among 191 delegates who participated in the UN General Assembly as he was the only one who is involved in a major battle against the big powers,” Rashid said.

“It seems that the Iranian president loves to be the media spotlight… we wonder why he just tries to increase the number of his foes… does he simply have a tough character or he does this on purpose… can’t he realise that such attacks in public will only bring him more trouble… even those who are neutral in the confrontation with Iran cannot remain silent towards this… actually, I cannot understand how President Nejad balances his words - if he has any balance.”

Rashid said he had thought Ahmadinejad would make compromises when he headed for the United Nations to deliver his address, adding that this belief was strengthened by compromising Iranian statements before Ahmadinejad’s trip.

“I had even thought that Nejad might stretch his hand and try to shake the US president’s hand to embarrass him before the whole world… he did stretch his hand but to give President Obama an unexpected slap on the face when he accused the Americans of being behind the September 11 attacks… with these accusations, Nejad appeared to have killed all chances of a reconciliation with the American leadership and people,” he said.

“Some might ask what harm Nejad will get by delivering some provocative words since Iran’s ties with the US are already at rock bottom… actually, these acts will only make Iran an easy target for the public opinion, which is considered the front door for any action against Iran,” Rashid added.

“Accusing the Americans of being behind the September 11 attacks, building a nuclear arsenal, arresting US citizens, threatening American interests and denying the (Jewish) Holocaust are all increasing pressure on Obama’s government to take action against Iran… normally, all anti-US groups try to drive a wedge among the Americans except Nejad, who succeeded in uniting the Americans - of course against him.”

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