The Arabic press has turned its sights on US and Israeli policies in the Middle East ahead of the Arab summit in Tunis, and many newspapers warn leaders against issuing empty promises.

The papers in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Syria call on the summit to take concrete measures at a time of mounting Iraqi and Palestinian civilian casualties.

Editorials in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the pan-Arab press, meanwhile, hold very low expectations for what the summit will yield.

Arab leaders will go to the summit heads down, showing their impotence in the face of events in Iraq and the Palestinian territories... The summit will be the final true test for Arab governments and we really doubt they will pass it.

Al-Quds Al-Arabi - pan-Arab

The scenario is all the more dark because all the Arab countries live under a permanent blockade, daily receiving threats and "orders" and being subjected to strong pressure with the aim of redrawing a new Middle East, in conformity with the objectives of the new colonialism and Israel.

Tishrin - Syria

Arab nations expect their leaders to agree on measures to be taken against Israel's criminal and bloody attacks against Palestinian civilians.

Al-Ahram - Egypt

It is hoped the Tunis summit will openly announce its condemnation of the cases of violation of human rights in Iraq and the humiliation of Iraqi prisoners in US detention camps.

Al-Akhbar - Egypt

The Arab leaders are keen to save face, and to save face they meet today, if they meet at all, with whoever is there and at whatever level. They will issue to the world a declaration... that will not contain one single useful sentence.

Al-Seyassah - Kuwait

We are not optimistic about a summit whose attendance will be very poor, and are not desperate for a preliminary summit which will explain the Arab situation and its national and international relations.

Al-Riyadh - Saudi Arabia

In this era when the Arab ship is being blown by heavy winds, there is need for sharp and wise leaders, so that all Arabs can be saved from drowning in the sea, as the enemy wishes.

Al-Jazirah - Saudi Arabia

Regardless of the level of Arab representation at the Tunis summit to be held from today, the deteriorating situation in the region did not allow for the postponement or cancellation of the summit.

Ukaz - Saudi Arabia

There are several issues to be agreed upon at the Tunis summit, such as curbing Sharon the terrorist's attempts to change history and geography through massive genocide campaigns against Palestinian civilians.

Al-Bayan - UAE

The convening of the summit is a positive step, which could help overcome the bitterness which followed the postponement of the March summit... A lot of serious questions are being asked about the summit expected to begin today. Arab leaders must therefore answer these questions, because people are watching and waiting.

Al-Ra'y - Jordan

Whether the Arab summit is convened or not, there is no difference, because we know that political will on the part of Arab governments does not exist when it comes to Arab co-operation.

Al-Nahar - Lebanon

The truth is that no Arab government can do anything to end Israeli occupation or the occupation by US troops in Iraq, because the balance of power is against them. Whatever they did or will try to do, it will be impossible for them to win.

Al-Sharq al-Awsat - pan-Arab

I feel neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the present Arab summit, which will be no more than another number to be added to the series of summits held so far. As usual, it will be just another occasion for accord and discord, for agreeing on what to put on paper and disagreeing on what do on the ground. May God spare Arab leaders the evils of democracy and change!

Al-Mada - Iraq (From commentary by Malallah Faraj)

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.