Call for freedom

Telegraph reports Arab world squirms at impact of Bush's call for freedom. In the few weeks since President George W Bush declared in his inaugural speech that America would defend itself by promoting "the expansion of freedom in all the world", his speech appears to be having a revolutionary impact on the Middle East.

Iraqis have defied the bombers to go to the polls, Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has announced multi-party presidential elections, Palestinians will unveil a democratic reform package in London today and, last night, Lebanon's prime minister resigned in the face of "people power" on Beirut's streets.

They left out the democratic election in Afganistan and the revote in the Ukranian elections, but maybe the Arab world did not notice them.

But I guarantee you that the rest of the world noticed all of it, including the oppressed majority in Iran, and the "Arab Street" in many other countries.

God Bless President Bush, and may God be with the people in all of the Islamic countries, both Arab and non-Arab.

Hat tip to Paul at Blogs for Bush