Syria says Sharon victory would herald 'ominous era'

Syria has warned that if Israel elects hardliner Ariel Sharon it will herald "a new ominous era" which threatens the Middle East peace process.

There has been apprehension in the Arab world about a Sharon victory because of his hardline views on the peace process and past anti-Arab actions.

As defence minister Mr Sharon engineered Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Israeli troops in west Beirut let an allied Christian militia group into two Palestinian refugee camps, where they slaughtered hundreds of people.

"Israeli voters will choose today the worst prime minister they have ever chosen," said the ruling Baath party newspaper Al-Baath.

"On the basis of Sharon's criminal past and his extreme orientations, he would herald a new ominous era that threatens the peace process with dire consequences, as his return to the political platform means unequivocally that Israel is preparing itself for an anti-peace alternative and is heading toward more bloody violence in all the region."

Tishrin, another Syrian government newspaper, said any talk now about peace is "a waste of time" while the state-run Al-Thawra newspaper said Mr Sharon's record is "full of racism, hatred and grudge" .

In other Arab reaction, Lebanon's Prime Minister Rakik Hariri said Mr Sharon's history suggests "the peace process will have a setback" .

The Jordan Times said Mr Sharon "has not missed one opportunity to remind everyone of the recipe for disaster he has in store for the people of the entire region."